Those of us looking for a divine espresso experience at home often end up shelling a fair amount of money. Good espresso gear can be very expensive. But it’s not always convenient to splurge on an espresso machine. Thankfully, technology reduces costs and modern espresso machines can be fairly within budget while maintaining quality.
Let’s take a look at the best espresso machines under 200 bucks. These machines aren’t necessarily entry-level and can be quite sophisticated. The cost range puts them below the radar for the more expensive and feature-rich machines. Yet, these can brew a great espresso.
Top Espresso Machines Under $200 For 2020
- Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
- Lavazza 041953000648 BLUE Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine
- Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine 40715
- De’Longhi Nespresso VertuoLine ENV135GY
- Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine
- Flair Espresso Maker, Classic
- De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Editor’s Choice: Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Coming in at a great price point, Mr. Coffee Café Barista is an excellent espresso machine. It has a 15 bar pump system to brew espresso. To make things easier for the user, the machine also froths milk and can also brew cappuccino and espresso for the user.
Best Sub-200 Espresso Machines For Home
1. Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
This is our editor’s choice for this category and a popular pick for consumers. Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker stays true to its name and does an impressive job. A 15 bar pump is included in the machine to brew good quality espresso.
There are six buttons on the face of this espresso machine for easy operation. Three of these buttons are to choose the beverage you want – espresso, cappuccino, and latte. The other three buttons can be used to double the number of cups. So, brewing a single or double-shot of espresso or other beverages is incredibly easy.
This ease of operation and the available variety of beverages make this an excellent home espresso machine. An automatic milk frother is included with the machine. As the espresso brews, Mr. Coffee Café Barista also prepares the milk for your cappuccino or latte.
Mr. Coffee Café Barista probably doesn’t make the best cappuccino. However, the value and ease of use make this machine an absolute delight.
Pros
- Very easy to use and operate
- Includes automatic milk frother
- Great value for money
Cons
- The machine has trouble keeping up the pressure for successive shots
- Espresso maker construction can feel flimsy
2. Lavazza 041953000648 BLUE Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine
Lavazza Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine is a well-priced machine that brews amazing espresso. But, the trouble here is the same as Nespresso – this one too works only with pods. Lavazza Blue Capsules, to be precise.
Feed it the right capsule and this machine will whirr into motion to brew a remarkable cup of espresso. Up to five exhausted capsules can stay in the machine, so cleanup is not an immediate requirement.
You get two choices of brew sizes on this Lavazza espresso maker viz. espresso and lungo. Hit the button and your choice of brew will be on its way. The machine takes roughly 28 seconds to heat up, so it’s pretty fast.
Pros
- Easy, single-serve operation
- Good quality espresso
- The machine has a decent build and construction
- Visual indicator for water reservoir level
Cons
- Locked to Lavazza Blue Capsules
- Capsules are not widely available and can be tough to come by
3. Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine 40715
Much like most Hamilton Beach products, this espresso machine is built to be a workhorse. There is no long-winded list of features here. Place your coffee, hit the button, get your espresso. That’s about it!
The machine puts up an impressive 15 bar pressure to get your espresso done right. Interestingly, this machine will accept ground coffee for brewing, as well as soft coffee pods. Two brew heads are available, so it’s possible to brew two shots at the same time. A milk steamer wand is included for when you want to froth milk for a cappuccino or other beverages.
Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine 40715 has a 40 oz water reservoir. The push-button operation should make it easy to use, but it isn’t intuitive. Make sure to read the manual before using this espresso maker.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Includes 15 bar pump to brew espresso
- Works with ground coffee as well as soft pods
Cons
- Controls are not intuitive and easy to use
4. De’Longhi Nespresso VertuoLine ENV135GY
Nespresso VertuoLine by De’Longhi is a wonderfully adept machine. Capable of brewing both espresso and regular coffee, this machine is somewhat unique in its application. There is no conventional pressure or pump system involved. Instead, when it’s time to make espresso, the coffee pods are rotated at speeds enough to create the required pressure.
Built-in space is available to store Nespresso Vertuo pods for brewing coffee or espresso. The removable water reservoir has a capacity of 54 oz. To suit various needs, the Vertuo can brew five different brew sizes at the touch of a button. These include espresso (1.35 ounce), double espresso (2.7 ounce), gran lungo (5 ounce), coffee (7.7 ounce) and alto (14 ounce).
