We all need that boost of energy in the morning or even in the afternoon, and few things can provide that quite as well as espresso can.
Of course, not everyone has a big budget set aside just for getting a new espresso machine. That’s why it’s important to look for the best espresso machine under 200.
In this article, we’ll discuss specific factors that you absolutely need to consider before buying any specific espresso machine.
On top of that, we will also take a longer look at some of the top rated espresso machines that you don’t need to put down a ton of money for.
Let us proceed now to those specific factors.
While you’re looking for the best cheap espresso machine, you will likely have to choose which variant of that product will work best for you.
That’s not all. You also need to make sure that the type of espresso machine you’re getting is ideally suited for making the specific variant of coffee that you like.
This value section will help you find the exact espresso machine you need based on those factors.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table for Best Espresso Machine under 200
# | Image | Name | Weight | Dimensions (IN) | Water Tank Capacity | Wattage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 |  | Breville Inissia Espresso Machine | 5.3 lbs | 12.4 x 4.7 x 9.1 | 24 Oz | 1200 | |
4 |  | Gourmia One Touch Coffee Machine | 7.6 lbs | Not Indicated | Not Applicable | Not Indicated | |
3 |  | Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine | 5.1 lbs | 12.9 x 3.3 x 8 | 20.3 Oz | 1100 to 1450 | |
2 |  | Breville Nespresso Vertuo Espresso Machine | 10.9 lbs | 11.9 x 8.3 x 11.9 | 40 Oz | 1350 | |
1 |  | DeLonghi Espresso and Cappuccino Machine | 10.6 lbs | 9.6 x 7.2 x 11.9 | 37 Oz | 1100 |
Full Length Reviews for Top 5 Espresso Machine
5. Breville Inissia – Best Super Automatic Espresso Machine
We’re finishing up with another Breville creation and this time, it’s the Inissia Espresso Machine.
By now, you probably know what to expect from Breville products.
The Inissia can brew up espresso shots quickly and you can also calibrate it so that it produces the amount of coffee you need to get ready for work in the morning.
This espresso machine also gives you the rich and flavorful crema you have come to expect from Breville products.
Because this Breville creation is a super automatic espresso machine, you don’t have to do much of anything to get the caffeine shots you’re looking.
A simple button press gets you the espresso you are craving.
It is worth noting that this product does differ a bit from other super automatic espresso machines in terms of how it works.
Instead of coffee grounds, this machine also uses capsules just like the previous Breville products we discussed earlier.
The capsules can be on the more expensive side, so you may not be able to get as much of them as you’d like if you have a budget you want to stick to.
This Breville espresso machine is also noisy when it’s working and that means you’ll probably have to limit it to home use.
4. Gourmia One Touch Coffee Machine – Best Cheap Espresso Machine
A lot of people don’t know how to use an espresso machine and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
However, not having that skill under your belt can make the prospect of getting your own espresso machine intimidating.
For those who want to get an espresso on demand without needing to put forth a ton of effort, the One Touch Coffee Machine from Gourmia maybe exactly what you need.
All you really need to do is to press a single button and the beverage you want will be prepared right away.
It also doesn’t take a lot of time for the beverage to be made, which is a nice bonus.
Technically, Gourmia’s creation is not an espresso machine. It’s more of a combo coffee and tea maker. Still, you can use it in such a way that you should be able to get some espresso.
What I will say though is that it would be better to use the espresso produced by this machine as a building block for making a different beverage instead of drinking it on its own.
The flavor can be lacking when the espresso is taken the solo.
In terms of ease of use, this machine gets high marks, but you’ll end up wishing that it can provide more flavorful espresso.
3. Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini – Top Mini Espresso Machine
You may not have enough space left in your kitchen to house an espresso machine.
They can be a bit on the bulky side after all. If space is indeed an issue in your kitchen, then it may be a good idea for you to purchase the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine from Breville.
Don’t let the size fool you though. This espresso machine remains capable of churning out all those espresso shots you need in a timely manner.
It will be ready to pump out the espresso not long after it’s turned on.
Similar to the Nespresso Vertuo, you can program this machine to produce specific amounts of coffee.
The taste of the espresso itself is pleasant and stimulating, but you can probably get more flavorful shots of coffee using a different machine.
The capsules you can place inside this machine will also provide the delicious crema that defines many fine shots of espresso.
However, you should stick to using this espresso machine at home. It gets quite noisy while it’s working to extract espresso and that makes it a bad fit inside the office setting.
If you aren’t sufficiently woken up by the shot of espresso you’re getting from this machine, the noise will do that for you.
2. Breville Nespresso Vertuo – Best Automatic Espresso Machine
Breville’s Nespresso Vertuo can qualify as either a capsule machine or an automatic espresso machine.
You can even consider it as a hybrid if you want to.
No matter what you prefer to call this particular machine, the bottom line is that it produces delicious shots of espresso quickly while not requiring you to put in a ton of effort.
The coffee pods you can use for this machine are capable of producing some sublime espresso shots.
You will likely love the crema that’s offered together with those shots of espresso.
The additional texture and flavor the crema provides are worth enjoying on a daily basis.
It doesn’t really matter if you get up late for work in the morning.
