Espresso machines are a Godsend for us all; whether you’re too busy in the morning to fiddle with a cafetière, or you simply just don’t want to, espresso machines give us the option to grab a hot tasty coffee with just one click of a button.
This luxury, though, often comes at a price, and loads of machines on the market are more expensive than your car!
Okay, maybe not that expensive, but they are still more pricey than they need to be.
We think having a hassle-free coffee in the mornings is more of a human right than a luxury, which is why we have scoured the net and found you the best espresso machines that will not cost you an arm and a leg - you’ll be needing at least one arm to press the button!
From high-tech proper coffee machines to handy portable espresso makers, we have added the very best affordable espresso machines to our list below.
Take a look and compare the models to find the best new addition to your kitchen, and to your morning routine.
OUR TOP PICK
First up on our list of affordable espresso machines is this cute creation from Imusa, that can make you cappuccinos as well as espressos.
In fact, it can also make macchiatos and lattes, too!
This machine has everything you need for a trouble-free coffee making experience.
The plastic outer layer of the machine protects you from the heat inside it, and is durable enough to last for thousands of uses.
The drip tray that you place the carafe on is removable, so that you can clean any spillage from it easily.
Plus, the glass carafe has been designed with ease of use in mind, and has an easy pour shape for your convenience.
The carafe can hold up to 4 cups of coffee, making it great for all households.
This espresso machine is able to make coffee as rich and full as you like, thanks to its powerful 5 bar working pressure.
Plus, if you’re a fan of milky coffees as well as espressos, it comes with a milk frother so that you can perfect your cappuccinos and lattes.
As well as being a well-functioning machine, it is also sleek and modern in appearance. It is simple and unobtrusive, and would be a great addition to any style of kitchen.
Pros
- Easy pour carafe and plastic exterior enable safe usage
- Can make other types of coffee as well as espressos
- Comes with a milk frother
Cons
- Not suitable for dishwashers; all parts need to be hand washed
- Product falls under Prop 65, so may contain harmful chemicals
EDITORS CHOICE
Next up is this stylish red electric espresso maker from Bene Casa. It can make up to six cups of coffee with each go, making it perfect for both small and large households.
This is a little like a stove top espresso maker, except you don’t have to put it on a stove, or do anything other than press a button once the coffee is in.
These are far more convenient than stove top espresso machines; there is no risk of burning the coffee or the machine on the stove, or of burning yourself in the process.
Plus, this electric machine is much more time efficient than old-fashioned stove top ones, and can make you the perfect cup of coffee in under two minutes.
This machine is easy to use, and is small and light enough that you can take it with you anywhere, making it portable.
Now, you can have delicious coffee-shop quality at the click of a button, whether you are at home, in the office, or on vacation.
The red color might not be for everyone, but if red is your thing, you will love this machine. It has a simple design and is unobtrusive.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can make up to six cups of coffee with each use
- Portable, so that you can make great coffee wherever you are
Cons
- Only comes in red
BEST VALUE
This dual shot espresso machine from Mr. Coffee is perfect for making two shots at a time, meaning you can either have a double shot espresso, or make two single espressos at once! Perfect for couples or strong-coffee addicts alike.
This machine is incredibly strong, and its 15-bar pump system uses its powerful pressure to make rich, strong coffee.
As well as making dangerously strong espressos, this machine can also make cappuccinos, lattes, and more.
It has a clever frothing arm which can be used to froth your milk, so that you can have a coffee-shop-quality cappuccino any time of day.
As well as creating delicious and flavorful coffees, this machine also does it quickly and easily. The machine has the same speed as professional barista equipment, and makes them as hot as they come.
The water reservoir is super easy to fill and refill, because you can remove it from the machine and take it to your tap.
Plus, once you are finished with the machine, you can clean it easily, thanks to the removable drip tray that you can hand rinse.
Pros
- Strong 15-bar pressure system makes rich, strong coffee
- Can make espressos as well as cappuccinos and lattes
- Quick and easy to use
- Arm frother froths milk
Cons
- At the high end of the budget for affordable espresso machines
RUNNER UP
This powerful 800-watt machine makes barista-quality espressos at the click of a button. It makes European-style espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes, and can make up to 20oz, or 4 cups, at a time.
The glass decanter can hold up to four cups of coffee, and is easy and safe to use, thanks to its cool touch handle which keeps your hands far away from the hot coffee.
Its powerful steamer allows you to heat and froth your coffee, so that you can enjoy delicious milky coffees in your own home.
