For many dedicated home baristas, the thought of considering the best espresso machine under $200 might seem ridiculous. However, plenty of folks are simply looking for an affordable way to make delicious espresso at home.
For many dedicated home baristas, the thought of considering the best espresso machine under $200 might seem ridiculous. However, plenty of folks are simply looking for an affordable way to make delicious espresso at home.
Whether you’re just starting out on your espresso journey, or you’re a seasoned pro on a budget, there are numerous affordable options that’ll really deliver. As it happens, making quality espresso at home doesn’t have to cost the earth!
I’ve found five top-notch espresso machines, none of which will break the bank. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what we’re dealing with.
Table of Contents
- Best Espresso Machines Under $200 at a Glance
- Is an Espresso Machine Under $200 Worth It?
- The 5 Best Espresso Machines Under $200DeLonghi StilosaFlair Espresso MakerWACACO NanopressoCasabrews CM 5418DeLonghi ECP3630
- How to ChooseType of MachineSize and DesignBuild QualityFeaturesEase of Cleaning
- Decision Time
- FAQ
Best Espresso Machines Under $200 at a Glance
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my picks for the best machines under $200.
Intuitive user interface
Thermoblock heating
Compact and affordable
Is an Espresso Machine Under $200 Worth It?
Here at Coffeeness I spend a lot of time testing and reviewing quite expensive coffee equipment. And while the old adage of getting what you pay for does ring true, it’s not always the case. I mean, that’s why people say money can’t buy happiness, right?
So, is an espresso machine under 200 dollars worth it? Absolutely! As long as you have realistic expectations. For the most part, you can forget about shiny chrome accents, commercial-grade components and tons of fancy features.
With that said, there are budget espresso machines capable of producing sublime results. In fact, there’s at least one machine on my list that’ll make espresso that’s as good as you’ll find anywhere.
The 5 Best Espresso Machines Under $200
DeLonghi Stilosa
PROS
- Solid construction
- Easy to use
- Compact footprint
- Great value
CONS
- Only includes pressurized filter baskets
- Finicky steam wand
If you’re on a tight budget and want a compact, beginner-friendly espresso machine, the DeLonghi Stilosa is definitely worth considering.
While it’s far from perfect, I had a great time testing out the Stilosa, and I feel confident recommending it to budding home baristas.
Thanks to its small footprint, the DeLonghi Stilosa won’t take up much space on your kitchen countertop. Plus, at just $86.99, you might have money left over for a decent burr coffee grinder!
Either way, the Stilosa comes with pressurized filter baskets, so you’ll be able to pull decent shots using pre-ground coffee. In a pinch, you can also use Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) pods with this machine.
Best of all, the Stilosa has a pretty powerful manual steam wand, so it’s easy to whip up creamy milk foam for your daily cappuccino. Just bear in mind you’ll need to buy a milk frothing pitcher separately.
See Also: DeLonghi Stilosa Review 2024
Flair Espresso Maker
PROS
- Pro-level espresso
- Looks awesome
- Simple design
- Doesn’t require electricity
CONS
- Quite bulky
You’d be forgiven for feeling quite intimidated by the Flair Classic Espresso Maker when looking at it for the first time. I mean, it does look pretty serious! However, this stylish beauty is actually very approachable and easy to use.
Costing just $165.00, the Flair Espresso Maker might be the most affordable way to start pulling pro-level shots. Thanks to its 18 gram filter basket and high-performance design, the Flair is capable of producing exceptional espresso. And seeing as it’s a fully manual machine, you’ll create the pressure necessary for extraction using muscle power.
I love the Flair Espresso Maker’s simple and elegant design. Plus, its brew group is fully detachable, making the thing super easy to clean. The only thing to bear in mind is that you’ll need an espresso-capable grinder – the Flair won’t shine when paired with pre-ground coffee.
See Also: Flair Espresso Maker Review 2024
WACACO Nanopresso
PROS
- Compact and lightweight
- Makes delicious espresso
- Great value
- Customizable options
CONS
- Lots of small parts
- Tiresome to clean
While we’re on the subject of manual espresso machines, check out the WACACO Nanopresso. Oh, and don’t worry – you won’t need shredded biceps to operate this nifty device!
Seriously, the Nanopresso’s design is beyond ingenious. You create pressure by pumping a pop-out piston with your thumb, and I was blown away by how effectively it works. As a matter of fact, the WACACO Nanopresso is capable of producing up to 18 bars of pressure!
Costing just $84.90, the Nanopresso represents great value for money, especially considering the quality of espresso it can produce. What’s more, the machine’s thoughtful design means everything you need is contained in a compact, portable package. Heck, there’s even a built-in espresso cup!
The WACACO Nanopresso comes with a pressurized filter basket, so you can use pre-ground coffee. And if you want to upgrade, the optional Barista Kit includes bigger filter baskets, a dedicated tamper and a larger water tank.
See Also: WACACO Nanopresso Review 2024
Casabrews CM 5418 Espresso Machine
PROS
- Small footprint
- Easy to use
- Thermoblock heating
- Durable construction
CONS
- Comes with useless tamper
- Few accessories
I recently reviewed the Casabrews CM 5418 Espresso Machine, and I really wasn’t expecting much. However, this awesome little machine quickly won me over.
