Best Espresso Machines Under $100 Reviews
#1 Choice – De’Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Review
Weighing just 9 lbs and measuring 8” x 11” x 10”, the De’Longhi 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is a great compact espresso and cappuccino maker that will fit comfortably on your kitchen countertop, coffee bar, or breakfast nook for convenient brewing.
You can use it in the comfort of your home or at the office. This is one of the top machines from any price range and makes our best espresso machine list, especially for a limited budget.
If you prefer espresso made quickly and with the utmost convenience, the De’Longhi allows you the option of brewing easy-serving espresso (ESE) pods with its patented dual-filter holder.
If you prefer cappuccino, this espresso and cappuccino maker comes with an easy-to-use jet frother that swivels, enabling you to make cappuccino topped with deliciously foamy steamed milk every time.
If you loathe tongue-burningly hot coffee, this espresso and cappuccino maker allows you to brew using 2 separate thermostats, ensuring you enjoy espresso shots and cappuccinos at the temperature you’re most happy with.
The other features we really like on this machine include: self-priming operation, which makes start-up preparation easy; a durable, high-quality, stainless steel boiler with 15-bar pump pressure; a 35 oz. removable water tank with indicator light and a removable drip tray, both of which can be cleaned easily; and a bonus cup warmer, which ensures that your cup of espresso or cappuccino stays warm even if you leave it on the tray for several minutes.
Even with all of its useful features, the espresso and cappuccino maker isn’t perfect. There are a few small downsides to it, as pointed out by some especially savvy users. They complained about the grounds basket and the frothing wand.
According to their experiences, a broth-like liquid is left in the grounds basket after each cup of espresso is made, producing a wetter puck; the grounds basket is just slightly too close to the tray (2 1/2 inches); and the frothing wand is a little too short, extending only 3 ¼ inches.
In my opinion, these are minor irritations from especially particular brewers, none of which really affect the quality of the espresso and the overall ease of use.
The De’Longhi, not surprisingly, received a stellar rating of 4 stars out of 5 on Amazon, with over 4,600 reviews. This is also one of the best sellers for semi-automatic espresso machines, making this one of the best espresso machines under 100 dollars.
Features:
- 15 bar professional pump pressure
- Self-priming operation for shorter wait times
- Stainless steel boiler
- Swivel jet frother
- Three-in-one function filter holder, including ESE pod option
- Easy to clean drip tray
- Two separate thermostats
- 35 oz. removable water tank
- 1-year warranty
#2 Espresso Machine, 20 Bar Espresso Maker Milk Frother
The RELEXNOW 20-Bar Espresso Machine (Model JH-C5210) is not the cheapest espresso machine on the market, but when it comes to a variety of features, this home brewer isn’t one to be overlooked.
Coming in at a compact build of approximately 11.8″ D × 5.5″ W × 12.6″ H (30 × 14 × 32 cm) and weighing around 9–10 lbs (4 – 4.5 kg), the RELEXNOW espresso machine could easily be the sleek centerpiece of your kitchen countertop, island, or coffee zone, as it is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally capable.
If you’re an avid espresso drinker, you’ll be pleased to note that this machine comes equipped with a 20-bar pressure system and a powerful 1350 W boiler, giving it the capability to extract coffee with intensity and richness. It even features a pre-infusion extraction mode, which helps by moistening the coffee grounds slightly before full extraction, in theory improving flavor development and crema.
For those who enjoy iced coffee or cold-brew style drinks, the RELEXNOW machine has a “cold extraction” mode: you can add ice water to the tank and brew an iced shot in minutes.
And if you enjoy milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the machine features a steam wand (or milk frother) that gives you control over the micro-foam for your milk frothing.
Ease of clean-up is also thoughtfully addressed: the frothing tip is removable, the water tank is sizable (41 oz / ~1.2 L) and removable, reducing refill frequency; and the design is described as compact yet durable with a stainless-steel appearance.
