Pick your best affordable espresso machine with these 11 checks.

Here are 11 points to consider when choosing your best affordable espresso machine. I used the checklist every time when I bought a new espresso machine and felt it was time to share it with you guys. Most lists of best espresso machines are based on the budget you can spend, but this is just one part of the equation. I set out to fix that.

I spent a numberless hours in coffee stores talking to staff members and did extensive online research to determine what counts. Then I made a checklist and sent off it to eight of my friends to fill out the checklist when buying their new espresso machine.

So to make it easy on you I share my checklist "Best (affordable) espresso machine". It can help you in determine what is your best (affordable) espresso machine. No time to read them all one-by-one, here is already the check list

Pick your best affordable espresso machine with these 11 checks.

Single or Double shots
An affordable espresso with or without milk?
Alternatives to Milk Frothing options for an affordable espresso Machine
How much Grind to use?
Can it grind beans?
Temperature Control
Bar pressure, do we need control?
Automatic vs Semi-automatic
Your checklist Best Espresso Machine

I was amazed by the different outcomes it generated. But all of the machines were for them, the friends who bought them, the best affordable espresso machines. I still get invitations to come over and taste their espresso at home.

So without further redo, let’s start what you need to think about when you are in the market for an affordable espresso machine.

Which coffee do you want to make with your espresso machine?

What makes your heart tick and get you started in the morning? Are you going for a black coffee or rather for the milk based coffee? Having a clear picture of which type of coffee your favorite is helps. It already excluded some choices. That makes it easier to choose the best affordable espresso machine.

Coffee pouring out of a double sprout espresso machine

Single or Double shots

One big factor in the price of espresso machines is if you need one or two spouts. By having a clear picture on how much espresso you need it already gives you an angle to look at. So close your eyes and determine what are your favorite coffee drinks. How often do you drink on your own or with company? If you don’t mind waiting a bit longer for a double espresso a single serving spout can also be a viable option for you.

Be aware as more brands are bringing out full automatic espresso machines quite some of them have a double sprout but adjust the amount of coffee grind and water if you select a single espresso. So don't always follow the visual cues, check if the espresso machine has the option to determine itself what to serve.

Types of Black coffee

To give you a quick overview which black coffee options there are:

Single Espresso
It is a shot of hot water, brewed to a temperature of 185 to 194 Fahrenheit (85 - 90 degrees). And pushed under fast pressure through grinded coffee. If the espresso machine has two spouts of which the coffee flows, it means you have 2 single espressos at once.
Double Espresso
It is exactly the same as with single espresso but the contents of the 2 spouts go in one cup. In America you can find quite a few Coffee Shops that only serve double espresso.
Americano
This is a single espresso diluted with 100 to 120ml of extra water. So it starts off with already having water in the cup and the espresso poured into it. The flavor stays the same, but the intensity stays milder.
Lungo
With Lungo you have two options, the first is having more grinder. Approximately 30 to 40 grams and running a longer shot of water. Or having extra water aside, so the coffee drinker can diluted to its preferred taste.

Types of Milk Coffee

Which types of milk coffee can you also make with an espresso machine?

Cappuccino
Cappuccino consists of a single shot of espresso with foamed milk added to it. Served in a cup around the size of 150 - 200ml, due to the cup size the ratio coffee : milk is around 1:6-7.
Macchiato
Also consists of one single shot of espresso. You serve the Macchiato in a smaller cup, around 70ml. So the ratio of coffee and milk changes to 1:1 or 1:2, so this makes you taste more coffee.
Cortado
Cortado or Piccolo is a fancy looking coffee served in a glas. The glass is around 100 to 120 ml. You can see the perfect looking texture of the milk through the glass, the ratio is 1:4.
Flat White
The Flat White also very popular among Americans but essential the same as a Piccolo. It is a double espresso served in a glass of 190ml and has a foamed milk ratio of 1:4.
Caffè Latte
Served in a cup of 300ml and only one single shot of espresso it has the most foamed milk in the cup. The coffee milk ratio is 1:14.

An affordable espresso with or without milk?

So as you can imagine, determining if you want a coffee with or without milk can make a huge difference. It helps you in your choice for an affordable espresso machine. That fits best in your taste palette as well in your kitchen. But when you go for milky coffee. Make sure you know the different options and what are the must-have to brew the delicious cappuccino.

