Are you the type of individual that likes to drink coffee or espresso each and every morning? If so, you already know how frustrating it can be to make that delicious cup of espresso. Just remember that there are some things you can do to make the process much easier.
First and foremost, you’re going to want to invest in a good espresso machine. With the best espresso machine under 200 bucks, you’ll be able to save yourself some money and get espresso made much quicker than ever before. Plus, your espresso is going to be much tastier. Within this guide, you’re going to learn a great deal more about finding the best espresso machine.
Comparison Table
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What To Consider When Buying An Espresso Machine
There are tons of excellent espresso machines on the market. Nevertheless, not all of them are equal. In order to ensure that you get the very best one for your money, you’re going to need to do a little bit of research. Below, you’re going to find factors that must be taken into account when investing in an espresso machine.
Pump Or Steam?
When attempting to buy an espresso machine, you’re going to need to choose between two options. You’ll need either a pump or steam-driven model. There are some pros and cons associated with both. Pump driven espresso machines tend to be far more expensive than alternatives. Nevertheless, steam-driven models can still get the job done right. Just remember that only pump-driven models will be able to produce crema. Pump driven espresso machines can be brown down further into semi-automatic, fully automatic or even super-automatic.
Either option is great, so you’re going to want to choose the one that best suits your unique needs.
Budgeting
You’ll also want to take the time to think about your budget. It is true that espresso machines can be pretty expensive. With this in mind, you should set a budget for your purchase before moving forward. Make sure that you know exactly how much you’re willing to pay in advance. Do not exceed this limit or you’re going to get yourself into trouble in the long run.
Bar Pressure
While you’re at it, you’re going to want to think about the bars of pressure provided by the machine. Some machines will be able to deliver more, while others will offer less. If you want the tastiest espresso humanly possible, you’re going to need a moderately high bar pressure. 15 to 18 bars of pressure is going to be your best bet. This will ensure that you get the best taste.
Convenience
It is also a good idea to consider the convenience of the machine. Are you able to push a few buttons and get your espresso within a matter of seconds? Or, do you have to tinker with it for a much longer period of time? If you’re the type of person who loves the added convenience, you’re definitely going to want to choose a machine that delivers it. Otherwise, the machine will become annoying and you’ll hate using it.
Warranty
Finally, you’re going to want to think about the warranty. Pretty much every single machine on the planet is going to come with some type of warranty. Getting the longest warranty possible is really in your best interest. This will ensure that your money is well spent in the long run.
1. Mr. Coffee Café Barista
How would you like to be able to craft delectable, robust coffeehouse espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes right in the comfort of your own home? That is exactly what the Mr. Coffee Café Barista gives you the ability to do. The fifteen bar pump gives you the ability to create a unique pressure that will extra bold, rich flavors, unlike anything you will experience from an ordinary machine. And, that is just the beginning. This amazing machine can do a wide range of different things.
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use. Semi-automatic 3-in-1 espresso, cappuccino and latte maker
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One-Touch Controls
If you are familiar with most coffee and espresso machines on the market, you probably already know that they are extremely complicated to operate. In fact, you almost have to be a professional barista just to operate the thing. Fortunately, that is not the case with the Mr. Coffee Café Barista. The one-touch controls give you the ability to easily select between your brewing options. You can quickly and easily choose between a single or double shot and forth your delicious milk with the adjustable control knob.
Overall Assessment
If you want to be your own at home barista and create drinks with bolder flavor, you need to consider investing in the Mr. Coffee Café Barista.
Pros
- One-touch controls and adjustable know make operation easy
- Fifteen bar pump extracts more flavors
- Removable water and milk reservoirs make filling easier and less messy
- Automatic milk frother takes out all the guesswork
- A three in one machine that creates coffees, lattes, or cappuccinos
Cons
- Might have to run the cleaning cycle more than once to get the desired taste
2. Breville ESP8XL Café Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
There is nothing better than that first cup of coffee or espresso in the morning. The only problem is that you have to stop off at the convenience store and waste fifteen minutes picking it up. Not to mention the expensive price. Well, all of that can change with the Breville ESP8XL Café Roma Stainless Espresso Maker. This machine will not only create coffeehouse quality coffee and espressos, but it will do it with complete ease.
- Stainless-steel espresso machine with 15-bar thermoblock pump
- Dual-wall filter system for excellent crema; froth enhancer, cup-warming plate
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Effortless Frothing And Foaming
When it comes to espressos the frothing and foam are without a doubt the most important part of the process. Without the right froth or foam, the whole drink isn’t going to taste right. Fortunately, the Breville ESP8XL Café Roma Stainless Espresso Maker eliminates the guesswork and makes the whole process completely effortless. It accomplishes this very task by utilizing a dual-wall filter system, which enhances the froth as well.
When you combine this with the fact that the machine is constructed of stainless steel, you are truly looking at one great machine that can stand up to the toughest tests.
Overall Assessment
If you want to avoid that stop at the convenience store, the wait in line, and that expensive espresso charge, you should consider investing in the Breville ESP8XL Café Roma Stainless Espresso Maker.
