At Triple Bar Coffee, we believe in brewing the most delicious cup of coffee from the comfort of your own kitchen. To do that, you have to have the best equipment. It is no secret that espresso machines are expensive. We’ve done the research and compiled a list of espresso machines under $200 so that you can focus on the more important things like what book you will read with you Saturday morning latte.
Our Ranking System
We have gone through the best espresso machines we know of that won’t break the bank and will amplify your morning coffee routine.
Each espresso machine was evaluated on the following characteristics: value, style, size, and portability.
Note: We only evaluated portability for the first two sections with clearly portable or stowable machines.
- Best Manual Espresso Machines
- Best Portable Espresso Machines
- Best Value Espresso Machines
- Most Stylish Espresso Machines
- Most Compact Espresso Machines
- Best Premium Espresso Machines
Best Manual Espresso Machines
Manual espresso machines are definitely not for everyone. They are designed with the same principles in mind as the semiautomatic espresso machines: finely ground coffee is placed in a portafilter, subjected to extreme pressure, and a gorgeous brown liquid flows into your drinking vessel below. The only problem? The extreme pressure comes from you! Nearly all manual espresso machines have a lever arm to help you achieve the necessary pressure.
We’ve narrowed in on two of the best manual espresso machines on the market.
Flair Espresso Maker – Bundle Set
Overall Rating: (8.8/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (9/10)
- Size: (9/10)
- Portability: (9/10)
Overall, we really like the Flair Espresso Maker. Our preference would be the bundle set. It comes with a second brewing head so that you can immediately brew an additional shot for your Monday morning latte. The set also includes a stainless steel tamper that will allow you to compact the grounds and extract the perfect shot of espresso.
While the brewer is on the more expensive side for an espresso machine, let alone a manual one, we find that it gets the job done in style. Visually, the device resembles a lever wine bottle opener. It comes in two styles: chrome and black. We seem to be more drawn to the black style, as it has a nice pop of red on the base of the brewing head. The chrome will also look stunning on your counter. It features copper accents at the base of the brewing head, with the mixed metals making the device a kitchen conversation piece.
The machine is on the smaller end of espresso machines, but that’s largely because it doesn’t have all of the electronics and pumps bloating its size. When fully assembled, the device will take up about 12 by 6 inches of space on your counter. The brewer is around 10 inches tall, so if you have low cabinets, you may want to take some measurements before purchasing.
One of the best features of this machine is its ability to be taken apart and taken with you. It comes with a compact custom fitted travel case measuring in at 12 by 9 by 3.25 inches, meaning it is smaller than a laptop bag. If you’re a barista on the move, or like to keep your brewing game going while on vacation, you should consider the Flair Espresso Maker.
ROK Presso Manual Espresso Maker
Overall Rating: (7.5/10)
- Value: (7/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (8/10)
- Portability: (7/10)
The ROK manual espresso maker has been on the market since 2004. Back then, it was called the Presso. In 2012, they rebranded as the ROK and have gained a cult following in the espresso community. The ROK looks similar to the Flair, but has a more Steampunk look to it. The ROK is made almost entirely of engine-grade metal, so this machine should last quite some time. We find that, like the Flair, it is rather expensive for a manual espresso maker.
We love the all-metal look and appreciate that they include a real 49mm portafilter, rather than some sort of manufacturer-specific tool. The set includes a splitter spout for the portafilter too, so if you’re planning to brew two single shots at once, you won’t be disappointed. Additionally it comes with a manual milk frother so that you can make a quasi-latte or cappuccino. Keep in mind that the frother is manual, meaning the milk will only be frothed, not steamed. If you add cold milk to a hot espresso shot, you’ll end up with a lukewarm cup of coffee.
We’ve found that the ROK is fairly easy to use due to its two handle design. All you have to do is insert the portafilter, fill the water reservoir, raise the lever arms, and press. Since there are only mechanical parts, cleanup is easy and espresso shots are quickly repeatable – provided you have the brawn to press shots over and over.
The espresso maker takes up about 9 inches by 5 inches of space and will need at least 12 inches of clearance to fit under your cabinets. It can be stored in a provided storage tin, so if it’s too large to be awarded a permanent spot on your counter, rest assured that you will be able to safely tuck it away between uses. If you’re looking for a manual espresso machine with a very mechanical style, the ROK espresso maker will fit right into your coffee making routine.
