The 3 best budget espresso machines we tested for under $250

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Nothing beats visiting your favorite café for an expertly crafted latte or cappuccino. Replicating that experience at home is tricky, and usually requires a significant investment in money and counter space. While you'll be hard-pressed to find a cafe-quality espresso machine under $100, in my experience as a former coffee shop manager (and budget coffee maker connoisseur), there are some truly great home options in the $100 to $250 range.

For this guide, I put eight inexpensive machines to the test to find the best budget espresso machine you can buy under $250. My top pick is the Casabrews Espresso Machine because of its sleek, easy-to-use design and consistent shot quality. For a few extra features and about $70 more, the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine has two steam wand settings for those looking for more customization with quality espresso drinks at home.

If you're looking for a professional-quality machine or are already a devoted espresso connoisseur, check out our guide to the best espresso machines, which is geared toward high-performance, cafe-worthy models. The models we recommend below are great for beginners or casual espresso drinkers; they make great espresso but lack the customizations you'll find in mid-range and high-end espresso machines.

The best budget espresso machines

Best overall: Casabrews Espresso Machine — See at Amazon

Best under $120: Bella Pro Espresso Machine — See at Best Buy

Best upgrade: De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine — See at Amazon

Best overall

For a machine that costs only $140, the Casabrews Espresso Machine has an impressively sleek steel design. We love that it offers durability without taking up too much space on your countertop. This is the best budget espresso machine we tested because the shot quality and timing are incredibly consistent. There were no issues with bitter or watery shots, and every pull provided a nice full body with robust flavor and a beautiful crema.

On the front panel, there are four buttons to power the machine, choose a single or double shot, and switch to the steam function. After being powered on, it takes less than one minute to warm up. Once the machine is ready, the lights turn solid, and the machine beeps to indicate that you can pull a shot.

The Casabrews comes with a stainless steel portafilter, filters for single and double shots, and a plastic two-in-one scoop and tamper. We recommend upgrading to one of our picks for the best tamper, but it's not crucial. The 34-ounce water tank is removable and sits at the back. You get about 17 double shots out of one tank before needing to refill it.

While the machine is in use, you can check the pressure gauge on the front to see if you're in the optimal range of about nine bars. We love this beginner-friendly feature because it can help you diagnose why a shot comes out watery or bitter. If the pressure isn't quite right, it's likely a result of tweaking your grind size or having uneven tamping.

The Casabrews has a steam wand on the right side that delivers great power and excellent foam. The tip of the steam wand can be unscrewed after use, making it easier to clean and eliminate bacteria build-up. After steaming milk, we had to wait for a few minutes before brewing another shot, which is only an issue if you're making drinks for a group.

Read our full Casabrews Espresso Machine review.

Best under $120

Finding a decent espresso machine for right around $100 seems almost impossible: the Bella Pro Espresso Machine offers just that. The overall design isn't quite as sleek as our top pick, but it is still less than 12 inches wide, so it doesn't take up a ton of space.

Because of the lightweight design, I needed to use two hands to lock the portafilter in place. Thankfully, the machine didn't move on the counter or shake while pulling shots. Once brewing, I found the Bella consistently delivered single and double shots with excellent quality. Shots were flavorful with a full body and beautiful color, and each was accompanied by a nice, thick crema.

It is incredibly lightweight, and the plastic exterior doesn't look or feel cheap. It includes a lightweight, plastic-handled portafilter and a plastic two-in-one scoop and tamper.

There is a 57-ounce removable water tank at the back of the machine, so you can fill it and forget it through multiple days of use. The front panel features four large buttons, which light up and blink as the machine warms up for use in under one minute.

Best upgrade

While De'Longhi offers far more sophisticated models, the Linea gets the job done and has a few extra features over the Casabrews that make it the best affordable espresso machine for those who want to go a little deeper and start digging into the world of custom drinks.

The Linea was incredibly consistent in our testing, remaining at eight to nine bars of pressure for each pull. The shots I pulled had excellent flavor without any bitterness — I never got a watery brew and always saw a beautiful crema.

What stands it apart from other options is its steam wand, which has two different settings: hot for a smoother texture and cappuccino for frothed milk with a richer texture. The wand is also fully removable, making it much easier to clean. I found it a lot easier to prepare milk for lattes and cappuccinos in this machine, but if that's not a priority for you, you may be better off saving $70 and going with our best overall choice, the Casabrews.

