Just because you love a good cup of espresso, doesn’t mean you need to empty your bank account for a decent espresso machine. Sure, many of the high-end machines offer some great features and benefits, but if all you’re looking for is a great espresso, I think I can help you out.
I went looking for the best espresso machine under $200 and found 7 solid machines with the De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso And Cappuccino Machine to be the best bang for your buck, being robust and producing exceptional cappuccino and coffee.
With 4,500 reviews on Amazon giving this espresso machine an almost 5-star rating, I needed to know if it indeed was as incredible as it sounded. It can prepare multiple espressos at once and is able to fit cups and mugs up to 5 inches tall due to the additional drip tray tier.
For all the praise that it is getting, I had to see if there was some sort of caveat. I’m pleased to say that this machine, out of the many that I reviewed, outperformed them all.
Besides the De’Longhi, I reviewed other espresso machines that will tantalize and satisfy your every coffee craving. Keep reading to discover a world of espresso machines that you may not even know existed, and I guarantee there will be one that suits your coffee taste, style, and preference.
Best Overall: De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso And Cappuccino Machine
The ECP3420 is simple, stylish, easy to use, easy to clean, and does what it needs to do. That is, it produces fantastic expresso, not only that, but it prepares lattes and cappuccinos that would make your favorite café consider purchasing them for their business.
Perfectly designed for an individual that wants to jump into the world of easy espresso-making. The De’Longhi is simple enough to operate without being a professional barista.
Having a minimal, sleek design, it is impossible to get confused using this machine due to its simple manual dial selection knob. Only having four selectable positions (with one of them being off), makes creating your espresso as easy as turning the dial to the right and then left if you plan on making some foam.
The “one-knob” design is available due to a self-priming operation that allows minimum effort for the startup operation. Flipping the knob to the left (as we said) and turning the dial on the right of the machine to “on” will activate the milk frother.
Designed with a 37oz tank, the ECP3420 can tackle anything from a single espresso, double espresso, two single espressos, a cappuccino, and even lattes. Yes, that’s right, this little bad boy can pretty much do it all. Besides your typical espressos cup (1oz or 2oz), it can accommodate a 15oz latte glass as tall as 5 inches.
If you always seem to misplace your filters, the De’Longhi solves that problem by having an internal storage system for your single and double shot espresso filters that come with it.
If that weren’t enough, it delivers 1,100 watts of power into a 15 bar professional pressure system. This essentially means that you are going to get the richness and crema that comes with a great espresso.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Produces great quality coffee and espresso
- 37 oz removable water tank
- Can make two espressos at once
- Can handle taller glasses or mugs
- Reliable
Cons
- Only comes in one color
- Filter handle can be hard to turn
Best Capsule Machine: Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee And Espresso Maker
Elegant, modern, and easy to use, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is made for the coffee connoisseur who is willing to trade features for simplicity, while still getting a delicious espresso.
You may be wondering if a capsule espresso machine is for you due to the limitation of coffee blends you can choose from. However, Nespresso offers over 30 combinations, so you will never be left craving any flavored coffee or espresso. The blends also come in a variety of sizes, including single and double espresso and 5oz and 8oz coffees. You also need not worry about the longevity of the coffee capsules themselves as they are hermetically sealed and recyclable.
It features a one-touch brewing process that only requires you to insert your coffee capsule and hit the “on button.”. Additionally, the machine is so intelligent that it will automatically adapt to different cup sizes, the temperature needed for that specific blend, the pressure, and the brewing time required for that particular capsule.
It also comes with a complimentary capsule pack of 12. This means you can test out some of Nespresso’s best flavors without having to purchase them all.
Pros
- Over 30 blends to choose from
- Beautiful design
- Small and compact
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Requires Nespresso coffee capsules
Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine With Steamer
Although most of these espresso coffee machines are easy to clean, featuring detachable parts (some being dishwasher safe), the Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine is probably the easiest to clean.