Best Portable Espresso Machines
Sometimes, you really need an espresso in a place where you really can’t get a good espresso. Like when you’re in the desert. Or in the woods. Or in a Starbucks. The point is, sometimes you need a portable espresso maker. Luckily, in the past several years, several devices have hit the market aiming to do just that. We’ve evaluated four of the best portable espresso makers out there based on the criteria we discussed at the beginning of this post.
CISNO Electric Portable Espresso Machine
Overall Rating: (8.8/10)
- Value: (9/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (9/10)
- Portability: (9/10)
Our first choice is the Ferrari of portable espresso machines. It heats water, extracts espresso, and can accept Nespresso pods AND ground coffee. It’s also fully powered meaning it’s not manual (yay!). It comes with a removable lithium-ion battery and charger. The charger is good for a whopping 10,000 recharges, meaning this device will last you a very, very long time. The CISNO is about as close as you get to one-click espresso extraction. All you have to do to brew is add ground coffee or a Nespresso capsule, press a button to heat the water, and press it again to extract the coffee.
We absolutely love this portable espresso maker. It is about the size of a coffee thermos, meaning that it fits perfectly in your car’s cup holder. It also can be charged with the provided cable or with a 12V car charger, making it even more suited for the road.
The espresso maker has a built-in pump, meaning that you don’t have to fumble with pressurizing the device to reach the necessary pressure for espresso extraction. In fact, the device is so powerful that it is able to achieve a solid 15 bar of pressure, the same pressure used for commercial espresso machines.
Given the small form factor of the brewer, it is perfect for home use, travel, commutes, or outdoor adventures. We even recommend it for use at work. You can quickly make an after-lunch espresso to help get you over the 2 o’clock slump. This machine is our top choice for anyone looking to get into high-end espresso without the high-end price tag.
PRESSOPUMP Cordless Espresso Maker
Overall Rating: (8.5/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (9/10)
- Size: (8/10)
- Portability: (9/10)
Our next favorite choice for a portable espresso maker is also an automatic electric espresso brewer. The PRESSOPUMP features a similar form factor to the CISNO and has a very sophisticated look.
Given its small size, it is the perfect travel companion for the cost-conscious espresso enthusiast who is on the go. It is able to brew ground coffee or Nespresso pods, but the Nespresso pods require a custom adapter that is sold separately.
The brewer has a patented pump that can reach up to 16 bar of pressure, making it higher pressure than most commercial espresso machines. The high pressure helps to generate rich, velvety crema on top of your espresso shots. Each extraction will result in around 40-45ml of concentrated coffee.
The device is rechargeable and comes with a USB cable for charging. Since USB ports are so ubiquitous nowadays, you shouldn’t need a wall plug to charge this bad boy. The device will be fully charged in a meager 3 hours, making it suited for home, work, or travel.
The brewer comes apart into many pieces for easy cleaning. If you are looking for a low-cost, portable electric espresso maker, we recommend you consider the PRESSOPUMP.
MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker
Overall Rating: (8.5/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (9/10)
- Portability: (9/10)
The MiniPresso GR is our top pick for a small, manual, portable espresso maker. It is much smaller than the automatic machines we reviewed above. The reason it is so much smaller is that it is 100% manual. On the side of the system, there is a circular button that pops out of the device and is used to pressurize the brewer.
The water reservoir inside the brewer can hold up to 50mL of water, allowing you to brew around 50mL of espresso before refilling it. Our recommendation is that you keep a separate thermos of hot water so that you aren’t limited by the small size of the reservoir.
If you’re a fan of Nespresso, you will not be able to use this model to brew those pods. Instead, you’ll want to check out the MiniPresso NS, which is specifically designed for Nespresso pods. The MiniPresso GR is exclusively for ground coffee.
One of our favorite features of this portable espresso maker is its integrated espresso cup. The base of the device twists off and doubles as an espresso cup so that all you have to worry about is bringing water and coffee beans with you.
The system is incredibly slim. It fits nicely in the palm of your hand and will easily fit in your car or backpack’s cup holder. The MiniPresso GR is best suited for those who know they may not be able to find a place to charge their portable espresso maker.
