Most people would say that water is the essence of life, but in this day and age, wouldn’t you say coffee is becoming more important?
You might forget to drink water for days, but miss out on that morning cup of coffee and you’ll be grumpy all day, right? Even worse, if the cup of coffee tasted bad, then say goodbye to your productivity for the rest of the day.
A good espresso machine can save you all this trouble. It can make a rich cup of espresso that “touches your soul”. But just because you love the rich flavor of coffee doesn’t mean you have to be rich yourself to buy an espresso maker.
There are tons of budget espresso machines on the market. You just need to know how to find them. This guide will tell you exactly what to look for in an espresso machine along with 5 of the best budget machines money can buy.
Who Needs an Espresso Machine?
⦁ Anyone who enjoys a good cup of espresso
If you’re someone with a refined palate, then you’ll simply refuse anything but the best espresso possible. And like the old saying goes, “if you want something done right, do it yourself”, right?
Only you can make your favorite espresso just the way you like it. But in order to do that, you’ll need a good espresso machine.
⦁ People with busy schedules
If your schedule is so hectic, you can’t seem to stay awake to get your work done, you might need some espresso to pull through those all-nighters. A good espresso machine can help you with a few life-saving cups.
Best Selling Espresso machine for home
How to Choose the Best Budget Espresso Machine for Home – Things to Consider
When it comes to espresso machines, there are quite a few factors to consider. You have to be smart and decide which features matter and which don’t, especially when choosing on a budget.
1. Type
There are a few types of espresso machines on the market including semi-automatic, automatic, super-automatic, lever, and moka or steam models.
You’ll need to decide which type you prefer and from there, begin looking for something within your price range.
Generally speaking, semi-automatic models tend to be reasonably priced and you’ll find that most of the machines on our list are of this type.
2. Design
When it comes to design, it really depends on your personal preference. You can go for the conventional, squarish design or opt for more modern, attractive designs. It’s really up to you.
3. Boiler type
The majority of espresso machines fall under one of three categories: dual boiler, single boiler, or heat exchanger machines. Each type has its own pros and cons.
That being said, most people prefer dual boiler espresso machines. These usually provide consistent levels of temperature which greatly benefits the brewing process.
Dual boiler machines also allow you to pull shots and steam milk at the same time. In other words, when in doubt, go for a dual boiler machine.
4. Housing material
Keep in mind that it’s not every day that you buy an espresso machine, budget or not. You need something that is strong, durable, and sturdy. To that end, the quality of the housing material definitely matters.
You’ll find that most espresso machines are made from either ABS shock-resistant plastic or metal. Both are great but metal machines are usually a bit more expensive.
That being said, you’ll still be able to find a good metal-based machine within your budget. You’ll just need to search a bit more.
5. Bar pressure
Bar pressure is basically the amount of pressure the espresso machine exerts in order to force steam through coffee grounds. This helps with the extraction process, producing rich, thick espresso.
If you’ve been asking around, you might’ve heard that bar pressure is the most important factor to consider when choosing an espresso machine. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Bar pressure isn’t as significant as one might think.
Just because an espresso machine produces 16 bars of pressure doesn’t mean it’s better than a 12-bar machine. Why? Simply, because all you need to produce espresso is 9 bars of pressure. Anything more won’t make much of a difference.
Don’t be fooled by companies that claim their machine is the best because of its huge pressure pump. Bigger isn’t always better.
6. Size
What’s the point of buying an espresso machine if you’ve got no room for it on your countertop? Choose a size that your kitchen or office desk can accommodate.
While most espresso machines are somewhat large, you’ll still be able to find small, compact machines that can fit practically anywhere. These tiny machines are designed for crowded countertops, office desks, and dorm rooms.
Our Selection Criteria for the Best Budget Espresso Machines
We’ve gone through tons of espresso machines looking for the most affordable, reliable, and efficient ones. The 5 machines we’ve come up with are the best in terms of power, durability, and design.
Top Budget Espresso Machines for Home – Reviews
1. Philips Saeco HD8327/47 Poemia Espresso Machine
First up is the Philips Saeco HD8327/47 Poemia Espresso Machine. This beast of a machine makes the best Italian espresso you’ll ever taste.
Features
⦁ High-quality stainless steel boiler
⦁ Powerful 15-bar pump
⦁ Makes amazing Italian espresso
⦁ Semi-automatic machine
⦁ Brew time: about 1 minute
⦁ Features Poemia which is perfect for making hazel brown crema and for extracting the flavor from coffee beans
⦁ Accepts ground coffee or prepackaged, single serve shots
⦁ Ergonomic design
⦁ Black ABS housing
⦁ The intelligent design allows simultaneous access to all containers regardless of what you’re doing
⦁ Pannarello steam wand helps you to froth milk and preheat your cups
Pros
⦁ Super sleek design
⦁ Makes some great-quality espresso
⦁ Affordable price (perfect for those on a budget)
⦁ Perfect size
⦁ Froths milk easily
⦁ Great for first-time users (allows you to experiment without worrying about the price)
Cons
⦁ Espresso consistency is somewhat unreliable
⦁ The instruction manual is a bit tricky or needs a bit of deciphering
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a great budget espresso machine that is beginner-friendly, the Philips Saeco Poemia Manual Espresso Machine is a great choice to consider.
Currently Out of Stock – See other Saeco espresso machines at Amazon.com.
2. The De’Longhi EC155 Cappuccino and Espresso Maker
De’Longhi EC155 makes amazing espresso. And the best part? You won’t have to pay a fortune for it!
