If you’re someone who needs a caffeine kick to start the day, investing in a decent espresso machine is totally worth it. However, a substandard machine can ruin a great shot of espresso and make a depresso instead. So no, we’re not letting a terrible machine take that joy away from us.
We’ve compiled a list of tried and tested espresso machines that are easy to use, offer versatile functions, and make the perfect cup of coffee every single time. The best part is they’re all under 200 bucks.
Without further delay, let’s take you through a detailed review of the 7 best espresso machines that made to this list after days of rigorous testing!
1. De’Longhi ECP 3420
- Pressure: 15 Bar
- Capacity: 3 Cappuccinos/2 Lattes
- Material: Stainless steel
- Water tank: 37 ounces
- Power: 1100W
This espresso machine produces great shots of espresso, has a small footprint, and makes a variety of coffees within minutes. If that sounds interesting then, let’s move forward with everything else we found.
To begin with, this is a manual machine so you cannot just program it and walk out of the room. It supports a 15 bar pressure which is apt for brewing a barista quality coffee. On top of that, you can personalize the taste of each cup by adjusting its pressure according to your taste preferences.
Moving on, it comes with a 3 in 1 holder that comes in really handy to define the number of shots; single, double, or ESE pods. We really enjoyed the rapid cappuccino system that allowed us to eliminate the waiting time as we made several cups of coffee in rapid succession.
The water capacity works just fine if you don’t have to entertain a lot of people often. But anyway, 37oz. is still easily enough for 3 to 4 cups and we don’t seem to have a problem with it.
Lastly, it also comes with a frother that gives you the edge to prepare a creamy, frothy latte or cappuccino, all using a single machine.
2. Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista
- Pressure: 15 Bar
- Capacity: 4 Cappuccinos/2 lattes
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Water tank: 40 ounces
- Power: 1040W
This machine is capable of making various espresso beverages with just the touch of a single button, keeping the process as effortless as possible.
You don’t have to have pro Barista knowledge to brew yourself a perfect cup of coffee because this machine is semi-automatic and does most of the work on its own.
We were amazed by the rich and full bodied flavors of the brew which is a result of the excellent 15 bar pressure. The plain espresso shots and lattes turned out fine every single time and the process was quite effortless. Just touch a button and before you know, your coffee is done.
On top of that, you get a large water reservoir that can take 40 ounces at a time and is ample for at least 4 cappuccinos or 2 lattes. The automatic milk frother is yet another feature that takes effort out of the task completely.
The machine pours in frothed milk according to each beverage’s requirement. However, if there’s one slight quibble in this machine it’s the weak plastic tamper that cannot tamp the grounds firmly, leading to weak espresso shots.
So we recommend you use a better tamper, like we did, and ended up with the perfect coffee using Cafe Barista. Other than that, the design is sleek and minimal but sturdy and it’s a pretty good deal for the price.
3. Gevi Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
- Pressure: 15 Bar
- Capacity: 6 Cappuccinos/4 Lattes
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Water tank: 50 ounces
- Power: 1050W
This machine is fast, has a dual temperature control and makes super decent espresso beverages. The Gevi Espresso won us over with its simple functionality and a few added features like the warming tray which is a hard find otherwise.
Starting with the manual function which does require you to stay around because you have to stop the brewing manually when your espresso is done. It’s a slight nuisance sure, but definitely not a deal breaker.
The 15 Bar professional Italian pump extracts the best flavors out of the grounds. But then again, it comes with a terrible tamper that you shouldn’t use unless you’re okay with a mediocre coffee. Once this issue is dealt, the machine can make flavorful lattes, cappuccino, and plain espresso shots.
Additionally, it also comes with a professional frothing wand that creams up milk for lattes pretty well but not well enough for latte art which is not an issue, to begin with. The 50 ounces water tank is more than sufficient for a small family or a keen coffee addict, alike.
The dual temperature control is great for adjusting different heat levels for milk and water. The machine heats up quickly and brews within 25 seconds. On top of it, the quality and taste is consistent every single which is unlikely in cheaper machines.
With that said, it’s a great value for money.