Handpresso Pump Espresso Machine
Overall Rating: (8/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (7/10)
- Size: (9/10)
- Portability: (8/10)
The Handpresso is another one of our favorite portable espresso makers. It features a very unique design and is made of lightweight aluminum. It is rather small, but not quite as small as the MiniPresso. We find that it fits nicely in the palm of your hand. We aren’t in love with the way the portafilter juts out to the side, but it makes the Handpresso stand out against the other portable espresso makers.
Pressurizing the device is made easy by incorporating the pump into the base of the handle. The black part of the handle is pulled out and pumped inward until the needle on the pressure gauge reaches reaches the green region. At this point, you’re ready to brew with the press of a button. This brewer is capable of reaching 16 bar of pressure.
The system is capable of brewing either freshly ground coffee or using an included adapter to brew E.S.E. pods. If you use ground coffee, you’ll need to tamp the grounds to ensure you don’t under-extract the espresso. We recommend investing in a tamper that is the size of the filter basket to ensure you get even pressure across the basket. If you use pods, you won’t have to worry about this.
The device has optional accessories that make it more portable and usable. Our favorite two accessories are the travel case and the intense portafilter.
The travel case is made of thermoformed EVA and includes an adjustable carrying strap. This accessories makes the Handpresso perfect for campers, hikers, and other outdoor adventurers.
The intense portafilter is an adapter that makes the coffee up to 24% stronger than the regular portafilter brews. It accomplishes this by slowing down the extraction. If you decide you want stronger espresso from your Handpresso, be careful not to over-extract the coffee with this portafilter. If you do, it will taste exceptionally bitter.
Overall, we like the Handpresso a lot and feel it warrants a place on our list of the best portable espresso machines.
Best Value Espresso Machines
If you’re new to espresso or even coffee, it is daunting to look at all of the options and find one that is right for you. It’s also stressful because espresso machines are not cheap and you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on a lemon. And if you’re new to espresso, you probably don’t want to spend an outlandish amount of money on something that you may not use as regularly as you think. We totally understand. If you’re not sold on the idea of a home espresso machine, we recommend starting with one of these value systems, seeing how you like it, then upgrading to a more fully-featured machine.
In this section, our focus was on reviewing which semiautomatic espresso machines delivered the most value for their price. Below, we have identified five of our favorite semiautomatic espresso machines for the money.
Conair Cuisinart EM-100 Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
Overall Rating: (9/10)
- Value: (9/10)
- Style: (9/10)
- Size: (9/10)
The Conair Cuisinart EM-100 is our pick for the best value espresso machine under $200. The device is capable of producing 15 bar of pressure to extract the perfect espresso shot every time. The portafilter that comes with the machine can brew both single and double espresso shots. An included frothing pitcher is the perfect companion to the integrated steam wand, enabling you to make a delicious, creamy latte.
The machine is wrapped in a beautiful stainless steel enclosure and smartly contains a cup warming tray on top. The tray is surrounded by a steel bar to keep your mugs from sliding off the top of the machine. It is large enough to hold up to four demitasse cups, so you can rest assured you’ll have enough cups warmed up for your after-dinner coffee. The machine’s drip tray is discretely located beneath a stainless steel plate and quickly removes for easy cleaning.
The water reservoir is capable of holding over 50 ounces of water. It’s plenty of space so that you can spend more time crafting espresso-based drinks and less time refueling a the sink.
An interesting addition to the package is a combination coffee scoop and tamper. The scoop is used to fill the portafilter with freshly ground coffee and then you can flip it over to tamp the portafilter with the base of the scoop. We like this because it means it is one less tool rattling around in our kitchen drawers.
As semiautomatic espresso machines go, the EM-100 is mid-size taking up a footprint no larger than a sheet of printer paper. Just make sure you have at least 13 inches of clearance from your cabinets to your counter top.
Overall, we really like the Conair Cuisinart EM-100 espresso machine. We find that it is a great blend of value, style, and quality. It’s an excellent machine at an even better price and it makes the statement that you are dedicated to your morning coffee routine.
De’Longhi ECP3420 Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Overall Rating: (8.3/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (9/10)
De’Longhi is well known for its espresso machines. The company makes everything from entry-level to top-of-the-line espresso gear. We’ve included the ECP3420 on our list of the best value espresso machines because it keeps the same great De’Longhi design elements at an affordable price.
