If you’re a coffee fanatic, no doubt there will come a stage when you’ll want to buy a good espresso machine for your home. A good place to start is looking for the best espresso machine under 300. Around the $300 mark you’ll get a good quality machine that makes great tasting espresso.
If you’re looking for the best coffee machine under $300, checking out this guide is a great place to start.
In these best espresso machine reviews, I explain the different types of machines available and the various features that make the best home coffee machine. I also compare some options for the best home espresso machine under 300 currently on the market from some of the top coffee machine brands.
So, whether you’re after the best automatic espresso machine, the best beginner espresso machine, the best pod espresso machine or just the best buy espresso machine under $300, I have no doubt you will find one of the perfect coffee machines under $300 just right for you in this article.
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Contents
The Best Espresso Machine under 300 Comparison Chart
Below is a handy table where you can see all the different options for the best espresso machine $300 reviewed within this article. It lists the various features side by side to help you choose the best espresso coffee machine that’s simply perfect for you.
Keep reading below for more information on each of these options for the best espresso maker under 300.
| Image | Model | Type | Water Tank | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker | Semi-Automatic | 40 oz | 4.2 | Check |
 | Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse Espresso Maker and Cappuccino Machine | Automatic | 50 oz | 4.8 | Check |
 | De'Longhi EC702 Espresso Maker | Semi-Automatic | 44 oz | 4.6 | Check |
 | Delonghi EC680M Dedica 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic | 4 cups | 4.4 | Check |
 | Capresso Cafe Select | Semi-Automatic | 42 oz | 4.0 | Check |
 | Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic | 67 oz | 4.4 | Check |
 | Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable Espresso Maker | Super Automatic | 69 oz | 4.0 | Check |
 | Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine | Capsule | 40 oz | 4.6 | Check |
 | EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker | Semi-Automatic | 42 oz | 4.2 | Check |
 | Flair Signature Espresso Maker | Manual | 2 oz | 4.5 | Check |
My Pick for the Best Espresso Machine under $300
Don’t have time to read my entire coffee maker reviews and just want to hear my recommendation for the best coffee machine under 300?
I really like the Calphalon TempIQ as it has all the functions you need to make a great coffee, plus a few extras usually found on more expensive machines.
It’s a stylish machine with a commercial size portafilter and fully manual steam wand and pitcher included.
Keep reading below for my full review or click here to check the price.
Espresso Machine Terminology
Before we get into the things you need to consider in order to buy the best $300 espresso machine, it’s probably helpful that we quickly cover off on some espresso machine terminology so you know exactly what we are talking about further down in the reviews.
Portafilter: The portafilter holds the filter basket (see below), which you then lock into the machine before pulling a shot (see below). Portafilters come in a range of sizes, which influences the size of the shot.
Shot: A shot can be either a single espresso shot or a double shot, which basically describes how much espresso you pull from the machine. You’ll need different filter baskets (see below) for different sized shots.
Filter Basket: The filter basket goes into the portafilter and is where you place the ground coffee beans. Most espresso machines come with different sized filter baskets so you can have different strengths of espresso shots. There are also beginner filter baskets and commercial filter baskets.
Tamping: Refers to the process of evenly compressing the coffee grinds into the filter basket and portafilter. Some machines come with a tool called a tamper, which makes this process much easier.
Bar Pressure: This refers to how much pressure is used to force the water through the coffee grounds in the portafilter. The industry standard is 9 bars, so I recommend you look for a machine with at least 9 bars.
Single or Dual Boiler: The boiler heats the water and the milk. Some machines have a single boiler or thermoblock, so you’ll need to heat the water then heat the milk. Other machines have a dual boiler so you can heat both at the same time. A machine with a single boiler is much cheaper than a machine with a dual boiler.
Drip tray: This is the part of the machine where you place your mug under the portafilter. A drip tray also allows any drips to be caught so you can easily clean up. Some drip trays are completely removable, so you can place a taller cup under the portafilter.