4. De’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine
- Pressure: 15 Bar
- Capacity: 3 Cappuccinos/2 Lattes
- Material: Stainless Steel and Plastic
- Water tank: 34 ounces
- Power: 1100W
In addition to a miniscule price tag, the footprint of the machine is really small too. It can fit right into the smallest of kitchens but brews coffee that matches the level of a professional barista machine.
Starting with the standard 15 Bar pressure that works well to coax flavors out of light or medium blends as well. This machine produces a very rich and balanced brew that hits the spot just right.
You’ll find 2 filters for single and double espresso shots each. In addition, there are two levels for cup adjustments as well. Speaking of cups, you can get around 3 cappuccinos and 2 lattes from this machine.
The 34 ounce water tank is not the largest out there but easily sufficient for small families, offices, or student dorms. And you can always refill the tank easily so it’s not much of an issue anyway.
The steamer wand is manual and to be fair, for the price we’re actually amazed that it comes with one. So we’re fine with operating it manually in fact, we find more control over the coffee a better choice.
Lastly, we like the minimalistic and compact design of the espresso machine. The build quality is sturdy leaving us pretty sure that it’ll last a long while.
5. Gevi Espresso Machine
- Pressure: 20 Bar
- Capacity: 4 Cappuccinos/2 Lattes
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Water tank: 40 ounces
- Power: 1350W
This machine by Gevi is as cheap as an espresso machine can get. However, it comes with a couple of surprising specs which seems like too good of a deal but it’s truly one of the best espresso machines.
It works on an automatic function and supports an auto shut off after 15 minutes. You just need to programme the machine and come back to a perfect cup of coffee within 45 seconds. It features a 20 Bar pump which is quite a shocker for a $90 machine but we’re happy with our full bodied and smooth espresso shots and that’s all that matters.
Like most espresso machines, the major drawback is the poor quality tamper so you should go for a sturdy stainless steel one for stronger and flavor enriched shots. Moving on, the dual temperature control for the milk and water is always a nice feature to have.
The milk frother is manual so there’s a bit of a learning curve before you perfect your desired lattes and cappuccinos with the right cream quantity. The 1.2L water tank is easily enough for anyone, except if you entertain a lot of people at your place.
Overall, it’s great for beginners as it is easy to use and produces impressive brew quality. However, the inconsistency in the amount of espresso each time is somewhat disappointing.
6. Wirsh Espresso Machine
- Pressure: 15 Bar
- Capacity: 4 Cappuccinos/2 Lattes
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Water tank: 40 ounces
- Power: 1450W
Despite the super small footprint, the Wirsh espresso machine packs a punch. It is a powerful and sturdy machine that performed far beyond our expectations.
The machine works its way to extract espresso perfectly by maintaining optimum pressure, temperature, and volume that guarantees a consistent quality every time. The automatic function cuts any hassle involved in making coffee.
The 15 Bar original Italian pump equipped in this machine extracts every bit of flavor out of the coffee grounds. It comes with a 2 in 1 portafilter which gives you the option to choose between single or double shots of espresso at the touch of a single button.
We’re also impressed with the commercial grade steam wand of the machine that creams the milk quite well so you can make latte, macchiato, flat white, or espresso, in short, everything that you’d order at your local coffee shop. The steamer, however, is manual so you’ll have to deal with guesswork of adding the right quantity of milk according to each beverage.
The 42 oz. water tank is easy to remove for refilling or cleaning and easily enough for the home baristas out there. The machine can fit almost all cup sizes if you remove the detachable drip tray.
Overall, it is simple to use and it’s hard not to get your shot right with this efficient espresso machine.
7. Gevi Espresso Machine
- Pressure: 20 Bar
- Capacity: 4 Cappuccinos/2 Lattes
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Water tank: 40 ounces
- Power: 1350W
This espresso machine is very much similar to the previously mentioned Gevi espresso machine but comes with a few changes.
It operates on an automatic function which gives you the edge to set up the machine and go. The machine will run its course and shut off once the programmed function is done.
The 20 bar pressure from authentic Italian pump promotes a fast and stable extraction. The machine produces a very fragrant and crema rich brew. Unlike the previous Gevi espresso that offered single or double shots only, this one features a manual function too.