The quality of coffee this machine produces is pretty incredible due to it featuring a 15 bar pressure system, matching our top espresso model, the De’Longhi. This enables it to extract all of the flavors from both pre-measured filter pods and freshly ground coffee beans.
With a 50oz water reservoir, you won’t need to regularly fill up each time you need to make a cup of coffee.
Included is a no-fuss milk frother with an adjustable steam control nozzle. This makes for perfectly steamed or frothed milk every time, allowing you to create delectable lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos.
For the price, it’s hard to see where you can go wrong with a machine like this.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Makes two espressos at once
- 40 oz removable water tank
- Great milk frother
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Relatively simplistic design
- Comes in one color
- Cant support taller cups or mugs
Mr. Coffee Espresso And Cappuccino Maker
Everything from toffee lattes, café mocha, espresso martinis, caramel cappuccino, and more, the Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker does them all. This coffee house barista model lets you create any of your beloved coffee drinks with one simple touch while removing the guesswork.
This machine features a power system utilizing 15 bars of pressure, ensuring the highest quality coffee is produced every time.
Unlike other machines that sometimes require you to use a specific type of milk, this machine allows you to use the milk of your choice. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about trying to froth or steam the milk yourself. This machine will automatically adjust the frothing based on the drink selection.
It features a simple interface that, with one touch, will create a single or double shot of espresso, lattes, or coffee. It also includes a button for self-cleaning that will keep your coffee tasting great.
This machine produces rich, smooth coffee drinks, and with an almost 5-star rating on Amazon from over 10,000 reviews, the people have spoken.
Pros
- Makes fantastic coffee and espresso
- Automatic milk frother that eliminates all the guesswork
- Removable water tank and milk reservoir
- One-touch button system
- Self-cleaning
Cons
- Price
- Can only make one drink at a time
Gevi 15 Bar Espresso Coffee Maker
Although this machine is not quite as hands-off as models, there is something to be said about the quality of coffee this machine produces.
Its NTC intelligent temperature system provides stable temperatures, overheating protection, and precision control. The separate thermostats for hot water and milk are fully adjustable for perfect brewing every time.
There is no need to worry about filling up this machine every time you want to make a latte or espresso as it comes with a 1.5-liter water tank, which will come in handy since you can pump out 2 shots at a time.
The Gevi has a quality feel with a stylish stainless steel appearance. Additionally, the stainless steel froth nozzle won’t rust and is easy to keep clean.
If you are into creating coffee (latte) art, this is indeed the espresso machine you need to check out. It is small, sturdy, efficient, reliable, and an incredible value.
Pros
- Beautiful stainless steel look
- Easy to operate
- NTC intelligent temperature control
- Two separate thermostats
Cons
- Available in silver only
- Some may find the cord a bit too short
Best Budget Machine: DeLonghi EC155 15 Bar Espresso And Cappuccino Machine
You might consider the De’Longhi EC155 as the little brother to the ECP3420. It boasts a lower price while still offering 15 bars of pressure, and the ability to make two espressos at once.
It offers a simplistic design but one which is still stylish and captivating. Moreover, it features a one knob implementation allowing you to create lovely espressos or coffees with simplicity.
The bargain price is a great value, along with the small footprint makes this model perfect for college students or young couples just starting out. Perfect for anyone with limited funds and space.
It also sports all the typical features like a drip tray and froth nozzle so you can create those cappuccinos that you love.
If your wallet is a little tight, but you still want an espresso machine that delivers quality coffee without the frills and fuss, you should definitely look at the EC155. It has a four-star rating with over 12 thousand reviews on Amazon.
Pros
- Affordable
- Can make two espressos at once
- Simple design
- Small footprint
Cons
- Frothing could be better
- Cant support taller cups or mugs
Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
Our list would not be complete if we did not give you an option for an espresso machine that features all the bells and whistles. This machine does slightly go over our price limit. However, the features the ESP8XL has are pretty top-notch.