The machine doesn’t have all of the frills of its espresso machine brethren, but features a stark black, compact design with lustrous chrome accents. If stainless steel is your thing, it also comes in an entirely stainless steel body for a modest increase in price.
The water reservoir is discretely tucked within the body of the machine and is accessible by means of a hatch in the top of the device. The hatch smartly doubles as a storage location for the filter baskets. Both the single and double shot filter baskets fit nicely into the lid so that they can be stored when not in use. The water reservoir is also removable for easy refilling.
Another design subtlety is the ability to remove the drip tray to fit larger cups under the grouphead. While this may not seem worth mentioning, we’ve lost track of how many home espresso machines do not have room for anything more than a demitasse cup.
The machine doesn’t take up much space on your counter (9.6″ x 7.2″ x 11.9″), making it perfect for a small kitchen or studio apartment.
The internal pump is capable of producing 15 bar of pressure and will not disappoint when it comes to espresso extraction or milk frothing.
Cleanup of the machine is very easy; simply remove the drip tray or water tank and toss them in the dishwasher.
This machine is perfect for those looking for a small espresso machine that delivers style and makes a statement in the kitchen.
Hamilton Beach 40792 Espresso & Cappuccino Maker
Overall Rating: (8.3/10)
- Value: (9/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (8/10)
The Hamilton Beach 40792 espresso machine has many similar features to the other espresso machines reviewed in this section. One feature that sets this machine aside from the others is its patented Slide & Lock filter holder.
After you’ve inserted freshly ground coffee into the portafilter and tamped it down, all you have to do is slide the portafilter into the machine and pull down on a lever on the side of the machine. This locks the portafilter snugly in place so that your machine can achieve the 15 bar of pressure the device is capable of delivering. We absolutely love this feature. There is something very satisfying about knowing you have perfectly secured the portafilter in place before brewing. This system will also prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your machine from twisting the portafilter into place.
The design of the machine is similar to that of most drip coffee makers. It features prominent black edges with chrome contours. There is a single, bright red strip of plastic that runs across the curved chrome control panel, giving the device a very commanding presence in the kitchen.
A central control knob is used to select between the espresso extraction and steam wand. Indicator lights let you know if your machine is on and whether it is ready to brew or steam.
The machine is on the larger size, due in part to the prominent angles of the machine, and will take up 14.4″ by 9.7″ by 11.7″.
We recommend this machine if you have counter space to spare and are looking for a kitchen appliance that catches the eye.
Mr. Coffee Café Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Overall Rating: (7.7/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (7/10)
The Mr. Coffee Café is an excellent way to get into making espresso at home without the headaches and maintenance that come with a more expensive machine. It comes with everything you need to get started.
Inside the box, you’ll find a portafilter with two accompanying filter baskets: one for single shots and one for double shots. The portafilter twists into place on the machine in a similar fashion to commercial machines. The machine comes with a stainless steel frothing pitcher for making picture-perfect lattes and cappuccinos using the integrated steam wand.
To scoop your coffee into the portafilter, there is a provided combination scoop and tamper. We find the storage of the scoop and tamper to be a bit silly. The tamper end of the scoop fits snugly on the base of the machine with the scoop pointing upright. We aren’t too fond of how much extra counter space this feature uses for not much gain, but if you have large, expansive counters, it may not be an issue for you.
The water reservoir is removable and mounts handily on the side of the machine. We prefer this type of water reservoir because you can actually see how much water remains without having to slide the machine forward on your counter and look at the back.
The machine features a cup warmer on top of the device that is slightly recessed from the rest of the machine so that your cups don’t vibrate off while you’re pulling a shot of espresso.
We like the chrome accents found on the machine, but wish more was chrome and less was silver plastic. In our opinion, the silver plastic doesn’t look as great with a chrome kitchen. The machine takes up about 10″ by 10″ by 11″, making it a great choice for those with a small kitchen. All in all, we find the Mr. Coffee Café is an excellent choice for those looking to get into home espresso with little money down.
