Best Espresso Machine Under $300 – Reviews

If you like drinking espresso as we do, then in this article you can find out which is the best espresso machine under 300 dollars in the market today. We have also done our research and have made a list of some of the best espresso machines that you can buy right now.

If your family are coffee connoisseurs and want to try more than just one kind of coffee, you will not be satisfied with an ordinary coffee maker. The best espresso machine under 300 dollars that you can get today that will give you loads of options is the Breville ESP8XL Café Roma.

We don’t need to mention that every espresso machine has its pros and cons. Some are better at doing some tasks and some are better in other tasks. If you want the best value espresso machine, you need to know what you prefer. The best inexpensive espresso machines won’t do everything you want and don’t have every feature available, so make a choice of what you need the most. So you may ask, what is the best inexpensive espresso machine? Well, there are numerous you can choose from our list.

Top 10 Best Espresso Machine Under 300

There are different types of espresso machines and every one of them has its benefits. More on the types of machines you will see somewhere at the end of the article. Now let’s get into the list where the candidates for best espresso machine under 300 dollars are placed.

1. Breville ESP8XL Café Roma

First on our list is the previously mentioned Breville ESP8XL Café Roma. What is so good about this machine is that it is pretty simple to use. It will last you a long time and is easy to clean. The whole machine is built from stainless steel and will take up quite a lot of room on your counter.

This machine heats the water pretty quickly due to the thermoblock boiler. It also comes with its own filter baskets, and you can easily place larger cups because the space between the drip tray and the spout is quite big.

The water reservoir is quite large and you will have enough water to make a couple of cups of coffee. You can also place milk in the reservoir if you feel like having some other kids of drinks like cappuccinos. The steam wand hasn’t got the best control, and the machine doesn’t have a lot of settings. But when you think about it, you are still getting a fantastic machine for the price you are paying. It may not have the best control, but the wand can easily be removed to clean the machine. We can easily put this machine in the category of the best espresso machine under 300 dollars.

2. Nespresso CitiZ

Next on our list is the pretty popular Nespresso CitiZ. If you want to talk about easy usage and quick coffee-making that this is a perfect choice. It is also pretty small, so you don’t have to worry about making a lot of space on your counter. We mentioned quick coffee making, well, this machine heats the water for about 20 seconds, and when the capsule is placed in the machine, your coffee will be made in 30 seconds. You can also choose what type of coffee you would like to drink just by pressing a button.

One great feature of this machine is that you can attach a milk frother to it. You can also buy a version of this machine with a pre-set milk frother that will foam up your drink in a matter of seconds. Just see how beneficial this machine could be, and only by pressing a couple of buttons, you can have a different type of coffee. This is a great thing to have in your office, and you no longer have to send your interns to Starbucks.

This is a fully automatic machine that uses pods that were featured in the original line. This machine doesn’t offer quite a lot of options when it comes to coffee, but the ones that you do get are enough to satisfy any person. This machine can also be placed in the category for the best espresso machine under 300 dollars because it is super easy to use and its features are unique.

3. De’Longhi EC680M Dedica 

Another candidate for the best espresso machine under 300 dollars is the De’Longhi ECS680M Dedica. This machine looks quite fancy and will definitely make your counter look more stylish. It won’t take a lot of space on your counter and you can move it around easily. This machine is quite the espresso machine because you load up a portafilter with grounds and place it under the head of the machine.

When the grounds are placed, you have a couple of settings. You can choose the temperature of the coffee that will be made, the volume that you want, and when the coffee should be made.

This machine can only make small portions, so if you like a big cup of coffee in the morning, this might not satisfy your needs. Like the previous machines on this list, this one also heats the water pretty fast, but one thing that could have been improved is the milk frother. It does a decent job, but nowhere near as others can. One little downside doesn’t mean that this machine is terrible; the quality of the coffee and how easy you can make it give this machine a spot on our list.

4. Flair Espresso Maker

Next on our list is one of the two manual espresso machines that we have on our list. This espresso maker is a candidate for the best espresso machine under 200 dollars. Like the previous machines on our list, this one doesn’t have a lot of options. It doesn’t heat up your water, and it doesn’t have a milk frother, programmable buttons, any of that. It only has a base, a stand, and a lever, that is it.

You have to do a lot of things before you can enjoy that morning coffee. You have to boil your water, then pre-heat the chamber where the water goes, and have ground coffee beans ready. If you are a person who gets up and wants his coffee immediately, this is not the machine for you. This machine is more for learning the other things that go into making a nice cup of coffee. And with every new batch you make, the more you know about coffee.

5. Mr. Coffee Café Barista

Coming next on the list is Mr. Coffee Café Barista. This is a candidate for the best semi-automatic espresso machine because of its simplicity and its features. You can make numerous types of coffee, like espresso, cappuccino, and various lattes. You even have some buttons on the side of the machine where you can choose what type of coffee you want.

One big feature that many people are looking for is the heat up time, and this means you are getting your coffee pretty fast. The reservoir can be removed for cleaning, but you can also place the whole thing in the fridge if you still have some milk in there. You will have no problem fitting larger cups under the spout because the drip tray beneath is removable. With all the great features on this machine, we can easily say this is the best semi-automatic espresso machine.

6. EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker

Another semi-automatic machine on our list is the EspressoWorks All-In-One. This is another machine on the list where you can enjoy a coffee cup in about 45 seconds. Another great thing about this machine is that the water reservoir is placed on the side and it is easy to see how much water you have left in the tank.

