Picture this as the perfect ending to your romantic night out–a delicious cup of espresso, followed by your favorite dessert. Do you have to go to Starbucks for your first shot of espresso before you go to work? Buying coffee, especially espresso can be very expensive when you sit down and break down the daily costs. If you invest in an espresso machine, you can cut down on these costs, but also have espresso when you want! Continue reading to find the best affordable espresso machine under $200!
List of Best Espresso Machine under $200
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine (BES870XL)
Key Features:
- Digital Temperature Control (PID): Accurate, adjustable temperature settings help to facilitate optimal espresso extraction.
- Steam Wand: The steam wand allows for the creation of precision micro-foam milk latte art and enhances the texture and flavor of your beverage.
- Integrated Bean Dose Grinder With Grind Size Dial: The ability to grind any type of roasted coffee beans directly into the portafilter and alter the grind size gives you complete control over the output.
- Automatic Settings: Use automatic settings for a fast single or double-shot expresso. Or, activate the manual override mode to make your own creations.
- Stainless Steel Compact Design: The stainless steel body gives this unit a sturdy, high-quality look and feel. It’s guaranteed to look instantly slick on any countertop.
- 15 Bar Italian Pump With Analog Pressure Gauge: This feature allows those with raw talent to create the best authentic espresso at home.
Why We Like It: The best thing about this machine is its integrated grinder, which enables you to grind roasted coffee beans seconds before extraction. This results in rich, full-flavored coffee and negates the need to buy a separate bean grinding device. The included steam wand is also a pleasure to use and unlike some budget milk frothers, it allows for the creation of intricate latte art.
Review: This espresso machine costs well over $200, be we’ve included it here so you can see some of the extra features you can enjoy from products in a higher price bracket. While the machine has a steep learning curve, once you’ve mastered the controls, you can use it to really showcase your barista skills. What’s more, the BES870XL can also function as a hot water dispenser, allowing you to make instant hot drinks, like hot cocoa.
Unfortunately, getting in touch with Breville’s customer support team if your machine ever experiences a problem is a nightmare. For the price, we’d expect the machine to have at least 5 years of service life, but many buyers report experiencing problems after just 2 years of use. Furthermore, sourcing affordable replacement filters for the water tank can be a challenge.
Nespresso Pixie Original Espresso Machine
Key Features:
- Forceful: contains a 19 bar pressure pump, which enhances and releases the deepest flavor from each coffee pod
- Energy Efficient: heats your coffee to optimal temperature in no more than 25 seconds and automatically turns itself off after 9 minutes of discontinued use
- Easy Use: this machine is easily programmable to your needs, and contains two “one-touch” buttons that make coffee and espresso.
- Smart Espresso Maker: contains a red backlight light that tells you when the (24 oz) water tank is empty. Also contains a folding drip tray that you can use to make larger servings of coffee, cappuccinos, and lattes.
- Easy for you to clean: as coffee capsules are ejected from the machine into an internal trash can
Why We Like It: This machine gives you more freedom in creating your coffee order, as it contains only two, preprogrammed, “one-touch” buttons. So if you are adventurous and like tinkering with espresso machines, this is a perfect machine for you. It is also energy efficient, which is helpful for both the environment and your electricity bill. The capsules are made from aluminum and are environmentally friendly.
Review: Nespresso Pixie Original Espresso Machine is less than $200. For those who like to tinker with their espressos or lattes recipes, buy this espresso machine. It should be fairly easy for your use. The water tank is rather small (24 oz) for its main purpose, and you are required to manually clean it to help keep it working properly. Some of its user has reported that it works well for a while and then stops working, or starts leaking water everywhere.
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine
Key Features:
- Works Immediately: creates barista style coffee or espresso with the touch of a button. Uses only Nespresso Vertuo capsules, each containing their own recipe of coffee
- Flexible Coffee/Espresso Maker: can make five different types of coffee with the press of one button–Espresso, Double espresso, Coffee, Alto, and Gran Lungo. These come in five different sizes, which range from 1.35 oz to 14 oz.
- Advanced technology: Using Nespresso’s CentrifusionTM technology, which scans the barcodes on the capsules to create the perfect cup of coffee or espresso every time. All you have to do is place the capsule into the filter cup.
- Other Features: portable water tank (40 oz), quick heating time (15 seconds), and energy saving (turns off after nine minutes of discontinued use).
