We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Coffee, Tea & Espresso The Best Budget-Friendly Espresso Machines, According to Our Tests Caffeine thrills, minimal dollar spills. By Summer Rylander Summer Rylander Summer is a freelance food and travel writer who began by writing about Swedish cheesemaking traditions in 2018. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on October 23, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Favorite Budget Espresso Machine Factors to Consider How We Tested FAQ Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine/Nick Simpson While a simple French press or drip coffee machine can be enough to get the day started, sometimes we want a little more. Maybe a lazy Sunday morning calls for an oat milk latte, or maybe it’s 1:30 PM on a Tuesday, and a hot drink is in order, but tea isn’t quite going to cut it, and brewing a whole pot of coffee feels like too much. Enter the espresso machine. Espresso machines can feel pretty fancy — and many have the eye-watering price tag to match. But fret not, because there are great options for the budget-conscious among us. And because we test so many coffee and espresso makers here at Food & Wine, we’ve been able to confidently narrow down to our three favorite budget-friendly espresso machines. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon $100 $82 Jump to Review Best Runner-Up: KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine at Amazon $230 Jump to Review Best Nespresso: SALE Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe at Amazon $149 $100 Jump to Review Best Overall De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine PHOTO: Amazon $100 $82 at Amazon $83 at Target $100 at Wayfair Pros This compact, user-friendly machine delivers optimal single- or double-shot pressure. Cons You have to turn off the machine to prevent espresso overflow manually. Costing just about $100, this is a bargain for an espresso machine. The De’Longhi Stilosa includes a tamper, filters for both single and double shots, plus it has a built-in milk frother. (If you don’t already have one, you’ll probably want to pick up a coffee grinder to enjoy the fresher flavors and aromas that result from using fresh-ground espresso over the pre-ground stuff.) When it comes to espresso machines, cost doesn’t always mean better quality. During our tests — after a bit of trial and error that ultimately called for a finer size of grind — we found that the Stilosa turns out great-tasting espresso. The steam wand proved slightly finicky, so if you’re a cappuccino connoisseur, you might want to use a separate frother. We also didn’t love having to manually turn off the machine in order to avoid espresso overflow, but, again, for the price point? This machine is a solid buy. Dimensions: 8.07 x 13.5 x 11.22 inches | Available Functions: Single or double-shot espresso, milk frothing The sleek-looking De'Longhi Stilosa espresso machine fits easily on the countertop with a compact footprint. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson This machine has a removable water container that slips neatly into the back. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson This espresso maker comes with a portafilter and two filters for single and double shots, along with a tamper to compress the ground espresso. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson This espresso maker's manual stainless steel milk frother produces textured milk for homemade lattes and cappuccinos. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson The De'Longhi Stilosa provides optimal pressure for espresso extraction and can create a double or single espresso shot. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson This machine has a built-in frother and steam wand, just add your own milk pitcher. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson This De'Longhi machine has a removable drip tray to accommodate a variety of cup sizes. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson An easy-to-use knob controls the power and main functions of the machine. PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson Best Runner-Up KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine PHOTO: Amazon $230 at Amazon $350 at Wayfair View on Webstaurantstore.com Pros Smart temperature sensors ensure consistency and optimal flavor. Cons It’s more than double the price of the De’Longhi, though it's still comparatively low compared to the average price of a quality espresso machine. KitchenAid makes great products — their iconic stand mixer, anyone? — and we think this semi-automatic espresso machine is no exception. Admittedly, it’s considerably more expensive than the De’Longhi Stilosa, but even as a "splurge" this is a great buy. The KitchenAid has temperature sensors that ensure consistent espresso pulls each time, and the built-in steam wand works well to create silky foam for lattes and beyond. We also like the KitchenAid’s sleek good looks (nothing if not on-brand), including all the accessories you’ll need, even a milk pitcher and a cleaning brush. While we do wish there was an integrated coffee bean grinder, KitchenAid also makes a budget-friendly grinder that’ll pair nicely with your new espresso machine. Dimensions: 6.38 x 13.15 x 11.26 inches | Available Functions: Single or double-shot