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Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I'm an ex-barista, and these are the 3 things I always look for in a budget espresso machine
There's no way around it: the best espresso machines just are expensive. However, that doesn't mean you have to spend big bucks to get big performance. You can get one of the best cheap espresso machines for under $300, although the #1 best affordable espresso machine (Breville Bambino Plus, of course) is $499. Low cost espresso machines obviously won't perform like the premium prosumer models I see all over TikTok and YouTube, but espresso machines on a budget can still make you excellent coffee. You just need to know what to look for. Thankfully, I'm an ex-barista and now a professional espresso machine reviewer (yes, it's a real job), so I know exactly what you need to look for. If you're searching for the best home espresso maker on a budget, you've come to the right place. This is the cheapest model Breville makes. If you want to get great espresso for the lowest possible cost, I'd check out the Breville Bambino. While the steam wand is less powerful than its bigger sibling the Bambino Plus, this is an ideal first espresso machine for a relatively low price. However, if you've got a little more to spend and you want the best entry-level espresso machine, it has to be the Breville Bambino Plus. This dinky yet powerful machine has a PID controller for perfect espresso extraction and a 4 hole steam wand for delicious milk and latte art. And it's on sale right now for just $440. I'll give you a quick 'ELI5' if you have never heard of a PID controller. It's basically a cool piece of tech that actively monitors and controls water temperature during espresso extraction. It ensures that the water is optimum temperature the entire duration of extraction, resulting in cleaner, more complex, more delicious flavors. Sure, espresso machines without PID controllers can make good espresso, but it won't be as consistently and reliably perfect as a machine with a PID controller. Most high-end espresso machines have PID controllers (like the Smeg Mini Pro, $1,800). But there are a couple budget options that have PID controllers. The Casabrews Ultra (pictured in the main image above) is one of the cheapest PID machines I've ever seen: it's just $249. I'll admit that the Casabrews Ultra isn't a perfect machine — its steam wand is very poor — but for serious espresso drinkers, there probably isn't a cheaper way to get a PID controller. (However, Casabrews has reached out to me to let me know that they are actively working on a superior steam wand!) Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The Breville Bambino — $299 on Amazon U.S. — is $50 pricier, but has a better steam wand. If you can stretch to $499, the Breville Bambino Plus is a combination of powerful steam wand and PID-controlled espresso. All this talk of steam wands brings me onto my next point... If you want to learn how to pour the best latte art, you need to get a good steam wand. Unfortunately, most budget steam wands I've used all suffer from the same maladies: weak steam, low pressure, and, ultimately, poor milk texture. This is a tricky one, as steam wands tend not to have 'markers' of high quality, like a PID controller. However, there's a relatively easy way to figure out the good steam wands from the bad. First, check how many holes the steam wand has. A good rule of thumb is more holes = more power. If the steam wand has one hole, it won't be as powerful as a 3 hole wand. I know I sound like a broken record recommending this machine over and over, but the Breville Bambino Plus has 4 holes, which is great for a sub-$500 machine. The Bambino (basic model, $299) has just one hole. The Casabrews Ultra has one hole, as does the Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder. After figuring out how many holes your steam wand has, the next thing to do is read reviews. Obviously, you'll want to start here at Tom's Guide. But also make sure to read user reviews on Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Williams Sonoma — whichever sites you usually shop at. Make sure you look at pictures in the reviews. Don't just take people's word for it. Here's an example of what you should be looking for in said pictures. Obviously, some of the users will simply have a more inexperienced technique, which might mean most of the review photos look like the 'non-perfect' example above. However, if there are no 'good' examples, then this likely means that the machine is the problem, not the user. Also, make sure the review is for your specific model of espresso machine. I've seen review photographs attributed to incorrect machines in the past. (For example, many of the 'review' images on the Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder aren't, in fact, review images of that specific machine.) Usually, if an espresso machine has 15-bar pressure or higher, it has more chance of the steam wand being powerful. However, the Casabrews Ultra I recently tested had 20-bar pressure, and the steam wand was quite poor as it only has one hole, so this isn't a hard-and-fast rule. If that heading makes your eyes go funny, let me quickly explain. A portafilter is the metal sieve-like thing where you put the coffee. The portafilters come in two versions: single-walled and dual-walled. They look like this. You need the single-walled portafilter. Most machines come with both single and dual, but you still need to make sure your machine of choice has both versions. 