12 Best Espresso Machines Under $200 of 2021
Photo: Hamilton Beach
The rich and satisfying taste of espresso is hard to beat with any other beverage. And this explains why an espresso machine is now almost a must have in any home.
Investing in an espresso machine is a good way to save money for regular coffee drinkers, and while many people assume they are expensive, this is not always the case as there are many that retail for less than $200. And finding the best espresso machine under $200 should not take a lot of effort if you have the right information.
This piece is all about giving you the important information you need to choose a good and inexpensive espresso machine. We do this by highlighting the factors to watch out for when shopping, and with review of 12 top-rated espresso machines under $200.
12 Best Espresso Machines Under $200 – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. DeLonghi EN85B (A Small Machine that Makes Great Coffee) | ||
 | 2. Mueller Austria MU-NESS2 (Highly Affordable Small Footprint Coffee Maker) | ||
 | 3. Breville Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine (Smart Single-Serve) | ||
 | 4. DeLonghi ENV135B (Fast & Versatile) | ||
 | 5. Mr.Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000-RB (Best for Lattes & Cappuccinos) | ||
 | 6. Hamilton Beach 40792 (Cheap but Highly Reliable) | ||
 | 7. Capresso 116.04 (Powerful Dual Frother) | ||
 | 8. DeLonghi EC155M (Compact & Simple-to-Use) | ||
 | 9. DeLonghi ECP3420 (Sleek Profile, Compact & with a Small Footprint) | ||
 | 10. Espressione 1334/1 (An Easy & Elegant Way of Making Espressos) | ||
 | 11. Hamilton Beach 40715 (Hassle-Free Barista-Quality Brewing) | ||
 | 12. DeLonghi ECP3620 (For Perfect Cappuccinos with No Special Skills Required) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. DeLonghi EN85B (A Small Machine that Makes Great Coffee) |
2. Mueller Austria MU-NESS2 (Highly Affordable Small Footprint Coffee Maker) |
3. Breville Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine (Smart Single-Serve) |
4. DeLonghi ENV135B (Fast & Versatile) |
5. Mr.Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000-RB (Best for Lattes & Cappuccinos) |
6. Hamilton Beach 40792 (Cheap but Highly Reliable) |
7. Capresso 116.04 (Powerful Dual Frother) |
8. DeLonghi EC155M (Compact & Simple-to-Use) |
9. DeLonghi ECP3420 (Sleek Profile, Compact & with a Small Footprint) |
10. Espressione 1334/1 (An Easy & Elegant Way of Making Espressos) 11. Hamilton Beach 40715 (Hassle-Free Barista-Quality Brewing) 12. DeLonghi ECP3620 (For Perfect Cappuccinos with No Special Skills Required) |
1. DeLonghi EN85B – A Small Machine that Makes Great Coffee
Photo: DeLonghi
The speed and efficiency of the Nespresso espresso machines are hard to match with other types of coffee makers and they are the best if you are looking for a small capacity single-serve coffee maker.
With this mini coffee maker, you get one of the most compact Nespresso machines but without compromising on the taste and quality of coffee that you get.
It uses a 19-bar high-pressure pump to ensure excellent extraction for barista-quality brews, and it also heats up faster than many others as it will reach the ideal brewing temperature in just 30 seconds.
The espresso machine also offers two programmable cup sizes for espresso and lungo and using it is also quite straightforward thanks to the simple one-touch operation. And you will also love the fact that it comes in a sleek and modern design that will look great on your kitchen.
Although the 20.3-ounce water reservoir is the smallest on our list, it is still good enough for a single cup coffee maker. The fact that refilling the reservoir is also a quick and effortless task also means that this will not be a significant drawback.
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2. Mueller Austria MU-NESS2 – Highly Affordable Small Footprint Coffee Maker
Photo: Mueller Austria
Everything about this Mueller Nespresso machine is perfect for someone shopping for a small espresso machine on a tight budget.
It is the cheapest model among our espresso machine under $200 reviews but despite its small price tag, it will still make some amazing coffee.
The small footprint of the machine means that it will take up almost insignificant counter space. But there is still more to it than a small price tag and size.
Another reason why this is a top rated espresso machine under $200 is the fact that it has a high pressure 20-bar Italian pump that will ensure excellent extraction and the super fast 25 seconds heat up time.
Also, the coffee maker has a convenient energy-saving mode that will switch it off after 10 seconds of idling, and it is also easy to operate with one touch buttons and with two cup size options.
