If you’re in a hurry and want to know the best espresso machine under $300, our top pick is the Yabano espresso machine.

Best 3 Espresso Machines under $300 at a glance

Are you looking for the best espresso machines for under 300 dollars?

We have you covered!

We get your point. A good machine adds so much to the experience of brewing and drinking coffee that it’s almost criminal not to invest in one, right? 

A lot of people shy away from owning their coffee machines because they let themselves get intimidated by hefty price tags. However, good espresso machines don’t have to be expensive.

We ran a detailed analysis of the best coffee machines on the market, and we found that some machines punch above their weight at a small price tag.

Our pick for the best espresso machine under $300 is the Yabano espresso machine.

We’ve been analyzing and comparing espresso machines for a while now, so that’s easier to cut through the noise and find some little gems from small, less-known manufacturers.

Find the best espresso machines for price, features, and barista experience.

Best Espresso Machines for under $300

We’ve rounded up the best espresso machines for under $300. With this selection, enjoying delicious espressos at home has never been easier. From manual espresso makers that fit in a bag to feature-rich models, there is something here for every budget-minded espresso lover.

Keep reading, and find out which model will suit you best!

Yabano Espresso Machine— Best Overall

The Yabano expresso machine proves all who say quality depends on price wrong. Although the machine stands under $300 and is very compact— it measures only 16.42 x 13.7 x 7.99 inches—it offers you all the features in a bigger, more expensive coffee machine. 

Pros

Durable Body— Made of stainless steel, the machine is a sight to look at, durable, and easy to clean. Wipe it down with a wet cloth or a soapy sponge. 

A Pressure Gauge— The biggest advantage of the machine is that it offers a pressure gauge. This gauge allows you to keep an eye on the pressure with you want your coffee to be brewed. Using the gauge, you can ensure your coffee is brewed at the perfect pressure every time. 

Steam Wand—The coffee machine comes with a steam wand that lets you froth your milk at the same time as you’re brewing your coffee. However, what’s even better is that the machine also comes with a steam wand cleaning tool to prevent any milk buildup. 

Customizable Brewing— The Yabano has two portafilters: one and two cups. It also has a double-spouted portafilter, which allows you to extract espresso in two cups simultaneously. This makes the Yabano perfect for both domestic and commercial use. 

You can use your machine to customize your coffee output using the buttons on the side. The espresso machine will then save your preference for next time. If you want to return the settings to default, press down on the one-cup or two-cup button and the steam wand button simultaneously. 

Ease of Use— The Yabano works completely using buttons on the side. The best part is that they visually demonstrate the final product. This makes it easy for you to use the machine. 

Cons

Portafilter is Hard to Fit— The machine’s portafilter must be filled a millimeter below the given line every time. If you fill it up, the portafilter won’t fit. Even after taking all the proper care, setting the portafilter requires a lot of force. 

This is the perfect machine for you if you’re new to espresso machines. Although it does not have the finesse more expensive machines have, it is easy to use and clean. Additionally, it saves you time on brewing by making two cups at once. This helps if you’re living in a big family.

Wacaso Picopresso— Best for travel

We’ve seen compact espresso machines, but the Picopresso takes that to the next level. Made to be as small as a thermos, the Picopresso measures only 4.17 x 3.07 x 2.80 inches. However, it offers a ton of features than larger machines. 

Pros

Compact and Portable— Measuring only 4.17x 3.07x 2.80 inches, this espresso maker is made in the shape of a cylinder, which makes it very easy to store and carry. It also comes with a storage case that prevents damage during storage. 

Durability—The Picopresso is made from the best quality metals and plastic—stainless steel and 100% BPA-free plastic— which ensure a long life for the product. 

Double-Shot Espresso— With the Picopresso, you get a double-shot basket that allows you to make large cups of coffee with every extraction. 

Easy usage—To pull a shot of espresso, fill the basket with your coffee, and add hot water to the top. Then press the arm extending from the side of the machine to extract the espresso. However, you’ll have to ensure the water is at the right temperature and the coffee is ground in the correct size. As usual!

Cons

Cleaning is a Problem— Breaking the entire machine apart to clean it is a very time-consuming and challenging process. You don’t need to clean the whole machine all the time, but if you decide to, be prepared to invest at least an hour. 

No Temperature Control— The machine does not come with temperature control, so you’ll have to waste hot water to warm it up enough to make a good cup of coffee. 

The Picopresso is perfect for people who like camping, biking, and traveling. The manual machine allows you to make espresso in any condition. It’s very fast too; grinding the beans and brewing the espresso takes all but 5 minutes. 

Rok Presso— Best Experience

The Rok manual espresso maker—also called the Rok Presso— improves the coffee-drinking experience by leaps and bounds. What’s not to like about the product? It’s portable, compact, and lightweight, making coffee a hands-on experience. We recommend it to everybody looking to enjoy brewing coffee. 

Pros

Compact and Portable— The machine measures 14 x 14 x 14 inches and weighs only 7 pounds. It is lightweight, and it uses no electricity, making it perfect for people who like to travel a lot. 

Variable Brewing— The machine comes with three different portafilters: a standard portafilter, a crema-plus portafilter, and a naked portafilter. You can use these three filters to make the drinks of your choice. 

10-Year Warranty— The Rok Presso comes with a 10-year warranty on all its metal parts, which is very good for a coffee machine. Sturdiness is a big focus for the company, and it’s easy to see in the machine’s build; it’s made of aluminum, glass, and steel. 