The manual steamer works just fine, however, it does require a considerable preheat time which can be a trouble if you’re in a rush. Other than that, it textures the milk really well, not bubbly, or needlessly aerated like most cheap frothers do.
The 40 ounce water tank serves small families well. And the tank is easily removable so refills are not a problem either. It also comes with dual temperature for the steamer and espresso shots which really helps in making the ideal coffee temperature.
For the aesthetics, the design is sleek and minimal with clear functional buttons that are easy to operate. The portafilter, however, is quite small and the tamper is not great as usual.
But in essence, this espresso machine by Gevi is worth a shot as long as you keep your expectations right.
Best Espresso Machines under $200: Buyer’s Guide
As you get ready to enter the home barista realm and bid farewell to your local coffee shop, it is absolutely necessary to learn all the factors that make a good espresso machine. A four-figure price tag is absolutely not one of them, especially if you’re a basic user.
That being said, let’s help you set your priorities right for the espresso machine.
Pressure
The pressure unit of an espresso machine enables it to pass pressurized water through the coffee grounds. It is the primary factor that decides how good of an espresso shot the machine can make.
The higher the amount of pressure, the better your espresso shot will taste. A minimum of 9 bar pressure is required to make espresso but as the pressure gets higher, your shot will become more fragrant and more smooth in flavor.
Most espresso machines under $200 offer a 15 bar pressure which is good enough to extract flavor from light and medium coffee blends. However, you can also find machines with 20 bar pressure.
In short, anything between 15 to 20 bar is going to work well so we’ve got you covered in this regard, with all the best espresso machines in a similar range.
Water Tank Capacity
The water tank capacity is yet another important factor to consider before purchasing an espresso machine. All countertop espresso machines come with a water reservoir. Having one with a clear water tank is a plus for it eliminates the guesswork and prevents your machine from going dry between shots.
As for the capacity, a $200 budget will get you a small to medium sized espresso machine with a water tank that’s just enough for small families, at most. If you’re looking to serve crowds, then you’ll have to upscale your budget and get a bigger machine instead.
A water reservoir between 30 to 50 ounces is ideal for a work desk, dorm, or a small family with minimal coffee needs. And even if you have to serve more people once in a blue moon, making a few refills won’t be that difficult of a situation.
Number of Shots
Most espresso machines under a $200 budget will either support single or double shots of espresso at a time.
It is always best to look for machines that can pull double shots of espresso simultaneously. It’s always good to have options even if you’re getting the machine just for yourself.
Also, a double shot machine is not a hard find so why not?
Milk Steamer/Frother
If you regularly have something more than plain espresso shots, having a built-in milk steamer in the espresso machine is something you’ll value for sure.
Of course you can make your lattes and cappuccinos using a separate frother but why pull out an additional tool when a single machine can do it all?
While most coffee machines do come with a steaming wand, a few exceptional ones like the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista offer an automatic steaming system that even pours in the creamed milk according to each beverage’s requirement and makes your coffee absolutely hassle free.
Ease of Cleaning
To maintain the quality and flavor of your coffee, it is crucial to keep your espresso machine clean.
A few automatic espresso machines offer efficient cleaning cycles that do a major part of the clean-up for you. Others require you to do the whole job yourself which is quite bearable, except if you’re working with cheap, flimsy bits of a substandard machine.
FAQ’s
Which espresso machine brand is best?
De’Longhi is easily of the best brands for espresso machines. It has been around for over 30 years and retained its reputation in the market all this while by producing an exceptional variety of quality espresso machines.
Is 15 bar or 20 bar better for espresso?
According to professional baristas, a pressure range between 15 to 20 bar is ideal for an espresso machine. If you fancy a strong and intensely flavored coffee, a 20 bar may be a better choice for you. However, a 15 bar machine works perfectly well to extract flavors from all types of coffee blends too.
How much do Starbucks espresso machines cost?
Starbucks uses Mastrena, an espresso machine designed exclusively for them with a highly computerized and efficient system. A typical Starbucks espresso machine costs around $18,000.
How much should I spend on a home espresso machine?
Most espresso machines that are available within the range of $100 to $600 should serve all home user more than well. They come with all the necessary features needed to pull a great espresso shot.