Espressione-Ariete Café Minuetto Espresso Machine
Overall Rating: (7/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (6/10)
- Size: (7/10)
The Espressione Café Minuetto is a 1000-watt powerhouse of an espresso machine. It is capable of producing 15 bar of pressure and extracting solid shots of espresso. With all of that power comes a large pump and extra internal components to keep your machine at its best. These large components unfortunately contribute to the larger size of the machine. The device will take up around 12 inches by 11.3 inches of space and is a towering 14.7 inches tall. You’ll want to be sure your cabinets are well above your counter before you purchase this machine.
The machine comes with the standard built-in cup warmer. We aren’t too fond of the shallow lip on the cup warmer, though. It is deeper than an eighth of an inch and that seems precarious to us.
The 1.1 liter water tank is removable, but is nestled in the back, making it hard to see what the water level is. We find that most machines have a back-mount water reservoir, but we personally find it difficult to fill if it is designed that way.
The device features an articulating steam wand capable of creating a frothy milk to top off a delicious cappuccino. The steam wand is easily cleaned with a damp rag; you’ll want to be sure to do this after every cup.
Included in the box is a set of single and double shot filter baskets, a portafilter, and a scoop with tamper. The portafilter and filter baskets can be used with ESE espresso pods or freshly ground coffee.
The design of the machine is almost entirely silver plastic, with the exception of a few chrome accents. We find the design to be a bit clunky, but it is nice that the user interface consists of only two lights and a toggle knob.
Overall, we aren’t the biggest fans of this machine. It is best for those looking to get into espresso on a budget with the intention of upgrading to a higher-end machine within a few years.
Most Stylish Espresso Machines
Each of the espresso machines reviewed in this section were evaluated primarily on their style and what they can bring to the kitchen visually. DeLonghi swept the board when it came to style. Each of their machines has a very similar look to it, but as espresso machines go, they were clearly the most stylish. From stainless steel to piano key black to a pop of red, we’re certain that at least one of these machines will catch your eye.
DeLonghi EC702 Espresso Maker
Overall Rating: (8.3/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (9/10)
- Size: (8/10)
The DeLonghi EC702 espresso maker is the largest of the machines reviewed in this section. It sports a rather wide shape, so you’ll want to be sure you have the counter space to handle it. We measured it to be 11 by 9.1 by 11.6 inches.
The machine forgoes the traditional black plastic of home coffee makers in favor of a combination of gray plastic and stainless steel. We aren’t huge fans of even partially plastic enclosures, but we’ve found that DeLonghi makes everything blend very well.
One feature we love is the set of metal bars that wrap around the cup warmer on top of the machine. It adds a sophisticated sheen to the machine that catches light and your eye well. Also, the cup warmer is huge. It has room for three or four demitasse cups.
A set of silver buttons on the left of the machine make up the user interface. We appreciate DeLonghi’s drive toward minimalism. With only three buttons and three LEDs, it’s hard to become confused on how to operate the machine.
Instead of integrating a tamper into the coffee scoop (like so many others before them), DeLonghi opted instead to integrate a tamper into the open space next to the grouphead. When you’re ready to tamp the coffee in your portafilter, you merely align the portafilter with the tamper and push the whole portafilter up into the tamper. We appreciate the integrated tamper in principal, but in practice we’ve found ourselves accidentally lifting our entire machine up by the portafilter. The weird angle that is used to tamp results in a non-uniform pressure in the filter basket, which can lead to less-than-ideal espresso extraction. It’s best to purchase a heavy-duty standalone tamper.
The water reservoir in this machine is rather larger. It can hold up to 44 oz. and is removable. Another nice feature is the water level indicator found on the side of the machine. This convenient add-on prevents you from having to pull the machine away from the wall every time you want to see how much water is left.
Overall, we find that the DeLonghi EC702’s countless style subtleties make it our choice for the most stylish espresso machine under $200.
DeLonghi ECO310BK Espresso Maker
Overall Rating: (8/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (8/10)
The DeLonghi ECO310BK is the piano key black version of the ECO310. This was our favorite variant solely because of the color. It is a deep, dark shade of black, but showcases a playful reflectiveness. It’s very similar in color to a black piano key, hence the name.
The machine is not as big as the EC702, but maintains an oblong shape that makes it appear larger than it is. If you soft contours on kitchen appliances to those with sharp edges, you will love the simplicity of the ECO310.
The top of the machine is designed to double as a cup warmer, albeit a much smaller one than the EC702. The brewer also has the same style of integrated tamper as the EC702, so our recommendation still holds: buy an extra one.