Why We Like It: This machine is very energy efficient. It heats up your coffee/espresso within 15 seconds after turning it on. The machine also saves energy by turning itself off after nine minutes of discontinued use. The machine gives you several coffee options and also takes the hassle out of measuring out coffee grounds or beans. Using Nespresso capsules take the difficulty out of preparing your own coffee.
Review: Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine costs less than $150. If you are a busy person who doesn’t have time to measure out coffee grounds, then this is the machine for you. All you have to do is fill up the water tank and pop in a capsule, and then turn the machine on. Customers have reported that even without any prior use of the machine, they have been able to use it easily. However, buying the capsules themselves can get expensive. You also have to buy other attachments, if you want to make more than a plain cup of coffee or espresso.
ROK EspressoGC
Key Features:
- Features: one spout portafilter, plastic double spout attachment that can detach, along with a measuring cup
- Upgrades: the piston gasket has increased pressure from the original ROK machine
- Portability: this machine is lightweight and small at 3.5 lbs and 11 inches tall, perfect for packing along in a suitcase on vacation or between locations.
- Specialty: press the two arms down to create crema-rich espresso
Why We Like It: Notably energy efficient, this espresso machine does not use a pump or any kind of motor to make your espresso. It is an overhaul of a new design and so there are certain improvements that have been made. The pressure creates on the grounds while you are making your coffee. Because it does not need electricity, you can take this espresso maker anywhere and make your espresso however you want.
Review: This manual espresso maker costs under $200. This espresso machine is made with stainless steel and is recommended for travelers and the like. This machine is not for casual drinkers of espresso and/or have no interest in learning how to make espresso. You should find a different machine, as this one requires a lot of extra work and effort into using properly. Prepare yourself for frustration as the plastic parts will break and you may have to replace them on a semi-regular basis. It is very much a trial and error machine because you have to use your muscle to operate the machine. It does not come with premade capsules, so you can create your own unique recipes.
Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Key Features:
- Drinks: has settings to make a latte, cappuccino, or an espresso.
- Technology: uses a 15 bar pump and one-touch buttons to make specific drinks. Uses 1040 watts of power.
- Features: contains a removable water filter and milk reservoir has an automatic milk frother. which takes away work and decisions from you regarding when to use it.
Why We Like It: This machine is not a bad investment in your coffee, as it can make three different drinks. It is also energy efficient as it automatically turns off within a few minutes after you stop visibly using it. Its water tank and milk reservoir are both removable, and after you are finished using you need to remember to put the milk away. The milk frother attachment is an added bonus.
Review: Before you use any attachments, you need to read the instruction manual carefully before priming the machine to use. Users have reported that there is an extensive cleaning process. This process runs through the machine at least twice, which may consume too much of your time. There are also separate protocols for descaling the machine, so keep that in mind. To make the best espresso using this machine, there are also extra steps you will have to take. users have stated they bought coffee beans and ground them to get the best flavor, otherwise, the espresso is too bitter. Regular cleaning also improves the flavor tremendously. Overall, this machine is fairly easy to use. However, it requires some extra elbow grease to work at its best that you may not want to perform
Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine
Key Features:
- Advanced technology: Contains Nespresso’s CentrifusionTM technology. This scans the barcodes on the capsules to create the perfect cup of espresso every time. Putting the capsule into the filter cup takes all of the work out of making espresso.
- Flexible Coffee/Espresso Maker: can make five different types of coffee with the press of one button–Espresso, Double espresso, Coffee, Alto, and Gran Lungo. These come in five different sizes, which range from 1.35 oz to 14 oz.
- Works Immediately: creates barista style coffee or espresso with the touch of a button. Designed to use only with Nespresso Vertuo capsules, each containing their own recipe of coffee
- Other Features: larger than usual portable water tank (54 oz), capsule container (can contain up to 17 capsules at a time). Quick heating time (15 seconds), and energy saving (turns off after nine minutes of discontinued use).
Why We Like It: This energy-efficient machine heats up your coffee/espresso within 15 seconds. It also saves energy by turning itself off after nine minutes of discontinued use. The machine gives you several coffee options. The hassle out of measuring out coffee grounds or beans is eliminated by the Nespresso capsules. Lastly, this machine has a larger water tank, which is 54 oz (14 oz larger than normal). Use it for meetings, parties, or other large groups.
