11 Best espresso machines under $300

A study on the retail sales of espresso machines shows that more than two million espresso machines were sold in the United States in 2019.

Espresso has become a staple in the United States. The market for espresso machines is booming because espresso-based drinks are the go-to for coffee lovers in America.

Surprisingly, you can purchase a quality espresso machine for under $300 with features that suit your needs. Whether you like manually driven machines or the convenience of automatic functions, there are espresso machines under $300 that have it.

Why Invest in an Espresso Machine?

Drip coffee is tasty, but it doesn’t compare to the taste of a gourmet latte with a shot or two of espresso. As delicious as a latte from your favorite coffee shop is, buying daily lattes adds up quickly.

Having an espresso machine at home will save you money and time and add more convenience to your life. Coffee shops tend to have long lines or extended waits. With an espresso machine, you can experience a gourmet latte in the comfort of your own home.

You have options. Espresso machines come in all shapes and sizes. You can find a complex espresso machine with tons of features or opt for a simple one that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles.

You get to learn more about coffee. Get an espresso machine and learn so many new things! An espresso machine and the many ways you can use it is a kind of art.

You can try different coffee blends to see which ones work well with your espresso machine, learn how to use a milk frother for the perfect latte, and adjust how you make and use your espresso as much as you want.

Best With Grinder	EspressoWorks Espresso Machine	All-in-one espresso machine with a 15-bar pump system, adjustable spout height, LED display, grinder, milk frother and filters.	See Product
Best Fully-Automatic	Mixpresso Espresso Maker	With a 15-bar pump, 1450W motor, adjustable controls, adjustable steaming wand for latte foam, a cup warmer and removable water tank and a drip tray for easy cleaning.	See Product
Best Capsule	Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine	Semi-automatic capsule machine equipped with programmable settings, automatic shut-off, adjustable tray, 25s to heat up time, and a separate milk frother.	See Product
Best Semi-Automatic	Mr. Coffee Espresso	3 in 1 system (espresso, lattes and cappuccinos) with programmable settings, automatic milk frother, 15-bar pump system, and removable water tank with cleaning button.	See Product
Best Manual	Flair Espresso Maker	Easy-to-use and portable device, with or without a pressure gauge, stainless steel brewing cylinder and custom carrying case for perfect traveling.	See Product

11 Best Espresso Machines Under $300

1. EspressoWorks Espresso Machine (Best with Grinder)

This stainless steel espresso machine is an all-in-one set. It comes with a coffee bean grinder, milk frother, a frothing cup, double and single shot filters, espresso cups, and a scoop.

It has a 15-bar pump system and a removable water tank. It is semi-automatic with an automatic shut-off. This system has all the bells and whistles you could want.

2. Mixpresso Espresso Maker (Best Fully Automatic)

This fully automatic espresso machine comes with a 15-bar pump, a 1450W motor, and adjustable controls. The controls allow you to program it to your liking.

It comes with an adjustable steaming wand that produces enough pressure to make the foamy top you expect from a latte. The top of the machine is equipped with a cup warmer to keep your latte warm.

This espresso machine also has a large detachable water tank and a removable drip tray for easy cleaning.

3. Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine (Best Capsule)

This semi-automatic capsule machine has programmable settings, an automatic shut-off, and a separate milk frother.

It comes with an adjustable tray and takes only 25 seconds to heat up, so you can have your espresso in minutes. With the purchase of this machine, you will receive complimentary Nespresso capsules.

4. Mr. Coffee Espresso (Best Semi-Automatic)

This semi-automatic espresso machine is a 3 in 1 system; you can make lattes, cappuccinos, or straight espresso. You have the option to make one or two cups of espresso at once.

It comes with an automatic milk frother and programmable settings for ease of use. Its 15-bar pump system will make you feel like you are your own barista. It has a removable water tank and comes with a cleaning button.

Pros Cons

• Automatic frother • Takes some trial and error to learn
• Programmable settings • Milk container sensor is finicky
• Easy clean
• 3 in 1 system

5. Flair Espresso Maker (Best Manual)

Flair’s manual espresso maker is about as easy as they come. If you are looking for something simple that still produces a fine cup of espresso, this is right up your alley.

You can purchase this espresso maker with or without a pressure gauge. However, a pressure gauge will help you get a proper cup of espresso.

This manual espresso maker is portable and easy to use and clean. It comes with a stainless steel brewing cylinder and a custom carrying case that is perfect for traveling.

6. DeLonghi Espresso Machine

This compact espresso machine is great for making cappuccinos, lattes, and espresso. Its small size saves space but doesn’t cut out the espresso possibilities.