This machine comes with a measuring cup so that you can make your coffees with precision. It also has a drip tray which catches any excess coffee, and which you can remove easily to clean between uses.
The nozzle is also removable, so that you can have it cleaned every time you make coffee.
This espresso machine makes great coffee, is easy to use, and also looks great. The combination of black plastic, silver metal, and the glass of the decanter, makes this machine sleek and modern.
It would go in any type of kitchen, but especially suits a clean, modern design.
Pros
- Easy to use and safe to handle
- Powerful pressure system makes rich and flavorful coffee
- Sleek and modern design
- Steamer perfect for heating and frothing milk
Cons
- Does not make coffee quite as strong as other brands at similar prices
RUNNER UP
The thing we love most about this coffee machine is its sexy stainless steel top and glossy black body.
It looks sleek and professional, and we would be happy to have this on our kitchen counter.
What’s even better? It is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing. 15 bars of pressure create strong espresso, and the stainless steel heating system retains heat so efficiently that the coffee is as hot as professional barista coffees.
It has a dual filter so that you can either make a double-shot espresso, or two single hot espressos at once.
The large tank has a 40oz capacity, so that you can make more coffee without changing the water all the time.
As well as making strong espressos, the built-in swivel frother allows you to make hot frothed milk for perfect lattes and cappuccinos.
Our second favorite feature of this espresso machine is its cup warming platform, which can keep your drink warm after you’ve finished making it.
If you’re busy getting ready for the day ahead and forget about your coffee for a few minutes, it doesn’t matter - your coffee will wait for you.
Pros
- Modern and sleek aesthetic
- 15 bars of pressure make strong espresso
- Swivel frother helps you make professional-level cappuccinos and lattes, as well as espressos
- Large tank reduces frequency of water changing
- Built-in cup warmer keeps your coffee hot
Cons
- At the high end of the affordable budget range
RUNNER UP
This machine from Boly is designed to make you delicious espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes in the comfort of your own home.
It is an affordable model that has everything you need to make a quick coffee in the mornings.
It has 3.5 bars of pressure, so it is not quite as powerful as other coffee machines, but it still makes delicious tasting coffee.
One single knob is responsible for all the functions of the machine, so it is super easy to use and navigate.
You can make up to four shots of espresso coffee within two minutes, meaning it is perfect for making quick coffees for you and your family.
As well as making smooth espressos, you can also use this machine to make milky coffees, like lattes and cappuccinos.
This machine has a built-in milk frother that heats and froths your milk, so that you can feel like you are drinking coffee-shop-standard coffees in your very own kitchen.
If you are new to making coffees at home, this espresso machine will help you to figure it out.
The carafe clearly shows you how much water you need to use, depending on how many coffees you are making, and the inbuilt filter basket weighs the coffee for you.
This way, you can accurately make coffees with clear guidance.
This steam espresso machine is pretty petite, meaning it will fit comfortably into even the smallest of kitchens, and can be used at work or at home - or both!
Pros
- Versatile; it can make all kinds of coffee
- Easy to use and navigate
- Small and lightweight model
Cons
- Only suitable for medium and coarse ground coffee
- Not as powerful as many other espresso coffee machines
RUNNER UP
Petrus has designed this multifunctional and attractive espresso machine that is easy to use and lovely to look at.
It is made primarily from stainless steel, which gives the machine an elegant and stylish exterior that will go with any kitchen style.
Its compact design also means that the machine will fit into very small spaces, and won’t take up too much workspace in your kitchen.
Its removable drip tray adds to its functionality; it catches any excess coffee and reduces mess, and can be cleaned easily by hand.
One single knob controls all the functions of the machine, so that it is simple to use and understand.
The inbuilt temperature control system also ensures that every coffee you make is not burnt and tastes delicious.
It has a 3.5 bar pressure system which can make between one and four cups of coffee with each go, all of which is guaranteed to be smooth and rich.
Plus, if you love milky coffees as much as you do espressos, the inbuilt frothing arm allows you to heat and foam your milk so that you can make delicious cappuccinos and lattes.
Plus, when you buy this machine, you get so much more than just the main body.
Alongside the steam espresso machine, you also get the glass carafe; one filter; one funnel; one spoon; one stainless steel cup; and one instructions manual, so that you can get things right from the start.