The Italian way of foamed milk

To get certified in Italy for your cappuccino they even have a specific nummer on how much percentage the protein and fat in your milk should be. Italian baristas prefer to brew with fresh cow milk with a 3.2% minimum protein milk, and 3.5% minimum fats. To adhere to these conditions the Istituto Espresso Italiano states and we quote ‘This kind of milk can guarantee a high quality sensory profile’. If you are one of the lucky few with a cow in your back garden you are perfect on spot. Whole milk straight from the cow is around 4% fat. The rest of us (including myself) have to go to the supermarket and see what is on the shelfs. In the United States, whole milk is around 3.25% fat, reduced fat milk 2% and low fat milk 1%.

How your espresso machine can help

So if you said ‘Yes, I need milk with my espresso’, what are your options? And do the options have to be on your espresso machine? Because if we are talking about an affordable espresso machine maybe you rather have a machine with a double spout than a steam wand.

Italians foam their milk always in a stainless steel jug

What is a Steam Wand?

The steam wand is a small protruding pipe that sticks out from one end near the coffee head. It is internal connected to the machine’s boiler. It is an enclosed pipe with tiny holes in the nozzle, at the bottom of the wand. When you activate it, hot and high pressure steam shoots out. You will find this steam wand in most modern espresso makers.

It does require some practice to create delicious foam with a steam wand. Barista’s use metal pitchers, preheated and the steam wand angled in a certain direction. This to make a hot, foamy milk texture to pour into the espresso to create a latte.

What is an automatic Milk Foamer

If you don’t want to bother every single time you want a cappuccino with a metal pitcher. Then an automatic milk foamer attached to your espresso machine can be your best bet. When searching for your espresso machine within your budget. See if you can find a model which has this feature (automatic milk foamer) attached to it. Some models come equipped with this device; others offer it as a separated accessory.

A little chamber is already attached to your steam wand, a plastic tube goes from this chamber directly in your milk carton. It steams and froths the milk at the exact right temperature; a voíla, your perfect cappuccino. Brands like KitchenAid, Philips, Mr Coffee have the option for this automatic Milk Foamer.

Alternatives to Milk Frothing options for an affordable espresso Machine

What to do if your preferred espresso machine doesn’t have the steam wand and/or an automatic Milk Foamer. Or it just brings your affordable machine out of reach considering the alternatives so you can spend more money on the true parts of an espresso machine.

What is a handheld Milk Frother

A handheld Milk Frother gets its power by batteries or charged by USB. Inserted the handheld into the milk to froth. It is a very light device and is around 7.8 - 11,8 inch (20 - 30 cm) long. Handheld frothers are mainly made with a plastic body which also holds the batteries and a simple on / off switch. A stainless steel whisk comes out to the body, this whisk is the part you put in the milk.

Despite being lightweight the Milk Frother has a lot of power. So when starting make sure the tip of the whisk is completely under, so you won’t splatter and spoil milk on your counter or clothing. Within a few seconds you are also able to have this smooth silky looking foamed milk to pour into your Flat White.

What is a manual Milk Frother

If you are trying to cut electricity, this is your device. It doesn’t require electricity, batteries or heat to operate. It is a container which has a lid to close-off the top and which you can manually operate. In the lid is a plunger which powers a whisk within the container. When depressed and raised you froth the milk inside.

A lot of brands even have special barista blends to use. Pour the milk in the manual Milk Frother. Push the plunger up and down a few times, and see how easily you make your own delicious milk foam. You even have time in the morning to practice your barista art before you enjoy your cappuccino.

How much Grind to use?

Making your delicious espresso comes down to selecting the right beans, grind size but also how much grind you should use in your portafilter. It is the combination of your portafilter with the basket which determines the taste of your coffee. The bigger the surface of the cake or coffee puck the more intense it can get.

Portafilter size

So does the portafilter size matter? Yes, it matters. Portafilters range from 49 mm to 58 mm. Most common size is 58 mm. In the portafilter you can find the basket, the depth of the basket determines how much grind can go into it. The size of the portafilter depends on preference and the recipe you follow.