Printed barcodes on each pod let the machine know the kind of brew (or recipe) needed. For example, it will automatically distinguish between a pod meant for coffee or espresso. Priced at just under $200, this is a versatile and excellent espresso machine to buy.
Pros
- Makes coffee and espresso
- Excellent taste and brewing method
- Fast – takes only 15 seconds to heat up
- Large, removable water reservoir
Cons
- Only works with Nespresso pods
5. Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine
This is a manual espresso machine. It’s pretty good for those of us who’d like a portable solution for espresso machines, like when out camping. There is no need for electricity, but you will need hot water for this machine to work.
Add water and coffee, then use the machine’s mechanism to produce the necessary pressure for a shot of espresso. The good thing is that it doesn’t require too much work! It is necessary to apply some pressure, but you won’t be huffing and puffing in an effort to brew the coffee.
Espresso brewed from this machine is fairly good, enjoyable, and has a rich crema.
Pros
- Manual operation
- Easy to use and operate
- Brews good quality espresso
Cons
- Durability – the machine isn’t sturdy
6. Flair Espresso Maker, Classic
This is the second manual espresso maker on our list. Apart from brewing a great shot of espresso, Flair Espresso Maker deserves some praise for its aesthetics as well. This is a fairly big machine, and certainly not compact enough to be considered easily portable.
However, it shines where it counts – making amazing espresso! If you don’t mind the manual effort involved, If you want an occasional espresso at home, this could be as good as any espresso machine. There is no doubt about the quality of the espresso here, it’s pretty great.
But there must be a drawback and that’s the manual effort required to use this machine. Brewing the espresso itself is easy enough. However, the cumbersome part is using various machine parts and attachments during the process. All of that makes it impossible to brew any more than a single shot at a time.
Pros
- Great looks and design
- Delicious espresso with lovely crema
- Excellent construction that will last a long time
Cons
- Needs some getting used to
- No simple way to brew multiple espresso shots
7. De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
In its design and construction, De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine looks almost retro. I suppose that’s an effect of the controls. Rather than the buttons we see on practically all machines, this one has a dial.
The good part is that it’s convenient and easy to operate. The machine has clear markings and the visual and mechanical feedback of moving the dial makes things easier. De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine has a stainless steel boiler, removable 37 oz water tanker, and a steam wand.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Well-priced and makes good espresso
- Compact espresso machine
Cons
- Dated looks and design
- Questionable longevity
A Buying Guide For Your Espresso Machine
Cutting Through Marketing Jargon And Understanding Pressure And Temperature Requirements
Ideally, the right water temperature for brewing coffee is 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, a good quality espresso must be brewed under pressure. It is generally advisable to have at least 9 bars of pressure, though 15 bars is preferable. You’ll notice a lot of machines fit into these requirements.
The challenge isn’t just reaching these aforementioned numbers, but holding them. Once espresso starts brewing, the temperature and pressure start to drop. Better, more expensive machines often have mechanisms to prevent this from happening. They ensure the cup is brewed at consistent temperature and pressure. But these machines can be very expensive.
Our choice of best espresso machines under $200 is bound to face similar problems. However, for home users and beginners, this isn’t a major problem. Unless you consider yourself to be very discerning towards espresso flavor, the suggested machines here should fit your requirements just fine.
Coffee Grind And Roast Level
To make the best of your espresso machine, pair it with good quality coffee and an appropriate roast. Ideally, you should grind coffee beans right before you need them for the espresso. Espresso needs fine-ground coffee. Using a dark roast is preferable, give an Italian roast a chance or try espresso roast or other dark roasts.
Choosing The Right Cost And Espresso Maker Combination
When you buy an espresso machine under 200 bucks, you’re striking a balance between cost and quality. It’s a good price range where you have room to maneuver and pick the machines you like. You can get a high-quality machine that makes great espresso without costing an arm and a leg.
Our top choice for this category is Mr. Coffee Café Barista. If you prefer single-serve espresso makers, give the De’Longhi Nespresso VertuoLine ENV135GY a chance.