[Top 3] Best Budget Espresso Machines of 2024

Coffee-lovers know nothing beats a well-made espresso.

You can easily make the tastiest espresso from home, as long as you have the right equipment, and it won’t break the bank.

We set out on a mission to determine the best affordable espresso machine, to which we set the following parameters for successful espresso machines:

• Quality of taste
• Ease of use
• Unique features
• Budget-friendly

From a quick mid-afternoon pick-me-up to a sharp morning shot of caffeine, we all have our tastes.

Good home espresso makers tend to be costly, so we want to give you some options to get the most out of a tight budget.

After extensive research and testing different coffee, these are the options for the best budget espresso machines of 2024:

• Nespresso Inissia by De’Longhi—Top Espresso Machine Under $100
• Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker—Top Dual Espresso Machine
• Capresso EC50 Stainless Steel Espresso Machine—Most Complete Set on a Budget

What You Need to Know Before Buying

Before we get into the reviews to find the best budget espresso machine, there are some things you should focus on to get just the right coffee maker for your specific needs. 

Types of Espresso Machines 

These are the basic types of espresso machines:

• Automatic
• Capsule
• Manual

Automatic Machines

Automatic espresso makers will usually allow you to prepare a nice cup of espresso from whole beans with the push of a button.

The more expensive models even include a milk frother.

You can often adjust some basic settings, like heat and strength, even if the machine does appear to be fully automatic.

Capsule Machines

Capsule machines, like Nespresso, aren’t real espresso for some coffee lovers.

We think they’re a great, fast, and easy way to get a nice cup of strong coffee.

The good part about these kinds of machines is their consistency.

You’ll always get the same quality out of your machine without having to learn how to prepare an espresso just like a barista.

They’re also easy to clean.

The minus point is that there’s really no way to personalize the coffee to your liking.

You also have to get the capsules from Nespresso or a compatible brand.

Manual Espresso Machines

Manual machines are the real deal and your top purchase if you want to start learning some real barista techniques.

These machines can be very expensive, but you can get simpler models, like the ones we reviewed here, for a lot less coin.

The best way to enjoy your manual machine is to get whole beans and grind them before every use.

If that sounds good, this Cuisinart Supreme Grind Burr Grinder will help you get the most out of your coffee.

There is a learning curve to using them, but if you love coffee, it’s an enjoyable one.

This brew guide to Espresso comes in handy too!

How Much Is a Decent Espresso Machine?

While you can easily spend several hundred dollars, even thousands, on an espresso coffee machine, there are several budget options available.

You can find a decent, cheap espresso machine for less than $100 for home use.

The price doesn’t have a direct impact on the quality of the coffee.

The more expensive models often have more functions and personalization options than cheaper ones.

Are Home Espresso Machines Worth It?

If you enjoy an espresso, then they’re definitely worth it.

If the investment seems steep at first, think about how much money you’ll save in the long run by making coffee at home.

You can also choose the exact type of coffee you like, from grinding your beans to easy, compact capsules.

Even the capsules are cheaper than going to your local Starbucks once or more every day.

What Are Good Espresso Machines for Beginners?

If you’re not that interested in learning the details of brewing a barista-level coffee, find an automated machine.

For some added complexity, get an automated one that allows you to modify pressure and temperature.

What Is the Best Espresso Machine for the Money?

The right model is the one that fits your needs.

In general, though, we suggest going for quality brands and user favorites like the ones we’ve included here.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free cup of coffee, get an automatic machine for capsules or coffee beans, like the Nespresso Inissia by De’Longhi.

For amateur baristas looking to extend their knowledge, this could become boring.

If that’s you, invest in a manual model like the Mr. Coffee Espresso & Cappuccino Maker or the Capresso EC50 Espresso Machine.

Also, think about whether you’ll want a milk frother to have some cappuccinos or lattes.

What Factors Drove Our Ratings

• Quality of Taste – Just because you are paying less for a budget machine does not mean you can compromise on the quality of taste.
• Ease of Use – Each machine must be simple to navigate for everyone’s skill level.
• Unique Features – Any add-ons are more than welcome, and we will tell you the best features on each espresso maker.
• Budget-Friendly – All budget espresso machines are well-priced for any budget.

User reviews were also a large part of our research, to ensure verified buyers were happy with their purchases, and to compare our findings with the reviews.

Here at The Healthy Treehouse, we value quality over quantity. If we felt that the cost was greater than the value of what the appliance included, that model would be excluded from the list.

The Top Budget Espresso Machines

Top-Rated Best Budget Espresso Machine—Top Espresso Machine Under $100

For those of you looking for a fast and easy solution for your morning coffee, you really can’t do much better than this Nespresso Inissia by DeLonghi.

Just pop in the capsule, press a button, and you’ll have a cup of espresso in less than a minute.