It incorporates a 15 bar pressure system that utilizes a thermoblack pump that includes a dual-wall filter system. What does that mean? If you are looking for perfectly blended coffee that provides excellent crema, then this is for you.
The style and design of the ESP8XL are breathtaking, sporting a stainless steel brushed finish that is both modern and simple. Everything about this espresso machine is beautiful, from its look to the coffee that it produces.
Although this machine has all the bells and whistles (including a cup warming plate) in its design, it is still simple to operate, offering a one-knob control with three settings, off – on – froth. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
If you have money burning a hole in your pocket and want an art piece sitting on your kitchen counter making espressos, then you should definitely consider the ESP8XL.
Pros
- Stainless steel brushed finish design
- Dual-wall filter system
- Cup warming plate
- Durable
Cons
- Price
Related: The Best Automatic Espresso Machine For Home
Buying Guide
The best espresso maker is one that fits your budget and needs. Here is a list of things to consider while shopping for your new machine.
Appearance
Most espresso machines, as with other kitchen appliances, are made with a modern and stylish look. Occasionally, you can find some which are available in a variety of colors, however for the most part you should expect black and silver as the standard.
Size
Before choosing a model, you want to take into consideration how much countertop space you have available. A galley kitchen in a small apartment probably cannot afford the space for a big, hulking espresso machine. In this case, a unit with a small footprint will be critical.
Ease of Use
Nowadays, espresso machines are simpler than ever to operate. Most machines in this price range will have a simple one knob or one-button system that allows you to choose between preparing the coffee or frothing the milk.
If a machine is difficult or confusing to use it will probably never see the light of day.
Pressure
For the most part, you will find that most espresso machines come with a 15 bar pressure system. This is the ideal amount of pressure needed to produce the rich, robust flavor and crema.
Beans or Pods
Depending on your preference and living situation, you will want to decide if you prefer the convenience of coffee pods or prefer beans (whole or ground). This is subjective to a degree, and one is not specifically better than the other. Take into consideration that nowadays, coffee capsules like ones from Nespresso come in over 30 various flavors and blends.
If you’re going with whole beans, you’ll need a separate grinder since none of these models come with one.
Ease of Maintenance
Most espresso machines are made with easy cleaning in mind. This means most of them will have the parts or accessories that get used and dirty be detachable. Thus, you will be able to wash them in warm water, and in some cases, they may even be dishwasher safe.
Every so often, your machine will need descaling to remove mineral build-up. Most units will provide a warning light when descaling is needed.
Water Reservoir
Depending on the size of the machine, how many features it has, and the number of cups it can produce, the water capacity will vary drastically. Again, this will depend on the model. If you are looking at a small espresso machine, then the water capacity will most likely be around 40oz, while larger machines can have up to a 1.5-liter tank.
One other thing to consider is if the tank is removable. Being able to remove the reservoir makes refilling and cleaning much easier.
Milk Steaming/Frothing
More expensive automatic espresso machines will steam and add the milk directly into your cup of coffee. In this price range, these models have a steaming wand which you can froth the milk manually. It may be a bit more work but it gets the job done.
Drink Variety
Depending on the machine, it will be able to prepare specific coffee drinks. All of them will be able to prepare single espressos because that is in their design. However, others will allow you to prepare double espressos, lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, and more.
This will come down to the machine’s size, design, style, and features. If you are looking for a coffee machine that can produce a multitude of coffee drinks, there are ones out there. However, take into consideration that these will typically be more expensive than a regular single shot espresso machine.
Conclusion
Out of all the espresso machines I reviewed, the De’Longhi ECP3420 came out on top. This is because the quality of the device and coffee is just outstanding for the price. Simple to use, has an attractive design, and solid construction.
It is easy to use with its one-dial system and can pull 2 shots of espresso at once. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an espresso machine of this quality at this price.
If you are considering an espresso machine, then take a look at the De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso And Cappuccino Machine.
