The best budget espresso machines under $250

Adding an espresso machine to your home setup can feel like a smart way to cut back on pricey coffee shop drinks, but if you're not careful, you could end up spending just as much chasing café-quality results at home. Many home espresso machines cost hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars and take up serious counter space. The good news? You don't have to spend that much to get a satisfying espresso on demand.

As a former coffee shop manager who loves testing budget coffee gear, I set out to find the best budget espresso machines under $250. My top picks are easy to use, compact enough for most kitchens, and produce rich shots with solid crema. They don't offer the customizations or automation you'll find in higher-end machines, but they get the fundamentals right — making them ideal for anyone who wants a reliable, no-frills home espresso setup without overspending.

The best budget espresso machines under $250

Best overall: Casabrews Espresso Machine — See at Amazon

Best upgrade: De'Longhi Classic Signature Espresso Machine — See at Amazon

Best manual: De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine — See at Amazon

Best overall

For a machine that costs only $140, it has an impressively sleek steel design. The Casabrews Espresso Machine offers durability without taking up too much space on your countertop, and the shot quality and timing are incredibly consistent. There were no issues with bitter or watery shots, and every pull delivered nice body, robust flavor, and a beautiful crema.

On the front panel, there are four buttons: power, single shot, double shot, and steam. After powering on, it takes less than 1 minute to warm up. Once the machine is ready, the lights turn solid, and the machine beeps to indicate that you can pull a shot.

The Casabrews comes with a stainless steel portafilter, filters for single and double shots, and a plastic two-in-one scoop and tamper. We recommend upgrading to one of our picks for the best tamper, but it's not crucial. The 34-ounce water tank is removable and sits at the back. You get about 17 double shots out of one tank before needing to refill it.

While the machine is in use, check the pressure gauge on the front to see if you're in the optimal range of about 9 bars. We love this beginner-friendly feature because it can help you diagnose why a shot comes out watery or bitter. If the pressure isn't quite right, it's likely due to a tweak in your grind size or uneven tamping.

The Casabrews has a steam wand on the right side that delivers great power and excellent foam. The tip of the steam wand can be unscrewed after use, making it easier to clean and eliminate bacteria build-up. After steaming milk, we had to wait for a few minutes before brewing another shot, which is only an issue if you're making drinks for a group.

Read our full Casabrews Espresso Machine review.

Best upgrade

While De'Longhi offers far more sophisticated models, the Classic Signature gets the job done. It has a few extra features over the Casabrews that make it the best affordable espresso machine for those who want to go a little deeper and start digging into the world of custom drinks.

The Classic Signature was incredibly consistent in our testing, remaining at eight to nine bars of pressure for each pull. The shots I pulled had excellent flavor without any bitterness — I never got a watery brew and always saw a beautiful crema.

What sets it apart from other budget options is its steam wand, which has two different settings: hot for a smoother texture and cappuccino for frothed milk with a richer texture. The wand is also fully removable, making it much easier to clean. I found it a lot easier to prepare milk for lattes and cappuccinos in this machine. Still, if that's not a priority for you and you prefer to sip straight espresso, you may be better off saving $70 and going with our best overall choice, the Casabrews.

The stainless steel machine features a 57-ounce water tank and large indicator buttons for power, single and double shots, and steam. The built-in pressure gauge came in handy during testing, confirming whether our shots were pulling at the optimal pressure.

The box includes a lightweight portafilter with a plastic handle, a plastic measuring scoop and tamper, and single- and double-shot filter baskets.

Best manual

For coffee enthusiasts who want complete hands-on control over their brew, the De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine is a standout manual option on a budget. Although it has few features and little automation, it was the most straightforward portafilter-based machine I tested. Instead of preset single- or double-shot buttons or a pressure gauge, a simple front dial controls the start and stop of your pull. This gives you precise control over extraction time and volume, though it requires your full attention to prevent shots from over-extracting.

I think it is a great machine for people to learn on, with many positives. It has a removable water tank that holds 33.8 oz. and a 15-bar Italian pressure pump. The Stilosa heats up quickly, and you can also use ESE espresso pods for added convenience. But it makes such great espresso and foamed milk that it will please any expert, even myself.

The manual precision extends to milk preparation. Its steam wand is thicker and shorter than others, but it foamed milk into tight bubbles faster and was easy to time after the second drink — just keep in mind you'll need to supply your own stainless steel milk pitcher.