'Commercial standard' portafilter size refers to, well, the size of the portafilter. I recommend looking for either 58mm or 54mm. Some budget machines, like the De'Longhi Stilosa, have a 51mm portafilter. While you can buy third-party accessories with this size, I'd recommend going for a 58 or 54mm just to make your life easier. In that case, I'd recommend the Breville Bambino Plus or Bambino, which both have 54mm. Alternatively, if you're happy to put up with mediocre steam wands, the Casabrews Ultra and the Gevi Espresso Machine both have 58mm portafilters. However, I wouldn't recommend the Casabrews or Gevi models unless you rarely drink milk beverages, or you're not fussed about imperfect milk texture. If you follow these tips, I'm sure you'll be able to find a great budget machine in no time! I recommend the following three machines for each budget: De'Longhi Stilosa ($149, no PID controller, but very cheap, and often discounted), Breville Bambino ($299, PID controller, one hole steam wand), Breville Bambino Plus ($499, PID controller, 4 hole steam wand, and auto milk froth). Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
CNN
14-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
The best budget espresso machines in 2025, tried and tested
The best budget espresso machines I tested Best budget espresso machine: Breville Bambino Best under-$150 espresso machine: Casabrews 3700 Essential Is there such a thing as the best budget espresso machine? If you're an espresso aficionado, you're probably thinking you don't just need good beans; you need quality tools, such as the best espresso machine and the best coffee grinder. And those are hard to make with cheap materials. The answer to if a great budget espresso machine exists isn't so straightforward. It's a contentious subject to be sure, as evidenced by emails I've received from readers demanding why I haven't recommended any high-end machines costing $6,000 to $15,000 in my original espresso machine guide. But I truly believe that while it's true you likely won't find the best of the best in the under-$200 aisle, you also don't have to break the bank to get good espresso. Over the years, I have used and tested my share of budget espresso machines. And although not many of those coffee makers were able to deliver as good an espresso as the pricier models, a handful were more than capable of satiating my discerning caffeine cravings. So, I set off to find the best budget espresso machine on the market. I capped the price at $350 and tested to see which models could deliver crema-topped espresso shots that were rich, robust and almost as good as what you might get out of a much pricier model. Copious amounts of caffeine later, I found two that blew me away. Breville Bambino Espresso Machine It's hard to believe this small but mighty machine from Breville is only $300, considering its fast heat-up, great-quality espresso shots and intuitive user interface. This is hands-down the best machine I tested in this budget range. Casabrews 3700 Essential Espresso Machine You wouldn't believe the gorgeous microfoam and rich espresso shots this budget espresso machine can consistently deliver without much effort from you. This cheap option surprised me in the best way possible. When it comes to budget espresso machines, lines start to blur when talking about quality. It gets harder to tell the difference between the shots you pull from a $250 machine versus the ones you get from a $150 machine. But that's not the case when it came to the Breville Bambino. Try as I might to find a more affordable best budget espresso machine winner, the Breville Bambino proved itself the obvious ace from beginning to end. And that's with the slightly pricier De'Longhi Dedica Maestro coming up not too far behind with its extra frills. There are so many things to love about this Breville machine that it's hard to think of things not to like. I love its portable, small footprint design, which makes it a perfect fit for those with limited counter space. I love its sleek, beautiful and almost-luxurious aesthetic that makes it hard to believe that it's as affordable as it is. And I love its unbelievably quick warm-up of about five seconds and instant steam, thanks to its fancy thermojet heating system. (I hate having to wait for my machine to do its thing before I can have my first jolt of caffeine in the morning.) Those are just to start. One of the main things that makes the Bambino a superior choice over the runner-up Dedica Maestro is its simple, intuitive controls. While the Dedica Maestro has a bit of a steep learning curve, especially with the steam wand, the