What are the best affordable espresso machines for your money? Well, that depends on a lot of factors, which we’ll have to discuss before we actually talk about specific models. The terms “best” along with “affordable” and “for your money” covers a LOT of ground with espresso makers.
For instance, you can buy an espresso machine for anywhere from around $50 to well over $2,000+ so there’s a lot of variables to consider.
Does the $50 variety make the same quality of espresso as the $2,000 model? No, of course not! Is having that higher quality cup every morning worth buying a $2,000 machine for? Well, only you can decide the answer to that question.
Either way, I have a question for you…
Did you know that an espresso maker can actually help you save money?
Yes, it can!
Think about it…
If you are you like me (well, how I used to be) then you pull into Starbucks (or whatever your favorite coffee shot is) at least once a day to get that luscious shot of delicious espresso!
If this is describing you, then you’ve got a problem! No, not your espresso habit (I have that same problem). You’re just spending money when you don’t need to.
Here’s the deal. If you actually owned your own coffee espresso maker, you could save tons of money in the long run and actually have more fun at home. Espresso makers are not that hard to learn to use, they are also much cheaper than going out for your cup each day (after a while), and they make great discussion pieces for any get together.
The fact is, they are more than worth the investment!
The only real question here is what’s the best espresso machine to buy and how much is it going to set you back?
Again, before we get started looking at the top espresso maker for your money, let’s talk some about the types of espresso machines in general. Although there’s some disagreement on which is the best, there are multiple kinds of espresso makers to choose from, and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s take a look at them…
The first thing for you to keep in mind is that there are 3 main types of espresso makers: automatic, pump driven, and steam driven machines. These all fall into very different price points as well as their ability to make a superior or inferior cup of coffee, and their ease-of-use also differ vastly.
AUTO
Automatic machines are, well, automatic… They do everything! What’s so great about automatic machines is they do it all for you. They grind and brew the espresso all at one time. No fuss at all. You just pop the beans in and perfectly made, frothy espresso comes out!
What could be easier? Well, nothing really.
It’s not hard to see why most people consider the automatic machine to be the best coffee espresso maker out there. These are great if you want a high quality espresso and you want to avoid the hassle of learning to make it from scratch yourself.
Not interested in roasting and grinding your own beans? Don’t want to learn all about pressures and temperatures? Then, the automatic espresso maker is for you.
However, this option is not for someone on a tight budget!
It’s hard to go wrong here if this option is in your price range, as almost any brand/product will be among the best out there, especially when compared to non-automatic options. But our top choice is the Philips 3200 Series.
STEAM
On the other end of the spectrum for someone with a low budget or for those of you who just want to play around with espresso, the steam driven machine would be considered a good option for you.
Steam driven machines are the “poor mans” best espresso makers for your money. You can get a cheap steam driven machine for around $50 or maybe even less! That’s a far cry from the automatic prices. The problem with steam machines in general is this… For the most part they can’t create the heat and sufficient pressure to make a really outstanding cup of espresso.
Steam driven machines will never satisfy a really discerning palate, or give you anywhere near the quality of a coffee shop, but you can get by with a steam machine might if you need to.
However, even in this price range, there are some options for what I would call the “best espresso makers for your money” if you don’t have much to spend. The Krups Allegro, for instance, makes a nice cup of coffee (for a steam driven machine) and it only costs around $60.
PUMP
Pump machines are the final (and mid-range) category of espresso maker we’re going to talk about. Basically, these machines doesn’t have all the extra features that an automatic machine has, but they are quite a bit better than the steam options.
There aren’t many people who wouldn’t consider a pump driven machine to be the absolute best espresso makers overall. They are the perfect middle ground for the vast majority of espresso drinkers.
Want to get into all the ins and outs of espresso? Want to really get into how a truly world-class cup of espresso is made? Need something that isn’t too cheap or overly expensive? Then, the pump driven machine is for you!
These tend to be the category where most people end up buying their expresso machines. They offer a good combination of price, functionality, and a decent cup of joe.
They aren’t the best espresso makers in the world, but they definitely can get the job done and are good buy for your money. Something like the barista express from breville will satisfy just about anyone looking for a good espresso machine at an affordable price.
So, what’s the best espresso maker, how much do they cost, and which one do you need? As you can see, there is no solid or direct answer to these questions. It all depends upon your budget, needs, and tastes.
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