Are you an espresso aficionado? Have you been looking to purchase a top-notch espresso machine for your home or office without breaking the bank? If you answered yes—you’re in luck because today, we’ll be spilling the beans on how to find the best espresso machines under $300.
For many of us, an espresso is an essential element of our daily grind. But those early morning coffee-runs to our local coffee shop sure do add up and can quickly become an expense that’s difficult to justify. So why not save your money by investing in your very own espresso machine?
On top of giving you all the information you need to purchase the ideal espresso machine; we’ll also be giving you the rundown on seven standout espresso machines under $300 that will satisfy both your coffee craving and your wallet.
The 7 Best Budget-Friendly Espresso Machines Under $300
Who says you need to spend a large amount of your hard-earned cash to enjoy a decent espresso in the comfort of your home or office?
We certainly don’t!
Unfortunately, there are many cheap espresso machines from brands that seemingly appear out nowhere that aren’t a high quality at all. These cheap espresso machines sadly give proper budget-friendly options from reputable brands an undeserved bad reputation.
Cheap and budget-friendly should never be confused or lumped together. But the question is: how do you separate the two from one another?
Don’t worry—we’re here to make this distinction abundantly clear. We’ve put together this list of the seven best budget-friendly espresso machines brought to you by brands that don’t compromise on quality.
Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
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Mr Coffee has been making waves with its Espresso and Cappuccino Café Barista. This easy to use espresso machine is a hugely popular choice amongst caffeine fiends due to its impressive list of features that include automatic milk frothing, a programmable cleaning cycle, and an adjustable cup height tray.
And just in case you’d like to take your espresso-making game up a notch, included in your purchase of the Mr Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Café Barista is a recipe book filled with delicious recipes for beverages like Espresso Martinis! On top of this recipe book, a measuring scooper and filter is included in your purchase.
Dimensions: 11.22 x 8.86 x 12.6 inches
Weight: 10.37 lbs
Color: White, red or silver
- Automatic frothing with removable milk tank
- 3-minute heat-up time
- 1-year warranty
- Most parts are dishwasher safe
- Reports of noisy operation
- The water tank is smaller than competitor espresso machines
- Made from plastic
DeLonghi EN85BAE Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine
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DeLonghi and Nespresso have done it again! The Essenza Mini Espresso Machine is one of the smallest you can find, but you should not confuse its small size for lack of strength as this compact, coffee lover’s dream machine produces 19 bars of pressure!
Use the one-touch button to prepare your espresso in 30 seconds flat. With every purchase of the Nespresso Essenza Mini, you will receive the Aerocinno 3 Milk Frother and a complimentary pack of 16 Nespresso capsules.
Dimensions: 4.3 x 12.8 x 8.1 inches
Weight: 4.35 lbs
Color: Black, red or lime green
- Small size
- Auto-off after 9 minutes
- 2 programmable cup sizes to choose from
- Quiet operation
- 2-year warranty
- Small water tank due to small size
- Only compatible with Nespresso capsules
- Milk frother is a separate appliance
DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker
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The industrial look of the DeLonghi EC702 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is indicative of the professional quality that you can expect from an espresso produced by this machine. The self-priming operation means that the days of preparation to start-up are gone.
The DeLonghi EC702 is compatible with both pods and ground coffee for ultimate convenience. Included in your purchase of the EC702 is a filter holder, plastic tamper, measuring scoop and one-shot & two-shot filters.
Dimensions: 11 x 9.1 x 11.6 inches
Weight: 11.5 lbs
Color: Stainless steel
- Large water tank
- Warming tray keeps cups warm
- Self-priming operation
- 1-year warranty
- Reports of noisy operation
- No auto-off feature
- No built-in grinder
- Reports of leakage
Breville BEC120RED1AUC1 Inissia Espresso Machine
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The Nespresso Inissa Espresso Machine by Breville is crammed full of features that’re packaged in a superbly designed, lightweight and compact body. Its eco-saving mode equals low energy consumption which solidifies its position as a firm favorite amongst coffee lovers who are environmentally conscious.
Packing 19 bars of pressure, the Nespresso Inissa is ready to make your steaming cup of espresso in a mere 25 seconds at the touch of a single button! Enjoy the 14 samples of Nespresso Original samples that come along as a welcome gift with every purchase.
Dimensions: 13.5 x 7.5 x 13 inches
Weight: 6 lbs
Color: Black, red, titan or silver
- Compact design takes up minimal counter space
- Energy-saving mode after 9 minutes
- 25-second heat-up time
- 2-year warranty
- Only compatible with Nespresso capsules
- Small water tank due to small size
- Milk frother is a separate appliance
7 Pc All-In-One Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker
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If you’re looking for a budget-friendly espresso maker that includes all the bells and whistles, the EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker Barista Bundle is a great option for you.
Thanks to its use of Thermoblock technology, your espresso will be ready for you after a short 45-second wait. Included in your purchase is an electric grinder, portafilter, stainless steel frothing cup, measuring spoon, tamper and even two high-quality porcelain cups—hence why it’s called the All-In-One Barista Bundle.