It comes with a milk frother, a cup warmer, and a removable water tank. It has a 15-bar pumping system, adjustable controls, and can brew one or two cups of espresso at once.

7. Braville Espresso Maker

Braville’s espresso maker has a sleek, stainless steel design. It has a 15-bar thermoblock pump and a dual-wall filter system that produces a beautiful crema.

This espresso machine has a manual frother and cup warming plate. The drip tray and water tank are removable for easy cleaning.

You will get a few accessories with your purchase. They include: a frothing pitcher, cleaning tool, measuring spoon, and tamping tool. You will also get a 1-year limited warranty.

8. Nespresso Vurtuo Espresso Machine

Nespresso Vurtuo is a single-serve espresso machine that runs with a single touch of a button. It is simple but does the job well. It takes 25 seconds to heat up and includes an automatic shut-off.

It comes with an automatic capsule ejection compartment and a removable water tank. You can brew four different sizes of espresso by choosing the button accordingly.

Like the previously mentioned Nespresso machine, this comes with a separate milk frother and some Nespresso capsules to get you started.

9. Kitchen-Aid Espresso Machine

This is another semi-automatic espresso machine. It has a manual milk frother and includes a tamper with the purchase. It includes a coffee scoop, milk pitcher, steam wand, four filter baskets, and a drip tray.

This machine is slim and compact to save counter space. It has dual, smart temperature sensors to maintain the perfect temperature for every espresso you make. With its dual spout portafilters, you can make 2 cups of espresso at once.

10. LOR Barista Espresso Machine

The LOR Espresso Machine creates a flawless crema foam thanks to its 19-bar pressure system. This single-serve espresso machine has dual capsule recognition technology and can make six different cup sizes, 3 of them espresso sizes.

The machine heats up within seconds and will brew at the push of a button. You can choose from a small, medium, and large cup option on the front of the machine.

This is a compact machine that will fit on your counter without taking up too much space.

11. Wacaco Picopresso Espresso Maker

This little espresso maker is perfect for traveling and comes with its own case. It is very compact, but that doesn’t keep it from producing a bold, smooth shot of espresso.

It comes with a naked portafilter and stainless steel filter basket. It is 100% manually operated, so you don’t have to worry about needing electricity or batteries.

If you’re traveling and don’t want to go without your daily espresso, this portable espresso maker will be your best friend.

Espresso Machine Buyers Guide

Because of the wide selection of espresso machines on the market, you will have no problem finding one that works for you; You just need to know what to look for.

Type

The main types of espresso machines include

• Fully automatic – Turn it on and let it work
• Semi-automatic – Takes some work from you, usually for controlling water flow and frothing.
• Manual – You control the machine, including the pressure and amount of water flow.

The type of espresso machine you choose depends on the work you are willing to put in. For some, fully automatic machines can end up being more work because of the various parts that come with them.

For others, manual espresso machines can be intimidating because the results are entirely up to you. Think about what will be most convenient for you. Semi-automatic is a bit of both and will work well for a beginner.

Extras

Take a look at what comes with your machine. Does it have a frother? What about a coffee grinder?

Some espresso machines include accessories galore. Those may be tools like a frothing wand, a temper, a frothing cup, etc.

If you don’t care about having the extras, opt for a simple espresso machine. If you enjoy all the bells and whistles, go for it!

Convenience

Having an espresso machine at home is convenient if you know how to use it. Any new appliance is going to take time to learn. Consider how much time you have and if you want convenience over anything.

Consider more than the brewing time. Consider what the cleanup looks like. Does it have a self-cleaning option? Are there a lot of nooks and crannies you will have to clean out?

Price

When looking at the price of an espresso machine, it’s important to know its durability and what comes with the purchase.

It is easy to overpay for an espresso machine. Remember that spending more money doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making the right choice.

All of the espresso machines on the list are under $300, and all of them are excellent choices for different reasons.

Best Espresso Machine Under $300

Getting the best out of your purchase means it should be worth every penny. The espresso machine that meets the criteria and is number one on the list is the EspressoWorks espresso machine.

The EspressoWorks machine is an all-in-one espresso machine. It comes with everything you could want. From the milk frother to the coffee bean grinder, you will get your penny’s worth!

Because it’s semi-automatic, it is perfect for a new user that wants all the extras without too much complication. And because it has everything you need in an espresso machine, any espresso lover can enjoy it.

Not sure if it’s right for you? Start simply and choose one of the smaller espresso machines on the list.