Best Espresso Machine Under 200 Dollars

Because espressos carry a level of strength and flavor that coffees can’t match, finding the right espresso machine is imperative, as you’ll likely find yourself unable to cover up the taste of a poorly-made espresso through the use of sugar and cream. To give the following reviews some context and a level of understanding for the reader, let’s first take a look at what makes a good espresso machine a good espresso machine, then learn how to pick the best espresso machine under 200 dollars in terms of what meets your needs.

Factors To Consider When Buying An Espresso Machine

1. Know What You’re Willing to Spend on an Espresso. For some, a five-dollar espresso is not a good espresso. If drinking your new brew means hours of guilt afterwards, why bother? If you’re looking for the latest and greatest in espresso-related machinery, a nice automatic espresso maker will give you everything you’re looking for and then some. If; however, you’re looking to save money, a manual machine can produce an equally great drink, so long as you’re willing to work for it.

2. What drinks do you plan on making? If you regularly have company over that hates espresso but loves other caffeinated beverages, you can likely find a hybrid model which can make several different types of drinks through a variety of different functions and settings.

3. You must also consider whether or not any given espresso maker is easy to clean. This isn’t just a matter of cleanliness, but of making the perfect brew. An unclean machine can lead to a pretty raunchy finished product. If you know a hard-to-clean espresso machine will leave you cleaning it once a month, you’re probably better off sticking with instant coffee as it will likely taste better than an espresso from a dirty machine.

4. Does it come with a grinder? While some espresso mixes can be had which needn’t be ground up before use, fresh, whole coffee beans are generally seen as being vastly superior to their already-ground counterparts. If you’re already putting money down on an espresso machine, it just doesn’t make sense not to have a grinder. If the machine you pick doesn’t have one included, you’ll need to buy one separately, increasing the cost of your espresso equipment and the amount of time you spend shopping and sifting through products.

As you can see, some of what makes an espresso machine good is heavily dependent upon any potential customer’s preference. With that out of the way, let’s take a quick look at ten different units, complete with what makes them great and who they’re best suited toward, so that you may decide which one best suits your needs.

Best Espresso Machine Under 200 Dollars

Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

A well known brand among all coffee-drinking households, Keurig is known for being the company to go to when you want an amazing coffee without putting work or time into making it. Recently, the minds behind Keurig have broadened their horizons by stepping into the multi-purpose coffee market. The Keurig Revo works for espresso, cappuccino and lattes on one side while simultaneously frothing milk on the other side.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

This particular product would be best suited toward those living in a large household or those who have a variety of friends and family over regularly, each with their own taste. With the ability to brew three different types of drinks with one machine, you’ll be sure to meet everyone’s needs with ease.

Pros:

An all-in-one machine, you’ll likely be able to replace (or refrain from buying) several different pieces of coffee-related equipment, saving you time, money and space. The unit itself is very easy to use, giving you consistently great beverages without having to worry about messing the process up in any way.

Cons:

If you only plan on brewing one of the beverages the Keurig Rivo advertises itself as being capable of brewing, you’ll likely be paying for features you’ll never use. While it can still make a great espresso, there’s simply no need to throw away your money when another espresso machine can be had of the same quality for a lower price.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

A frugal alternative to those who want a nice drink in the morning without paying for fancy features, this Cuisinart model can be had for under one hundred dollars and gets the job done just fine. It isn’t an all-in-one type of machine, nor will it impress friends and family. What it will do; however, is make a great cup of coffee at a relatively low price.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

This product is best for those of the frugal variety. I won’t call it cheap, as it certainly does not sacrifice on quality, though I will say that it’s very easy on the wallet in relation to other products of its type. If you don’t mind frothing your milk manually, this unit will work just fine and make the perfect cup every time. Just be prepared to put a bit more work into said perfect cup.

Pros:

– A low price and small amount of bonus features makes it great both for those unwilling to spend a large amount of time figuring out how to work their new machine and those who would rather not put down any significant amount of money on any coffee-related equipment.

– Despite said low price and lack of bonus features, you’ll find it’s still capable of brewing the perfect beverage.

Cons:

– Those looking for a variety of advanced, automated features will be disappointed.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Keurig K45 is advertised as being the machine for those who want their coffee done right the first time without any sort of effort or time needing to be invested in the process. As I’m sure you’re already aware, the Keurig K45 is compatible with single cups of coffee grinds which one simply sticks into the unit, making the brewing process a piece of cake.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

If making coffee first thing in the morning is a pain or just seems to impede your ability to get out the door on time, the K45 is definitely the model for you. All that is required is to place a coffee cup into the machine to have it do the rest of the work for you. Of coarse, if you’re looking for something that froths your milk for you or comes with a grinder, you may want to look elsewhere.