The portafilter can handle either ground coffee or ESE pods, making the machine flexible to your needs or current routine. You’ll find both a single and double shot filter basket in the box. The portafilter also features a plastic piece that slides forward to hold your filter basket in place while you knock the coffee out after brewing. This small attention to detail is what draws us to the DeLonghi espresso machine line.
Instead of placing the steam knob on the side of the machine, DeLonghi opted for the top, drawing attention to a black and silver knob. The knob can be adjusted while frothing to change the volume of steam going into your frothing pitcher. This design element, coupled with the contoured machine body, gives the brewer a uniquely vintage feel.
The steam wand is shrouded in a black plastic sleeve. This is one design choice we certainly would not have made. While we’re sure the plastic is designed to keep you from burning yourself, it looks somewhat out of place on such a well-designed brewer. We find it to be a bit unnecessary too, given that there is a little plastic handle on the steam wand that you can use to move the wand around while it’s blisteringly hot.
If you’re not fond of black appliances and are looking for an espresso machine that makes a larger statement, we highly recommend the DeLonghi ECO310R. This version of the ECO310 is a bright, fire engine red blended with piano black and stainless steel elements. It lets visitors know that Italian espresso has arrived in your kitchen. There is also the white DeLonghi ECO310W for a more subdued pop of color.
In summary, we really like the DeLonghi ECO310. It has all of the style of an exotic Italian espresso machine without the price. We think you’ll love the attention it draws in your kitchen.
DeLonghi America EC330 Icona Espresso Machine
Overall Rating: (8/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (8/10)
The DeLonghi America EC330 is an all silver and stainless steel machine that is the smallest machine in the “Best Style” section. Measuring a small 9.1 by 10.2 inch footprint and an 11.8 inch height, this machine is perfect for expressive coffee lovers who are short on space.
The machine is aesthetically similar to the previous two machines, but due to the sheer amount of stainless steel, it glistens and draws eyes in the kitchen. The shape of the machine makes it appear as though the top portion is almost floating in space, suspended only by the crystal clear water reservoir. The device has a stunningly minimalist user interface and a beautifully seamless removable water tank in the back of the machine. The water tank is on the smaller side, a delicate 34 ounces, so take that into consideration if you’re a two or three cup-a-day coffee drinker.
The wrap-around drip tray adds serious volume to the amount of liquid that can be caught below, resulting in much less frequent trips to the sink.
The integrated tamper, similar to the other two machines reviewed, doesn’t work as well as a standalone tamper, so we’d recommend investing in a replacement.
The steam wand is encased in plastic, which somewhat detracts from the aesthetics of the machine. The steam is adjusted by a steam knob situated at the top of the brewer. This knob isn’t nearly as aesthetic as the ECO310’s steam knob, but it gets the job done.
Overall, we find the EC330 to be an excellent way to try out home espresso with little impact to your wallet and maximal improvement to the style of your coffee routine. If you’re the kind of person who appreciates your kitchen appliances speaking for themselves, then the DeLonghi America EC330 Icona is the espresso machine for you.
Most Compact Espresso Machines
Sometimes, space is a premium. Especially in a studio apartment in a large city. Living situations like those call for specialized equipment, like blenders that double as toasters! Or espresso machines that happen to be very narrow or small. In this section, we’re going to be reviewing the latter. We’ve narrowed in on two of the most compact espresso machines on the market that we think are perfect for the space constrained.
Delonghi EC680M DEDICA
Overall Rating: (8.7/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (9/10)
- Size: (9/10)
One of our favorite espresso machines overall is the DeLonghi EC680M Dedica. It is incredibly small compared to the other machines we have reviewed so far. Measuring a slim 5.9 inches wide by 13 inches deep, this machine is perfect for those looking to save room on their counter tops. The device is only 13 inches tall, so it doesn’t make up in height for what it lost in width. The skinny shape of the machine allows you to use that space more wisely for, let’s say, an electric burr grinder.
The brewer comes in three different colors: black, red, and stainless steel. We’re partial to the stainless steel look, but if you want a statement piece, you should certainly consider the black or red design.
The slim machine features an integrated warming tray, but given the small size, you probably will only be able to accommodate two cups. The button panel is adjacent to the warming tray. The buttons sleekly wrap around the trim of the machine and their black design nicely contrasts the stainless steel body.