The thicker and more rigid cord can be unsightly, but this should not stop you from buying such a wonderful coffee maker as this is an easy problem to solve with a little creativity.
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3. Breville Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine – Smart Single-Serve Espresso Machine
Photo: Breville
Breville makes this Nespresso for coffee lovers looking for a smarter single-serve machine. The machine makes use of smart technologies like Centrifusion extraction to ensure perfect extraction for each cup and automatic blend recognition.
With this espresso machine, you can make 5 different cup sizes which means it will be ideal for everything from a simple coffee to double espresso shots.
Operating it is also easy thanks to the simple one-touch operation and the fact that the machine will take just 15 seconds to heat up.
The cup support on this coffee maker is also designed to be adjustable to accommodate different cup sizes. There is also a removable 40-ounce water reservoir that will make refilling easy, and there is also a handy energy-saving auto shut off function.
Although some users will find the coffee temperature lower than they would like, preheating your cup before use can help with this.
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4. DeLonghi ENV135B – Fast and Versatile
Photo: DeLonghi
With this versatile Nespresso machine by DeLonghi, you can make a simple espresso shot or a large alto all at the push of a button as it allows for five different cup sizes.
Speed is also guaranteed when using the coffee maker as it will heat up to the ideal brewing temperature in just 15 seconds, and the simple one-touch button mechanism will make things even easier for you.
Its 54 ounces water tank is also the largest on our list which means you will not need to refill it very often but it is also removable for easy refills and cleanup.
Like most other Nespresso, this model also uses Centrifusion technology that makes sure that you get excellent extraction for every cup so that your espresso will always be bold enough and with perfect crema.
Also, this coffee maker has an energy-efficient automatic shut off function that will switch it off after 9 minutes of idling to conserve energy.
Although this is a relatively bulkier machine for an under $200 espresso maker, the best thing about it is that it is still easy to handle if you want to move it around and will not take up too much space.
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5. Mr.Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000-RB – The Best for Lattes and Cappuccinos
Photo: Mr.Coffee
3-in-1 espresso machines like Mr.Coffee’s Café Barista will be perfect for coffee aficionados that like taking milk-based beverages like lattes and cappuccinos.
It has a built-in trouble free milk frother that will make it easy to steam and froth the milk that you need for these beverages. And there is also a large milk reservoir.
Also, both the 40-ounce water reservoir and the milk reservoirs are removable to make them easy to refill and clean up.
Another feature that makes it one of the best home espresso machines under $200 is the fact that it has a highly efficient 15-bar pressure pump that will ensure excellent and consistent extraction.
Drink selection is also quick and straightforward with this coffee maker as it comes with a simple and intuitive one-touch control panel.
This espresso machine seems to take longer to pull a shot than many other top models but in reality, you will only need to wait a couple of minutes to get your cup of espresso.
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6. Hamilton Beach 40792 – Cheap but Highly Reliable
Photo: Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach is famous for making some cheap but highly reliable and efficient espresso machines like their model 40792 steam espresso machine.
There are many things that make this an outstanding machine, but the 15-bar pump is one of its key highlights as it will ensure that you always get excellent extraction and a fantastic crema for every cup.
With its slide and lock portafilter setting it up is also a quick and easy process and it should be ready to use in just a few minutes.
Coffee aficionados will also appreciate the fact that it is designed to work with pods and coffee grounds for increased versatility. And it is also perfect for making lattes and cappuccinos thanks to the swiveling steam wand.
This coffee maker will also include a handy cup warmer to ensure you never have to use a cold cup, and both the drip tray and water reservoir are removable for easy cleanup.
The plastic nozzle on the steam wand could do with some improvement, but even as it is, you will still get nice froth for your brews.
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7. Capresso 116.04 – Powerful Dual Frother Espresso Machine
Photo: Capresso
A powerful thermoblock heating system and a powerful 15-bar pump combine to make this Capresso product one of the best espresso machines under $200 in the market.
However, this coffee maker will also feature two sizes that will allow coffee lovers to make both single and double espressos depending on their preferences.
And there are also dual furthers that consist of a steam tube and frothing sleeves to make this a perfect machine for both lattes and cappuccinos. These frothers are designed to be super easy to use and to provide the best milk froth for your beverages.
This coffee maker will also include a heavy-duty stainless steel warming platform for your cups and some handy indicator lights. And both the drip tray and water reservoirs are removable for easy cleanup and refilling.