Pros:

– Ease of use makes the Keurig K45 great for those who would rather not spend any significant amount of time preparing their morning elixir.

– Keurig gives users the choice between many different cups and settings, allowing you to brew anything from steaming hot coffee to iced tea.

Cons:

– The Keurig cups required to actually make coffee with your new coffee maker are rather expensive. While the coffee maker itself may not seem too, too expensive, the costs associated with actually operating and using it are quite high and can be rather bothersome to some.

– If you don’t like Keurig’s coffee, you’ll still be stuck drinking it.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Inissia is Nespresso’s answer to the Keurig coffee maker. Owners of the machine are required to purchase proprietary capsules of coffee unique to the Nespresso brand. Similar to Keurigs, this makes the process of making your espresso easy, making it extra appealing to those who hate messing around with their espresso maker first thing in the morning.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

If you don’t mind paying a fairly large price for every espresso you make in your new espresso machine, the Inissia will likely suit your needs perfectly. You’ll be able to brew a great cup after under a single minute of setup time. While it’s expensive and can only brew a single cup at a time, it’s great for those who just want a quick start to their day every morning without all of the fuss.

Pros:

– Due to the espresso machine doing all of the work, you’ll never need to worry about espressos coming out inconsistent or with varying degrees of quality.

– Assuming you brew the same beans every time, you’ll get the exact same drink over and over again.

– The Inissia’s ability to do all of the work for you also means you’ll save time brewing beverages, which is an added benefit we can all appreciate to some degree or another.

Cons:

– Like the Keurig, actually using this espresso machine will prove rather expensive in the long run. Because it is only compatible with Nespresso’s capsules, and because said capsules are very high in price relative to other coffee beans, you may very well find yourself going way above your monthly allotted coffee budget.

– You’ll be limited in the coffee you buy, as most brands aren’t compatible with the Inissia.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars

The De’Longhi is advertised as being one of the best espresso and cappuccino machines out there for those looking for a great bargain without skimping on the quality of the drinks produced by their new machine. Like the Inissia and Keurigs we’ve covered up until this point, De’Longhi makes pods which you’ll be able to use in conjunction with your new espresso machine for the sake of convenience. Unlike the above; however, you’ll find that you’ll be able to use the “loose” coffee of your choosing if the pods are just too expensive or too limiting.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

If you’re looking for something that froths your milk for you or comes with other fancy features, you’ll definitely want to keep shopping. Otherwise, you’ll find this espresso machine to be about as good as it gets. In fact, I’d recommend this to nearly anyone in the market for a new espresso machine.

Pros:

– You can use coffee pods to save you time in the morning by letting the machine take care of the measuring, etc.

– If the above option just seems a tad too expensive for your taste, that’s fine; you’ll have the ability to use any coffee you’d like, as the De’Longhi doesn’t limit you to buying coffee from them specifically, allowing you to use your new espresso machine in any way you’d like.

Cons:

– It doesn’t come with any sort of grinder, milk frother or anything else that reeks of class and quality. If you’re looking to impress friends and family with your next espresso machine purchase, you may want to look elsewhere.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

One of the more expensive items on this list, the Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker is praised for its ease of use, quick preheating time and variety of programmable options. It’s certainly one of the most high end espresso machines within its price range and is sure to give potential customers a sense of value and a good cup of espresso.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

The Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker is king when it comes to convenience revolving around making espresso. Not only is it compatible with Nespresso coffee capsules, it heats up at an astounding rate, reaching its full heat in as little as thirty seconds. If you want a great cup of espresso without any of the hassle and don’t mind paying a pretty penny for the luxury, look no further than the Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker.

Pros:

– In terms of convenience alone, it doesn’t get much better than the Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker.

– Through its use of coffee capsules coupled with its ridiculously quick heating time, you’ll get the perfect cup of espresso in seconds, making it great for those always in a rush.

Cons:

– As with other Nespresso products, you’ll be confined to using the coffee they themselves make. If you find that your tastes don’t exactly align with what they have to offer, you’ll end up being stuck drinking an espresso that you simply don’t like.

– The capsules are also expensive, costing you more money in the long run.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

The Barista Espresso Maker is one of those espresso machines that just does everything. It comes with both an espresso maker and a milk frother, letting you take care of the entire process of espresso-making with a single machine. It comes at a somewhat high price, though certainly delivers on quality, giving you an excellent cost-to-quality ratio.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

If you’re looking for an all-in-one espresso machine and don’t mind paying a little extra for it, the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso Maker is certain to suit your needs. Because of its separate milk frother and espresso maker, you’ll have more control over your finished product, making it great for those particular about their espresso.