Steam Wand: If you want to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes, you’ll need a machine with a steam wand. If your machine doesn’t come with a steam wand, you can buy a milk frother separately.
Things to consider to purchase the Best Coffee Machine under $300
While there are some top espresso machines on the market, there really isn’t one size that fits all, as everyone has their own individual preferences. To purchase the best coffee and espresso maker for you, consider the following factors.
1. Machine Types
When it comes to buying the best espresso coffee maker for you, the first thing you’re going to need to consider is the type of espresso machine you purchase.
There are two main types of espresso machines – a steam driven or pump driven machine. A steam driven machine can either be a stovetop or pumpless electric machine – both are not that common.
A pump driven machine is the most common espresso machine on the market, and there are various types of machines as follows:
Manual Lever Pump
With a manual lever pump machine, you’ll be required to do all the prep work such as grinding the beans, placing them into the portafilter etc as well as manually pumping the espresso out by hand. You can also get electric pump machines, which is basically the same but uses electricity to pump the espresso.
A manual lever pump is best for those that want complete control over every step. However it can be difficult to master. A manual lever pump is not very common and not recommended for those looking for their very first espresso machine.
Semi-Automatic Pump
A semi automatic machine is like a manual machine in that you’ll need to do all the preparation work yourself, including grinding the beans, loading the portafilter, tamp and set the machine.
The main difference between a semi automatic pump and a manual one is it operates with a button or dial which automates the water flow (unlike the lever a manual pump uses). The machine will automatically stop the water flow once it reaches the preset water amount.
Semi automatic pumps are great for those with some experience making espresso coffee and those who want to have some control over the various steps.
Automatic Pump
Like a semi automatic pump, automatic pumps also use a button in place of a lever. You’ll still need to grind and tamp the coffee beans; however the rest of the process is pretty much automated and can be programmed.
You can tell the machine your preference in terms of coffee strength and how you like your milk frothed, and the machine will do it all for you.
These machines are great for people who are just starting out and wanting the best easy to use espresso machine.
Super Automatic Pump
A super automatic pump espresso machine will do everything for you! They will grind the beans, tamp the grounds into the filter, boil the water, push it through and pour your coffee for you. All you need to do is put your coffee cup under the spout and press a button.
The downside with a super automatic pump is they are not cheap! But they are perfect for those that want all the work taken care of for them and just want great tasting espresso at the press of a button.
Capsules / Pod Machines
Finally there are capsules/pod machines, which like a super automatic pump machine. However unlike a super automatic pump machine, there are not many presets or programs and you can only use pods. You can purchase different strength and coffee style in pods depending on your preferences.
The great thing about pod machines is that they are cheap, compact, and really simple to use. For people after the best entry level espresso machine, this is one type to consider.
2. Size of the Water Reservoir
The size of the water reservoir determines how many cups of coffee you can make before you need to refill. To determine what size water reservoir will suit you best, consider how many cups of coffee you’ll be making at any given time and how often.
How many people live in your household and will want a coffee in the morning? And how many cups of coffee does each person want to drink at any given time? Do you regularly entertain friends?
Consider all these questions and then think about this when looking at the water reservoir size.
3. Programmable and Display Settings
Depending on the type of machine you purchase, your machine may come with no or very few programable display settings to way more than you’ll know what to do with!
Some of the best super automatic espresso machines, even just semi or automatic options, come with a range of great program settings.
Few of the top rated espresso machines under $300 have a digital display, but with easy to use button options, they are simple to navigate and select your coffee options.
4. Size
Some of the best home espresso maker options on the market can be huge! So before you buy a machine, make sure you have enough space for it.
Top Tip: Measure out the space you have available and check the dimensions of the machine before purchasing it to ensure it will appropriately fit.
The area must have enough surface area and top clearance to use the machine properly as well as be located near a power outlet.
If you don’t have a lot of space available, there are some great options for the best compact espresso machine.
5. Budget
You will note that the price range for the best espresso and coffee machine options is huge. The difference between a cheap machine to the very best quality espresso machine can be hundreds of dollars.