There is a learning curve when it comes to getting the grind size and tamping right, but this is typical of most semi-automatic machines, and so it should not be a big ideal.
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8. DeLonghi EC155M – Compact and Simple-to-Use Machine
Photo: DeLonghi
DeLonghi’s EC155M is a compact coffee maker that will take up little counter space and is designed for ease of use even for beginner coffee lovers.
This espresso machine uses a single selector knob for everything from switching it on and off and also for selecting the beverage that you want to make and there are also some handy indicator lights.
You can brew with both coffee grounds and pods when using this espresso machine, and it has a reliable cappuccino system that will be very handy when making lattes and cappuccinos.
With the self-priming system on this coffee maker, it will always maintain the ideal brewing temperature for zero-wait between cups, and it also includes 2 separate thermostats for steam and water.
The drip tray is removable to make it easier to clean up, and there is also an anti-drip system to help minimize mess when brewing.
Although an auto shut off function would have been great, this machine brews quite fast, and so you will not need to keep an eye on it for long.
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9. DeLonghi ECP3420 – Sleek Profile, Compact and with a Small Footprint
Photo: DeLonghi
Looks also matter when choosing an under $200 espresso machine as you also want it to look great in your kitchen, and so the sleek look of the DeLonghi ECP3420 with stainless steel accents makes it a great buy.
This coffee maker is also perfect for making cup after cup as it has a rapid heating system that maintains the ideal brewing temperature so that you never have to wait between cups.
Also, it has convenient onboard filter storage and a second tier drip tray that will allow you to brew onto to larger cups. You can easily choose whether to make a single or double espresso shot. And there is also a highly useful manual steam wand.
The self-priming operation will ensure that you get a minimum start-up preparation so that your machine will always be ready to use in just a few minutes.
Clean up is also a simple task when using this coffee maker as both the drip tray and water reservoir are removable.
This espresso machine can be a bit loud when brewing, but this noise only requires some getting used to and is still not as loud as other coffee makers.
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10. Espressione 1334/1 – An Easy and Elegant Way of Making Espressos
Photo: Espressione
The classy and modern design of this espresso machine is what stands out when looking at it and probably the first element that will draw the attention of most coffee lovers.
Besides the looks, the heating system also helps make this one of the best espresso makers under $200 out there. It is a thermoblock heating system that creates instant steam for fast, efficient and consistent brewing.
You can use both pre-ground coffee and pods with this coffee maker as it will come with a versatile filter holder and with three different filters.
And there are also several safety features for safe operation and they include a self-priming boiler, high-pressure safety valve, and some rubber grip handles.
Like with many other high-performing espresso machines, it will deliver 15-bars of pressure for efficient extraction and it features a removable water reservoir and drip tray and a cup warmer.
Cup warmer takes longer to warm the cup adequately, but this should not be a deal breaker as popping your cup into the microwave for a few seconds should warm your cup enough.
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11. Hamilton Beach 40715 – Hassle-Free Barista-Quality Brewing
Photo: Hamilton Beach
Getting barista-quality brews from the comfort of your home should not take a lot of effort because all you need is a good espresso machine. And you can get one for under $200 like the Hamilton Beach model 40715.
The coffee maker is designed to provide a hassle-free operation as it uses a simple push-button operation and comes with an easy to use and effective milk frother.
This coffee maker relies on a 15-bar Italian pump for extraction, and it is powerful enough to ensure excellent and consistent extraction for rich and flavorful coffee.
Making coffee is also more versatile as this machine can work with either espresso pods or pre-ground coffee. Because it also has a removable reservoir, refilling and cleaning it should also not take a lot of effort.
The smaller portafilter will not accommodate a lot of coffee, but with a little adjustment of your ground settings, you should still be able to get a great shot from this machine.
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12. DeLonghi ECP3620 – For Perfect Cappuccinos with No Special Skills Required
Photo: DeLonghi
Whether you prefer single or double espresso, cappuccino, latte and other milk-based beverages this DeLonghi coffee machine will make them for you.
It features an advanced cappuccino system that will allow you to brew cups of coffee consecutively with no wait time, and there is also a manual frother that will ensure you always get some creamy froth.
This coffee maker also has a 15-bar pump that will ensure you get quality extraction every time for more consistent brews. And with the adjustable controls, you can easily modify your brew to suit your preferences.
These coffee makers also come in a sleek and compact design that will ensure that it fits perfectly in your kitchen.