Pros:

– When it comes to customizing your espresso to your liking, the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso Maker is about as good as it gets.

– While the actual espresso it produces stays consistent assuming you use the same coffee beans to produce it, the ability to froth your milk and to choose exactly what beans you use to brew your espresso makes it great for brewing espressos to your liking.

Cons:

– If you’re looking for a quick espresso first thing in the morning, this isn’t it.

– You’ll typically need to put some degree of work into the making of your beverage, making it undesirable for a large portion of potential customers in the market.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars

If it’s something durable and consistent you’re looking for, look no further. The Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker is known for being easy to clean, easy to maintain and having a low amount of any sort of functional issues. It produces the exact same quality of brew every time.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

This unit is best for those with a set-it-and-forget-it type of attitude. Cleaning is easy, maintenance is low and making your espresso isn’t much of an ordeal either. If you want to set it and forget it, look no further than this espresso machine.

Pros:

– The Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker is rather easy to use, making it great for those who want a quick drink in the morning, though don’t feel like paying for a product which requires the use of coffee pods at a very high price.

– Couple that with its stainless steel design, and you’ll find you’ll very rarely find yourself cleaning it.

Cons:

– Its biggest downside is its cost. While I won’t say that there isn’t anybody out there who would find the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker worth the money, the overall value just isn’t that great. For an espresso machine as costly as this one, I’d like to see some more advanced features.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

This particular model is easily one of the very best (if not the best) of its type within its price range. With a gigantic grinder built into the top of the unit, you’ll find grinding up huge amounts of beans to be a rather easy ordeal. This also means you’ll have less mess to clean up, as you won’t be transferring coffee from your grinder to your maker anymore.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

If you’re looking for a great value, this is it. Considering the overall level of the machine’s quality and the great grinder built into it, you’re definitely getting more than you paid for. While it’s value is great, those looking for very advanced features in an espresso machine might want to keep shopping around.

Pros:

– A built-in grinder reduces mess, saves a little extra space on your kitchen counter and even saves you a bit of extra cash if you haven’t already bought a grinder.

– This is a great choice for the frugal who’d like the financial benefit of buying a semi-multipurpose machine.

Cons:

– There are no advanced features inherent in this unit other than the built-in grinder. It certainly won’t impress your friends.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon

Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

The K40 is one of Keurig’s most modest models in terms of both looks and features. As I’m sure you can already guess, it is only compatible with coffee pods, which can be good or bad depending on your particular preference.

Who Is It Best Suited Toward?

if you like what Keurig is all about but don’t find yourself in need of some of the more high-tech features found in many of its other products, the K40 is a fair compromise, allowing you use the infamous coffee pods without paying for extra features you don’t plan on using.

Pros:

– Relative to its overall price, the K40 is one of the best when it comes to ease of use. A large variety of other units which are compatible with pods typically come at a much higher price.

Cons:

– As always, being unable to use loose coffee will likely cost you a fair sum of money in the long run through needing to purchase very expensive coffee in order to use your new machine in the first place.

Click Here to Read Customer Reviews on Amazon



Best Espresso Machine Under 200 Dollars – Comparison Chart

Based on a criteria of ease of use, value and quality, here are the final ratings for the above ten espresso machines in order from highest to lowest.

Name Value Convenience Maintenance Costs De’Longhi EC155 15 5 4.5 5 Cuisinart DGB-700BC Grind-and-Brew 4.5 4 5 Keurig Elite K40 4.5 5 1 Keurig Revo 4.5 5 1 Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista 4.5 4 4 Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central 4 3 5 Breville ESP8XL 4 3 5 Nespresso Pixie 3.5 5 2 Keurig K45 3.5 5 1 Nespresso Inissia 3.5 5 2

Conclusion

Before you leave, I’d like to make the point that whether or not an espresso maker is good is heavily dependent upon user preference. Sure, I gave the De’Longhi the highest rating possible because I feel it can’t be topped in terms of how many people would find it useful, though you may very well not like it at all. At the beginning of the article, I briefly touched base on things to look for and factors to consider when looking at an espresso maker. These still stand. While I would recommend taking a look at the De’Longhi before the Nespresso Inissia, it’s important to decide which one will best fit your household. All in all; however, the De’Longhi is easily the best espresso machine under 200 dollars.