Thanks to its compact footprint, excellent build quality and surprisingly premium features, I had a great time playing with the thing. And its $139.99 asking price didn’t hurt either.
Sure, you’ll have to deal with a flimsy plastic tamper and a rather substandard portafilter. Plus, the double wall filter baskets aren’t exactly pro. Still, I was able to get very convincing espresso from the CM 5418.
I love that this budget-friendly machine has a large pressure gauge to help monitor your shots. And the professional steam wand was a very pleasant surprise. In fact, I was able to whip up some beautiful microfoam for my morning latte.
Although Casabrews isn’t a well-known brand, I’d say they’ve hit a home run with the CM 5418.
See Also: Casabrews Espresso Machine Review 2024
DeLonghi ECP3630
PROS
- Powerful steam wand
- Compact and affordable
- Straightforward operation
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Small water tank
There can be no doubt that DeLonghi is a powerhouse when it comes to super automatic espresso machines. However, these guys also know what they’re doing when it comes to semi-automatic espresso machines. In fact, the Italian manufacturer offers a bunch of inexpensive models, including the awesome DeLonghi ECP3630.
Costing just $111.99, the ECP3630 is a solid performer that’ll appeal to newbies and seasoned home baristas. I mean, this machine has it all, including a pannarello steam wand, straightforward user interface and up to 15 bars of pressure.
The DeLonghi ECP3630 is quick to heat up, so you won’t be suffering from caffeine withdrawal in the morning. Even better, this espresso maker is equipped with separate thermostats for hot water and steam, so it’ll maintain temperature stability with ease.
All in all, the DeLonghi ECP3630 is ideal for small kitchens, dorm rooms or even RVs. And seeing as this is a DeLonghi product, you can be sure it’ll last for a while.
See Also: DeLonghi ECP3630 Review 2024
How to Choose the Best Espresso Machine Under $200
Just because you’re considering a budget espresso machine doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind. As we’ve seen, there are tons of options available, so it’s important to be able to narrow down your search.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider as you’re looking for your dream machine.
Type of Machine
At this price point, the type of espresso maker you choose will have a dramatic effect on the quality of espresso you’ll be able to produce. As I already mentioned, the Flair Classic is capable of producing outstanding espresso shots, but it’s a manual espresso machine with a much steeper learning curve. Plus, you’ll need a better-than-average grinder to get the best results.
On the flip side, budget semi-automatic machines are much easier to use and usually come with pressurized filter baskets. While that means you won’t need to be as precise with your grind size, your espresso won’t be as sweet and complex.
Size and Design
All the best espresso makers under $200 are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for smaller kitchens. Still, an espresso machine that’s too lightweight can have its drawbacks. After all, you don’t want to accidentally push the thing off your countertop as you’re inserting the portafilter!
As for an espresso machine’s design, you’ll likely want something that’ll enhance your kitchen rather than stick out like a sore thumb. Oh, and make sure you take measurements before committing, especially if you have overhead cabinets in your kitchen.
Build Quality
These days, it’s almost impossible to find an espresso machine at any price point that doesn’t have plastic on it somewhere. And when we’re talking about espresso machines under $200, it’s almost a given that the housing will be plastic.
Still, be on the lookout for a machine that seems durable and well built. Plus, finding something with stainless steel accents isn’t out of the question.
Features
While you can’t expect a full menu of features in an espresso machine under $200, there are some things to consider. For starters, you’ll need to think about whether you’ll want an automatic milk frother. Steam wands come as standard on most espresso machines, but if you just drink straight espresso it won’t matter how well the milk frother performs.
Another thing to look for is thermoblock heating, which is quick and efficient. Finally, you might want to look into the possibility of upgrading to single-wall filter baskets. Trust me, if you start getting serious about espresso, you’ll eventually want the option.
Ease of Cleaning
Espresso machine cleaning and maintenance is pretty straightforward. In fact, you’ll find everything you need to know in the espresso machine section of my cleaning and descaling guide 2024. Still, I do recommend buying an espresso machine that’s easy to take apart and clean.
Look for a machine with a removable water reservoir and removable drip tray, seeing as nastiness can build up in there quite quickly. You should also be able to easily take apart the portafilter and remove the shower screen for daily rinsing of excess ground coffee.
Decision Time
As we’ve seen, there are plenty of awesome espresso machines under $200. I’d say the biggest decision you’ll need to make is whether you’ll go with a manual or semi-automatic espresso machine.
With a manual machine like the Flair Classic, you’ll really be able to flex your pro barista muscles and geek out to your heart’s content.
Alternatively, a semi-automatic like the DeLonghi Stilosa will have you preparing decent espresso and milk-based specialties in no time.
Either way, you aren’t going to have to spend much money to get what you want!
What’s the best espresso machine under $200 in your opinion? Is there a dream machine missing from my list? I can’t wait to read about it in the comments section!
Best Espresso Machine Under $200 FAQ
There are plenty of decent and affordable espresso machines. Still, once you develop your barista skills, you might find that a cappuccino machine costing around $500 offers more versatility.
In general, more expensive espresso machines are better because they offer superior build quality and more advanced features.
You can expect an affordable espresso machine to last around five years with daily use. That said, a more expensive coffee machine should last decades with regular maintenance.
