Top 10 Espresso Machines Under $300

A little while back, coffee machines had a hefty price tag and seemed a sort of unaffordable luxury for average people. Luckily, the situation has changed. Today, there are a lot of players on the market that compete in attracting customers with innovative designs and unique functionality of coffee equipment. As a rule, a surplus of goods leads to price reduction. Another good point is the value proposition that has become much better in the lower end of the market. Not mentioning the cheapest coffee machines, this post describes the best espresso machines under 300 dollars. The review proves that you can get a fantastic device at a mid-price price point that makes signature espresso.

Best Espresso Machines Under 300 Dollars

To be honest, at this price point, you won’t get a super-automatic appliance with all bells and whistles; however, take a closer look at the picks under $300 with a milk frother. Check these models because most of them are great deals.

Rank	Review	Name	Dimensions	Features	Rating
1		Mr. Coffee Café Barista View Details	11.22 x 8.86 x 12.6 inches	Wattage 1040 W 54 oz. water tank Weight 10.4 lbs. Plastic/steel exterior 1-year limited warranty	9.9
2		Breville ESP8XL View Details	12.2 x 11.6 x 14.8 inches	Wattage 1000 W 40.6 oz. water tank Steel exterior 1-year limited warranty	9.8
3		De'Longhi EC702 View Details	11 x 9 x 12 inches	Wattage 1100 W 44 oz. water tank Steel/plastic exterior Two thermostats 1-year warranty	9.7
4		Nespresso Vertuo Next View Details	14.7 x 5.5 x 12.4 inches	Wattage 1500 W 37 oz. water tank Weight 8.8 lbs. Plastic exterior Uses capsules 1-year warranty	9.6
5		Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse View Details	13 x 10.6 x 14.3 inches	Wattage 1250 W Weight 14.2 lbs. Steel/plastic exterior 1-year limited warranty	9.5
6		EspressoWorks 10 Pc All-In-One View Details	8.5 x 10 x 12 inches	Wattage 1250 W 47 oz. water tank Steel/plastic exterior Includes a grinder 1-year limited warranty	9.4
7		De'Longhi BCO430 View Details	11.02 x 14.52 x 12.79 inches	Wattage 1500 W Two water tanks (47 oz. and 40 oz.) Weight 13.89 lbs. Steel/plastic exterior 1-year warranty	9.3
8		Calphalon Temp iQ View Details	12.2 x 9.84 x 12.8 inches	Wattage 1350 W 67.6 oz. water tank Steel exterior 3-year warranty	9.2
9		Cuisinart EM-200 View Details	12.80 x 9.25 x 10.63 inches	69 oz. water tank Weight 20.10 lbs. Steel/plastic exterior 3-year warranty	9.1
10		De'Longhi ECO310BK View Details	10.24 x 9.06 x 11.81 inches	48 oz. water tank Weight 8 lbs. Two thermostats 1-year warranty	9.0

Mr. Coffee Café Barista Semi-Automatic 3-in-1 Coffee Machine

This semi-automatic model from Mr. Coffee features a modern black and silver design and is quite compact to fit into a small kitchen. Its exterior is plastic, but the main parts involved in the brewing process are stainless steel. Made of transparent plastic, the water reservoir is back-loaded and holds 54 oz. of liquid. The device integrates an automatic milk frothing unit, which is a bonus.

The coffee maker is easy to use. First, you load ground coffee into the portafilter and lock it into the brew head. Then, press the corresponding buttons on the control panel to customize your drink or allow the machine to operate in an automatic mode. You can select the beverage size and the amount of frothed milk.

The cleaning process is simple since a lot of machine parts can be removed. With the Clean button, you can launch the process of automatic cleaning to unclog the frother nozzle.

Breville Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker (ESP8XL)

This model from Breville is made of brushed stainless steel that makes the machine look sleek and allows wiping all stains easily. It is equipped with a 40.6 oz. water tank, which comes with a transparent window to watch a water level.

To brew drinks, tamp ground coffee into the portafilter and adjust it to the brew head. The machine comes with a set of 3 filters. Each of them features the proprietary dual-wall crema technology that ensures a rich coffee flavor.

For frothing milk, there is an adjustable steam wand on the right side of the device. The appliance is simple in operation since it has only one dial on the control panel that performs 2 functions: it starts the brewing process and activates the mode of frothing milk.

De’Longhi EC702 Espresso Maker with Stainless Steel Boiler

The EC702 coffee maker from De’Longhi features a stainless steel housing and looks professional. The primary characteristic of this model is its stainless steel boiler able to hold 6 oz. of water. Also, it is equipped with 2 thermostats that allow both brewing coffee and frothing milk at the same time. The 44 oz. water tank is side-sitting with a visible water level.

The machine integrates a patented filter-holder with a double function to serve both ground coffee and pods. The milk is frothed with the Pannarello steam wand, which is able to swivel to 180°.