Many factors make a difference in price, including what the coffee maker is constructed from, the brand, how easy it is to use, and the number of features it has.
Obviously you’re reading this article because you’re looking for good coffee machines under $300.
So if this is your budget, stick with it and don’t get starry eyed by some of the more expensive machines.
But, if you can stretch your budget a little more, read our review of the best espresso machines under $500 for a few more options.
6. Ease of Cleaning
If you end up with a coffee maker that’s easy to use but a pain to clean, then it’s not actually all that convenient after all.
Make sure you have an idea of what will be involved in cleaning before you buy it, so you know how involved the process will be. The more features and components the machine has, the more likely it will take you a long time to clean.
7. Durability
All the options for the best espresso machine under 300 dollars reviewed here come with a warranty, which can give you some idea of what to expect from their durability.
Its recommended that you take into consideration the brand’s reputation for making durable products as well as read other espresso coffee machine reviews.
In these best home espresso machine reviews, I’ve included some of the top espresso machine brands which have great reputations for making long lasting and durable products.
Summary Of The Best Espresso machine 2021 (under 300) Products
To recap, here are the top espresso machines under 300 reviewed below.
- Breville ESP8XPL Cafe Roma Espresso Maker
- Mr Coffee One Touch Coffeehouse Espresso and Cappuccino machine
- De’Longhi EC702 Stainless Steel Espresso Machine
- Delonghi EC680M Espresso, Stainless Steel
- Capresso Cafe Pro Espresso Machine
- Calphalon Espresso Machine (BVCLECMP1)
- Cuisinart Espresso Machine (EM200)
- Nespresso Vertuo Espresso Pod Machine
- Espresso Works Espresso Machine
- Flair Espresso maker (manual)
The Best Espresso Machines under 300 – Reviews 2021
Below I’ve listed my recommendations for the 10 top espresso machines under $300.
1. Breville Cafe Roma Espresso Machine ESP8XL Review
Best Breville Espresso Machine under 300
The Breville Café Roma is a great semi automatic espresso machine, and as you’ll see in any Breville espresso machine review, it’s the perfect choice if you’re after the best value espresso machine at the entry level.
The features of this best rated espresso machine include:
- A large 41 oz water tank
- 15 bar thermoblock pump
- 6 cup aluminum warming tray
- Heating indicator light.
This best simple espresso maker comes with everything you need for beautiful, freshly brewed coffee. It includes filter baskets for single or double shots as well as espresso pods and an adjustable stainless steel steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos.
Other items included with the Breville ESP8XL machine include two espresso cups, a tamping tool, a measuring spoon, and stainless steel milk frothing jug.
It’s a good size too for your average kitchen as it’s not overly big at 9.25 x 9 x 11.75 inches. It looks great too with its stainless steel casing. It is also relatively easy to clean with the drip tray being completely removable.
As this is an entry level Breville machine, the espresso shot control is manual, and there are no customizable features. But at under $300 it is a great buy and comes with a 1 year warranty for buying confidence.
Pros
Durable stainless steel construction
Full accessory pack included
Compact size
Cons
Manual espresso volume control
No variable steam adjustment
Breville is one of the best espresso machine brands, and if you’re after the best Breville espresso machine under 300, the Café Roma is a great one to consider.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
2. Mr Coffee Espresso Machine: One Touch Coffeehouse Review
Best automatic espresso machine under $300
Another great choice for those after the best semi automatic espresso machine under $300 is the Mr Coffee One Touch Coffeehouse. With this Mr Coffee espresso machine, you’ll be able to make great café quality coffee in the comfort of your own home.
With the 19 bar Italian pump and the thermocouple heating system, you’ll have the right pressure and evenly heated water to extract the best coffee flavors from your grounds. This is an easy espresso maker to use thanks to the 1 button interface. All you need to do is choose the cup size and a single or double shot of espresso.
The machine also has an integrated automatic milk frother, which is perfect for making lattes and cappuccinos. The attached 650ml milk reservoir is removable, which makes it easy to clean, plus you can easily store any leftover milk in the fridge.
