The 3 best budget espresso machines we tested: Our top pick is under $150

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Nothing beats sitting down at your favorite café for an expertly crafted latte or cappuccino. Replicating that experience at home is tricky, and some of the best espresso machines are big investments of money and counter space. Thankfully, there are budget-friendly options for those interested in a machine that does the bare minimum and does it extremely well.

I used my experience as a former coffee shop manager (and budget coffee maker connoisseur) to test eight of the best budget espresso machines. Our top pick is the Casabrews Espresso Machine because of its sleek, easy-to-use design and consistent shot quality. For a few extra features and about $50 more, the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine has two steam wand settings for those looking for more customization with quality espresso drinks at home.

The best budget espresso machines

Best overall: Casabrews Espresso Machine — See at Amazon

Best under $120: Bella Pro Espresso Machine — See at Best Buy

Best under $200: De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine — See at Amazon

Best overall

For a machine that costs only $140, the Casabrews Espresso Machine has an impressively sleek steel design. We love that it offers durability without taking up too much space on your countertop. One of the biggest reasons this is the best budget espresso machine is that the shot quality and timing are incredibly consistent. There were no issues with bitter or watery shots, and every pull provided a nice full body with robust flavor and a beautiful crema.

On the front panel, there are four key buttons to power the machine, choose from a single or double shot, and switch to the steam function. It takes less than one minute to warm up after being powered on, and once the machine is ready, the lights turn solid and the machine beeps to indicate you can pull a shot.

The Casabrews comes with a stainless steel portafilter, filters for single and double shots, and a plastic two-in-one scoop and tamper. We suggest upgrading the tamper, but it's not crucial. The 34-ounce water tank is removable and sits at the back. You get about 17 double shots out of one tank before needing to refill it.

While the machine is in use, you can check the pressure gauge on the front to see if you're in the optimal range of about 9 bars. We love this feature for beginners because it can help you diagnose why a shot comes out watery or bitter. If the pressure isn't quite right, it's likely a result of tweaking your grind size or having uneven tamping.

The Casabrews has a steam wand on the right side that delivers great power and excellent foam. The tip of the steam wand can be unscrewed after use, making it easier to clean and eliminate bacteria build-up. After steaming milk, we had to wait for a few minutes before brewing another shot, which is only an issue if you're making drinks for a group.

Best under $120

Finding a decent espresso machine for under $100 seems almost impossible, but the Bella Pro Espresso Machine offers just that. The overall design isn't quite as sleek as our top pick, but it is still less than 12 inches wide, so it doesn't take up a ton of space. It is incredibly lightweight with a plastic exterior that manages not to look or feel too cheap, and the exterior doesn't get hot while in use. A lightweight, plastic-handled portafilter and a plastic two-in-one scoop and tamper are included.

There is a 57-ounce removable water tank at the back of the machine, so you can fill it and forget it through multiple days of use. The front panel features four large buttons, which light up and blink as the machine warms up for use in under one minute.

Because of the lightweight design, I needed to use two hands to lock the portafilter in place. Thankfully, the machine didn't move on the counter or shake while pulling shots. Once brewing, I found the Bella consistently delivered single and double shots with excellent quality. Shots were flavorful with a full body and beautiful color, and each was accompanied by a nice, thick crema.

Best under $200

While De'Longhi offers far more sophisticated espresso machine models, the Linea gets the job done for $200. Espresso from this machine was incredibly consistent, remaining at eight to nine bars of pressure for each pull. The shots I pulled had excellent flavor without any bitterness — I never got a watery brew and always saw a beautiful crema.

The stainless steel machine is designed with a 57-ounce water tank and large indicator buttons for power, single and double shots, and steam.. A pressure gauge is also built-in, so you know when shots are being pulled at the optimal amount of pressure

The box includes a lightweight portafilter with a plastic handle, a plastic measuring scoop and tamper, and single- and double-shot filter baskets.

For steaming milk, you can toggle between two different settings on the wand, allowing for hot milk for a smoother texture or a cappuccino setting for frothed milk with a richer texture. The wand is fully removable as well, making it much easier for cleanup.