Dimensions: 9.8 x 9 x 11.5 inches
Weight: 9.7 lbs
Color: Stainless steel and black
- No accessories needed
- Auto-off after 25 minutes
- Warming tray keeps cups warm
- 1-year warranty
- Reports of weak tasting espresso
- Electric grinder is not a burr grinder
- Not compatible with pods, only ground coffee beans
De'Longhi EC680BK Dedica 5-Bar Pump Espresso Machine
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The DeLonghi America Dedica Pump Espresso Machine is as sleek and compact an espresso machine as you can get. By using Thermoblock technology, your machine will be ready to make your espresso in just 40 seconds.
With features like an automatic flow stop, 3 in 1 filter holder and an easy to use control panel making an espresso has never been easier. The Dedica EC680B comes with a grind compressor and a one-shot & two-shot filter.
Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.9 x 13 inches
Weight: 9.26 lbs
Color: Black, metallic or red
- 40-second heat-up time
- Automatic Flow Stop technology
- Quiet when operating
- Twin brewing cycle
- 2-year warranty
- No built-in grinder
- No adjustable cup height tray
- Reports of leakage
Cuisinart EM-100 1.66 Quart Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
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Cuisinart is well known in the coffee loving community and have a reputation for producing great quality products at affordable prices. The EM-100 Espresso Maker is an industrial-looking piece of equipment that is quick and easy to operate.
With 15 bars of pressure and features like a warming plate and the option to pick between ground espresso or pods—you’re guaranteed a quality cup of coffee. When you purchase the EM-100 Espresso Maker you will also receive a tamper and frothing cup.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 12.5 x 14.8 inches
Weight: 15.74 lbs
Color: Stainless steel
- Warming plate
- Large water tank for its size
- 1-year warranty
- Reports of noisy operation
- No adjustable cup height tray
- No built-in grinder
- Reports of steam wand malfunctioning
The Buyers Guide
When you’re looking to buy an espresso machine, there are a number of aspects that need to be considered before taking the plunge.
From counter consumption to water tank size, here are eight things to keep in mind when buying an espresso machine.
Ease of Use
Let’s face it when you wake up in the morning and haven’t yet had your first cup of coffee, the last thing you want to do is engage in a complicated process in order to get one! Making a good espresso shouldn’t be difficult which is why most of the options we’ve included feature one-touch control buttons. On top of easy operation, you’ll also want to choose an espresso machine that is easy to clean and maintain so you don’t need to spend hours with your head buried in the user manual.
Counter Consumption
Size is an important consideration when talking about any kitchen appliances. Because you’ll most likely be using your espresso machine multiple times a day, it will have a permanent home on your kitchen counter. Look for an espresso machine that doesn’t take up too much counter space and—for the rare occasion when you pack it away—can be easily stored away.
Color
For a lot of people, their kitchen is a source of great pride. We’ll agree that appearance is definitely important and that appliance color is something that needs to be considered. That’s why we’ve included espresso machines that have various color options for you to choose from so that you can find one to perfectly match the theme or color palette of your kitchen.
Heating Time
Part of the appeal of the espresso is rooted in how quickly it is indulged. Since you drink your espresso so quickly, you shouldn’t have to wait too long for it to be made. The heating time of espresso machines varies from machine to machine, but ideally, you want to opt for a machine that is heated up in less than a minute.
Size of Water Tank
An important, yet often overlooked, consideration when buying an espresso maker is the size of its water tank. If you are going to be making multiple espresso’s in one go for a group of people, you don’t want to waste time stopping to refill the water tank.
Grounds, Pods, or Both?
Some espresso machines are limited to the use of either pods or grounds. Depending on your personal preference between pods or grounds, select an espresso machine that is compatible with your coffee format of choice. In saying this, there are machines featured on this list that are suitable for usage with both grounds and pods—giving you the best of both worlds.
Cup Height
If you want an espresso on the go, then you need to make sure you opt for an espresso machine with adjustable cup height functionality to make sure it can accommodate your travel mug. Even if you aren’t planning on using a travel mug, you still need to consider the size of the coffee cups that you currently own and make sure that they’ll fit the espresso machine.
What’s Included with your Purchase
Unless you opt for an all-in-one espresso machine, you may need to purchase additional tools or accessories to get the most out of your machine. Thankfully, the options we’ve included in our list come with most of the basics like a tamper, measuring spoon (not applicable to pod-only machines) and milk frother—but make sure to note exactly what is included and what’s not to avoid any frustration down the line.
The eight aspects we mentioned are specific to espresso machines and need to be considered in addition to the usual aspects of purchasing kitchen appliances. The usual aspects include:
- Manufacturer
- Warranty
- Budget
- Durability
Sip on That
With so many options to choose from, you really are spoiled for choice! While we’ve told you what you need to keep in mind and shared seven espresso machine options that are the best of the best, unfortunately, we can’t make the decision for you.
Picking the perfect espresso maker is ultimately a personal decision that needs to be made in accordance with your unique needs. After some careful consideration, choose from any of the options we’ve included in our list and get one step closer to enjoying a brew-tiful espresso.
