7 Best Budget Espresso Machines, According To Online Reviews

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It's entirely possible to get a decent espresso machine on a budget. While they may not last as long as an advanced espresso machine, many of them can do a much better job at making espresso than you might think. In fact, many allow for small adjustments for pressure or temperature that you may not expect from a cheaper machine, or even have pre-infusion systems. Granted, you still might need to tinker a little with your espresso grind to match the settings. But, after you've got that worked out, these cheaper models will generally keep you from having to buy an expensive latte elsewhere, and give you more control over your brew. Many even have built-in steaming wands to help you froth your milk easily.

We found several highly rated and budget-friendly espresso machines under $140 that are worth buying. They're high-quality for the price point, make great espresso drinks that rival local coffee houses, and some have functions similar to higher-end machines. Each one has slightly different features that might appeal to you. So, before you buy, take a look at what features each one has and what customers have to say about it before you add it to your cart. 

Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary based on region.

While De'Longhi makes more high-end espresso machines, its Manual Espresso Machine is its more budget-friendly model. It has a 15-bar pump, tamper, milk frother, and a one-year warranty, and allows you to pull single or double shots. The bundled version comes with two thick, 60-milliliter espresso glasses.

Whether both shots are for you or you're trying to make multiple drinks at once, the two-shot option will save you time. You'll appreciate that it has a stainless steel boiler, which helps it to last longer and perform more consistently. The controls are also extremely simple, with an analog knob dial to control the settings. It's important to note you'll need to purchase a container for frothing milk separately.

This machine is one of the highest-rated ones on our list. Customers like that it's quiet, compact, and easy to clean, and share that the espresso has a good taste. However, there are a few complaints about the steam wand's power. Still, the high quality of the components and the name recognition of the brand make this a stand-out and worth a slightly higher price than some others. Plus, it offers the distinction of being a name-brand machine with extremely few complaints, which might be what wins you over to it.

Purchase the De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine on Amazon.

The Chulux Slim Espresso Machine looks like it belongs in a coffee house. Its prominent 20-bar pressure bar gauge helps you make the perfect cup of joe. You can pull either a single or double shot of espresso, and the steam wand is ready to make the coffee drink of your dreams. It has a sleek stainless steel finish, but comes in two other finishes as well. 

If you're one who likes the feel and look of backlit buttons and rotary knobs on your machine, this one may be appealing. Plus, there's a cup warmer on the top and a permanent filter. You'll appreciate the machine's ability to draw 1, 2, or 3 ounces of espresso at a time. It comes with a plastic tamper — which you may want to replace with a heavier metal one. The pre-infusion system pre-soaks the espresso puck to help with extraction, and the pressure gauge gives you more data to help you figure out the right grind for the machine.

This machine is rated similarly to Ollygrin's espresso machine. However, the fact that it takes no time at all to go from zero to espresso and the pre-infusion system make it a standout. Plus, it makes high-quality espresso, is easy to clean, and is compact. If you have any problems, reviewers especially like that customer service is also extremely responsive.

Purchase the Chulux Slim Espresso Machine on Amazon.

The Chulux Kom-Pro Espresso Machine has similar ratings to the Chulux Slim Machine. The dimensions are also ever so slightly larger than the Slim version, and it's 0.2 pounds heavier. So, while it looks similar, it's not the same machine.

Like the Slim version, the Kom-Pro has a 20-bar pump. It also has a stainless steel finish, steam wand, cup warmer on top, and the same tactile buttons and knobs for pulling a single or double shot of espresso and frothing your milk. Other than the size, price, and lack of a permanent filter, this machine does not come with as many color choices as the Slim version does.

Customers do complain a little about how lightweight it is and the fact that it doesn't have a built-in tamper, but the overall sentiment is the same as the Chulux Slim — it heats super fast and delivers cafè-level espresso. Reviewers also like how easy it is to use and clean. While it has an analog pressure gauge, we don't find any info about it using a pre-infusion system. So, if you're trying to choose one over the other, it's likely to come down to whether you want a pre-infusion system, cost, color, and size. 

Purchase the Chulux Kom-Pro Espresso Machine on Amazon.

If you like the idea of combining digital temperature displays with tactile buttons and knobs and a classy stainless-steel machine, the Neretva Espresso Machine might be worth considering. It's capable of pulling one or two shots of espresso at a time, has 20-bar pressure capabilities, and has a separate frothing nozzle like the others on our list.

