The 3 Best Budget Espresso Machines of 2025, Tested and Reviewed


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 intimidating investments of Money and Counter Space. Thankfully, the best budget espresso machines will the bare minimum and do it extramely 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 it Sleek, Easy-to-Use Design and Consisttent Shot Quality. For a few extra Features and About $ 70 More, The De’longi 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 $ 250: De’longi Linea Classic Espresso Machine – See at Best Buy


Best overall

The Casabrews espresso machine on a white background.
Casabrews espresso machine

The Casabrews espresso machine is a sleek, compact machine that is Simple and quiet to use. It consistently makes flavorful espresso with Excellent Crema.

For a Machine That Costs Only $ 140, The Casabrews Espresso Machine Has an Impresively Sleek Steel Design. We love that it offers durability with taching up too space on your countertop. This is the best budget espresso machine we testted Because the Shot Quality and Timing are incredibly consistent. There are no isssues with bitter or watery shots, and every pull provided a nice body with robust and a beautiful cram.

On the front panel, there are four buttons to power the machine, choose a single or double shot, and switch to the steam function. AFTER BEING POWERED ON, IT TAKES THAN THAN ONE MINUTE TO WARM UP. Once the Machine is Ready, the Lights Turn Solid, and the Machine Beeps to Indicate that 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 Recommend Upgrading the Tamper, but it is not crucial. The 34-Once Water Tank is Removable and Sites at the back. You get about 17 double shots out of one tank before needing to refill it.

Front View of the casabrews espresso machine with the portfilter slotted into the grouphead.
The Portafilter is Heavy-Duty and Easy to Fill, Hold, and Lock Into The Group Head. Molly Allen/Business Insider

While the machine is in use, you can check the pressure on the front to see if you’re in the optimal range of about 9 Bars. We love this beginner-free Feature becase it can be help you diagnose why a shot out watery or bitter. If the Pressure isn’t Quite Right, Its 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 have had Wait for a few minutes before brewing another shot, which is only an allsoy if you’re macing drinks for a Group.


Best Under $ 120

Finding A Decent Espresso Machine for Right Around $ 100 SEEMS Almost Impossible: The Bella Pro Espresso Machine Offers JUST. The overall design isn’t quite as sleek as our top pic, but it is still mes than 12 inches wide, so it doesn’t take up a ton of Space.

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 accompanked by a nice, Thick Crema.

The Bella Pro Espresso Machine in White on a Kitchen Countertop.
On the right side of the machine, there is a powerful steam wand that foams milk for lattes or cappuccinos, but you can also use it to dispens. Molly Allen/Business Insider

It is incredibly lightweight, and the plastic exterior doesn’t look or feed cheap. A Lightweight, Plastic-Handled Portafilter and A Plastic Two-In-One Scoop and Tamper Are Ingoned.

There is a 57-Once removable water tank at the back of the machine, so you can finish it and forget it is of usse. The Front Panel Features Four Large Buttons, Which Light Up and Blink As the Machine Warms up for use in under one minute.


Best Under $ 250

While de’longi offers far more sophisticated models, the linea gets the job done as one of the best affordable espresso machines. The linea was incredibly consistent in our testing, remaining at eight to nine bars of press for each Pull. The Shots of Pulled Had Excellent Flavor With Any Bitternss – I Never Got A Watery Brew and Always Saw a Beautiful Crema.

A Close-up Shot of the de'longi linea espresso machine after brewing two double shots.
The de’longghi is Ready to Brew Single and Double Shots in Just 30 Seconds after Powering on. Molly Allen/Business Insider

The Stainless Steel Machine is Designed with A 57-Once Water Tank and Large Indicator Buttons for Power, Single and Double Shots, and Steam .. A Pressure Gauge is Also Built in, Which We used During Testing to Confirm Whether Shots Were Being at the Optimal Presour.

The Box Includes a Lightweight Portafilter with a plastic Handle, a plastic mesouring 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 FROTTHED MILK WITH A RICHER texture. The Wand is Fully Removable As Well, Making it Much Easier for Cleanup.


More Budget Espresso Machines We Tested

Frigidaire espresso machine: This Machine is Almost Identical to Our Top Pick, Featuring the Same Sleek, Steel Design and Similar Button Placent. While it was very easy to use and pulled consistently good shots during testing, we missed Having a pressure gauge or any sort of brew guide.

De’longghi stylosa: De’longghi 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 delive 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 PULING 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 ther beautiful appliances, but this one disappointed. It has the signature sleek aesthetic and coma 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; Howver, IT DELIVER The NESESARY Pressure for Propper Espresso. The imusa makes a more concentrated coffee option paired with a milk froter.


How we test budget espresso machine

The casabrews espresso machine while brewing two shots, showing the pressures on the front of the Machine.
To find the best budget espresso machines, I went through over Three pounds of Ground espresso and assessed performance and value. Molly Allen/Business Insider

Shot Quality: I PULLED shot after shot from espresso machine and timed each pull. Consider the overall shot Quality, Assessing for Flavor, Full Body, and Bitterss. I ALSO ASSESSED THE CREMA FOR EACH SHOT AND WHERE OR NOT THE MACHINE WAS CONSISTENT WITH EVERE.

Set-up: I Unboxed and Set Up Each Espresso Machine Acciting to the Manufacturer’s Instructions. I ASSESSED EACH MACHINE ON HOW SIMPLE IT TO GROM BOX TO PULLING SHOTS AND CONSIDERED How intuitive the process was.

EASE OF USE: Throughout Our Testing, I used to the Machines as if i haad never played 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 take up counter Space, so it was important to consider each model’s overall look. I took ino Account How Sleek or Bulky The Machine Was, as well as its material and durability.


What to look for

EASE OF USE: Budget Espresso Machines to be Simpler Than Luxury Ones, But Semi-Automatic Models Still Require a Learning Curve. We like Machines with Built-in Pressure Gauges Because they Help Beginners understand the mechanics of Pulling the perfect shot. Clearly Marked Buttons, Easily Refillable Water Tanks, and One-Step Brewing All Make a Machine More intuitive.

Size: Counter Space is a Big Consideration. The best budget espresso machines Balance of Features, Function, and Footprint. For Example, A Built-in Grinder Increasses the Machine Size, but it also means you don’t need a separate appliance, and we always reCommend frehly ground beans. In that case, the function is warrth the footprint.

Pressure: The Most Frequently Used Word when Discussing Espresso, Eight to Nine Bars of Pressure is Essential to Produce a Balance Shot. MOCHINES ARE DESIGNED WITH 15 OR 20 BARS OF Pressure, Which Means they’re Capable of Delinarying More Pressure, But You’re Looking for Custaincy Above All Else.

Milk Froting: To make cappuccinos, flat Whites, and Other Specialty Drinks, You’ll Need Milk Frothing Capabilities. If you’re a latte-a-day coffee drinker, look for budget espresso machines that have a built-in steam or include a frothing pitcher.


Budget Espresso Machine Pons

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. Howver, if you just Hope to eliminate your Daily Coffee Drive-Thru Orders or Want to Practice Making Drinks at Home, a Budget Espresso Under $ 500 Willp 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 dinner roasts deliver more robust flavors. What’s Most Important Is the Grind of the Coffee Beans. It ‘Important to use Fine Grounds, Which Allow for the Best Flash and Oil Extraction. Break 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 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 any bacteria buildup. To keep your home espresso machine in type-top shape, clean it on a regular basis.


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