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Cheap Espresso Machines, Best Espresso Machine Reviews

Related Guide: Coffee Makers

You've heard financial experts lecture about the aggregate cost of daily coffee shop visits, and the reformed brag about extravagant vacations their former latte habit funded. Still, that morning brew is a luxury not easily sacrificed.

The good news? Frugal consumers can indulge their caffeinated whims for a fraction of the cost, DIY style, on a cheap espresso machine at home.

Despite the prevailing hype, the average coffee drinker doesn't need a top-of-the-line (read: expensive) machine to turn out cafe-quality espresso. With the right inputs -- good quality filtered water and superior coffee freshly ground to the right consistency -- a cheap espresso machine turns out a fine cup of Joe. In fact, experts at CoffeeGeek.com recommend taking half of the money you've budgeted for an espresso machine and spending it on a good burr grinder instead. Some blade grinders do not crush beans evenly and generate more heat and static, which can damage the flavor. While grinding your own beans produces the best results, those reluctant to invest in a grinder should have fresh beans ground upon purchase each week or consider a machine that takes espresso pods.

There are five types of espresso makers on the market. Stovetop pots, such as the Bialetti Mukka Express (starting at $84, Amazon), and steam espresso makers, such as the Melitta 4Cup Steam Espresso Maker (starting at $30, Amazon), may be cheap, but they don't generate enough pressure to brew true espresso. Super automatic machines are nearly foolproof and fully automated, but extremely expensive. Manual machines, also costly, are challenging to use. This leaves the semi-automatic espresso maker, by far the most popular choice for the average consumer. Of this type, there are a handful of relatively cheap espresso machines costing $300 or less that produce high quality espresso.

Espresso Machines Construction.

Coffee aficionados recommend choosing a machine with primarily stainless steel and/or metal construction. Not only is the stainless/metal aesthetically pleasing -- and the art of making espresso is nothing if not a sensory experience -- it is practical. Metal parts tend to hold up longer, making your cheap espresso machine generally more durable. Stainless-steel construction also adds to the weight, and heavier machines shift less on the countertop when you're inserting or removing the portafilter and frothing or steaming the milk.

Among discount espresso machines, two stainless steel models stand out: the 21-pound Lello 1375 Ariete Cafe Prestige Espresso Maker (starting at $200, Amazon) and the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker (starting at $180, Amazon), which is just shy of 18 pounds. Plastic espresso machines tend to be lighter in weight; the Nespresso Essenza C100 Espresso Maker (starting at $211, Amazon) weighs 13.7 pounds and the Gaggia 16100 Evolution Home Espresso Cappuccino Machine (starting at $229, Amazon) weighs a bit more than 13 pounds. Many espresso machine reviews, including one by an owner of the Lello 1375 Ariete who comments on Amazon, appreciate the heft of an all-metal unit when compared to mostly-plastic versions.

Espresso Makers Pump Pressure.

Experts agree that pump pressure is critical when it comes to brewing a quality cup of espresso. Pump pressure affects the rate at which water is pushed through the grinds, which in turn is a key factor in how strong or watery your cup of brew will be. Steam espresso makers and stovetop espresso pots are incapable of producing the nine bars of pressure that are necessary to brew true espresso. There is some disagreement, however, as to whether anything over the recommended nine bars of pressure adds value to a cheap espresso machine. A resident expert at CoffeeGeek.com includes pressure bars in his list of features that don't really affect the finished product. Other experts writing espresso machines reviews argue that they would rather have their machine automatically regulate down to nine bars of pressure than have it struggle to reach that level, and that a higher number of bars means a shorter wait between brewing shots. Whichever school of thought you subscribe to, cheap espresso machines like the Nespresso Essenza C100, DeLonghi EC155 (starting at $87, Amazon), Gaggia 16100 Evolution, Lello 1375 Ariete, and Breville ESP8XL Cafe Prestige Espresso Maker all feature a minimum 15 bars of pressure, which is more than adequate for proper espresso brewing.