espresso, milk frothing PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson Best Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe PHOTO: Amazon $149 $100 at Amazon $130 $100 at Target View on Nespresso.com Pros Great for quick coffees with a compact footprint. Cons It doesn’t pull true espresso shots. OK, we know that Nespresso isn’t “real” espresso. As ShedLight head roaster and coffee expert Heather Calatrello explains, “The process in a Nespresso machine is a departure from traditional espresso. The original line of machines brews similarly to coffee, while the Vertuo machines use what they call ‘centrifugation’ to brew the espresso. This process releases water into the pod, then spins it at roughly 7,000 RPM to infuse the coffee, producing a slightly thicker crema than the original Nespresso machines.” What the Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe does well is brew coffee in five sizes — espresso, double espresso, or coffee in 5, 8, or 12 ounces — with the convenience and variety of Nespresso pods. There is no steam wand on this machine, so you might give it a miss if you’re a milky coffee person, but if you’re looking for a quick sip without fuss, the Pop+ Deluxe will get the job done without breaking the bank. Dimensions: 14 x 8.6 x 10.4 inches | Available Functions: Brews coffee in five sizes PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson Our Favorite Budget Espresso Machine As a basic but versatile, affordable espresso machine, the De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine is our pick. We like that it can brew single or double shots of espresso and appreciate the integrated steam wand. Factors to Consider Milk-Based Drink Capabilities When shopping for an espresso machine — at any budget, really — do consider whether you intend to use it for milky drinks. While you can buy a standalone milk frother, if you’re a regular latte drinker, you may find it more convenient to have a steam wand built right into the espresso machine itself. Beginner-Friendly Any new-to-you appliance will come with a slight learning curve until you’ve figured out how it really works, but some espresso machines are more complicated than others. Automatic — or even better, super-automatic — machines will do the work for you, with high-end models featuring built-in bean grinders and milk reservoirs. These do tend to be less budget-friendly, however, so be honest with yourself when determining how much effort you’re willing to put into learning how to use an espresso machine. Other Qualities There are lots of elements to espresso machines, from grinders to noise levels to the capacity of a water tank. An espresso machine meant to service an office of 15 people, for example, will have different qualities than one meant for occasional at-home use. Read up on your potential espresso machine if you are concerned about the noise level or need to ensure a certain capacity of bean hopper or water reservoir. How We Tested Budget Espresso Machines Our espresso machine tests evaluated each machine on its setup process, performance in pulling espresso shots, and, if applicable, how well it steamed and frothed milk. We timed how long it took machines to heat up and how long it took to pull a shot, then assessed the quality of the espresso shot in terms of crema cap, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel. Each machine was tested through six shots to allow for user error and minor adjustments to improve quality. For machines with a steam wand, we assessed how long it took to heat milk to a desired temperature, and the resulting milk and foam consistency. Assessing budget-friendly espresso machines is no different from the pricey ones — and we won’t recommend anything that doesn’t have the reliable performance to back up its price. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need an expensive espresso machine? You don’t! While “expensive” may be subjective, machines don’t have to cost upwards of $1,000 in order to pull a good shot of espresso. While expensive machines generally are more reliable, will laster longer, and have a higher quality espresso, if you’re looking for something on the cheaper end and aren’t that concerned with the quality of espresso, a budget buy is fine enough, especially if you’re looking for a starter machine. How do I maintain my espresso machine? Be sure to review the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you’re maintaining your specific machine properly. Generally speaking, however, ensuring that removable parts are kept clean and free of residue on a daily basis is a great start. For machines with steam wands or milk reservoirs, be sure to clean those thoroughly after use to avoid bacteria growth. How often do I need to descale it? What does descaling mean? Descaling your coffee maker or espresso machine serves to remove buildup from hard water and residue. In turn, your machine will operate more smoothly, and the resulting espresso will taste better. You can think of descaling as a deep clean, so every four to six weeks should be sufficient. Our Expertise This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. She wrote this article based on in-depth research, our testing insights, and conversation with coffee roasting expert Heather Calatrello. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit