Best Espresso Machine Under $200 in 2024: Our 6 Top Picks

ByLukas Van Vyve

You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a good cup of espresso at home. With this list of the six best espresso machine under 200 US dollars, you can enjoy your favorite lattes, cappuccinos, or, if you prefer, a shot of espresso.

1. Our Top Pick- Delonghi EC702

The Delonghi EC702 Manual Espresso Machine is our top pick for a few reasons. This espresso machine comes loaded with many features, like two thermostats that allow you to control water and steam separately.

Because the espresso machine includes high-quality stainless steel materials, you can expect it to live long and prosper. The removable water tank makes it easy to clean, extending its lifespan. The water tank and drip tray are also removable, assisting you with cleaning tasks.

You can also use either coffee pods or ground coffee with the DeLonghi EC702, catering to all coffee-drinking preferences. One of our favorite parts of the DeLonghi EC702 is probably the included frother. If you’re the type of person who orders specialty coffee like lattes, you may want an espresso machine with a milk frother.

A few of our favorite features of the DeLonghi EC702 include:

  • 3-in-1 filter holder that makes two espresso shots at one time
  • Attached manual frother for coffee-shop style espresso
  • Made of high-strength stainless steel materials that last
  • Stylish, professional-looking

Best espresso machine under $200 – other options

2. Best Value – Mr. Coffee ‘Cafe Barista’

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly espresso machine that doesn’t sacrifice quality or functionality, we recommend the Mr. Coffee® ‘Café Barista’. This espresso machine uses a 15-bar pump system that froths milk and makes your favorite cappuccino and latte beverages right at home.

With the option to choose between a single or double shot, you can also control the amount of espresso you get in your beverage. The system is extremely easy to use, whether you’re new to brewing coffee at home or not. It’s as easy as choosing the number of espresso shots, selecting your ground type, adding milk, and then choosing your brew preference.

The Mr. Coffee ‘Cafe Barista’ even comes with a coffee recipe book, so you can get creative and play around with different coffees. The only downside is that all your friends and neighbors may show up unexpectedly, looking for a free, professional-grade cup of coffee.

This coffee machine is slightly heavier than other options and does take up more counter space, but this also speaks to its durability. Mr. Coffee espresso machines also come with a one-year warranty, making you feel more confident about your purchase.

Here are a few things that we love about the Mr. Coffee ‘Cafe Barista’:

  • Semi-automatic 3-in-1 espresso pump that can make both lattes and cappuccinos
  • 15-bar pump system leads to pure-tasting espresso.
  • The one-touch panel makes it easy to choose your coffee settings.
  • Frother is easy to use.

3. Best Design – Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe

If you want a coffee maker that fits right in with your modern kitchen design, the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is a great choice. This smaller, compact espresso machine is not only affordable but also lightweight and easy to store away in between uses. If you have a small kitchen with minimal counter-space, you’re sure to love the Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe.

The Nespresso Vertuo also comes in a variety of colors, including white and red. If you’re looking for something that stands out in your kitchen, this espresso machine is it.

Using the Nespresso Vertuo Plus is simple. Add your coffee pod, push a button, and wait for your espresso. You can choose between four cup sizes, helping you get just the right amount of caffeine for the day.

Nespresso also uses a patented Centrifusion technology, which means that it spins the capsules over 7,000 times for a better-brewed product.

These are a few of the best features the Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe has to offer:

  • Ability to brew a wide range of sizes
    • Includes 5oz, 8oz, and 14oz, with the option between single or double espressos.
  • Precision brewing system that auto-adjusts depending on size
  • Adjustable water tank position
  • Automatic machine opening

It is important to note that the Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe only uses Nespresso pods, and isn’t compatible with any other pod types. The machine itself does come with your first set of pods.

Nespresso is an established, well-known brand, so there shouldn’t be any worry about them going out of business and not being able to get pods for the Nespresso Vertuo.