One thing that this machine has that the rest of the machines on the list don’t is a grinder. But don’t get excited, because the grinder on this machine is not high-end. It is a two-blade grinder that will only chop the coffee beans and the sizes of the ground won’t be even. This will make you a good coffee, but you have to buy a burr grinder separately if you want top-notch.

Most of the parts on this machine are removable so you can easily clean them. Because its the only machine on this list with a grinder, we can say that it is the best espresso machine with a grinder attached to it.

7. ROK EspressoGC

Another espresso maker on our list that is manual is the ROK EspressoGC. We liked our ROK espresso maker review to be different, so we asked a couple of people who had both manual machines, the Flair, and the ROK for comparisons. People have said that the ROK takes a small advantage because of the two handles that it has. Doing the job manually can be hard, so having two handles, you can push on certainly helps.

The process is the same for both espresso makers, and you must pre-heat the portafilter and boil the water. Put the coffee ground in and start to press down. The ROK looks impressive, with its lovely design, it will look amazing in your kitchen. The downside is that aluminum is used to make this machine so it will damage over time.

8. Nespresso VertuoLine Evoluo by De’Longhi

Another Nespresso model on this list is the VertuoLine Evoluo. Now we mentioned that CitiZ used the original, basic pods, whereas the Evoluo has a newer version of them. The newer version looks like a dome, and when you turn in on to brew, the whole thing spins.

You can also make other types of coffee on this machine, and the only thing you need to do is get the exact capsule you want. This machine is limited to VertuoLine capsules, but when you place them in the machine, it reads the barcodes that are on the capsule and portions the water to whatever you are making.

The water reservoir on this thing can hold more than a liter, so you won’t have to fill it up often. The bottom tray on these machines can be removed in order to place larger cups. The Evoluo is not that big, so it won’t take up so much space on your counter.

9. Capresso 118.05 EC Pro

Last but not least, on our list for the best espresso machine under 300 dollars is the Capresso 118.05 EC Pro. You have two versions of this machine, the automatic and the semi-automatic. The automatic one has an automatic milk frother, but many people online have said that the semi-automatic feels a lot better.

You can definitely see that this machine is mostly made from plastic, but don’t let that fool you from the things that this machine can do. Despite the plastic built, it is pretty durable and it is pretty well designed. The machine is pretty light, so make sure to hold it firmly when locking the portafilter.

Not one big setback is that parts of the machine aren’t purchasable, so when one piece brakes, you have to take the whole thing to get repaired.

The Ultimate Buying Guide In The Best Espresso Machine Under 300

There are numerous types of espresso machines that you can find on the market today, and they all vary in demand. We will show you four types of espresso machines that you can get now.

Manual

On manual espresso machines, there is not one electronic part. You only rely on your strength to make yourself a cup of coffee. This is a great way to learn more about making coffee and learning more about different tastes and types of coffee. It will be hard in the beginning, but once you master it, the rewards are amazing. 

Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic machines give you the ability to control the temperature, but the thing with these is that you will have to turn them on and off when you think it is right. Again, this is not as easy as it seems, but with some experimentation, you will get used to it.

Automatic

These machines do everything for you. The only thing you can do is press some buttons if you have the options to choose what kind of coffee you would like, and the rest is up to the machine.

Capsule Espresso Machines

They are super easy to use, and super lightweight as well. You just fill the reservoir with water, place the capsule in, and press start. Place your cup of choice underneath and let the machine do its job.

What To Look For In An Best Espresso Machine Under 300

Here are some tips for you when you decide it is time to choose your new espresso machine.

Is It Easy To Use?

Every machine varies. So, if you want a machine with multiple options and multiple features, it will be harder to learn how to use it. Some people want a simple machine, with not a lot of options. We recommend getting something in between those two.

What Kind Of Coffee Do You Want The Most?

Some machines can make different types of coffee. And there are ones that are built to make a specific one. SO make sure that the machine you are looking at is capable of making your coffee.

Do You Have Room On Your Counter?

On the marker, there are some pretty big machines, and those are the ones that have the most features and the ones that are capable of making any kind of coffee. So pick one that will fit on your counter and that it will look good standing there.

How Fast Does The Machine Heat The Water?

If you are a person who likes a fresh coffee cup in the morning, just before you go to work, you need to make sure to get a fast machine. Some machines can take time when preparing the brew, so take a good look.

Is The Machine Easy To Clean?

Some machines don’t have removable parts and pieces. Espresso machines tend to get a bit dirty over time, so getting a machine that has removable parts will make the cleaning job a lot easier for you.

Accessories That Can Go Well With Your Espresso Machine

Grinder

There was a machine that came with its own grinder on our list, but it wasn’t the best one. The grind that you put into your machine determines the taste and the quality of the coffee. Having a grinder is pretty useful because you will always have a fresh batch of ground coffee. Quality grinders aren’t cheap at all, and a burr grinder can cost up to 300 dollars.

Tamper

All of the machines on this list come with a tamper. But unfortunately, they are all made from plastic. To properly compact the ground, you will need to invest another 20 to 30 dollars in a steel tamper.

Conclusion

We hope that we did a good job explaining some of the things you need to purchase an espresso machine. We guarantee that whichever machine you get off this list will be an excellent investment. Just make sure that you get the one that is capable of making your favorite type of coffee.