If you’re a coffee connoisseur looking to pull great shots of espresso and making a great latte at home, our list can help you pick a great beginner machine for your needs on a budget.
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Pulling a great shot of espresso requires skill and the right equipment. With practice and patience, many espresso machines are capable of pulling great shots and making good microfoam.
We have curated a list of what we feel are the best espresso machines under $200:
- Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
- Capresso Ultima Pro Espresso Machine
- Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville
- Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker
- De’Longhi Icona Manual Espresso Machine
1. Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker – Best All-in-One
- Weight: 10.37 lbs
- Dimensions : 11.22 x 8.86 x 12.60 inches
- Power: 1040 Watts
- Pump Pressure: 15 bars
- Drip Tray: Removable
- Water Reservoir: Removable
- Milk Steaming Wand: Automatic
- Warranty: 1 year
Want to make coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos from the comfort of your home? Mr. Coffee Café Barista covers them all. This semi-automatic 3 in 1 espresso machine is easy to use and can brew a drink with just a single touch of a button. Simply choose a single or double shot filter basket, pick your coffee, fill the milk reservoir, and choose your brew.
The automatic milk frothing wand is powerful and can produce a good microfoam that would behave correctly for your coffee.
This is a great espresso machine and we highly recommend it for beginners as it is so easy to use, heats up quickly, and can do it all.
Pros
- 3 in 1 espresso maker, cappuccino maker, and latte maker
- Trouble-Fee automatic milk frother
- One-touch control panel for drink selections
- Removable water reservoir
Cons
- Noisy
- Time-consuming cleanup
See the Mr. Coffee Café Barista in action:
2. Capresso Ultima Pro Espresso Machine – Best Programmable
- Weight: 11.97 lbs
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 12.25 x 14 inches
- Power: 1450 Watts
- Pump Pressure: 15 bars
- Drip Tray: Removable
- Water Reservoir: Removable 34 oz
- Milk Steaming Wand: Manual
- Warranty: 1 year
The Capresso Ultima Pro looks simple yet sleek. It is compact and won’t occupy much of the kitchen counter space.
It is a semi-automatic machine featuring a self tamping portafilter, where the ground coffee will be automatically and evenly tamped, making it easier than ever to brew your favorite cup of coffee. Capresso Ultima Pro is also equipped with a programmable pump that features several brewing options in order to brew the perfect espresso cup.
Pros
- Fast warm-up
- Heavy-duty construction with stainless steel accents
- Self tamping
- Programmable
- Hot water function
- Automatic shut off
Cons
- Cup warmer doesn’t warm the cup thoroughly
See the Capresso Ultima Pro Espresso Machine in action:
3. Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville – Best Coffee Capsule
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Dimensions: 8.32 x 11.91 x 11.93 inches
- Power: 1350 Watts
- Pump Pressure: 15 bars
- Drip Tray: Removable
- Warranty: 1 year
If you’re frequently on the go, this is the perfect single-serve capsule espresso machine for you because it makes a wide variety of coffee quickly and efficiently. Prep time and cleanup are next to nothing because the real appeal of this machine is its speed, convenience, and consistency.
It is compatible with Nespresso coffee capsules, or you can purchase a reusable stainless steel capsule and use your own ground coffee. Overall, we recommend this machine for people who are looking for a consistently fantastic shot of espresso with no fuss.
Pros
- Multiple color choices
- Convenient
- No cleanup needed
- Fast preheating time
Cons
- Capsules only
- No steaming wand
See the Nespresso Vertuo in action:
4. Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker – Best Warranty
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Dimensions: 12.56 x 8.19 x 10.94 inches
- Power: 1000 Watts
- Pump Pressure: 15 bars
- Drip Tray: Removable
- Water Reservoir: Removable 53 oz
- Milk Steaming Wand: Manual
- Warranty: 3 years
The Cuisinart is a compact and easy to use entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine designed for all coffee lovers. It has most of the features integrated and utilizes 15 bars of pressure for the espresso shots. Unlike other machines that are loud and irritating, this espresso machine is on the quiet side and doesn’t make a ruckus.
Frothing is important if you like to make espresso-based beverages like latte or cappuccino, and fortunately, Cuisinart has a built-in wand that makes good froth and produces microfoam like a champ.
If you want to brew but don’t want the mess of dealing with ground coffee, this espresso machine will let you use E.S.E pods as an alternative. The pods are convenient for use in this espresso machine to save you time and hassle.
Pros
- High quality
- Good looking
- Makes excellent microfoam
- Use ground coffee or E.S.E. pods
Cons
- Steam nozzle length is a bit too long
See the Cuisinart EM-100 in action:
5. De’Longhi Icona Manual Espresso Machine – Best Stylish
- Weight: 8.04 lbs
- Dimensions: 10.24 x 11.42 x 14.96 inches
- Power: 1500 Watts
- Pump Pressure: 15 bars
- Drip Tray: Removable
- Water Reservoir: Removable 48 oz
- Milk Steaming Wand: Manual
- Warranty: 1 year
This semi-automatic espresso machine features a more industrial look compared to the other espresso machines. It combines accessibility and ease of use with the reputation of a well-established company.
The De’Longhi Icona has two separate thermostats inside the machine for water temperature and steam temperature to be controlled separately for optimal espresso and cappuccino.
It is compact and will fit easily in any kitchen. The exterior of the espresso machine is easy enough to clean due to its attractive seamless finish. A quick wipe down after every shot is sufficient to keep the machine dry and clean.
Pros
- Stainless steel boiler
- Stylish
- 3-in-1 filter holder
Cons
- Not programmable
See the De’Longhi Icona in action:
We hope our list has given you a better understanding of the variety of choices available on the market when it comes to picking your ideal and best espresso machines under $200.
- Best all-in-one: Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
- Best programmable: Capresso Ultima Pro Espresso Machine
- Best coffee capsule: Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville
- Best warranty: Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker
- Best stylish: De’Longhi Icona Manual Espresso Machine
No matter which machine you go with, a home espresso machine will fill you up with endless espresso shots that you, your family, and friends will enjoy.