Pros
- Stylish stainless steel exterior
- Compact design maximizes your kitchen space
- Makes between one and four coffees at once
- Has a frothing arm for milk-based coffees
- Comes with useful extras
Cons
- 3.5 bar pressure is not quite as powerful as some other machines in this price range
RUNNER UP
This is a swanky espresso machine from FlekmanArt that has all the features needed to make an excellent cup of coffee at home.
First of all, the control system is super easy to use, and has a 24-hour auto brewing feature that lets you wake up to a coffee without having to do a thing!
Plus, the buttons are all soft touch, and are really easy to clean.
Second of all, you can make as much coffee as you like with this model; it has a capacity of up to ten cups!
This means that whether you live on your own and need ten cups to yourself, or you have a big coffee-guzzling family, you can make loads of coffee all at once.
Also, this comes with a built-in permanent filter, which lasts for a lifetime and means you do not have to repeatedly buy paper filters to put into your machine.
The machine also has a clever anti-drip design, which minimizes the mess you make and makes it safer to use than some other espresso machines.
Our favorite thing about this machine is that you can tailor its strength to your preference.
You can use whichever kind of coffee you like, and its brew strength control enables you to select either regular or bold coffee, so that you can make it as strong or as weak as you like.
Also, once your coffee is made, it will stay hot, thanks to the machine's inbuilt warming plate. If you make ten cups of coffee for yourself, you can enjoy them slowly, because they will stay warm for longer.
Pros
- Easy to use controls and programming
- You can program the machine to brew your coffee at specific times automatically
- A permanent coffee filter removes the need to repeatedly buy paper filters
- Brew strength control enables you to tailor the strength of your coffee to your preferences
- Stylish design
- Warming plate keeps your coffee warm
Cons
- This does not come with any sort of milk frother or steamer, so is designed more for espressos than for any other kind of coffee
RUNNER UP
Make up to twelve cups of black coffee with this large capacity espresso machine from Xmansky.
This stainless steel and black machine is easy to operate, and requires just the press of a button and a couple of minutes to make you your perfect coffee.
Its automatic brew program function allows you to set the timer for up to 24 hours in advance, so that you can wake up to a hot cup of coffee - as if by magic.
As well as being quick and efficient, it is also quiet. No matter how early you are up, you won’t wake your family when you make a coffee, thanks to its low-noise function.
This machine is as easy to clean as it is to use. Its filter is reusable and removable, so that you can easily clean it between uses and keep your coffee tasting fresh and pure.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Quiet function to reduce noise
- Programmable function allows you to pre-order your home coffee order!
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Does not come with any milk frother or steamer, so can only make black coffee
Buyer’s Guide
When you decide to invest in a new product for your home, you want to make sure that you know what the best product is for you.
There are lots of things to consider when buying a new espresso machine, and price is just one of them.
In order to make sure that you are happy with the product you buy, take a look below to see what sort of things you need to think about before buying a coffee machine.
Capacity
When looking at the coffee machines on this list, you might have noticed that they all have different capacities, and that they can make different amounts of coffee at once.
If you are looking to simply make one espresso at a time, this is not something you should worry about, as any type of machine should suit your needs.
However, if you like strong espressos, or you need to make more than one - for example if your partner loves espresso as much as you do - you might want to consider getting a machine that can make more with each use.
For example, dual shot espresso machines make two shots at once, so that you can make one double shot espresso or two single shot espressos at the same time.
If you want more coffee more quickly, you might have to consider getting a machine that makes more coffee with each use, for example one that makes four or six cups at once.
Frothers Or Steamers
If you’re on this page, it is very likely that espressos are your favorite coffees.
However, if you or your family or potential guests also like milk-based coffees, like cappuccinos and lattes, you might want to consider getting a machine that also tailors to milk coffees.
Many espresso machines have a frothing wand or arm that allows you to heat and foam-up your milk, as well as make a strong espresso shot, so you might want to go for one of those if you want versatility.
If you are only bothered about making espressos, you can get whichever coffee machine you like!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type Of Coffee Do Espresso Machines Need?
Espresso machines all use ground coffee. If you really want a smooth and velvety coffee, we recommend using finely ground coffee in your machine. If it has been naturally roasted, that is even better!
What Is The Difference Between Espresso And Regular Coffee?
Espresso is coffee that is much stronger than regular black coffee. This is because it is made under more pressure, and hot water or steam is forced through fine coffee grounds that are well-packed.
Espresso coffee is usually also more darkly roasted than regular coffee, which makes it stronger.
Regular black coffee is made more gently, simply by running hot water through ground coffee of any size. This makes regular black coffee have a weaker flavor than espresso coffee.