Espresso Machines Coffee.

Coffee lovers should take into account the type of coffee they like to drink when choosing a cheap espresso machine. Some espresso makers, including the Lello 1375 Ariete and the Breville ESP8XL, brew only from ground beans. Others like the Nespresso Essenza C100, brew only from sealed, one-serving pods. Still others, such as the DeLonghi EC155, Gaggia 16100 Evolution, and Krups XP4050 (starting at $180, Amazon), accommodate both.

Experts generally agree that ground coffee results in better espresso if it is good quality, ground correctly, and stored correctly. On the flip side, coffee that is stale or improperly ground can make for a truly awful beverage. For this reason, if you plan to brew from traditional ground coffee, it's worthwhile to invest in a good burr grinder or a weekly supply of freshly ground espresso from the best source you can find.

Espresso pods take less time to load, are cleaner, and produce more consistent java overall. (On a per cup basis, pods are also more expensive than home-ground beans, but save you the cost of a grinder and leave no room for barista error.) While you may not end up with the best espresso of your life, there are a wide variety of excellent blends in the marketplace. Among coffee aficionados there is strong agreement that the Nespresso Essenza C100 brews good to great quality espresso, but they are split on the proprietary Nespresso pod system. One Williams-Sonoma shopper finds being limited to the Nespresso pods expensive and inconvenient (the pods are only available through Nespresso and cost $0.55 to $0.62 each, depending on size). An espresso makers review on Target, however, appreciatively notes the lack of mess and ease of use with the capsules.

A machine that brews from both ground coffee and pods lets consumers develop barista skills in their leisure time while still offering the convenience of a quick cup of Joe. Most machines with dual brewing capabilities are compatible with the E.S.E. (Easy Serving Espresso) pod system, a standardized, non-proprietary system of espresso grounds packed in paper filter discs. The E.S.E. system was designed to offer consumers an easy and consistent way to brew espresso. A variety of brands, such as Illy, Starbucks, and Lavazza, sell E.S.E. pods online and in some specialty and grocery stores for $0.42 to $1.50 per pod.

Espresso Makers Frothing.

For those who drink only straight espresso, buying a cheap espresso machine without a steaming or frothing wand will save you money. Frothers can be purchased separately at a later time if you find yourself craving cappuccinos or serving lattes to guests. The Nespresso Essenza C100 does not have an attached frothing device, but the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother is available separately (starting at $99, Amazon) and is often packaged with the C100 Espresso Maker, which raises the price by about $45. As noted in an espresso machines review on Buzzillions, users of the frother find it simple and fool-proof.

Although most cheap espresso machines have an attached steamer wand, they are often a source of user complaints. Those who prefer their brew black probably won't be deterred by the low clearance of the DeLonghi EC155 frothing wand, which one espresso machine review on CoffeeGeek.com considers a major flaw. While cappuccino drinkers may find the steamer a deal-breaker, the espresso-only crowd might consider this machine a perfect fit and a steal at less than $100.

For those who can't forgo frothy milk, experts recommend avoiding models with froth aiders, which continuously heat the foam and damage the sweetness of the milk. (Rubber froth enhancers, like that found on the Lello 1375 Ariete, often can be removed from the steaming wand.) Experts also suggest that you choose a machine with knobs, like the DeLonghi EC155 or the FrancisFrancis! X6 Trio Pod Espresso Machine (starting at $399, Amazon), which allow you to control the amount of steam.

Espresso Machines Crema.

Crema, a layer of marbleized caramel-colored foam that tops a finished espresso, is considered to be the sign of a well-made espresso. Many espresso makers employ special crema enhancers, which add air during the extraction process, to aid home brewers in their pursuit of this crowning glory. Coffee experts criticize these devices, which they say harm the espresso and mask whether it has been properly executed. Many users, like one posting an espresso machines review on Amazon about the Lello 1375 Ariete, don't object to the enhancers and say the crema tastes great even though it isn't what you'd get from a professional-grade machine. One crema-craving owner of the Gaggia 16100 Evolution grouses on Wholelattelove.com that the optional enhancer produced overly foamy coffee and says he solved the problem by buying a better grinder and dispensing with the enhancer.