Also, this coffee maker can accommodate taller cups as it has an easily adjustable cup height. And because both the water reservoir and drip tray are removable, this coffee maker is super easy to clean and maintain.
This model also does not have an automatic shut off function, but this is a small issue as you only need to keep a keen eye on the machine when brewing.
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How to Buy the Best Espresso Machines Under $200
Photo: Capresso
You will be amazed by the number of espresso machine models under the $200 mark. The many models are because espresso is one of the most popular beverages globally.
Also, many people are always looking to save some cash when buying any home appliance, and so most manufacturers have several budget espresso machines on the market.
But, to make sure that you pick a machine that will serve you well and for long while also providing rich, creamy and great-tasting espressos, you need to look out for the following things.
1. Budget
The fact that you are on the market for best espresso maker under $200 means that you already have a budget in mind. However, even with a maximum price tag in mind, you still need to decide how much you are willing to spend.
Are you looking for a simple under $100 manual espresso maker or a $200 fully automatic model? By answering this question, you will be able to come up with a budget that suits you.
However, it should be obvious that in most instances the more you are willing to spend the larger the capacity and the more the features that you will get on the espresso maker.
2. Types
As you shop for the best budget espresso machine you will also need to decide on the type that suits you. Because at this price range it is hard to get a good super automatic model you will often need to choose between the manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic espresso makers.
Manual: Manual espresso machines will not require any electricity to push a shot of espresso as they are hand-operated which means that muscle power is all it takes to make your shot.
These coffee makers are perfect for experienced coffee aficionados and baristas and the best things about them is that they will give you maximum control over the coffee making process. Also, they will make some of the richest and great tasting espressos.
The most significant shortcoming with these machines is that they take a long time to master and if you do not know what you are doing you can easily ruin your espressos.
Semi-Automatic: When you want to get some level of control over the espresso making process and also make things a lot easier for you, the semi-automatic machines are the way to go.
With a semi-automatic espresso maker, you get to control elements like the grinding, tamping and extraction time. But there is an automated pump that will do the work that the piston and lever do in a manual espresso maker which is pumping water through the group head.
These are some of the most popular espresso makers and also some of the most common in the under $200 price range and they seem to work well for all kinds of coffee lovers.
Fully Automatic: The fully automatic espresso machines are quite similar to the semi-automatic ones but they will give users less control over the espresso making process.
These coffee makers will have an electric pump and unlike semi-automatic models, they will stop the flow of water automatically after a predefined amount of time. This will ensure that you get a consistent volume for every espresso shot and don't have to stand there and wait for the machine to finish brewing.
Automatic espresso makers are also much easier to use than the manual and semi-automatic models and most are more feature-rich.
3. Capacity
The amount of coffee that you can make on your espresso machine also matters a lot and this is even more so for those that want something that can serve several people.
At the under $200 category, you can get anything from single-serve machines to models that can make a full carafe. And so the right type for you here depends on the amount of coffee you take or make every morning.
Also, while still at the capacity, you also need to check on the water tank capacity because the larger the reservoir the better as it will eliminate the need to keep refilling the after every few cups. Something with at least a 20-ounce water capacity should be good enough for under $200.
4. Size and Design
If an espresso maker is too large for your space it will not be of any use to you because it means you will not have a place to keep and use it comfortably.
Although most under $200 espresso machines are small and compact the size still varies among different brands. And so you need to check the dimensions to ensure that they will not only fit your countertop but will also leave enough room to use the machine and refill the tank easily.
When it comes to the design, you will need something with a sleek finish that will complement your kitchen and not give it an awkward look.
5. Ease of Use
Any coffee maker that is too hard to figure out or comes with a huge manual that would take ages to read and understand is not the best for you and the chances are that you will hardly ever use it.
A good espresso maker needs to be straightforward to use and with some short, simple and easy to understand directions for users.
The features also need to be simple but useful and with some self-explanatory buttons as this will give users including the beginners an easy time.
Also, the ease of cleaning and maintaining the machine matters a lot because an easy machine to clean up means that you will spend more time making and enjoying the coffee and not doing cleanup work.
Conclusion
Budget constraints should not prevent you from enjoying your daily cup of espresso as you can get a good espresso maker for use at home for as little as under $200.
However, to find the best espresso machine under $200 or choose one that suits you from the many models out there, you need to consider factors like the type, capacity, size and design and the ease of use.
And whether you are buying your first espresso maker or are looking to replace what you have with something cheaper and more efficient, you can be sure that there is a model that will give you great service from our top 12 reviews above.