This best espresso machine with milk frother is a little larger than the previous coffee machine with a 50 oz water tank. Another great feature that is regularly mentioned in Mr Coffee espresso machine reviews is the stainless steel drip tray, which can be adjusted to fit both tall and short mugs.
Pros
One touch control
Automatic milk frother
Fits large and small mugs
Cons
Plastic casing
Limited customization options
Filter does not lock into portafilter
This Mr Coffee espresso machine is a really popular choice for those after the best espresso machine for home use looking for an automatic machine.
As you can see from the above and from reading different coffee espresso maker reviews, this is an easy to use machine, making it the perfect choice for those after their very first espresso machine.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
3. De’Longhi EC702 Espresso Machine Review
Best semi-automatic espresso machine under $300
If you are looking for the best traditional espresso machine under 300, the De Longhi EC702 espresso maker is an excellent choice. This machine has a long list of features that really set it apart from others on our list.
With the De’Longhi espresso maker, you can easily brew espresso, cappuccinos and lattes. Plus no one has to wait as the machine can brew two shots at once.
The Delonghi home espresso machine has a 15 bar espresso machine pump system with a stainless steel single boiler. Other features include:
- The popular 3 in 1 pressurized portafilter for easy espresso extraction
- A large 44 ounce water reservoir
- Panarello steam wand
- Self priming function.
Other features of this best coffee and cappuccino maker include a simple control panel, two thermostats to separately control water and milk temperature and a sturdy stainless steel design.
You can use both ground beans and easy serve espresso (ese) pods with this machine. Note that the clearance between the spout and drip tray is smaller than the Mr Coffee but it can accommodate taller mugs by removing the generously sized drip tray.
The panarello steam wand is a little limited in range of movement compared to the Breville steam wands, but it textures the milk well regardless.
Like the Breville Cafe Roma the Delonghi also has manual espresso volume control, so you need to time and manually switch off when the shot is extracted to your liking.
It is relatively compact at 12.5” tall x 11.3” wide x 8.2” deep and should fit comfortably on most kitchen benches.
Pros
Stainless steel boiler
Adjustable steam control
Stainless steel Italian design
Cons
Short cup clearance
Manual espresso volume control
Panarello wand does not swivel
This would easily have to be one of the best buy Delonghi espresso machine options! Check out any Delonghi espresso machine review and you’ll see it’s well recommended too.
If you are looking for an entry level espresso machine for home, this Delonghi is a good choice.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
4. Delonghi Dedica EC680M Espresso Machine Review
Best small mid range espresso machine
Read any best espresso cappuccino machine reviews, and you’ll see Italian brand Delonghi regularly mentioned as one of the best espresso coffee machine brands. And for those after the best Delonghi coffee machine under $300, the Delonghi Dedica is a popular choice.
The Delonghi Dedica is a compact machine with an ultra slim design making it an ideal choice for anyone with limited space in the kitchen. It’s also lightweight, so easy to move in and out of the cupboard as needed.
This compact espresso machine features:
- A handy removable water reservoir so you can easily fill it up at the sink
- 15 bar pump espresso pressure (thermoblock)
- Manual milk frother
- 3 in 1 filter holder for 1 or 2 shots or ese pods
- Removable steel drip tray, which can be adjusted to fit taller cups.
Being so small, it can easily be a permanent fixture on the kitchen bench, even in the smallest kitchen. It also looks super stylish with its stainless steel finish.
Despite being a slim design, this best Delonghi espresso machine still comes with all the essential features to create great tasting coffee, plus it has automatic flow stop so there is no need to manually stop your shot extraction.
Given it’s a semi automatic machine, you’ll need to load up the portafilter, but there is a range of automated settings.
You also have the option of choosing between a single or double shot of espresso as well as cappuccino, lattes, and ese pods.
Pros
Compact and slim design
Rapid heat up time
Automatic shot flow stop
Cons
Shot time not customizable
Microfoam hard to achieve
For those with a small kitchen and after the best small espresso machine, the Delonghi Dedica is a great one to consider.