Espresso Machines Portafilter.

Aspiring home baristas will want to understand the type of portafilter that comes with their cheap espresso machine. The portafilter is the long-handled attachment that holds espresso grounds or E.S.E. pods. There are four varieties commonly available.

A commercial portafilter, which holds ground coffee, is generally about 58mm in diameter and gives the most control over the brewing process. It also requires the steepest learning curve and is far more susceptible to user error. To create excellent coffee with a commercial portafilter, you learn to determine the proper grind and the ideal tamping pressure by trial and error. The Gaggia 16100 Evolution comes with a commercial portafilter, and as one owner notes in a budget espresso machines review on WholeLatteLove.com, it may not be ideal for beginners or for those short on time or patience.

Pressurized portafilters, featured on the DeLonghi EC155 and Lello 1375 Ariete, are also designed to hold ground espresso. They require less expertise than a commercial portafilter but have their own drawbacks. They tend to be lightweight and less durable, and they aren't as good at maintaining heat. Users find that aggressive tamping or over grinding can clog the portafilter and cause the grounds to explode out of the filter.

Some cheap espresso machines, like the DeLonghi EC155, Gaggia 16100 Evolution, and Krups XP4050, offer users the option of a pod portafilter in addition to a portafilter that holds ground coffee. Pods are the simplest way to brew espresso and ensure the easiest clean-up.

The last type of portafilter is the portafilter adapter. These are commonly offered to consumers as a way to convert one type of portafilter to another -- for instance, to change a pressurized or commercial portafilter into a pod portafilter. The Krups XP4050 and the Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Machine (starting at $139, Amazon), for example, include portafilter adapters that let you brew with E.S.E. pods.

Espresso Maker Cup Warming Tray.

Serving espresso in an inadequately warmed ceramic cup will result in the cup absorbing the heat of the beverage and a less-than-ideal espresso experience. For this reason, many cheap espresso machines offer some type of cup warming tray. The DeLonghi EC155, Gaggia 16100 Evolution, Lello 1375 Ariete, and Breville ESP8XL come standard with this feature. Cup warming trays are either passive (they use heat from the boiler to warm cups) or active (they have a separate heating mechanism). Many machines in the budget price range feature passive warming trays; the Lello 1375 Ariete, for example, can warm up to nine espresso cups at one time. Because passive trays do not generate the consistent heat of active systems, it may still be necessary to pre-warm your cups with boiling water prior to filling them with espresso.

Espresso Machine Accessories.

While producing top-notch mochas and lattes has nothing to do with the bells and whistles paraded by higher-priced espresso makers, there are arguably a lot of accessories a budget barista needs. Demitasse cups or cappuccino bowls, a tamp to pack ground coffee, a steaming pitcher for milk, a thermometer...the list goes on. Most economical espresso machines don't include these handy extras, but a few do come packaged with added perks. The Gaggia 16100 Evolution includes one- and two-shot stainless steel filter baskets, a coffee tamper, and a seven-gram measuring scoop. The Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma comes with a stainless steel espresso cup set and a frothing jug. The Krups XP4050 has no accessories, but does have three filter inserts for single shots, double shots, and E.S.E. pod brewing. The Nespresso Essenza C100 Espresso Maker comes with an assortment of 12 Nespresso capsules, and is available as a package with the Aeroccino milk frother for about $45 more. Neither the DeLonghi EC155 nor the Lello 1375 Ariete Cafe Prestige include anything additional.

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Krups XP4050
Gaggia 16100 Evolution
Lello 1375 Ariete Cafe Prestige
Nespresso Essenza C100
DeLonghi EC155

 

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