What else we tested

Frigidaire Espresso Machine: This machine is almost identical to our top pick, featuring the same sleek, steel design and similar button placement. While it was very easy to use and pulled consistently good shots, we missed having a pressure gauge or any sort of brew guide.

De'Longhi Stilosa: De'Longhi is a reputable name in the world of espresso machines, and this option is one of the brand's most affordable options at under $100. While it did deliver decent espresso, I didn't love the design. Instead of buttons for easy use, it has a dial to turn on and off, without an auto-stop function for pulling shots.

Hamilton Beach Slide and Lock Espresso Machine: This machine comes in under $150 with an easy-to-read front panel and pressure gauge. Overall, it was just a bulky design and the slide-and-lock design was awkward to use.

Beautiful Slim Espresso Maker: We love other Beautiful appliances, but this one disappointed. It has the signature sleek aesthetic and comes in seven colors. Though well-designed, I found the quality of espresso to be inconsistent and the machine to be very loud.

Imusa Electric Espresso Machine: This espresso maker is under $30; however, it doesn't deliver the necessary pressure for proper espresso. The Imusa makes a more concentrated coffee option paired with a milk frother.

How we test budget espresso machine

Shot quality: I pulled shot after shot from each espresso machine and timed each pull. I considered the overall shot quality, assessing for flavor, full body, and bitterness. I also assessed the crema for each shot and whether or not the machine was consistent with every use.

Set-up: I unboxed and set up each espresso machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. I assessed each machine on how simple it was to go from box to pulling shots and considered how intuitive the process was.

Ease of use: Throughout testing, I used the machines as if I had never pulled espresso before. I looked at where functional buttons were located, how they performed during use, and the ease of frothing milk using a built-in steam wand.

Design: An espresso machine takes up counter space, so it was important to consider each model's overall look. I took into account how sleek or bulky the machine was, as well as its material and durability.

What to look for

While top-notch espresso machines have enhanced motors and can deliver more nuanced brews, a budget-friendly model can still deliver quality shots. We keep these key features in mind:

Size: As with any small appliance purchase, counter space is a big consideration. Espresso machines come big and small, so the goal is a balance of features, function, and footprint. For example, a built-in grinder increases the machine size, but it also means you don't need a separate appliance, and we always recommend freshly ground beans. In that case, the function is worth the footprint.

Ease of use: Budget espresso machines tend to be simpler than luxury ones, but most semi-automatic models still require a learning curve. Clearly marked buttons, easily refillable water tanks, and one-step brewing all make a machine more intuitive. We also appreciate machines with built-in pressure gauges because they help beginners understand the mechanics of pulling the perfect shot.

Pressure: The most frequently used word when discussing espresso, pressure is required to make the concentrated brew. An espresso machine must deliver eight to nine bars of espresso to effectively produce a balanced shot. Most machines are designed with 15 or 20 bars of pressure, which means they're capable of delivering more pressure, but you're looking for consistency when brewing above all else.

Budget espresso machine FAQs

How much should I spend on an espresso machine?

A top-notch home espresso machine can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000. If you're really into gourmet coffee, this may be worth the investment for you. However, if you just hope to eliminate your daily coffee drive-thru orders or want to practice making drinks at home, a budget espresso machine under $500 will help to achieve that.

What coffee should you use for espresso?

You can make use of any type of roast for espresso, though typically medium and dark roasts deliver more robust flavors. What's most important is the grind of the coffee beans. It's important to use fine grounds, which allow for the best flavor and oil extraction. The Baratza Sette 270 is the best espresso grinder we've tested. It costs as much as some espresso machines, but fresh and well-ground beans will infinitely improve the taste of espresso from any brewer.

How do I clean a home espresso machine?

Rinse the portafilter after each use and use a brush to clean the ground head. It is crucial to purge the steam wand and thoroughly wipe it down after each use to avoid any bacteria buildup. To keep your home espresso machine in tip-top shape, clean it on a regular basis.