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Ah espresso. Nectar of the gods. In order to get a perfectly pressed espresso shot in your kitchen, you need an espresso machine. Preferably one that pushes 15 bars of pressurized water through the espresso in the filter and into your cup.
I’ve previously looked at espresso machines under $500 and under $300. So now let’s look at a few espresso machines that cost less than $200. The key points when searching for an espresso machine are the bars of pressure it delivers (standard is 9-15) and whether or not it has features for frothing milk for your lattes and cappuccinos. Yes, even you can be an at-home barista with the right machine. And these espresso machines show you don’t have to break the bank to get that perfect shot of espresso.
Mr. Coffee Café Barista
This semi-automatic Mr. Coffee Café Barista is probably my favorite espresso machine on this list. Its milk frother function takes out the guesswork when it comes to making lattes and cappuccinos. With a press of the button, the machine knows what type of drink you are making and froths or steams accordingly. All you have to do is make sure your milk, almond milk or skim milk is filled in the container before you press the button. Both the milk and water reservoirs are removable, which makes cleaning easy.
Krups Espresso and Cappuccino Coffee Maker
Krups enters the mid-range market with a fairly simple espresso machine. It has a 1.5-liter water tank, but you don’t really need much for a shot of espresso so this can handle a lot of shots. There is a cup warmer on top in case you don’t want to drink your espresso right away, which has got to be some sort of nonsense. Single shot or double shot are both capable here without having to repress a button. The frother arm is what it is, make sure you keep it clean.
Cuisinart Programmable Espresso Maker
A rare thing in this price range is a programmable espresso machine, but that’s exactly what this Cuisinart espresso maker is. It also allows for the use of espresso pods in addition to ground espresso, though why you’d want to do that I have no idea. This machine also has a warming tray on the top of the machine, so be sure not to touch when hot. The stainless steel steam nozzle is a bit better than a plastic one in the sense of longevity.
De’Longhi Espresso Machine with Advanced Cappuccino System
There is no removable water reservoir on the De’Longhi espresso machine, so it requires refilling each time you brew a single shot, double shot or espresso pod. The three-in-one device also has a very small counter footprint in comparison with many other espresso machines. It also forgoes touch controls in lieu of a large oven-like dial that adds a bit of retro flair to the design.
Klarstein BellaVita Coffee Machine
The Klarstein BellaVita coffee machine is a bit similar to the Mr. Coffee machine in that it has a milk reservoir built in and offers one-touch controls for espresso, lattes and cappuccinos. The bonus of this machine is its 1450-watts of power and 20 bars of pressure. So if you have a tendency to over-pack your espresso in the filter like I do, then those extra five bars will be sure to press through and get you that perfect shot.
Barsetto Espresso Machine
With a large steam dial on the side of a stainless steel exterior, the Barsetto espresso machine is making a statement. It says you want espresso and you want it now. And you want to steam things and use a large dial to do so. The dial is a bit strange, but if you’ve ever used a one-touch steaming wand, you’d know that being able to adjust the decibel level of the steam can make for a better froth. Sure, it sounds weird but there’s no reason to destroy the milk each time. A nice soft froth on top of your espresso with some cinnamon is a nice afternoon treat.
