Is there such a thing as the best budget espresso machine? If you’re an espresso aficionado, you’re probably thinking you don’t just need good beans; you need quality tools, such as the best espresso machine and the best coffee grinder. And those are hard to make with cheap materials.
The answer to whether a great budget espresso machine exists isn’t so straightforward. It’s a contentious subject, as evidenced by emails I’ve received from readers demanding why I haven’t recommended any high-end machines costing $6,000 to $15,000 in my original espresso machine guide. But I genuinely believe that while it’s true you likely won’t find the best of the best in the under-$200 aisle, you also don’t have to break the bank to get good espresso.
Over the years, I have used and tested my share of budget espresso machines. Although not many of those coffee makers delivered as good an espresso as the pricier models, a handful were more than capable of satiating my discerning caffeine cravings.
So, I set off to find the best budget espresso machine on the market. I capped the price at $350 and tested to see which models could deliver crema-topped espresso shots that were rich, robust and almost as good as what you might get out of a much pricier model. After consuming copious amounts of caffeine, I found two that blew me away.
