Espresso is to coffee what symphonic music is to a marching band; they may do the same thing but they do it in vastly different ways with very different results.
Espresso machines have been around since the late 1800s and have evolved into a variety of technologies and methodologies.
Many coffee lovers feel like Espresso is an enigma, wrapped in a conundrum, and surrounded by mystery. It’s not, but it seems that way because of the fervor of its followers.
I am one of them but I’m not ready to shell out a couple of hundred, or even a few thousand bucks for a morning cup of get-up-and-go.
What Is the Best and Cheapest Espresso Machine?
- Best Semi Automatic: ChefWave Kava’ Mini
- Best Portable: Staresso Portable Espresso Maker
- Best With Mik Frother: Sowtech 4-Cup Espresso Maker With Steam Milk Frother
- Best Budget: Aicok Electric Portable Espresso Machine
- Best Single Serve: Mueller Ultima
Best Espresso Machines Under $100
Call me frugal or cost-conscious; in either case, the word “cheap” quickly enters the picture and it’s accurate to say that I don’t want to spend any more than I have to in order to get what I want.
And I wanted a good espresso machine on my kitchen counter for less than $100.
Sounds impossible? Not by a long shot. It turns out there are some really good espresso machines available for this budget.
Here’s my list of the 5 best candidates to consider.
ChefWave Mini Espresso Machine – Nespresso Capsules Compatible
- Compatible with Nespresso pods
- Up to 20 bar pressure for high quality, barista-style taste
- Lightweight yet powerful design
- Includes a capsule holder for 40 pods and a pair of double-wall glass espresso cups
- 12-month failsafe warranty
This little jewel is like having a barista sitting on the kitchen counter.
Elegant and Functional
I like the ease of use and the compatibility with Nespresso cartridges or hand-packed grounds.
I also like that the Kava’ Mini Espresso machine has a convenient storage rack for the Espresso pods. It keeps things clean and organized where I can see the inventory of pods rather than rooting through a kitchen drawer.
Noteworthy Features
This Espresso machine also has some other nice features:
- High Pressure 20 Bar pump
- Can make Espresso or Lungo
- Energy-saving automatic shut-off
- 27 ounce (0.8 liters) water capacity
- Includes two 2.7-ounce glass espresso cups
This countertop Espresso Coffee maker has the kind of features home brewers want.
Simple to Use
Easy one-button operation makes brewing the perfect cup of Espresso easy and fast.
Highly Convenient
With a quick warm-up cycle and large capacity water tank, espresso drinkers can make cup after cup to their heart’s content!
- Pod storage rack included
- Fast heat-up time
- Simple to operate
- 2 Drink cups included
- No Frother
STARESSO Portable Espresso Machine – Manual Espresso for Rich & Thick Crema
- Rich espresso taste with a thick layer of crema
- COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE
- Compatible with both Nespresso pods and ground coffee
- Intuitive and straightforward to use
- BPA-FREE MATERIAL & PREMIUM QUALITY
This is a really unique espresso maker that no one else has been able to duplicate.
The Perfect Travel Companion
I like this one because it is portable and manual which means you don’t require electricity to make it work.
Espresso lovers simply push down on the plunger to press hot water through the ground coffee.
Compatible With Nespresso Pods
This espresso maker also uses pre-made Nespresso cartridges or hand-pressed grounds and it also makes foamy froth to top off the Espresso.
Other Reasons Why This One Made It on This List
Other cool features make it worth looking at:
- Lightweight – less than 1 lb (1/2 kilo) in weight
- Large capacity – holds 2.7 ounces (80 ml) of water
- High Pressure 15 – 20 Bar pump
- Stainless Steel and BPA-free materials
For campers, concert-goers, and others that crave a great cup of Espresso without the bother of trying to hunt up a coffee stand, this is the answer. The option to make your own hand-pressed coffee gives this little gem a customizing feature a few espresso makers can match.