4. Best Espresso Machine for Steamed Milk – DeLonghi Stilosa – EC260BK

It’s not surprising to find another DeLonghi espresso machine on the ‘best of’ list, as DeLonghi has earned a reputation for its quality espresso machines, at a discounted price. If you’re the type of coffee drinker who wants to have steamed milk in every beverage, we recommend checking out the DeLonghi Stilosa EC260BK.

The DeLonghi Stilosa features a 15-bar pressure system with an attached milk steamer. You can use the easy-to-use milk steamer for lattes, cappuccinos, or any other of your favorite designer coffee beverages.

A few of our favorite features of the DeLonghi Stilosa include:

  • Offers 15 pressure bars for a high-quality espresso drink
  • Attached milk frother can increase the quality of your drinks
  • Elegant design
  • Includes a single and double filter
  • The boiler is stainless steel

5. Best Portable Espresso Maker – STARESSO Portable Espresso Maker

If you’re looking for a portable espresso maker that you can take with you on the go, we recommend checking out the STARESSO Portable Espresso Maker. This compact espresso maker is travel-friendly at less than a pound. It also doesn’t use electricity, meaning you can even take it with you on your next camping trip.

The STARESSO Portable Espresso Maker makes one shot of espresso per cycle and is capable of holding up to 2.7 ounces of water with a .5-ounce of coffee. You can use it with both coffee grounds or a Nespresso pod, but require you to manually puncture them for use.

The STARESSO Portable Espresso Maker is easy to use and clean. Each of the parts comes apart for easy cleaning. Here are a few of our favorite features of the STARESSO Portable Espresso Maker:

  • Cheaper than other espresso makers
  • Can be packed and used on your travels
  • Can be used without having power or electricity
  • Compatible with both coffee grounds and Nespresso pods

6. Best Specialty Espresso Maker – Ninja Specialty

While many of the espresso machines on this list may have built-in features for specialty coffee drinks, none do it quite as well as the Ninja Specialty. The Ninja Specialty latte and cappuccino maker isn’t technically an espresso machine but can create similar-type drinks.

The Ninja Specialty has a milk frother attachment that folds away for easy storage when not in use. The strongest setting on the Ninja Specialty coffee maker brews extremely-concentrated coffee, which gives off a flavor similar to espresso.

This combination coffee maker is a great all-in-one machine with endless coffee options available to you.

A few of our favorite features of the Ninja Specialty coffee maker include:

  • Dishwasher-friendly
  • Easy clean-up
  • Detachable water reservoir for easy refills
  • Versatile–can be used to brew a traditional pot of coffee or a specialty drink
  • Built-in feature that maintains heat

FAQ on Choosing an Espresso Machine Under $200

These are some of the most frequently asked questions related to espresso machines:

What features should I look for when choosing the best espresso machine?

It’s important to consider a variety of features when choosing the best espresso machine. This is because many factors influence the flavor profile of your coffee. These factors include:

Bar Pressure

Bar pressure refers to the level of atmospheric pressure. Specifically, when discussing coffee, it refers to the level of pressure applied to the coffee grinds, which directly affects how much of the espresso flows down to your cup. Espresso, while often used to describe a type of coffee, is just the method you use to brew the coffee.

Any type of coffee can essentially be espresso, as long as you apply enough pressure to the coffee beans. Home and semi-professional espresso machines typically have around a 15-bar rating for espresso. Professional coffee makers have a 9-bar pressure rating. Because espresso machines designed for home use often have cheaper pumps, they’re more likely to have higher bar ratings.

Brewing Type

Brewing type, specifically automatic versus semi-automatic, is also important to consider when choosing an espresso machine. An automatic espresso machine does all the work for you. Of course, you still have to grind the coffee and place it in the espresso machine or, in newer models, drop in a coffee pod. Then, press a button, and the espresso machine does the rest of the work for you.

A semi-automatic espresso machine takes a little extra work from you. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you have to pull the lever to start the process.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types. For example, semi-automatic espresso machines can give you more control over flavor and espresso brewing types. If you want to play around with steamed or frothed milk, you may also prefer a semi-automatic espresso machine.