beginner-friendly Bambino makes things so effortless you don't even need espresso-making experience to get good results. It even has an automatic steam button for automated milk steaming, as well as a dedicated hot water button, so it's not confusing to the uninitiated as to whether steam or hot water is about to come out of the wand. Results-wise, I was able to pull hot, rich, robust and well-balanced espresso shots with beautiful, thick cream every single time, as well as good microfoam, even with milk alternatives, and in just under one minute too. The most common problem with budget espresso machines is that many don't deliver consistent results, but that is a nonissue with the Bambino. I would have loved a better-quality accessory set and a locking mechanism similar to that of the Breville Oracle Jet to make it easier to insert the portafilter, but those don't take much away from the overall experience. Even with those flaws, the Breville Bambino is still hands-down the best budget espresso machine I've ever tested. Related article The best espresso machines in 2025, tried and tested I cannot tell you that the Casabrews 3700 Essential is a perfect machine, as it has its share of inconveniences. These are mainly its accessories, which are cheap and, therefore, annoying to handle (even the mere act of removing used coffee pucks), and its body doesn't stay put when securing the portafilter, making the machine itself somewhat annoying to use. However, in its defense, these are more like rules rather than exceptions with most budget espresso machines in its price range, because to keep them cheap, manufacturers have to offset the cost somewhere. So, it's hard to fault it for those common issues. What's important is that despite those flaws, the Casabrews 3700 Essential outperformed every machine I tested in its price range and even a couple of the pricier models, too — an impressive feat, especially considering this isn't even one of Casabrew's flagship products. The 3700 Essential heats up faster than the slightly pricier Casabrews 5418 and takes under 20 seconds to pull a double shot, which is a few seconds longer than most of the models in my testing pool. And while its shots are only slightly richer and more balanced than the others, they are consistent in quality and temperature, unlike the much pricier Casabrews Ultra. What I love most about the Casabrews 3700 Essential, however, is its microfoaming prowess. Not only is there no waiting time for the steam wand, but that steam wand also proved formidable in consistently creating beautiful microfoam, even with tricky milk alternatives. Honestly, I didn't have to work hard to get microfoam with oat milk; this legendary steam wand does most of it. Heck, it produced better microfoam than any of the models during testing, even the Breville Bambino above, allowing me to make amazing lattes. If you love crafting your coffee drinks, you really cannot go wrong with this one. Of course, I love its compact design and easy, intuitive controls as well, though do bear in mind that you'll still need to practice using a steam dial if you're better acquainted with the automatic steam button format. All these make the Casabrews 3700 Essential the best under-$150 espresso machine, whether you're on a tight budget or don't have space for anything bigger. It may not have the fancy frills of much pricier machines, but it's worth every single penny. Budget espresso machines generally have fewer features than midrange and high-end espresso machines, so testing them was straightforward. That said, I still tested each machine for a week, using it as my main espresso maker two to three times daily. Since these espresso machines also take up less space, I could test all nine machines at once and perform side-by-side taste tests on top of that. As with my best espresso machines guide, many of my test variables were kept the same: Canyon Coffee Sagebrush and Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender for my beans, and the Fellow Opus Conical Burr for my grinder. All the machines in the product pool came with a built-in steam wand or milk frother, so I didn't need to use a separate milk frother during testing. To whittle down the long list to the best budget espresso machines, I focused on the following criteria during product review and testing. Quality of coffee extraction: I judged every espresso machine's ability to consistently extract rich espresso with a balanced flavor profile and a lovely layer of crema. Because budget espresso machines can be less reliable when it comes to maintaining the same brewing temperature, I paid attention to that as well. Quality of milk froth: The addition of a steam wand or a milk frother is useful because, even with a cheap machine, it can be easy to make coffee drinks without investing in additional tools. That said, the ability of a budget machine's steam wand or milk frother isn't always guaranteed, especially when it comes to producing microfoam with milk alternatives. I made sure to test that, as well as record the amount of time the steam wand needed to warm up and the amount of