Have consumers shared any negative comments about this espresso machine? Only minimal commentary is visible in the sources; the machine is described as “overwhelmingly positive” in user reception, positioning it as an ideal entry-level option for home baristas.
That said, because most of the publicly available information is from retailer descriptions rather than extensive third-party user reviews, potential buyers should still exercise caution and check detailed user feedback once it becomes more widely available.
Features
- 20-Bar pressure pump for high-quality extraction, café-style.
- Pre-infusion mode to evenly moisten coffee grounds for improved extraction.
- Cold extraction capability (ice-water brew) for iced coffee drinks.
- Steam wand/milk frother for lattes, cappuccinos, and micro-foamed milk.
- Stainless-steel aesthetic finish and compact footprint (approx. 11.8″ × 5.5″ × 12.6″).
- Removable water tank (~41 oz / ~1.2 L) to reduce refill frequency and ease cleaning.
- Removable frothing tip/nozzle for easier cleaning.
- Suitable for a variety of espresso-based drinks: espresso, latte, cappuccino, iced coffee.
#3 Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
The Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso, Cappuccino & Latte Maker is not the highest-end espresso machine on the market, but when it comes to delivering a home-barista capable setup at a budget price, this machine shouldn’t be overlooked.
Coming in at a footprint of approximately 9.84″ D × 10.63″ W × 12.4″ H (25 × 27 × 31.5 cm) and weighing about 5.47 lbs according to the product listing.
This compact size means it could nicely fit on your kitchen countertop, coffee nook, or small island without dominating the space.
If you’re an espresso drinker (or looking to dive into making espresso-based drinks at home), this machine comes equipped with a steam-brewing process and an integrated frothing wand plus a stainless-steel frothing pitcher for milk-based beverages like cappuccinos and lattes.
The inclusion of a measuring scoop, a water pitcher with measurement markings, and a large portafilter (up to 4 shots) are nice bonuses that help with consistency.
Cleaning and daily use are relatively straightforward: the frothing pitcher is stainless and removable, the wand is integrated, and the overall design is built for home use. Of course, you’ll still need to wipe spills and maintain the steam wand as with any milk-frothing machine.
Have consumers shared any negative comments about this espresso machine? Yes — there are quite a few. Several users found that the extraction pressure is weak (so the “espresso” ends up more like a strong brewed coffee) and that the milk frothing doesn’t produce very rich micro-foam.
Some reviews also mention a small water tank (or non-removable tank) and limitations when making multiple cups in one session. So while the machine offers good value and solid features for its price, it doesn’t compete with advanced espresso machines in terms of pressure, durability, or professional-level frothing.
Features
- Steam-brewing process for espresso, cappuccino, and latte.
- Integrated frothing wand and stainless-steel frothing pitcher for milk-based drinks.
- Water pitcher with measurement markings for consistent brewing/steaming.
- A measuring scoop is included to level coffee grounds easily.
- Extra-large portafilter that can brew up to 4 shots of espresso.
- Compact dimensions (approx. 9.84″ × 10.63″ × 12.4″) and light weight (≈ 5.47 lbs).
- Stainless steel & black finish for a clean aesthetic.
Summary
If you are looking for a home espresso machine that gives you the ability to brew espresso-style shots and froth milk for cappuccinos or lattes, and you’re working with a moderate budget, the Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Maker is a compelling choice. It strikes a good balance between features, footprint, and value.
On the other hand, if you are someone who demands barista-quality extraction (high-pressure pump, consistent 9-15 bar pressure), advanced frothing for latte-art, making multiple drinks quickly, or you want more professional durability, then this machine may fall short, and you might consider stepping up to a more premium model.
Conclusion
Wading through the endless sea that is the wide variety of espresso products being sold commercially can be a pain for people who just want an affordable but reliable espresso machine. I hope I have helped you sort through the endless options a little faster to find the best espresso maker for you.