A feature this has in common with the Cholux Slim is that it has a low-pressure pre-infusion. This function offers a gradual increase in water pressure, in turn producing a smoother espresso with fewer bubbles. On the other hand, bubbles are welcome in its steam system; you'll end up with a million microfoam bubbles in every milliliter of milk you steam. The machine comes with a frothing pitcher and tamper.

Although this isn't the highest-rated espresso machine on this list, customers are still impressed by it, especially with how consistent its espresso is and its steady 198-degree Fahrenheit water temperature. Reviewers also find it easy to use, like the crema it makes, and appreciate how quickly it heats up. Several users compare it favorably to more expensive brands, like De'Longhi. While it's one of the more expensive machines on our list, it's still a deal considering the higher-tech features and espresso and foam quality you get.

Purchase the Neretva Espresso Machine on Amazon.

The Casabrews 3700 Essential Espresso Machine also comes with tactile backlit buttons and a rotary dial. It uses up to 20 bars of pressure, has a steaming wand, and offers single and double-shot brewing. It comes in silver and several other color options, including Sapphire Baby Blue, Black, and Creamy. 

You won't have to refill this machine as often since it has a detachable, 49-ounce water tank. It also comes with an interesting gadget that has a tamper on one side and a measuring spoon on the other, to make taking coffee from your espresso stash to your portafilter a swift and easy move.

One of the features that reviewers seem to rave about most is the large-capacity water tank, which means less constant upkeep and coincides with how easy the machine is to use and clean. Reviewers also like that it has a cup warmer, how fast it makes espresso, and how the steam wand feels. This machine comes at a higher price, but it's all about providing you with more convenience.

Purchase the Casabrews 3700 Essential Espresso Machine on Amazon.

The only espresso machine on our list with a single espresso spigot is the Imusa 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker. If it looks like a cheaper machine you'd get on a college student budget, well, it is. The carafe that comes with it can hold up to four servings, and it's ridiculously easy to use, as it has even fewer buttons and knobs than the other machines on our list.

Something worth mentioning is that this is an 800-watt machine, which can only reach five bars of pressure. For reference, nine bars is ideal. Others on our list have 15 or 20 bar capacities, which helps with any resistance the machine meets from the grounds. So, you may have to work harder to get the grind and the tamp right.

Amazingly, the Imusa machine is rated similarly to the Casabrews. You do have to refill it with water between every brew. However, customers are impressed by its longevity and brewing consistency, noting milk that froths well. If you're looking for simplicity or are a newbie to espresso-making, this might be the perfect machine for you. Sometimes, you don't need all the bells and whistles for good espresso. And you certainly can't beat the price.  

Purchase the Imusa 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker on Amazon.

Like most of the others on our list, the Gevi Espresso Machine can brew one or two shots and has a built-in frother. Plus, there are some manual adjustment settings using the push buttons and dials on the machine. Like some of the others, it has a cup-warming plate and comes in a lovely white color with a silver trim.

While you can't manually control the temperature on the Gevie Espresso Machine, it has an NTC temperature control, which adjusts the temperature for both frothing and espresso. Because it heats so quickly, you should be able to make espresso in under a minute. Another nice thing is that it comes with a tamper, measuring spoon, and a one-year warranty.

Customers still have plenty of good things to say about this machine. For example, they like that it's not bulky, is easy to use, heats up quickly, can brew after steaming without a delay, and makes great espresso. You'll likely choose this machine if you like to make fine adjustments to the settings, like you could with a higher-end machine. Plus, it has an interesting retro look that may appeal to you.

Purchase the Gevi Espresso Machine on Amazon.

To determine which espresso machines we wanted to include in our list, we had several criteria in mind. While most of our choices are under $100, there are a few that reach as high as $140 when they're not on sale, which is still a good price. All of them are ranked higher than four stars. We also wanted to ensure each machine had at least 100 reviews, so we could get a good overview of how people felt about them. We omitted machines listed as "frequently returned."

These espresso machines range from extremely simplistic to ones that have extra features that either make adjustments for you for a better brew or that allow you to fine-tune things like pressure and temperature to match the espresso grind you're using. However, what they all have in common is that they make high-quality espresso and steamed milk despite being budget machines, allowing you to make espresso drinks that are equal to or better than what you could get from a higher-end, more expensive machine or a local coffee shop. So, whether you're a newbie or a coffee nerd, there's something on this list for you if you're looking for a budget espresso maker.