Pros
- Dual-wall filter system really enhances the froth
- Stainless steel design looks amazing and provides durability
- Removable drip tray and grid
- One-year limited warranty
- Easy to remove the water tank
Cons
- Kind of a smaller unit
- The plastic tamper doesn’t work great
3. Aicook Espresso Machine
Are you looking for an outstanding espresso machine that will not break the bank? If so, you’re definitely going to want to check out the Aicook Espresso Machine. This machine is pretty affordable, yet it still offers tons of conveniences. For instance, you can get it up and running with one touch. You won’t have to worry about tinkering with it too much. In fact, the machine will do pretty much everything for you. The machine is equipped with a large reservoir as well. You will not have to worry about filling it up too frequently.
- ONE-TOUCH OPERTATION: One-touch control digital screen for 15 BAR espresso machine. Almost no special skills required,just touching screen keys, you can get your favourite drink.
- FROTHING WAND: Make fantastic foamed milk for cappuccinos, lattes.You can turning the Froth Control Knob to the right for more foam and to the left for less foam.
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Energy Saver
One of the best things about this machine is that it is going to save you energy and money in the long run. When the brewing cycle has concluded, this machine is going to stop automatically. It will also enter into a sleep state when it has not been used for 25 minutes. This greatly decreases the amount of energy that the machine is going to use over a period of time.
Overall Assessment
There is really a great deal to like about the Aicook Espresso Machine. This machine is very reliable, convenient to use and affordable. If you want a machine that takes the guesswork out of the equation, you should look no further. You will not be disappointed.
Pros
- Very affordable
- 61.5-ounce reservoir
- Saves energy
- 2-year warranty
- 15 bars of pressure
- One-touch operation
Cons
- Longevity is questionable
4. DeLonghi Nespresso Pixie Espresso Machine
If you don’t mind spending a little more, you should check out the DeLonghi Nespresso Pixie. This machine is somewhat more expensive than many of the alternatives, but it’ll prove to be well worth it in the long run. After all, this is one of the most powerful machines n the planet. It is capable to deliver 19 bar high-pressure pumps. Therefore, you can guarantee that you’re going to get barista-style results.
- Powerful Coffee maker: Espresso Pixie Espresso maker has a 19 bar high-pressure pump that allows for a barista-style result, unlocking the delicate flavor of each coffee capsule.
- Efficient and energy saving Espresso maker: system heats-up to ideal temperature in just 25 seconds and automatically turns off after 9 minutes, consuming less Energy. Removable dip tray is available
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Very Convenient
You also need to know that this machine is very convenient. It is going to save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Some machines are very complicated to use. This machine is not. It’ll make your life so much easier. Within a few minutes, you’ll have your machine up and running. Then, you’ll have your cup of espresso before you know it. If you want maximum convenience, this machine will deliver it!
Efficiency
This unit is designed to save you energy over the long run. After all, it is capable of heating up in just 25 seconds. Then, it will turn off automatically after 9 minutes. This combination ensures that you’re going to be using as little energy as possible. In return, this machine will save you a lot of money. If you’re interested in saving yourself money over a period of time, you cannot go wrong with this machine. It’ll do just that!
Overall Assessment
The Nespresso Pixie Machine is great, but not perfect. Unfortunately, it is not going to work with all capsules. Therefore, you may need to go out of your way to find compatible capsules. Nevertheless, it is well worth the effort and money.
Pros
- Very energy efficient
- 19 bar pressure
- Delivers barista style results
- Indicators tells you when you need to add more water
- Comes with a welcome kit
- Totally convenient to use
Cons
- Only works with a few compatible capsules
5. De’Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso And Cappuccino Maker
If you are a fan of cappuccinos and espressos, you may want to consider investing in the De’Longhi EC155. This machine is designed to create delicious cappuccinos and espressos easy and quickly. To make this possible, the EC155 utilizes pods, which are nothing more than a single serving of goodness packed into a pod. Just pop the pod into the machine and within minutes your cappuccino will be done.
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- EVERY CUP TO YOUR LIKING: 15-bar professional pressure assures quality results every time, and adjustable controls allow you to make modifications for your personal taste preferences.
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Makes Delicious Froth
The De’Longhi EC155 is capable of creating froth, which is very similar to that made in coffee shops. The machine is integrated with a swivel jet frother that is of the highest quality. The frother allows users to add froth to their cappuccino and espresso in seconds. The end product is bubbles of creamy foam that add even perfection to an already delicious espresso.
Stainless Steel Boiler
Unlike other espresso makers, the EC155 is equipped with a premium-grade boiler. The boiler is constructed from stainless steel to ensure durability and longevity. The boiler will endure the test of time, providing you with many years of service.
Overall Assessment
The De’Longhi EC155 is ideal for people who enjoy cappuccinos and espressos for half the price you would pay in a coffee shop. The user-friendly interface allows for a quick and easy process. Since no startup preparation is required, you can have yourself a delicious cappuccino in just a few minutes.
Pros
- Internal frother
- Boiler is constructed from stainless steel
- 15-Bar pump pressure
- Utilizes single serving pods and ground coffee
- No startup preparation required
Cons
- Pods are quite expensive
- Slightly noisy
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are tons of excellent espresso machines out there. Nevertheless, some are better than others. Be sure to do your research and take your time. There is no reason to rush. Researching will ensure that you get one of the best machines for your money. Any of the machines mentioned above would be a good starting point.