This is a great quality machine, with a lot of opportunities to experiment as well as being super compact and so doesn’t take up too much space on the kitchen bench.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
5. Capresso Espresso Machine: Capresso Cafe Select Review
Another great quality full size, semi automatic espresso machine under $300 is the Capresso Café Select. This Capresso espresso machine is a good option to consider whether you’re after the best home coffee espresso machine or even the best office espresso machine.
The Capresso Café Select replaces the Cafe Pro but is similarly featured. It comes with a double spout espresso portafilter with 2 pressurized filters for beginners. Plus with the double filter you can make two espressos at the same time!
The Capresso Café Pro is a heavy duty machine that comes with a stainless steel casing.
Other great features include a 15 bar pump, warming platform, powerful frother for cappuccinos and lattes, 42 oz removable water tank, indicator lights, a removable stainless steel drip tray, and includes a coffee scoop and tamper.
Pros
Stainless steel casing
Large water tank
Simple control panel
Cons
Manual espresso volume control
No customizable features
As you can see, the Capresso Café Select comes with all the essentials for a great semi automatic machine and all under $300.
Read any espresso machine comparison reviews and you’ll see this machine comes well recommended.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
6. Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine Review
Best buy espresso machine under $300
Another bestseller when it comes to the best espresso latte machine is the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine. This machine comes packed with all the great features you need for brewing café quality coffee in your own home.
With a 15 bar Italian pump, this espresso machine delivers the perfect amount of pressure for extracting maximum flavor from your coffee grounds. It also features thermoblock heating, pre-infusion and PID temperature control for an even heat.
The Calphalon Temp IQ has an easy to use interface with the pre programmed single and double shots and steam options.
This top rated home espresso machine also comes with:
- A large removable 67oz water reservoir for easy filling
- Commercial sized 58mm portafilter with dual wall filters
- Cup warming tray
- Stainless steel milk jug and tamper
- Powerful steam wand to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
The steam wand is fully manual and takes some practice to master, but it produces high quality microfoam similar to that made on more expensive machines.
Pros
PID Temperature control
Automatic shot time control
Accessories included
Cons
Plastic tamper
Single walled filters not available to purchase
Whether you’re looking for a good home espresso machine or the best espresso machine for small business use, the Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine is another great option worth considering.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
7. Cuisinart Espresso Machine: Cuisinart Programmable Espresso Maker Review
If you’re after something a little cheaper than $300, you can often pick up the Cuisinart Programmable Espresso Maker for under $250, making it a great option for anyone after the best espresso machine under 250.
While one of the cheaper espresso machines in these espresso coffee maker reviews, it’s still a good quality machine for those starting out.
With the Cuisinart Espresso Machine, you have the option of either single or double espresso shots as well as the option to use pods to brew great tasting coffee. You can also choose between the manual, 1.5 or 3 ounces pre programmed shot size or program the machine for a size in between.
Other features of this best fully automatic espresso machine include:
- 15 bars of pressure in thermoblock boiler
- Lockable filter and 54mm portafilter
- Large 69 oz removable water tank
- Removable drip tray and cover
- Warming tray, tamping tool and a measuring spoon
- 3 filters for 1, 2 cup and pods.
The Cuisinart espresso maker EM-200 comes with a stainless steel frothing pitcher and steam nozzle for making cappuccino and latte.
Pros
Programmable shot size
Stainless steel casing
Automatic shot volume control
Cons
Only comes with pressurized filters
No PID temperature control
Noisy machine
If you’re not wanting to spend a lot and wanting the best espresso machine for the money, the Cuisinart EM 200 espresso machine is well worth considering.
It’s a great looking machine, coming with a stainless steel surface, an instructional DVD and a long 3 year warranty for peace of mind.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
8. Nespresso Vertuo Coffee And Espresso Maker Review
Best pod espresso machine under $300
If you’re looking for the best capsule espresso machine under $300, then the Nespresso Vertuo comes highly recommended.