Features
⦁ Unique patented dual filter holder (works with ground espresso or E.S.E pods)
⦁ 2 separate thermostats (perfect for regulating the temperature of your blend)
⦁ Easy-to-use swivel jet frother (perfect for cappuccino lovers)
⦁ Removable drip tray
⦁ 35-ounce water tank
⦁ Semi-automatic machine
⦁ Brew time: about 20 minutes
Pros
⦁ Super easy to clean
⦁ Makes some impressive-quality espresso
⦁ Top-notch crema
⦁ Great water reservoir size
⦁ Heats up quickly
⦁ Easy to use
⦁ Can be assembled and taken apart quickly
⦁ Perfect for beginners
Cons
⦁ The built-in tamper quality could be better
⦁ The frothing wand is only 3.25 inches long
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a machine that can make a delicious cup of espresso or cappuccino, the De’Longhi EC155 15 is a great choice to consider.
3. The Mr. Coffee Cappuccino/Espresso Machine
Here’s a machine that can make coffeehouse-quality espresso. This model from Mr.Coffee makes some of the best espresso and cappuccino you’ll ever taste. Just one cup from this device and you’ll be all fired up and ready to go!
Features
⦁ Consistent, high-quality espresso
⦁ Thermal block heater which allows barista-speed brewing
⦁ Removable water reservoir
⦁ 15-bar pump system (helps extract dark rich espresso by applying a sufficient amount of pressure)
⦁ Frothing arm for cappuccinos and lattes
⦁ Dual-shooting brewing which means it can give 2 single shots at the same time
⦁ Semi-automatic machine
⦁ Brew time: about 1 minute
Pros
⦁ Extremely easy to use and clean
⦁ The design is quite attractive which makes it the perfect addition to your countertop
⦁ Compact size
⦁ Powerful and easy-to-use steam feature
⦁ Consistent quality
⦁ The bar-pump system is quite effective at extracting rich espresso
⦁ Quick brewing
Cons
⦁ Might leave behind some leaks after using the machine
⦁ Doesn’t come with an automatic drip feature
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a powerful, compact, and fast espresso coffee maker that makes delicious drinks in only a minute, this is the perfect machine for you.
4. The De’Longhi EC220CD Espresso Maker
Surprised to see another budget espresso machine from De’Longhi? Don’t be. De’Longhi makes some of the best house appliances on the market. This model is no exception.
Features
⦁ Stainless steel boiler
⦁ 15-bar pump system
⦁ Produces creamy, delicious espresso
⦁ Removable water tank and drip
⦁ Compact and sturdy build
⦁ A built-in tamper that facilitates packing the grounds into the filter and tamping them
⦁ Self-priming operation
⦁ Semi-automatic machine
⦁ Brew time: about 0.5-1 minute
Pros
⦁ Simple to use
⦁ Easy to clean
⦁ Best in terms of speed and convenience
⦁ Consistent espresso quality
⦁ Affordable
⦁ Doesn’t require start-up preparations (it’s self-priming)
Cons
⦁ Doesn’t have a 3-way solenoid valve
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for an extremely affordable espresso machine that is also quite fast, this model from De’Longhi is a great choice to consider. It takes close to no effort to get it started and produces delicious drinks in under a minute.
5. Nespresso Inissia
Last, but definitely not least, is the Nespresso Inissia. This machine is one of the best budget espresso makers that work with coffee pods. It’s fast, compact, and quite efficient, making it a fan-favorite all around the world.
Features
⦁ Capsule espresso machine
⦁ Fast and compact size, making it ideal for crowded office desks, small kitchens, and dorm rooms
⦁ Removable water tank
⦁ Foldable drip tray
⦁ Adjustable cup size
⦁ 19-bar pressure pump
⦁ 3-cup tank
⦁ Comes with 16 capsules of coffee so you can start making espresso right away
⦁ The coffee pods are refillable
Pros
⦁ Easy to use and clean
⦁ The large tank size means you won’t run out of espresso as quick as with other models
⦁ Fits practically anywhere thanks to its small size
⦁ Powerful pressure pump
Cons
⦁ Lacks a milk frother
⦁ Doesn’t work with coffee grounds, although you can buy refillable pods to use with your coffee grounds
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a powerful espresso maker that’ll fit into tight, crowded spaces, this small device from Nespresso is a great choice to consider.
The Best Overall among the 5 Best Budget Espresso Machines
Our pick for the best budget espresso machine is The Philips Saeco Poemia Manual Espresso Machine. This machine’s power, speed, durability, and reliability are like no other on this list. However currently out of stock, see other Budget espresso makers at Amazon.
Best Budget Espresso Machines – Frequently Asked Questions
Does the coffee have to be ground before use?
Yes, you need to make sure your coffee is ground. If it’s too coarse, the water will go through it too fast to extract enough nectar.
Why does my espresso taste bitter/sour?
A bitter or sour flavor is most likely caused by your coffee grounds being too large or too coarse. Large grounds result in under-extraction which gives a sour taste.
Final Verdict
A good budget espresso machine can really give your day the spark and productivity it needs. Just choose wisely if you don’t want to spend too much on a rip-off model.
If you’re having trouble deciding, why not go for one of the 5 on this list? They’ve been vetted as the best budget espresso machines on the market.
Pick a machine, start brewing, and jumpstart your day. After all, humanity runs on coffee, doesn’t it?