An all-metal frothing wand juts out from the area next to the group head and is high enough to be used with a large frothing pitcher. The arm articulates smoothly, allowing you to direct the flow of the steam jet perfectly so that you can focus on creating silky microfoam.
The machine warms up in a mere 40 seconds so that you can spend extra time in bed in the morning without being late to work. It is easy to clean as well; after brewing, just wipe down the drip tray and purge the steam wand to ensure your machine is fit for tomorrow’s latte.
The only downside to the slim shape is that you’ll be both emptying the drip tray and filling the water reservoir more frequently. In our opinion that is worth the space savings.
Overall, we love the DeLonghi EC680M Dedica. While it is generally on the more expensive end of machines in this range, we find it over-delivers on its promise of style, form, and function.
Diamo One Espresso Machine
Overall Rating: (7/10)
- Value: (6/10)
- Style: (7/10)
- Size: (8/10)
Before we start this review, we want to get one thing about the Diamo One across: it only uses ESE pods. This means pre-ground or whole bean coffee will not work in this machine. If you’re a purist, you should take this into consideration before buying.
Outside of that concern, we really like the Diamo’s space-saving prowess. It measures only 5.2 inches wide, so it’s almost a whole inch thinner than the EC680M reviewed above.
The machine has a 21 bar pump, giving it more pressure than the average espresso machine. This also makes the machine a bit louder than the average espresso machine.
Even though the creators opted for ESE pods over fresh coffee, the designers included an articulating steam wand on the left side of the machine. This steam wand opens up drink options outside of straight espresso shots. It will allow you to hone your creativity by decorating your espresso drinks with beautiful latte art.
The brewer is warmed up and ready to extract espresso within a minute of power-up, so the machine has a great warm-up sequence. To extract a shot, all you have to do is drop in a pod, slide the cover closed, and press the button for your desired brew.
As we mentioned above, we fall into the “coffee purist” category, so we aren’t in love with the idea of a machine that can only make coffee with ESE pods. However, if ESE pods are your thing and you don’t mind that you’re locked into a prepackaged pod, then the Diamo One may be for you. Especially if you’re short on space.
Best Premium Espresso Machines
This section is dedicated to the machines we think offer the best of all things: value, style, and size. These are the most premium espresso machines in the sub-$200 category. They have all of the bells and whistles and will last for years with proper care.
Aicok Espresso Machine
Overall Rating: (9/10)
- Value: (9/10)
- Style: (9/10)
- Size: (9/10)
Our absolute favorite espresso machine less than $200 is the Aicok espresso machine. It closely resembles higher-end espresso machines that carry a $300+ price tag. The entire machine is wrapped in a stunning stainless steel enclosure. It is minimalist, featuring only two buttons and a knob. We really appreciate the minimalist design because it is much easier to focus on learning to extract the perfect espresso when you’re not confused on how to use the machine.
One of our favorite aesthetics is the frothing wand. The frothing wand is made entirely of stainless steel components and includes a rubber grip that can be used to direct the steam without scalding your hands. This style of wand is usually found on the upper-tier home espresso machines, so we feel this greatly contributes to the value of the machine.
The machine is equipped with a very large 51 oz. (1.5L) removable water reservoir. This will reduce the frequency of trips to the faucet and allow you to focus on your barista skills. One thing we don’t love is that the lid to the reservoir is a bit difficult to remove.
The brewer can produce up to 15 bar of pressure and the boiler is ready to go within moments of power-up. This is because of the 1050 watts of power the machine can deliver.
The drip tray that comes with the machine is fully removable making cleanup a breeze.
One thing to note is that this machine doesn’t come boxed with a whole lot of accessories. You’ll need to pick up a tamper and a frothing pitcher to complete the set.
We recommend a 12 oz. frothing pitcher and dual sided tamper. The tamper isn’t very heavy duty, but is better than most of the plastic ones you find packaged with this tier of espresso machine.
Overall, the Aicok espresso machine is a great way to enter the home espresso world at a reasonable price. The reasonable price is somewhat negated by the lack of accessories, but we still have a soft spot for this machine due to its articulating steam wand and entirely stainless steel enclosure.