The stainless steel machine is designed with a 57-ounce water tank and large indicator buttons for power, single and double shots, and steam. A pressure gauge is also built-in, which we used during testing to confirm whether our shots were being pulled at the optimal pressure

The box includes a lightweight portafilter with a plastic handle, a plastic measuring scoop and tamper, and single- and double-shot filter baskets.

More budget espresso machines we tested

Frigidaire Espresso Machine: This machine is almost identical to our top pick, featuring the same sleek, steel design and similar button placement. While it was very easy to use and pulled consistently good shots during testing, we missed having a pressure gauge or any sort of brew guide.

De'Longhi Stilosa: De'Longhi is a reputable name in the world of espresso machines, and this option is one of the brand's most affordable options at under $100. While it did deliver decent espresso, I didn't love the design. Instead of buttons for easy use, it has a dial to turn on and off, without an auto-stop function for pulling shots.

Hamilton Beach Slide and Lock Espresso Machine: This machine comes in under $150 with an easy-to-read front panel and pressure gauge. Overall, it was just a bulky design, and the slide-and-lock design was awkward to use.

Beautiful Slim Espresso Maker: We love other Beautiful appliances, but this one disappointed. It has the brand's signature sleek aesthetic and comes in seven colors. Though well-designed, I found the quality of the espresso to be inconsistent and the machine to be very loud.

Imusa Electric Espresso Machine: This espresso maker is under $30; however, it doesn't deliver the necessary pressure for proper espresso. Instead, I'd classify this as a "concentrated coffee maker" with a milk frother.

How we test budget espresso machine

Shot quality: I pulled shot after shot from each espresso machine and timed each pull. I considered the overall shot quality, assessing for flavor, full body, and bitterness. I also assessed the crema for each shot and whether the machine was consistent with every use.

Setup: I unboxed and set up each espresso machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. I assessed each machine on how simple it was to go from box to pulling shots and considered how intuitive the process was.

Ease of use: Throughout our testing, I used the machines as if I had never pulled espresso before. I looked at where functional buttons were located, how they performed during use, and the ease of frothing milk using a built-in steam wand.

Design: An espresso machine takes up counter space, so it was important to consider each model's overall look. I took into account how sleek or bulky the machine was, as well as its material and durability.

What to look for

Ease of use: Budget espresso machines tend to be simpler than luxury ones, but semiautomatic models still require a learning curve. We like machines with built-in pressure gauges because they help beginners understand the mechanics of pulling the perfect shot. Clearly marked buttons, easily refillable water tanks, and one-step brewing all make a machine more intuitive.

Size: Counter space is a big consideration. The best budget espresso machines balance features, function, and footprint. For example, a built-in grinder increases the machine size, but it also means you don't need a separate appliance, and we always recommend freshly ground beans. In that case, the function is worth the footprint.

Pressure: The most frequently used word when discussing espresso, eight to nine bars of pressure is essential to produce a balanced shot. Most machines are designed with 15 or 20 bars of pressure, which means they're capable of delivering more pressure, but you're looking for consistency when brewing above all else.

Milk frothing: To make cappuccinos, flat whites, and other specialty drinks, you'll need milk frothing capabilities. If you're a latte-a-day coffee drinker, look for budget espresso machines that have a built-in steam wand or include a frothing pitcher.

Budget espresso machine FAQs

How much should I spend on an espresso machine?

A top-notch home espresso machine can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000. If you're really into gourmet coffee, this may be worth the investment for you. However, if you just hope to eliminate your daily coffee drive-thru orders or want to practice making drinks at home, a budget espresso machine under $500 will help to achieve that.

What coffee should you use for espresso?

You can make use of any type of roast for espresso, though typically medium and dark roasts deliver more robust flavors. What's most important is the grind of the coffee beans. It's important to use fine grounds, which allow for the best flavor and oil extraction. The Baratza Sette 270 is the best espresso grinder we've tested. It costs more than any espresso machine we recommend in this guide, but fresh and well-ground beans will infinitely improve the taste of espresso from any brewer.

How do I clean a home espresso machine?

Rinse the portafilter after each use and use a brush to clean the ground head. It is crucial to purge the steam wand and thoroughly wipe it down after each use to avoid any bacteria buildup. To keep your home espresso machine in tip-top shape, clean it on a regular basis.