This espresso machine heats up in just 15 seconds and it certainly doesn’t take long for you to get the capsule in it. Before long, you’ll have a cup full of the coffee you need.
You can also configure this espresso machine in a way that it will produce specific amounts of coffee, so there’s no risk for spillage.
One issue that I have encountered while using this espresso machine is that it doesn’t always provide the warmest cups of coffee.
Adding milk to the cup of espresso only works to take its temperature down further.
As long as you’re okay with not having piping hot cups of coffee all the time, you’ll be pleased with the performance of this machine.
1. DeLonghi Espresso and Cappuccino Machine – Top Rated Espresso Machine
Many of the newer espresso machines you’ll see on the market at the moment are easy to use and they allow you to prepare your coffee with no trouble.
The problem is that when you get home, you may end up needing to spend quite a bit of time cleaning them up.
DeLonghi’s Espresso and Cappuccino Machine appeals to customers by being an easily cleaned and maintained product.
The drip tray will catch all of the excess coffee and it can be cleaned easily.
If you want to make cleaning up even easier, you can even remove the drip tray and just use a bigger cup to hold your coffee.
The water tank is not something you have to fiddle around with. It can be removed easily, making cleanup an even simpler task.
Plus, if you’re feeling like you could use some extra energy for the work day, this espresso machine will help you with that.
It is capable of producing a double shot of espresso on demand so that you are properly awake before you head out the door to go to work.
Be careful when using this espresso machine though. It’s easy not to secure all the parts properly and that can cause it to leak while in use.
As long as you are mindful of that issue, you should get plenty of good uses out of this machine.
The Different Types of Espresso Machines
There are basically five different types of espresso machines that you can choose from. Those five types are the manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic, super automatic, and capsule/coffee pod espresso machines.
Each espresso machine variant possesses its own strengths that could potentially make it more useful to you.
Manual Espresso Machines
If you want to keep things old school, then you’ll want to have a manual espresso machine.
There’s a lever included on manual machines that you will have to pull on when you want to extract the espresso.
Because of the way these manual machines work, you are the one placed in charge of the coffee-making process.
The flavor and strength of the espresso shot will depend in large part on how you go about extracting it.
If you know what you’re doing, it’s possible to get the best-tasting espressos from manual machines.
On the other hand, if you are not familiar with espresso extraction, it’s easy to do something wrong when using the manual machine.
Even a relatively minor mistake can alter the flavor of the shot enough that you won’t be able to completely enjoy it.
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
The semi-automatic espresso machines are still somewhat similar to their manual counterparts because they continue to provide you with a decent amount of control over the extraction process.
However, you have to put in less work because the lever has been replaced with an electric pump.
According to Compact Appliance, the semi-automatic machines are the most popular options available today.
That’s understandable given that they are user-friendly, while at the same time still giving you plenty of good opportunities to practice making coffee.
Semi-automatic espresso machines are arguably the best starting options for those who are still trying to grasp the espresso making process.
Automatic Espresso Machines
Automatic espresso machines are pretty similar in terms of functionality to the semi-automatic variants.
The biggest difference is that the automatic machines will handle the distribution of the water for you.
They can produce quality shots of espresso in a hurry, but it’s harder to impart your personal touch on the batches being made.
Super Automatic Espresso Machines
Not everyone has the luxury of spending a few minutes to make their morning cup of coffee.
If you constantly find yourself rushing out the door in the morning, it may be a better idea to invest in a super automatic espresso machine.
All you have to do when using a super automatic machine is to put the coffee grounds in it. Once that’s done, your shot of espresso should be ready in just a few moments.
Super automatic machines won’t produce the most delicious shots of espresso, but they’ll give you what you need quickly.
Capsule/Coffee Pod Espresso Machines
Instead of using coffee grounds, the capsule/coffee pod espresso machines make use of special items to give you the beverage you crave early in the morning.
To be more specific, they require capsules/coffee pods that contain ground coffee.
Capsule/coffee pod machines also won’t trouble you with how difficult they are to use and they work quickly too. Don’t expect them to provide the most flavorful espresso shots, however.
Why Do You Want Espresso?
People have varied reasons for why they want espresso to be readily available to them. Some may simply want that punch of coffee, while others value espresso because they can be used as components in other drinks.
If you’re simply after the energy-boosting benefits of espresso, then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go for an automatic, super automatic, or capsule machine.
If you want more out of your espresso and really want to experiment with its flavor profile, then either go for the manual or semi-automatic machine.
The other options won’t be able to provide the truly complex flavors you will need and you will be better off steering clear of them.
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Conclusion
So, which of the items listed above is the one I’m choosing as the best espresso machine under 200? After getting the chance to use all of the aforementioned espresso machines, I’m going with the Espresso and Cappuccino Machine from DeLonghi.
The fact that it’s easy to clean is a nice bonus, but what I really love about it is that it can produce such flavorful espresso effortlessly.
You don’t need to spend a lot of time figuring out how to use it because it’s well-designed and you can make a quick adjustment if you want more espresso.
Those factors contribute to make it the best home espresso machine 2019 in my eyes.
DeLonghi’s offering is an example of a commercial espresso machine that can fit well inside any kitchen setting. It’s proven incredibly useful to me and I’m certain it can help you a lot as well.