- No coffee grinder needed
- Fast heat-up time
- Manual operation – no electricity needed
- Can make foam
- Must have hot water to start brewing
Sowtech 4-Cup (240ml) Espresso Maker With Steam Milk Frother
- EASY TO USE
- COMPACT DESIGN
- YOUR FOAM, YOUR WAY
- BREW LIKE A PRO
This is another countertop Espresso machine that I think deserves some attention.
Brings People Together
The Sowtech Espresso Maker has a 4-cup capacity which means a couple of people can have a nice cup together.
Features
- 4-Cup capacity
- Easy pour Glass Carafe included
- Accurate temperature control
- Detachable filter
- Removable Frother Nozzle and Steam Tube
- Small footprint – 7.2″ x 9.0″
- Stainless steel exterior surface
Simple Yet Effective Design
This compact espresso maker acts like one of its bigger brothers, making espresso without the huge expense and complicated equipment.
Comes With a Milk Frother
The Frother Nozzle works perfectly to make a nice, foamy topping that perfectly compliments the Espresso flavor.
With a price of less than $100, I don’t see how you can go wrong with this excellent Espresso machine.
- Easy to use
- Plenty of capacity
- Dishwasher safe filter cup
- Easy to clean
- Nothing comes to mind, really
Aicok Electric Portable Espresso Machine
- Automatic Portable Espresso Machine
- Brew espresso with Nespresso capsules when you are camping
- Built-in rechargeable lithium battery, and comes with both wall charger and car charger
- ☕15 BAR HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP
Here’s a great twist on an even greater idea: an electric portable espresso/coffee machine that heats the water before brewing all in one unit!
I think this is the way to go if you just gotta have your Espresso right away!
Convenient Way of Making Espresso
The Aicok Espresso Maker uses Nespresso cartridges so there’s no need for a coffee grinder to get started.
Other Great Features
- Lightweight – less than 1.9 lb (1 kilo) in weight
- Large capacity – holds 1.5 ounces (45 ml) of water
- High Pressure 15 Bar pump
- DC 12V Car Power Jack
- Built-in Espresso cup
If you want your espresso on the way to work, then this is the one.
It easily fits in the car coffee cup holder and can make hot, fresh Espresso with cold or hot water while you drive.
No matter where you want to drink your Espresso, this little wonder can make it in minutes anywhere!
The amazing part is it costs less than 100 bucks to achieve coffee Nirvana.
- No coffee grinder needed
- Fast heat-up time
- Car Power – DC12V
- All-in-One design
- You need to recharge it often
Mueller Ultima Espresso Machine
- Automatic Portable Espresso Machine
- Brew espresso with Nespresso capsules when you are camping
- Built-in rechargeable lithium battery, and comes with both wall charger and car charger
- ☕15 BAR HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP
Austrian manufacturer Mueller made a very nice and compact espresso machine with several convenient features.
Don’t Let the Size Fool You
Despite its small footprint, this one holds up to 48 ounces (1.4 liters) of water, so making multiple cups of espresso is easy.
Compatible With Many Pods
It works with the Nespresso Cartridge system as well as 1.0 and 2.0 pods.
Other Attractive Features
- High Pressure 20 Bar pump
- 60-Second Heat-up time
- Programmable for Espresso or Lungo
- Energy-saving automatic shut-off
- Easy One-Touch buttons
- Removable Drip Tray
What I like about this model is that it works with pre-made cartridges eliminating the need for a coffee grinder. Just pop in a cartridge, push a button, and voila – you’ve got smooth, tasty Espresso ready for foam.
For a price of under $100, this is definitely a contender in the battle of the low-cost espresso makers.
- No coffee grinder needed
- Fast heat-up time
- Simple to operate
- Large capacity water tank saves refilling
- Programmable cup sizes
- No Frother
The Ultimate Espresso Machine Buying Guide With Q&A
All of the espresso machines listed above are available online from Amazon. This makes it easy to find and get the right machine on its way fast.
If you’re not sure which machine is best for your situation, there are also comparative charts of the features and benefits for the machines on the site itself.