Weighing just under 9 pounds, it has a compact frame that feels much sturdier and better made than expected. However, its compact design does not leave room for taller mugs, and you may want to upgrade from the included basic two-in-one plastic scoop and tamper, which is a feature found on models in this range. Despite these drawbacks, Stilosa remains the ideal choice for beginners wanting to learn traditional barista techniques without incurring high costs. — Jennifer Zyman, contributor

How the best budget espresso makers compare

What else we tested

• Frigidaire Espresso Machine ($165): This machine is nearly identical to our top pick, with the same sleek steel design and similar button placement. While it was very easy to use and consistently pulled good shots during testing, we missed a pressure gauge or any sort of brew guide.
• Hamilton Beach Slide and Lock Espresso Machine ($188): This machine comes in under $200 with an easy-to-read front panel and pressure gauge. Overall, it was just bulky, and the slide-and-lock mechanism was awkward to use.
• Beautiful Slim Espresso Maker ($139): We love other Beautiful appliances, but this one disappointed. It has the brand's signature sleek aesthetic and comes in seven colors. Though well-designed, I found the espresso quality inconsistent and the machine very loud.
• Imusa Electric Espresso Machine ($50): While under $50, this espresso maker doesn't deliver the necessary pressure for proper espresso. Instead, I'd classify this as a "concentrated coffee maker" with a milk frother.

What to look for

Ease of use: Budget espresso machines tend to be simpler than luxury ones, but semiautomatic models still require a learning curve. We like machines with built-in pressure gauges because they help beginners understand the mechanics of pulling the perfect shot. Clearly marked buttons, easily refillable water tanks, and one-step brewing all make a machine more intuitive to use.

Size: Counter space is a big consideration. The best budget espresso machines balance features, function, and footprint. For example, a built-in grinder increases the machine size, but it also means you don't need a separate appliance, and we always recommend freshly ground beans. In that case, the function is worth the footprint.

Pressure: The most frequently used word when discussing espresso, eight to nine bars of pressure are essential to produce a balanced shot. Most machines are designed for 15 or 20 bars of pressure, which means they can deliver more pressure, but you're looking for consistency when brewing above all else.

Milk frothing: To make cappuccinos, flat whites, and other specialty drinks, you'll need milk frothing capabilities. If you're a latte-a-day coffee drinker, look for budget espresso machines with a built-in steam wand or a frothing pitcher. Most of the machines we tested had a built-in steam wand, but they do not come with a stainless steel milk jug.

How we test budget espresso machines

Shot quality: I pulled shot after shot from each espresso machine and timed each pull. I considered the overall shot quality, assessing for flavor, full body, and bitterness. I also assessed the crema for each shot and whether the machine was consistent with every use.

Setup: I unboxed and set up each espresso machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. I assessed each machine on how simple it was to go from box to pulling shots and considered how intuitive the process was.

Ease of use: Throughout our testing, I used the machines as if I had never pulled espresso before. I looked at where the functional buttons were located, how they performed in use, and the ease of frothing milk with a built-in steam wand.

Design: An espresso machine lives on your counters or coffee station, so I considered each model's overall appearance, size, and build quality.

Meet the expert behind this guide

Molly Allen, freelance food and beverage writer: As a former coffee shop manager and longtime budget coffee gear connoisseur, I've pulled more espresso shots than I can count — both behind the bar and at home. For this guide, I tested eight espresso machines under $250 the way a beginner would: unboxing and setting them up according to the manufacturer's instructions, timing shots, and evaluating flavor, body, bitterness, and crema consistency. I assessed how intuitive each machine was to use, from button placement to steaming milk, and considered how its size and design fit on my kitchen counter. Then I narrowed the list down to the top 3 affordable espresso machines that deliver reliable, café-worthy results without the specialty price tag.

Budget espresso machine FAQs

How much should I spend on an espresso machine?

A top-notch home espresso machine can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000. If you're really into gourmet coffee, this may be worth the investment. Especially if you plan to make multiple beverages in a day or want something that will last you for years. However, if you just want to eliminate your daily coffee drive-thru orders or practice making drinks at home, a budget espresso machine under $250 will help you achieve that.

What coffee should you use for espresso?

You can use any roast for espresso, though medium and dark roasts typically deliver more robust flavors. What's most important is the grind of the coffee beans. It's important to use fine grounds, which allow for the best flavor and oil extraction. The Baratza Sette 270 is the best espresso grinder we've tested. It costs more than any espresso machine we recommend in this guide, but fresh and well-ground beans will infinitely improve the taste of espresso from any brewer.

How do I clean a home espresso machine?

Rinse the portafilter after each use and use a brush to clean the ground head. It is crucial to purge the steam wand and thoroughly wipe it down after each use to avoid any bacterial buildup. To keep your home espresso machine in tip-top shape, clean it regularly.

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