A third brewing type, referred to as a superautomatic espresso machine, takes all the guesswork out of brewing espresso for you. If your goal is to make the process of creating espresso drinks as easy as possible for everyone in the household, a superautomatic espresso machine may be the best option.

Cup Sizes

Espresso machines come in different cup sizes. This is the cup it’s capable of brewing. A traditional espresso cup is 2-ounces. If you want to make other coffee beverages, like lattes or cappuccinos, you will want an espresso machine that also holds larger cups. A cappuccino is typically 6-ounces, a latte is 8-ounces, a cup of filter coffee is 6-ounces, and iced coffee is 12-ounces.

Built-in Milk Frother

Many of the espresso machines on our list come with a built-in milk frother, which may or may not be important to you. You use a milk frother to aerate milk, which forms small bubbles, giving the coffee a creamy texture. Milk frothers are commonly used when making coffee lattes and cappuccinos. If either of these coffee drinks is in your coffee rotation, you may consider buying an espresso machine with a built-in milk frother.

Cleaning Ease

Keeping up with cleaning and maintenance on your espresso machine helps it last longer, while improving the taste of the coffee. It also prevents bacteria growth in your coffee, which can affect your health. Some espresso machines are easier to clean than others. Removable parts or dishwasher-friendliness are often desirable for this reason. Even if the whole machine isn’t dishwasher-safe, its parts might be.

Ease of Use

It may also be important to consider how easy different espresso machines are to use. Consider your skill level in using an espresso machine when choosing the best one for you. It can also be helpful to consider who in the household will be using the espresso machine. Are you experienced in making coffee? Will others in the household also use the espresso machine?

Price

Price is also a common factor to consider when choosing the best espresso machine. All espresso machines on this list are under $200, but some are on the lower or higher end of that range. Consider how much you want to spend and which features are most important to you when choosing an espresso machine.

While some espresso machines can go as high as a few thousand dollars in price, you may find that you have to give up some features when choosing one under $200. However, this list includes some of the top espresso machines that will get the job done, all for under $200. If you still want access to more features, like a milk frother, you may need to be at the higher end of the budget.

Warranty Availability

When considering the price of an espresso machine, it may also be important to consider a warranty. If you want to ensure that you make the right choice, you can further narrow down your espresso machine options by choosing ones that come with a one or two-year warranty.

Other features may also be important to some, including appearance or materials. Espresso machines come in all different sizes and designs. Some also offer different color variations.

The type of coffee that an espresso machine takes may also be important to consider. Some espresso machines are only compatible with coffee grounds, whereas others may only work with brand-specific coffee pods. Some coffee drinkers may be hesitant to stick to just one coffee brand. If this is the case, you may want to choose one that uses both.

Our Conclusion- the Best Espresso Machine Under $200

When considering each of these important features, we strongly stand behind the DeLonghi EC702. This espresso machine uses 15-bar pressure, which is standard for at-home espresso machines and sufficient enough to get a potent espresso shot.

The DeLonghi EC702 is a semi-automatic espresso machine, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of brewing the perfect cup of espresso. It also has a self-priming feature, making it easy to use. With an indicator light and a removable drip tray, it also checks the boxes as an espresso machine that’s both easy to clean and use.

It also comes with two thermostats, giving you more control over both your steam and milk settings. This means it’s also very user-friendly. By using the built-in temperature controls, there’s little chance of over-extracting. It also uses both coffee grounds and pods, checking that box.

The DeLonghi also comes with a built-in milk frother, making it perfect for trying out all those specialized coffee drinks. The smaller size of the DeLonghi EC702 makes it perfect for kitchens of all sizes. If you prefer, you can leave it out on the countertop for easy access.

You can also store it away on a shelf or in a cupboard. Because the DeLonghi espresso machine is also made with high-quality materials, it will fit right in with most kitchen designs.