Don’t forget, some of the Espresso makers use Nespresso or other manufacturer’s pods or cartridges exclusively while other Espresso machines can use any and have universal coverage.
There are additional items that can be purchased and used including specialized coffee bean mixes and coffee grinders able to produce the finest and smoothest grounds for percolating.
Convenience In A Cup
The thing I like the most about espresso is the flavor intensity and the creamy foam on top. It may seem a little childish, but the foam sticks to my upper lip and makes me smile.
The contrast between the crema and the coffee makes each sip special.
The problem is that I don’t want to take a shower, get dressed, and drive down to the coffee shop to get my morning boost.
I want it at home without all the hassle.
And I’m not going to spend more money on the Espresso machine than I spent on furnishing the living room.
A Little Advice Before Making Espresso
It’s always a good idea to check with family and friends to see if any of them have experience with making espresso at home.
They can have valuable insights and experiences to draw upon.
Checking with reliable online resources that provide honest testimonials and ratings is also good to do before jumping into the pool.
I would also recommend beginners look at the lower-cost machines to start.
You can spend more, but I think it’s better to find out if you enjoy the flavor, aroma, and experience of espresso before investing too much capital.
FAQs
What Does “Bar” Mean For Espresso Machines?
Bar (sometimes BAR) is a unit of measuring pressure – just like PSI.
1 bar is the same as 14.5 PSI.
For better understanding, think about pumping your car’s or bike’s tires. Most cars specify about 2.2 bars (give or take 0.1 or 0.2 bars) or 32 PSI.
Pressure varies quite a lot from one espresso machine to another, from 7 bars to 15 bars and even higher. The majority of them have 9 bars or 15 bars (130 PSI or 217 PSI).
Ever felt a road bike tire? Quite hard, isn’t it? That’s because they are pumped 8 bars (sometimes 9). Now that’s a lot of pressure!
What Does 15 Bar Pressure Mean?
15 bars (217 PSI) just mean a heck of a lot of pressure for an espresso maker.
Espresso machines aimed at the consumer market are a lot smaller than their coffee shop counterparts.
Professional espresso makers are also constantly turned on, while domestic ones aren’t.
For making espresso, 9 bars is more than enough.
Then why do some brewers have more? The answer is simple: warm-up. You see, the higher the pressure, the quicker the machine warms up.
Is Nespresso As Good As Real Espresso?
Nespresso is a Switzerland-based brand specialized in making proprietary coffee pods and pod-based coffee machines.
Real hardcore espresso fans will argue that all capsule-based espresso is not as near as good as an actual traditional Italian espresso (which is made using a completely different technique).
I myself have tasted both and here’s the verdict: the traditional real espresso has a more rich and intense flavor and packs a stronger caffeine punch than Nespresso.
It’s still stronger than your regular cup of coffee though.
Nespresso is not that bad, actually. One major advantage it has over real espresso is the cost – it’s much cheaper and your wallet will appreciate this. This is especially true if your budget is around 100 bucks.
The other is convenience: you just put a capsule into the appliance, press a button, and voila! You’re good to go.
What Causes Crema In Espresso?
Crema is the dark foam found on the surface of a shot of espresso When hot pressurized water comes into contact with coffee grounds, a small amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) is released.
This makes the foam.
It is a great indicator of how good the rest of the espresso will be.
For more info take a look at this video:
What Is The Best Inexpensive Espresso Machine?
I have to say my choice for the best espresso coffee machine overall has to be the ChefWave Kava’ Mini. With all the features, the ease of use, a great design, and a fantastic price, there’s not much out there that compares equally. It makes me feel like a professional barista finishing off my perfect Espresso.
The Staresso Portable Espresso Maker can make foam too, which is cool for a portable machine.
But for my money, it’s the ChefWate that I want to wake up to in the morning to start my day with a frothy smile.
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What’s your take on crema? Do you like it or not? Personally, I love it – it reminds me of Guinness and my college years.
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