Owning a coffee or espresso machine at home can help you save money on daily trips to the coffee shop — though the eye-watering prices of some espresso machines may make that logic feel a little faulty when you’re first making the investment.
The good news is, you don’t always have to pay an arm and a leg for good coffee at home. HuffPost reached out to experts in the coffee industry to find the best espresso machines under $200 that perform just as well as the wildly expensive ones.
We’ll be frank — options that fit this criteria are a bit limited, and many of the experts we spoke to echoed the idea that paying for a pricier, higher-quality machine is worth it. That doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to paying nearly a thousand dollars, however. Below, find four expert-approved espresso machines under $250 that make for great entry-level buys.
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
De'Longhi Classic espresso machine (22% off)
"The De'Longhi Classic Pump Espresso Machine is another favorite in the sub-$250 category due to its simplicity and reliability," Lindsey Sozio, founder of Lavender Coffee Boutique in Denver, Colorado told HuffPost. "It features a traditional, easy-to-use design with a removable water tank. A notable benefit is its manual steam wand, so you can have control over milk texture for crafting classic lattes and cappuccinos (a feature often reserved for more expensive models). It’s a dependable option for consistently pulling good shots as well and being a good value for the budget-minded consumer."
The De'Longhi Classic offers a 15-bar pump, stable temperature control and customizable preset recipes for single or double espresso, in addition to the milk frother. This model is a bit wider than others on this list at 8.9 inches, but is still designed to be compact and not take up too much room on your counter. Get it for 22% off.
Capresso EC Select espresso machine
"When recommending budget-friendly machines, we prioritize options with reliable pressure and a consistent heating system. This ensures more dependable heat for both pulling quality espresso shots and generating steam quickly," said Sozio. "The Capresso EC Select is an excellent entry-level choice, known for its simplicity and consistent performance, so you can jump into home espresso making without a big financial commitment."
This 15-bar machine has a built-in frother, stainless steel-lined heating system, 40-ounce removable water tank, built-in cup warmer and dual-function filter, among other features — all in a sleek, compact design that's only 6.5 inches wide.
Casabrews CM5418 20-bar espresso machine (15% off)
While Eric Gantz, co-founder of Verena Street Coffee Co., said "expensive gear helps," he called the Casabrews CM5418 "a machine that gets the job done" if you're on a budget. "I recommend it to beginners who want cafe-style drinks at home without blowing the budget. The 51-millimeter portafilter means easy upgrades, and the stock dual-wall basket helps new users pull drinkable shots on day one. Swap to a single-wall or bottomless basket and the flavor jumps."
Available in six colors and complete with a milk frother, the machine has a 20-bar pressure system and a detachable 34-ounce water tank to make multiple cups before you need to refill it. The top has a built-in cup warmer, and the machine is less than 6 inches wide to take up minimal space on your counter.
Nespresso Vertuo Next premium coffee and espresso machine
Bernadette Gerrity, vice president at Cuban-style espresso brand Café Aroma, told HuffPost, "Nespresso's Vertuo Next espresso [machine] is perfect when you need a quick, single cup of espresso."
Using Nespresso capsules and able to brew six different cup sizes (including single and double espresso), the Vertuo Next has extremely simple and user-friendly one-button operation. It automatically updates its software through WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, has a removable 37-ounce water tank and layers the top of each cup with frothy crema.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus coffee and espresso maker
For an editor's pick: This Nespresso's VertuoPlus Deluxe brews both coffee and espresso, making it versatile and easy to use. Nespresso offers wide variety of pod flavors, which is always a treat. You have the option of buying just the machine or both the machine and an Aeroccino milk frother, so you can enjoy lattes with cold or steamed frothy milk that will make you feel like the barista you always wanted to be.
Promising review: "I have had this machine for almost a year now. I used to have a keurig but the coffee was never strong enough for me and sometimes tasted off. I need a strong cup to function. So I did my research and decided to purchase a nespresso. It was love at first cup, really. I’m so spoiled by it now! I love it so much I’m thinking about buying the smaller version too so I can bring it with us on our vacation. LOL If you are a strong coffee lover you need this machine." — D. Smith