This collaboration with DeLonghi takes Nespresso to a different level with its 19-bar extraction system, with deeper and more flavorful coffee from brewing.

It’s lightweight and compact, but it gives you the same quality of coffee as the more complete models from Nespresso. 

Note that it doesn’t come with a milk frother, but you can buy an automatic one separately from Nespresso.

Quality of Taste

We found the quality to be comparable with the expensive Nespresso machines, with delicious espresso every time.

Ease of Use

Adding a capsule and pressing the brew button is the easiest way to make coffee. That’s all it takes!

Unique Features

The extraction system is intriguing, as it brews a stronger and more efficient brew.

Budget-Friendly

The Nespresso is incredibly budget-friendly and stays right within our budget parameters.

User Reviews

Wilson (verified purchase) said this after purchasing: “It’s not a $1,000 espresso maker, but it’s close enough for being a tenth of the price. The espresso is strong, tasty, and exactly what I was looking for without being too complicated.”

Why Buy This Product

If you are on a budget, love coffee, and don’t want anything too difficult, this is the machine for you.

While it doesn’t come with tons of features, add-ons can be purchased if you want to expand on your coffeehouse drinks.

Top-Rated Best Budget Espresso Machine—Most Complete Set on a Budget 

If you want more coffee options, this Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is a great choice.

It’s a popular semi-automatic machine that allows you to make anything from an espresso to a latte or cappuccino with its easy-to-use controls.

You’re still responsible for inserting the coffee in the portafilter, so your hands are a bit freer than with a fully automatic model.

This maker has both a water reservoir and a milk reservoir for effortless drink making.

It’s at the higher end of our price range for this review, but you’ll get a complete product for your investment.

Quality of Taste

This machine brewed a solid, tasty espresso, cappuccino, and plain coffee.

Ease of Use

We found the controls to be very easy to use without any confusion about where the coffee goes or what button to press.

Unique Features

The milk reservoir is really neat, as it takes the effort away from the coffeemaking process.

Budget-Friendly

This is the highest price point we have looked at for budget models, and it still fits the parameters. The features added are justified in the price.

User Reviews

Luanne said this about her espresso coffee maker: “This espresso machine is amazing for the price. It’s compact, pretty sturdy for its size, and it looks good in the kitchen. I love the quality of coffee extracted!” 

Why Buy This Product

For an easy-use coffee maker with good pressure and versatile drink options, this is your maker.

With all these features, we believe it is a great bang for your buck.

Top-Rated Best Budget Espresso Machine—Top Dual Espresso Machine

This Capresso EC50 Stainless Steel Espresso Machine is another semi-automatic model for those who look for a nice cup of coffee without too much of a hassle.

It’s easy to operate without too many buttons, and the 15-bar pump gives you a tasty cup with a lot of crema. 

The machine also has a warming platform on top for your cups—a feature commonly seen on more expensive brands.

You’ll love how it prevents your coffee from getting cold.

The Capresso EC50 also allows you to brew two cups at the same time, so two people can enjoy their espresso fresh and hot. 

This machine has a manual milk frother, which does have a bit of a learning curve to make a dense foam.

Once you get used to it, though, you’ll love the possibility of managing exactly how much and what kind of foam you get.

Quality of Taste

The Capresso brewed exceptional coffee. We loved the nuances and flavor.

Ease of Use

This machine looks like a coffeehouse maker, yet is super easy to operate.

Unique Features

The sleek, unique look is highlighted by a great milk frother included with the purchase.

Budget-Friendly

As our most budget-friendly model, you cannot go wrong with the quality and price of this machine.

User Reviews

Marcia (verified purchase) said this about the new machine: “For the price of this basic Capresso model, you get an excellent espresso with a lot of crema. This model may be missing some fancier extras more expensive models include, but you won’t be disappointed.”

Why Buy This Product

For those on a super tight budget, this is our pick for the most affordable coffee maker.

It also turns out quality coffee, so you don’t feel a huge compromise with this machine.

Related Helpful Information

If budget is not an issue, feel free to check out our picks for the best espresso machine without a price limit.

Some of my favorite coffee beans are perfect for strong brewed espresso.

Check out our favorite coffee beans for purchase here.

Perhaps you don’t need an espresso machine and just want a simple coffee maker.

These grind and brew coffee machines do both!

They grind your whole beans and brew in one click.

The Winner 

Who says you can’t buy a home espresso maker on a budget?

We declare the Nespresso Inissia by DeLonghi is the best budget espresso machine of 2024.

It’s easy to use and maintain, and you can’t beat the brewing time.

In less than a minute of turning the machine on, you’ll have strong espresso in your hands.

This model, in collaboration with DeLonghi, also has 19 bars of pressure, which helps you to consistently get rich crema on top of every cup.