Capresso 124.01 Ultima Pro Espresso Machine
Overall Rating: (8.7/10)
- Value: (9/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (9/10)
The Capresso 124.01 Ultima Pro is an awesome machine for less than $200. It falls into our premium category because it, like the Aicok, features plenty of bells and whistles that the other machines at this price lack.
The 124.01 is built similarly to several of the other espresso machines already reviewed. It offers minimal stainless steel accents and plenty of black plastic, so if you are looking for an entirely stainless steel appliance, you may want to consider the Aicok instead.
Where the Ultima Pro shines is in the little things. The water reservoir is discretely hidden underneath a plastic lid on the top of the machine. After lifting the lid, you find the water reservoir with a handle on one side and a storage compartment for a measuring spoon and filter basket. Pulling up on the water reservoir handle allows you to remove the reservoir and carry it over to your sink for easy refilling. The handle is a very nice touch, given that many water tanks are somewhat awkward to hold.
Another subtle detail is the exposed metal frothing wand. This wand looks very much like the commercial frothing wands and comes equipped with a small wrap to prevent heat from scalding your hands while using it.
The portafilter is comparable to other portafilters in this class of machine and it easily twists to lock into place on the grouphead.
The button panel on the front of the machine is not as minimalist as we like, but it’s also not terrible. It features five buttons: single shot, double shot, power on/off, hot water, and steam. Speaking of the second to last button listed there: this machine is capable of dispensing hot water. If you happen to be a tea drinker or avid ramen noodle slurper, you will delight in this feature.
Another intelligent design was the inclusion of a drip tray overflow indicator. As the drip tray fills, a component inside will begin to float when enough liquid has accumulated. When the level gets high enough, the overflow indicator will become visible to notify you that it’s time to empty the drip tray. We can’t stress how valuable this feature is. We’ve accidentally overflowed many a drip tray from not knowing that the drip tray needed to be emptied. Only you can prevent drip tray overflows.
In summary, we are a fan of the Capresso 124.01 Ultima Pro espresso machine. It is a combination of intelligent user centered design and pure espresso machine function. It is a great way to experience true Italian espresso at home without totally breaking the bank.
Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Silver
Overall Rating: (8/10)
- Value: (8/10)
- Style: (8/10)
- Size: (8/10)
The final machine in the “Best Premium” category is the Mr. Coffee Café Barista. This machine is quite a bit different from the other machines we’ve reviewed because it includes a specialized frothing pitcher.
The Mr. Coffee Café Barista is designed to be an incredibly easy-to-use espresso machine. In fact, they have a button for just about everything you may want to make. From espresso shots to lattes, this machine does it all…semi-automatically. All you have to do is fill the portafilter with coffee, fill the water reservoir with water, and the milk container with milk. After the various fillings, you’re well on your way to a delicious espresso-based beverage.
If you’re looking for ease of use, the Mr. Coffee Café Barista will likely be the top contender. Not only does it brew espresso with the touch of a button, but it also can froth or steam milk to your liking with a single press. After frothing, the system automatically pipes the silky foam over to your cup through a dedicated tube.
The water reservoir for the Café Barista is removable and can hold up to 54 oz. Although it doesn’t have a handle, it is easily removed and filled.
Another neat little feature this machine has is a slide-out drip tray specifically for smaller espresso cups. The secondary drip tray slides out from under the milk frothing unit and helps to boost the espresso cup so that it is closer to the portafilter. The only downside is if you’re planning to brew in both large and small cups, you’ll have two drip trays to empty!
The Café Barista comes in three colors: white, red, and stainless steel. As we’ve mentioned in previous reviews, we are partial to stainless steel, but if you’re looking for your espresso machine to make a statement, you may want to consider the white or the red model. Outside of the color, there is no difference from the stainless steel version.
At Triple Bar Coffee, we truly appreciate the art that goes into crafting a delicious cup of coffee. But that takes time. And we understand that some people don’t have a surplus of time. For those in a perpetual hurry who don’t want to sacrifice on their home coffee brewing routine, we recommend considering the Mr. Coffee Café Barista for your espresso needs.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. That was our breakdown of the best espresso machines on the market based on value, style, size, and portability. We plan to update or add to this list as new products come to light. If we left one of your favorite machine’s off the list or you have questions about one of the espresso makers that we reviewed, please post a comment below or send us an email at [email protected].