Single shot: 7-12 grams of coffee Double shot: 14-21 grams of coffee Triple shot: 21+ grams of coffee. When you fancy a Lungo the options to triple shot, you can add more coffee grind, should be on your ‘must have’ list.

Per espresso machine different options are possible with the portafilter. Pressurized portafilter, regular or spouted portafilter and the latest trend bottomless portafilter. So you can see the coffee drip out of the machine.

Most brands have their own ‘special’ portafilters so you can swap between single, double and triple. The portafilter with the basket determines if you tied to the specific brand. Or can easily swap to a different set-up if the portafilter has the standardized BZ E61 group head. It involves a bit of measuring if you want to swap between different portafilters.

Pressurized Portafilter

Pressurized types of portafilters are used in most entry level machines. This to help out the beginner barista who still wants its perfect espresso. The tamping or pressure is done by the machine instead of you doing it manually. Due to this workflow the machine restricts the pressure. If the pressure from the boiler becomes too high the coffee shoots out. So determining upfront if you would like to experiment with coffee grinds or you want ease of use is important when selecting the espresso machine which fits your budget.

Regular or spouts Portafilter

This is the commonly known portafilter also used by baristas in your favorite coffee shop. The regular portafilter gives you the most room to experiment with your coffee grinds. You can try finer or coarser grinds, learn and taste how much difference 1 gram of extra coffee grind can bring.

Bottomless or naked portafilter

The latest trend is adhering to the request from the market. Homebrew barista’s want to have a clearer look on how their freshly compressed grind is performing. When the hot water is flowing through the coffee puck you can see spurts which indicates potential channeling due to uneven grounds distribution. By looking up close you can see what happens if you adjust your dose, tamp, time how long your water runs.

Different cup or basket filter

You have different basket or cup filters which are placed in the portafilter. The basket or cup is filled with grinds in a range between 7 and 21+ grams. Manually compressed with a tamper to a coffee puck through which the hot water can flow. The process of having the right amount of grind combined with evenly distributed coffee grinds in the basket have a big influence on the end results.

Can it grind beans?

Having the option to instantly grind beans gives you the edge of adding more richness and flavor to your espresso. This is still possible with an external grinder, but you need to invest then in an extra set of tooling and do you have the space on your counter? So considering where and how to grind before purchasing an espresso machine can save you some headache. Grind in the espresso machine or separately?

A built-in grinder can be more convenient for those who want to streamline their coffee-making process, as it eliminates the need to switch between separate machines. The grind size can still be adjusted on a built-in grinder, allowing for some degree of customization. Furthermore, built-in grinders can often be more powerful than separate grinders, allowing for a faster and more efficient grinding process.

A benefit of using a separate coffee grinder is the ability to control the grind size more precisely. Different brewing methods require different grind sizes, and a separate grinder allows you to adjust the grind to your preference, resulting in a more consistent and high-quality cup of coffee. Additionally, a separate grinder typically has larger burrs or blades, allowing for a more even grind, which can improve the flavor extraction and prevent over-extraction. While a built-in grinder may be convenient, investing in a separate grinder can provide a greater degree of control over the coffee-making process and ultimately lead to a more enjoyable coffee experience.

Fact

The convenience of a separate grinder lies in its ability to be used with multiple brewing methods, whereas a built-in grinder is limited to the specific machine it is attached to.

Grinded and Ungrinded beans in a portafilter

Do you need a scale for measuring with your expresso

No, a scale is not a necessity. But when you are trying to figure out how your espresso machine can brew the perfect espresso it definitely helps. When I try to figure out how to get the best espresso out of a machine I start-off by measuring how much grind I put into the basket. It is one of the variables which is easy to adjust. But when I try a super automatic espresso machine this is already done for me, then I tweak the grinding setting coarser of finer.

Finer grinds = more surface area, more coffee flavor. If you change surface area you change how they connect with each other.

Be aware that a bigger dose of grinded coffee means a bigger dose of caffeine, so lower doses the more shots you can get.

And when I traveled in Europe I noticed quite some difference between nationalities and their taste in how much grind should go in an espresso. The Italians love to drink the espresso the whole day, so they just use less grind in one espresso.