time it required to make foam. Heat-up time: Some espresso machines take longer to start up and heat up than others. Now, I love the slow art of making coffee in the morning; that's like my meditation. However, we don't always have the luxury of time, especially in the mornings, so I noted how long it took for each machine to be ready to brew after turning it on. Build quality: Though not always, many budget espresso machines (and their included accessories) tend to be made of cheaper materials to keep the cost down to that sweet below-$350 spot. Still, I assessed each machine, its accessories and its controls to see if they're robust and durable enough to endure repeated use over the years. Water tank capacity: Due to their more compact nature, most budget espresso machines have a smaller water tank. Luckily, these machines do not tend to flush out during startup and shutdown, reducing their water consumption during use. Still, I noted the number of drinks I can make before the machine requires a refill. Ease of use: Some budget espresso machines are easier than others to use, so I jotted down any information of note during setup and testing. Ease of cleanup and maintenance: When speaking to Casey Wojtalewicz, co-owner of Canyon Coffee and a coffee connoisseur, for this guide, he insisted that you shouldn't 'sleep on cleaning,' so I made sure to check whether or not each machine is easy to clean by doing so according to the manufacturer's instructions. Price: One thing I learned from testing nine espresso machines under $350 is this: A budget espresso machine's price isn't indicative of its quality or ability to make good espresso. The under-$150 Casabrews 3700 Essential is just as impressive as the pricier Breville Bambino, even if it stands out for different things. I considered each machine's price tag and compared it to its design, performance and features to see if it's a quality purchase. Warranty: Unexpected issues can still arise with budget espresso machines, despite lacking many of the more advanced features like a build-in burr grinder. In other words, you'll still want to know the terms of the manufacturer's warranty, what your coverage is when such problems happen and if there's a customer service number that you can call to help you resolve them. There are several types of espresso machines. If you want more information on the different types of machines, my quick explainer in the best espresso machine guide is a great place to start. However, it's important to note that the budget espresso machines I tested here do not include manual levers (as those are in a separate guide), and you'll be hard-pressed to find a superautomatic espresso machine that's within an under-$350 price range. So, when it comes to budget espresso machines, you're likely getting a semiautomatic or automatic design, which makes your entry into the world of espresso machines an easy one. Still, you have to decide which machine is best for your caffeine consumption and needs, and a good place to start is your budget. Remember, you can get a good machine for $150 if you know where to look (try the top of this guide!); however, getting a $300 one may have its perks. My overall pick, the Breville Bambino, for example, heats up in the blink of an eye, which means it may be worth getting if you have a bigger budget. Also, think about what's important to you in terms of how you take your caffeine. If you prefer shots or an Americano, you likely won't need a machine with a stellar steam wand or milk frother. But if you like your lattes or cappuccinos, that feature — and whether it has a steam dial or an automatic steam button — should be a priority. Beyond that, sticking with the criteria I used for testing is the perfect starting point for choosing the best budget espresso machine for you. De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Espresso Machine With Manual Frother Fast and capable, the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro consistently extracts great-quality shots with thick crema and boasts nice little extras. However, there's a learning curve here, and the steam button is a little finicky. I had high hopes for the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro, given it's one of the more expensive machines in this guide. After all, the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew currently tops our best espresso machines guide, and the Dedica Maestro is one of the better-known machines out there. That isn't to say, of course, that this isn't a capable machine. Its fast 16-second heat-up (14 seconds for the steam wand) is handy during the morning rush, while its accessories are robust and made of high-quality materials. When it comes to the quality of espresso shots, it's also very consistent, delivering hot, rich and well-balanced espresso with a beautiful thick crema. There's also a nice extra here: a small storage space to keep most (though, sadly, not all) of those accessories. However, I would have preferred for De'Longhi to scrimp on the accessories and skip the frill, and focus more on the machine itself. The learning