Due to a simple control panel, the appliance is easy to operate with only 3 switches. The model has a number of features that make its use convenient, for example, a cup-warming plate and a built-in coffee tamper.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Single Serve Espresso Maker by Breville

This is one of the latest models released by Breville. It is super compact and performed in a matte black slim design with chrome accents. This is a pod-type coffee maker that uses the capsule-specific brewing technology by reading barcodes printed on coffee capsules. After you place a pod into the machine, the unit is put into operation with the touch of a button.

The capsule container capacity is 10 used espresso pods; besides, there is a function of automatic capsule ejection. The device is able to brew various beverage sizes (1.35, 2.7, 5, 7.8, and 14 oz.).

The water tank capacity is 37 oz. The machine requires 30 seconds to heat up water. The cup support can be adjusted to 4 various positions.

To let you create signature coffee drinks, the Vertuo Next arrives in a bundle with the Aeroccino 3 milk frother.

Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse Espresso Machine

The housing of the other model from Mr. Coffee is a combination of plastic and stainless steel performed in black and silver. The device doesn’t have a steep learning curve. The operation is straightforward and performed with the touch of a button. Intuitive controls allow users to choose a single or double espresso, latte, or cappuccino.

The unit is equipped with a 19-bar pump and the thermocouple heating system that ensures evenly-heated water. The reservoirs for water and milk are detachable and can easily be refilled and cleaned. The milk tank capacity is 22 oz., which is enough for making 6 cappuccinos.

The device comes with an integrated automatic device for frothing milk.

EspressoWorks 10 Pc All-In-One Barista Coffee Maker

This device has a plastic body, but the color of the front panel in the models varies. The machine includes all features that allow you to turn your kitchen into a personal coffee house. The box with the unit includes:

In addition to multiple accessories, the device integrates a powerful 19-bar pump and features the Advanced ThermoBlock System that allows heating water in 45 seconds.

It comes with a spacious water tank of 47 oz. It is not difficult to use due to a simple control panel and easy-to-understand buttons.

De’Longhi BCO430 Combination Machine

This model from De’Longhi is unique because it actually integrates 2 separate coffee makers. It allows making drip coffee and espresso and is equipped with 2 water tanks, which are located in the left and right parts of the appliance and can hold 47 oz. and 40 oz. of water respectively.

The BCO430 comes with an aluminum boiler, which heats water in no time but doesn’t allow brewing coffee and frothing milk at the same time. To make foamed milk, you can use a pivoting frothing wand.

Despite the fact that the machine is multifunctional, it is easy to use. The buttons on the control panel are responsible for activating both brewing processes, while a separate knob turns the milk frother on.

Temp iQ Espresso Machine with Steam Wand

The Temp iQ features a stainless steel body and looks like professional barista equipment for those who prefer a generous amount of steel in the overall design. Also, it comes with a café-sized portafilter, which is 58 mm in diameter and able to hold more ground coffee. The machine has a spacious water reservoir of 67.6 oz.

This Calphalon model has the thermoblock heating technology for even heat distribution and pre-infusion to prime the ground coffee prior to extraction. Due to these features, you can brew beverages at the correct temperature and pressure to get the optimally extracted espresso and the best possible flavor.

The device is for entry-level users and easy to operate. There is only one dial knob to toggle between steam and brew options. The stainless steel frothing wand is good at making textured milk and can be pivoted at any angle.

Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker

The front side of the EM-200 is made of stainless steel for easy cleanup, while the rest of the housing is made of silver plastic to match the metal part. The machine looks solid and modern. The next thing that catches your eye is the 6 buttons on the control panel. They allow you to switch the device on, select the cup size, and turn on the steam. You can select a pre-programmed single or double serving (1.5 oz. or 3 oz.).

The model comes with an extremely spacious water tank (69 oz.), which is rear-sitting. The level of water can be controlled due to a built-in float.

As with any other manual coffee maker, you have to put ground coffee in the portafilter and control the process while it is pouring into your cup.

To make milk-based beverages, froth milk with a frothing wand. For easy use, the steam is operated via a separate knob.

De’Longhi Icona Manual Espresso Machine ECO310BK

The Icona is a manual coffee machine. This model allows making 2 beverages in one brewing cycle due to a dual dispenser of the portafilter. The portafilter performs a double function and can be used with both pods and ground coffee.

The appliance has a classic design and features a black and stainless steel housing. The thing is quite compact, making it a space-saver in your kitchen. It is equipped with a rear-sitting water tank that holds 48 oz. of liquid. It also features some bonuses such as a cup-warming plate with holders, a built-in tamper, a removable catch tray, etc.

Since it integrates 2 separate thermostats, it allows users to froth milk and brew coffee at the same time. The operation of the machine is intuitive and performed by 3 buttons with lights (ON/OFF, Brew, and Steam).

FAQs

In this section, you’ll find answers to the most typical inquiries from people who are searching for mid-budget coffee machines. Since you are reading this article, you may also be interested in this information.

Conclusion

Finding the right type of coffee machine that is suitable for your budget, lifestyle, and needs can be a challenging task. So, understanding your preferences will make the search easier. The 10 strong candidates described in the review pack a number of great functions with some of them typical for brewers with a higher price tag. You can create perfect espressos with any of these options to cut costs and not to waste time driving to a local coffee house.

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