The average grinded coffee for an espresso

UK 18 gram
Italians 7 gram
USA 10 gram

As you can see, tasting is a personal preference. So if you buy a new espresso machine don’t be disappointed if you first have to set 9 cups before you even start to get close to your preferred taste.

Temperature Control

A good espresso machine will have a stable temperature. If you're just starting your search for an espresso machine, you might come across the term "PID controllers". These are advanced temperature control systems that allow you to choose your brewing temperature down to the degree. While a stable temperature is essential for a good espresso, PID controllers offer even greater control over the brewing process, which can result in a more consistent and high-quality cup of coffee. However, it's important to keep in mind that PID controllers can be more complicated to use and may require more practice to master. If you're a beginner, you may want to start with a simpler machine and work your way up to one with more advanced features like PID controllers once you have more experience.

But if you want to start tweaking to brew your own authentic espresso go for a lookout if you can find a machine which has PIDs - or Proportional, Integral, Derivative controllers. These controllers allow for precise temperature control to the degree, giving you greater control over the brewing process. Research by A. Illy and R. Viana (1995) showed that most people prefer coffee between 185 - 203 Fahrenheit (85-95 degrees). To be certified as Italian espresso the water temperature need to leave the boiler at 190Fahrenheit (88 degrees +/-2 degrees). So decide before purchase if you want to control the temperature! More control means more variables, and also more practice.

Bar pressure, do we need control?

To make it short and easy. No, you don’t need control over the bar pressure. The coffee industry established a long time ago that around 9 bars is the best pressure to create delicious espresso. Some espresso machines are still advertised as having 15 bar of pressure, but what the ad doesn’t say is that is loose bar pressure when transporting the water through the valve. So I put it on the checklist but it is more of a bonus variable you can use then a necessity when choosing your best affordable espresso machine.

You rather want to have the option to adjust the waterflow. How long do you want to have contact between your coffee cake and the water?

No tamping or portafilter cleaning

What is the ease of use and cleaning? Over time, coffee oils can build up in the machine and portafilter, which can negatively affect the flavor of your espresso and even lead to bacterial growth. Regular cleaning is essential to maintaining the quality of your coffee and prolonging the lifespan of your equipment.

Are you willing to clean all the parts separately or are you more a ‘quick rinse and ready to go’ type of person? Both are fine but as choosing the right espresso machine can be overwhelming, a bit of thought about how your attitude is towards aftercare for your machine can help.

Use a damp cloth to wipe down the machine and a brush to scrub the portafilter, and run cleaning solutions through the machine regularly to ensure that it stays free of buildup.

Descaling of Espresso Machines

Every espresso machine needs a descaling wash at least once a year, but quite some automatic espresso machines have a special ‘cleaning wash’ button.

The descaling of an espresso machine helps to remove mineral buildup in the machine's water lines and boiler. While there are various descaling methods and products available, many espresso machine manufacturers recommend using a specialized cleaning product designed for espresso machines. These cleaning products are typically formulated to be effective at removing mineral buildup without damaging the machine's internal components. While some people may use a mixture of water and vinegar as a cheaper alternative to commercial descaling products, this is not always recommended, as vinegar can be too acidic and may damage the machine's internal components if not used properly.

Automatic vs Semi-automatic

One main question to ask yourself when you are looking for an affordable espresso machine is ‘Am I going automatic or Semi-automatic?’. The difference between the two is basically how much control do you want on your machine. If you can’t be bothered with adjusting the temperature, weighing your grinds and trying to find the exact pressure to use on your coffee puck then the Automatic Espresso machine is your best pick.

If you are more into becoming a real home barista which will dazzle its mates and friends with perfect robust espresso then Semi-automatic espresso machines are your best match. Even entry level semi-automatic espresso machines already have a set of fabric settings. It's a great starting point for getting in the right direction for your perfect brew.

Your checklist Best Espresso Machine

To give you a quick overview which options to consider:

Single or Double shots
With or without milk
Portafilter size
Pressurized portafilter
Different cup or basket size
Can it grind beans
Can you adjust grind settings?
Temperature control
Bar pressure
Cleaning portafilter and tamper
Automatic vs semi-automatic

So you know what you find important in your espresso machine. Check out our lists for different semi-automatic or automatic espresso machines.

Wondering what you can make with your best espresso machine within your budget, check-out our Iced Espresso recipes guide.