While you won’t get to experiment too much with this machine as you may with the others in these espresso cappuccino machine reviews, what you will get is great tasting coffee at the push of a button.
For the best basic espresso machine, you can’t get much simpler than the Nespresso Vertuo.
The machine only requires 15-20 seconds to preheat, and then with just a press of the button, the machine gets to work – blending ground coffee with water and producing the perfect crema. The capsule will be automatically ejected after your coffee is brewed.
The Nespresso Vertuo can accommodate three different cup sizes, including Alto (14 oz), Coffee (8oz), and Espresso (1.35oz). This recommended espresso machine also features a large 40 oz water tank, so you won’t need to be continually refilling it and an auto-shut off after 9 minutes.
The machine reads the barcode to determine the coffee volume required and pulls the shot automatically.
Pros
One touch control
Rapid heat time
Milk frother included
Cons
Only compatible with vertuo pods
Generates pod waste
No customization possible
For those looking for a compact and easy to use coffee machine, you can’t go past a capsule machine. The Nespresso Vertuo is one that will have you enjoying beautifully brewed coffee with the simple push of a button.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
9. EspressoWorks All In One Espresso Machine
If you’re after the best price espresso machine, then the EspressoWorks All in One Espresso Machine is a great one to consider. This is an easy to use semi automatic coffee machine which comes well under $300.
Don’t let the low price of this machine fool you, it comes with all the great qualities you’d expect in a more expensive machine. The EspressoWorks has an advanced Thermoblock heating system as well as a 15 bar pump pressure system to ensure you have the perfect settings to extract maximum flavor from your grounds.
With the stainless steel milk frothing pitcher and steam wand with detachable frothing device, you’ll be able to prepare Lattes and Cappuccinos.
Other features of this best buy espresso machine include a 42 oz removable water, removable drip trap for easy cleaning, and two stainless steel pressurized portafilter baskets are included, so you pull both single or double shots.
Plus it also comes with a portable grinder so you can grind your own beans, 2 espresso cups and plastic spoon and tamper.
Pros
Rapid heat thermoblock boiler
Full accessory pack included
Cons
Manual espresso volume control
Blade grinder not ideal for consistent grind size
Low cup clearance
With its simple touch buttons and dial, this is an easy to use machine, perfect for the beginner looking for the best mid range espresso machine.
It comes with absolutely everything you need for amazing tasting coffee, as well as just enough settings so you can experiment with your flavors.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
10. Flair Espresso Maker And Pressure Kit
Best manual espresso maker under $300
If you think of yourself as a bit of a barista and would like to try a manual espresso machine, then check out the Flair Espresso Maker and Pressure Kit.
This kit comes highly recommended and looks very cool, so it will be sure to make a statement sitting on your kitchen bench.
With manual espresso machines, you’ll have complete control over every step while brewing your coffee.
Plus not relying on electricity, and thanks to the included carry case, it’s completely portable so you can make professional tasting coffee wherever you go.
With the Flair, all you need to do is add 60ml of boiled water and up to 18 grams of coffee grounds to make a 40 ml shot.
The machine brews coffee between 6-9 BAR, which is the perfect range for extraction. Included in this kit are a stainless steel tamper and a bottomless 2 in 1 portafilter.
The Flair is a durable machine made from cast aluminum and stainless steel, so this machine is built to last.
Plus it comes with a 5 year warranty. It’s also really easy to clean with the brewing head being completely detachable.
Pros
Long warranty
Easy to clean
Lighweight and portable
Cons
Only produces a single shot
No milk frother
The Flair Espresso Maker is certainly not for beginners or for those after a quick morning coffee.
However if you’re up for having some fun experimenting with your coffee and impressing your friends and family with your barista skills, this is a great machine under $300 to consider.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews
We hope you have been able to choose the best espresso machine for under 300 for your home. See all our espresso machine reviews here.
Why not pair your new machine with the best coffee beans – see the top espresso beans here.
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