curve is steep on the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro. Getting that beautiful microfoam, especially with milk alternatives, takes a lot of practice, and the steam button only gives you a few seconds to use the steam dial. If you don't, it reverts to hot water mode, so you can imagine how much milk I've wasted because the machine ended up pouring hot water into my cup instead. It's a great product if you have the patience as well as the experience, but since the Breville Bambino is a superior pick for less, it's still hard to justify getting the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro instead. Hamilton Beach Slide and Lock Espresso Machine I love that this espresso machine has a design that lets you simply slide in the portafilter and lock it in place with a lever, and its extractions are consistently hot with thick crema. The quality of its shots could be better, though. I like the idea of the Hamilton Beach Slide and Lock Espresso Machine, with emphasis on the slide and lock part. One of the most frustrating things about budget espresso machines is that you have to hold them down to secure the portafilter because they're simply not hefty enough and will move if you don't. Some of them try to stay still with the use of suction feet, but even those don't typically work. This Hamilton Beach machine takes a different approach with its slide and lock mechanism. Instead of twisting the portafilter into the group head, you slide it in, then use a lever on the side to lock it down, which eliminates that whole wrestling process you must go through with the others. It's fast too, taking only 12 seconds to heat up, 23 seconds to pull a double shot and less than a minute to froth. And it comes with a milk jug, a plus for those who prefer not to froth their own milk, as well as a big water tank. However, while the espresso shots it extracts are hot and come with unbelievably thick crema, they're nothing special and ever so slightly watered down. Meanwhile, its milk frother doesn't produce proper microfoam, which isn't a surprise. Considering this machine costs $240, I hesitate to recommend it — unless you really want most of that work done for you. Wirsh Home Barista Plus Espresso Machine This budget machine, a rival to the Casabrews 3700 Essential, comes with better-quality accessories and a quick heat-up. Ultimately, though, its good and consistent extractions were no match for that of the Casabrews. One of the cheapest contenders in this guide, the Wirsh Home Barista Plus proved a solid rival to the similarly-priced Casabrews 3700 Essential. It boasts a slightly faster heat-up and a steam wand that only takes a few seconds to be ready. Plus, its better-quality accessories would have made it worth the $20 more it has over the 3700 Essential. Sadly, it doesn't quite live up to its rival in delivery. I consistently extracted robust, piping-hot coffee, which is something, but the shots were always a little watered down, and the crema was just OK. What's more, getting microfoam from milk alternatives is an impossible feat, and the steam dial isn't the most user-friendly. I really wanted to like this machine, especially because, despite its compact frame, it seems sturdy, especially when securing the portafilter. But ultimately, the Casabrews 3700 Essential proved to be the better value choice. Gourmia All-in-One Espresso Maker Want a De'Longhi Rivelia or De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo but can't afford one? This machine from Gourmia might be a good budget alternative if you aren't too discerning about your coffee. You still have to grind your own beans, however. Another budget espresso machine to consider, this one from Gourmia can easily make your daily espresso shots or favorite classic coffee drinks like a latte or cappuccino. It's easy to set up and use, making it a good option for espresso novices. If your kitchen and breakfast nook spaces call for a system with a small footprint and you're a newbie in the world of espresso machines, then a budget all-in-one option may be the way to go. A 15-bar automatic espresso machine that's just a little over $100, the Gourmia All-in-One Espresso Maker looks great and takes up less space than most machines we tested. It also delivers decent brews to satisfy coffee drinkers who aren't quite so discerning. The espresso this machine delivers is good and strong, as long as you're using the ideal beans. But I found its automatic milk frother, which is designed to conveniently prepare both hot and cold milk froth, too generous when dispensing milk for a latte or a cappuccino, diluting the drink and practically masking the coffee's flavor. And as it doesn't offer any customizations, that flaw almost renders the other modes useless — unless, of course, you prefer a very milky drink. As with most budget espresso machines, the Gourmia is mostly made of plastic. It feels like durable plastic, to be fair, but it also means the machine is lightweight and doesn't have the heft to stay stable when twisting the portafilter into the brew head. The manual specifically instructs users to 'keep one hand atop the appliance to keep it steady' when doing so. I found that a little annoying. It's also worth pointing out that, when it's not on sale, the Gourmia All-in-One Espresso Maker costs about as much as the Casabrews 3700 Essentials, making it an even less compelling pick. Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine This beautiful Casabrews budget espresso machine looks like a small, maybe less fancy version of pricier Brevilles. It's beginner-friendly with its automatic steam wand button and bigger workspace. If only it were more consistent with its extractions ... The Casabrews Ultra's semi-pro aesthetic almost makes it look like it could hold its own against pricier machines like the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew and the Breville Oracle Jet. If it weren't for the more-expensive Casabrews 5700 Pro's built-in grinder, you'd be hard-pressed to tell it apart from the Ultra. So, naturally, I also expected great things from it, and it almost delivered. This beautiful budget espresso machine has many of the makings of a great one. It has a decently fast heat-up, only taking about 17 seconds to extract a single shot, and was quicker in getting its steam wand ready for frothing than the 5700 Pro, which I tested for our best espresso machines guide. And while the Ultra's microfoam performance is not as great, it still managed to make some decent milk-alternative froth for my morning lattes. Sadly, the machine seemed to have some trouble producing consistent results with its espresso shots. They were decently rich and balanced, yes; however, their temperatures varied from hot enough to almost lukewarm. To be fair, I may have had a faulty unit, but its quality isn't that great to begin with, so you'd probably want to skip it anyway. It's too bad because I've been loving what Casabrews has been doing so far. Casabrews 5418 Espresso Machine An ever so slightly higher-end version of the 3700 Essential, the pressure-gauge-flaunting Casabrews 5418 is a good choice if you're a novice looking to expand your espresso-making skills. Why did Casabrews make two budget espresso machines that are so closely priced? Well, while the Casabrews 3700 Essential is made for beginners, the Casabrews 5418 is geared toward more discerning espresso lovers who want a little more control over their shots, with its built-in pressure gauge providing valuable feedback on the quality of every extraction. For the less trained users, this is also a quality choice, with its relatively quick heat-up time and easy, intuitive controls. However, there's a bit of a learning curve here. Its steam wand, for some odd reason, takes some practice to get good results, even though it looks a lot like the one on the 3700 Essential. And since its hot, rich extractions are similar to those of the 3700 Essential — well balanced with a lovely thick layer of crema — most people would want to stick to the slightly cheaper model, especially if the pressure gauge isn't something they'll find particularly useful. De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine With a pressure gauge and a larger water tank, the De'Longhi Linea Classic also makes espresso making easy for beginner users. I just wish the quality of its extractions were a little better. For a hot minute, I truly thought the De'Longhi Linea Classic was going to be among the top contenders. After all, for an under-$250 budget espresso machine, it looks great, comes with a pressure gauge and manages to stay compact while flaunting a larger water tank. But then you take a closer look and it doesn't seem like De'Longhi has thought it through. The similarly priced Casabrews Ultra is superior in design and build, even though both machines' accessory sets are nothing to write home about. That wouldn't have mattered, however, if the Linea Classic delivered in performance. Unfortunately, it's also slower to heat up and extract than other machines in our testing, and while its shots are piping hot and topped with thick crema, they tasted a little weak. What's more, that steam wand isn't the best at creating microfoam. If you ask me, I'd shell out a little more for the Breville Bambino instead. Can you make good espresso with a cheap machine? Can you make good espresso with a cheap machine? Yes, you absolutely can. It depends on the machine, of course, but you're not automatically guaranteed great espresso by paying more for your machine, as there are many factors to pulling espresso shots. For this article, we consulted the following expert to gain his professional insights. Casey Wojtalewicz, coffee aficionado and co-owner of Canyon Coffee CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products in our testing guides and provides full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has extensively tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for years, covering home and kitchen products for a variety of publications before joining CNN Underscored. She wrote many of our top-performing appliance guides, such as the best portable heaters, best space heaters and the best humidifiers.