Review: If you are a busy person who doesn’t have time to measure out coffee grounds, then this machine is perfect. Fill up the water tank, pop in a capsule, and then turn the machine on. This machine has the bonus of having a large water tank, so you don’t have to refill it as often. It is also perfect for large parties, such as a breakfast meeting, where several people can make their own espresso. Most people do not need any prior knowledge or use of the machine, so anyone can use it. However, buying the capsules themselves can get expensive. You also have to buy attachments, if you want to make more than a plain cup of coffee or espresso.
Capresso EC100 (Espresso and Cappuccino Machine)
Key Features:
- Technology: ThermaBlock Heating System interlined with stainless steel, which gives the machine 15 bar of pressure
- Features: portable water tank (46 oz), with a cup warming dais made from stainless steel
Can make a single or double espresso using two different sieves - Easy Use: contains a swivel frother that allows steam to escape. Also has lights for two buttons: “on/off” and “coffee/steam”
Why We Like It: This steel-lined espresso machine allows you to create delicious espresso and cappuccino drinks within a minute. The swivel frother gives you two options, to create froth best suited for cappuccinos and lattes. It uses a streaming system to heat the milk, which is how it creates an optimum temperature of the milk. Use this attachment with either espresso pods or pre-ground coffee.
Review: Relatively easy to use, this machine and its main focus/features are based around its cappuccinos and lattes, not espresso. The water tank’s size (46 oz) ensures that you are able to make as many drinks as you want to. You will not have to stop refilling and clean it over and over again. Some users have reported their machines breaking down relatively quickly, so there is a risk in buying it. It does not contain a self-cleaning system, so you will have to manually clean it. However, the clean-up is easy, although you need to make sure that you clean the frother properly. Any milk that remains inside the tube might harm your health.
Things to Consider Before Buying An Espresso Machine
Before buying an espresso machine, you need to figure out certain things before you can decide which machine you want to buy.
- How often will you be using it?
- How handy are you with kitchen appliances?
- Will you be able to have enough time in the mornings to properly set up and/or clean your espresso machine?
One of the first things you should consider is how often will you be using the machine?
If you only drink espresso on rare occasions, then buying a cheap appliance might be worth buying and replacing. However, if you intend to use it often then you should go for a quality machine which can get expensive.
There are also several types of espresso machines that contain a portable filter. Use this filter to prepare your espresso as per your exact preference. Some espresso machines do not have this feature. If you are extremely picky about how your espresso tastes, then you should make sure to get a machine that has a portable filter. It also allows you to control the temperature and water used in the process.
Next, you need to consider how much espresso you intend to drink. If you aren’t a huge espresso drinker then a smaller espresso machine can slide right into your life with little fanfare. However, if you intend to drink a lot of espressos then you should buy a bigger machine. Obviously, this means more counter space will be taken up. If you are concerned about water quality, find a machine that has its own water filter.
Consider your favorite espresso-making process, if you have one. There are two main processes: steam-driven and pump-driven. In a steam-driven machine, steam made from the water heats up until it reaches the steam phase and makes the espresso. This process works at a lower cost machine than the pump-driven. In a pump-driven machine, the water pushes through the coffee grounds, using an internal pump. The water then heats to just below boiling until the perfect temperature (for you), and then espresso drips into your cup, impeccably brewed.
Before you buy an espresso machine, you need to check its cleaning options. You have to clean your machine Properly & regularly unless it has a self-cleaning mechanism.
Final Verdict
We would recommend, to anyone interested in buying an espresso machine, the Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine, in black. Its features are useful for the everyday coffee drinker, as well as the connoisseur–especially regarding its CentrifusionTM technology. It also allows the user to make five different types of drinks, which is a unique feature on this list. Because this is a Nespresso machine, these drinks are provided via capsules. You do not have to grind coffee beans and you can pick whichever flavors you want. This machine is also perfect as it features a larger than usual water tank (54 oz). You can use it again and again or for large parties without having to refill the tank. It is also decently priced, especially for the size of its tank and the use you can get out of it at under $150. Overall, we think this is the best espresso machine to buy out of this entire list, as it’s easy to use. It can also fit into almost anyone’s budget. The one drawback to this machine is its size. Consider this carefully while you decide which size espresso machine to buy. Especially if you want to buy a large one.
Also read: Best Iced Tea Maker to Fit Your Needs