The Best Espresso Machine Under 200 (2019 Ultimate Guide)
Espresso machines feel like they have to be expensive - after all, they create a very refined product that has been long associated with wealth and poshness.
But getting an espresso machine for your home doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. In fact, it can be quite affordable! If you’re looking for the best espresso machine under 200, you have come to the right place. I’ve got you covered!
Product | Quality | Our Rating | Price |
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1. Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Aeroccino | A+ | ||
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B+ |
**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon
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How To Choose The Best Espresso Machine Under 200
Making espresso at home isn’t the easiest thing to do. It gets even harder when you want to be able to make great espresso without spending more than 200 dollars, but that doesn’t mean that it is impossible.
What it does mean, however, is you have to be smart about what features you look for in an espresso machine.
Espresso is usually made using highly pressurized water pushed through high-quality espresso beans. At under 200, you won’t be able to achieve the right level of PSI for this. But you can get a machine that will replicate the great taste by making at-home style espresso. Let’s check out what you need to look for.
Automation
When looking at espresso machines under 200, you need to look for something that is automated to pull the shot automatically. As fun as it is to make your own shots, it just isn’t possible at this price point.
The machine should do some (if not all!) of the work for you. Check out how the functions work, what you’ll need to do, and what the machine can do for you. By figuring this all out before making a purchase, you’ll know what to expect from your espresso machine.
Additional Drinks
When you’re looking at espresso machines at this price point, you’re probably looking for something that can do more than just make you an espresso. Espresso-based beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos, and more may be possible with the espresso maker that you choose.
Check out what type of drinks each machine says that it can create. Do you have to steam your own milk? Does it steam milk for you? Can you pre-program anything into the machine? Find out what drinks the machine can make.
Milk Steaming
As I just mentioned, milk steaming might be an important feature for you to have on your espresso machine. If you like to have your espresso as a macchiato or with a bit of hot milk, you want to be able to steam it.
Some espresso machines at this price point come with a separate milk frother or steaming device. This is a great way to get hot, frothy milk without having to spend twice as much money for a more advanced machine.
Focus on finding features that fit with the drinks you like to make. If you want hot, frothy milk, choose the machine that makes this possible alongside your espresso!
Pod Espresso Or Fresh Grinding
At this price, many espresso machines will be pod espresso machines that brew espresso from coffee. You will need to buy pods or reusable pods to use regularly, but this way of brewing espresso is actually very convenient!
Other people might still prefer to have machines that fresh grind coffee or can have fresh ground coffee added to them. Depending on your personal preferences, you’ll have to make this choice.
I want to make a note here to not count out pod espresso machines just because they seem too automated or you are worried that you can’t use your own coffee on them. I use my friend’s roast of espresso in my pod espresso machine by using a reusable pod insert. I fresh grind every day, and make fantastic espresso this way!
Regardless, choose the type of grinding or pod that feels right for you. There’s nothing quite like the convenience of a pod machine at home, and you’ll get a much better value by looking for a pod machine, so it is what I most recommend.
Get a better idea of coffee and espresso machine types with this video:
The Top 5 Best Espresso Machine Under 200
Product | Quality | Our Rating | Price |
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1. Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Aeroccino | A+ | ||
A | |||
A | |||
A- | |||
B+ |
1. Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Aeroccino
The first espresso machine to consider in your price range is the Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Aeroccino. This set actually comes with two pieces - a pod-based espresso machine and a separate device called an Aeroccino which can create foamy, hot milk for your espresso-based beverages.
I love that this pod-based machine has a water tank that can be easily heated up and activated. It takes less than 30 seconds for the water to get hot enough to make up to 9 servings. This is good because I don’t have to fill the water up every single time I want a drink!
I also love that this machine has two different espresso pulling options - you can get an espresso or lungo, one of which is a larger size. Depending on your wants and your cup size, you can still get the espresso you want.
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2. Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker
Next up is another model from Nespresso, and this is actually the model I used in my coffee for many months! The Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker is a very small machine, but don’t let that fool you. It can make a quality batch of espresso for your morning coffee drink!Like the previous Nespresso model, this has a 24 oz water tank that can be heated in less than 30 seconds for great coffee. This model also can hold up to 10 used cartridges, so you do not need to empty those out every single time you use the machine.
What I love most about this machine is the way that it pulls espresso shots. These shots actually have a nice crema layer, which is key to a good tasting espresso. Whether I want to make a mixed espresso drink or just enjoy it straight, I can do so with the Nespresso espresso.
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3. Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi
Unsurprisingly, Nespresso has another model worth reviewing at the under 200 dollar price point, which is actually the main part of their market. The Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi is a small espresso machine that resembles the Pixie in many ways.
I really love that this extraction system gets a higher amount of pressure behind each pull, so the espresso gets a richer, cafe-authentic flavor that you can’t get from every machine.
A fun hidden feature of this machine is one that I love best. If you push the button two times when you are getting ready to brew in the morning, the machine will first heat up your water (which takes less than 30 seconds). Then, it will make your espresso! You don’t have to wait around, which is great.
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4. Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer System with Glass Carafe
Next up is the only non-Nespresso espresso machine on my list today, so you know it has to be an impressive choice! The Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer System with Glass Carafe can make a great cup of espresso, and it can also help you to make the widest variety of espresso-based beverages of any machines in this price range.
I love that I can make espresso, froth, hot, cold, and more beverages with this single machine. It is made to be a bar system, and since I like to change up what I drink every day, this is a great way for me to give everything I want to a try without needing multiple machines.
This is a pod-free system, which means you put the ground coffee directly into the machine. There is a built-in scoop that makes it easy to figure out how much coffee to put in, and using a pod-free system will likely save you a lot of money in the long run.
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5. Nespresso VertuoLine Evoluo Coffee & Espresso Maker
The final set today is the Nespresso VertuoLine Evoluo Coffee & Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother. Like the first set I introduced, this set also includes an Aeroccino Plus that can froth hot or cold milk for your beverages.
What I like most about this machine is that it can brew coffee or espresso, and there are two different pod sizes for these different types of drinks. The VertuoLine machines can take both! This makes it possible to make any drink I’d want in the morning, and I love that.
On top of that, the machine has a good sized water tank that won’t need to be filled too often, and it also can hold from 13-20 used capsules, depending on their size. Like the water, you won’t have to worry about dealing with this trash too often.
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The Best Espresso Machine Under 200…
Espresso machines can be very expensive. They can be extravagant, but if you all you want to be able to do is pull a few delicious shots of espresso at home, you can do that with the best espresso machine under 200 dollars.
So which machine is it?
If you’re asking me, the best of the best espresso machines under 200 has to be the Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Aeroccino. This machine has the best value, and it can make you different sizes of espresso for your drinks in the morning. Between the machine itself and the included Aeroccino, you’ll be whipping up delicious beverages for everyone!
Still, your specific needs might make you want to try out a different machine instead, and that’s okay. Every machine is built for a different consumer, so find the one that works for you.
Do you have or want to get an espresso machine for your house? Let me know in the comments how you like to drink your espresso and what you plan to buy!