Easy brewing— The machine operates manually, and you must press down to extract your coffee. There are no complicated controls or long instructions either. Fill in your coffee filter and water reservoir, and press down to make espresso. Since the machine lacks any electronic components, you can use it anywhere. 

Cons

Lack of Pressure— Some buyers have claimed the hand-pressing method does not produce enough pressure for a good extraction. This might be true since there is no motor involved. However, a good majority of customers were satisfied with the machine. 

Manual Milk Frother— Since the espresso maker doesn’t use electricity, it comes with a manual milk frother instead of an automatic one. This means you’ll have to work the muscles in your hand to get your milk to foam up. 

The Rok Presso is perfect for people who travel a lot. The machine travels easily because of its small build, and you can use it anywhere. Additionally, the Rok Presso also does great with people who shy away from machines. 

Gevi Espresso Machine— Best For Price

Measuring 15.4 x 9.89 x 14.85 inches and weighing only 7.26 pounds, the Gevi coffee machine gives you a lot of versatility in a small package. Its advanced brewing and milk-frothing systems help you make barista-grade coffee at home. 

Pros

Advanced Brewing System— Providing an extraction pressure of 20 bars, the Gevi coffee machine creates some good coffee. The machine can be switched between single and double-cup espresso with a button. You can also control the volume of the coffee manually. Finally, the machine also has a hot-water function, which allows you to make teas, soups, and more. 

Fast heating System—The Gevi espresso machine uses a thermoblock heating system that reduces its heating time to 45 seconds. 

User-Friendly Design— The machine is made to ensure it’s easy to use. It has built-in descaling and water shortage reminders so you can take proper care of your machine. Switching between a single shot and a double shot of espresso is also made easy by pressing a few buttons. 

Superior Milk Frothing— The Gevi espresso machine has two thermostats: one for the coffee and the other for the milk wand. This allows the milk wand to obtain the ideal temperature for milk frothing and creates a silky-smooth foam at the end. Gevi’s milk wand can go up to 212 F. 

Easy Cleaning— A removable water tank is necessary for easily cleaning an espresso machine. However, the Gevi also has a removable frothing nozzle, which makes removing buildup as easy as washing it off. 

Cons

Short Frothing Arm— The frothing wand is very short, which makes frothing coffee very difficult. 

The Gevi coffee machine is perfect for people who like having many choices in their coffee machine. Its hot-water function makes the Gevi very versatile, and you can adjust the espresso amount to your needs. Finally, the Gevi is also perfect for beginners because it makes cleaning and customization easy. Only go for the machine if you’re particular about the taste of your coffee, though. There are machines out there that make better-tasting coffee.

Breville Cafe Roma

The next on our list is the Breville Cafe Roma, which is by far the fanciest machine on this list. It’s made of brushed stainless steel, which makes Cafe Roma a blend of superior brewing and luxurious features. 

Pros

Advanced Brewing System— The Breville Cafe Roma brews the coffee at about 15 bars of pressure, which is excellent for any espresso machine. You can also choose between three stainless steel filters: single shot (7g), double shot (14g), and pod. 

The Thermablock heating system reduces wait time and regulates the temperature between brewing and milk steaming well. You can use the brewing system to make barista-grade coffee anywhere. 

Ease of Use— The Breville also comes with a steam wand that makes milk-based coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes easy to make. Additionally, the machine is operated using a dial. Turning the dial to the right allows you to extract espresso, and turning it to the left will enable you to steam milk. 

The removable drip tray makes cleanup a breeze, and the cup warming tray is like a fancy dream. 

Cons

Warranty—The Breville coffee maker comes with a 1-year warranty only. It’s not the worst warranty period, but it isn’t the best either.

The Breville coffee maker suits people willing to pay more for the coffee machine’s best features. Sure, it’s more expensive than the other machines on the list, but it has much to give. 

What to Look For in the Best Espresso Machines under $300

We have tested and analyzed dozens of espresso machines. For this article, we analyzed the experience of hundreds of customers, baristas, and fellow coffee lovers.

Use frequency is one of the most important factors in picking the best espresso machine for you. Keeping that in mind, here are all the things to check for. 

Build and Durability

A coffee machine made from stainless steel or aluminum will be durable and easy to clean. However, good-quality plastics are a good choice too. Don’t go for a complicated design because it’ll mess with the cleaning process. 

Design

Regarding coffee machines, sleek lines and glossy surfaces are the way to go. Coffee machines in silver and black do well for most households because they give off an air of sophistication.

An espresso machine’s design, color, shape, and size contribute to its usability, match the kitchen or home coffee bar décor, and affect your and your guests’ perception and brewing experience.

One aspect of design and aesthetics is usability. The size, shape, and style of an espresso machine can affect how easily it fits into the kitchen or coffee bar and how easy it is to use. For instance, a compact and sleek machine may be an excellent choice if you have limited kitchen counter space. Additionally, a well-designed machine should be easy to clean, easy to use and maintain, and last for years without breaking.

Furthermore, a well-crafted machine can make you feel like you’re getting a premium, high-quality coffee experience, even if you only spent a modest amount on it. On the other hand, a poorly designed machine may not only limit the quality of coffee but also impair your enjoyment as a home barista.

Features

A good espresso machine should have a milk frother, water reservoir, switchable filter, and variable brew strength. They help make your life easier in the long run. Investing a little more in a machine with good features is always better to make brewing your coffee easier. 

It’s important to evaluate your needs and weigh them against the features. Whether you want velvety cappuccinos or just some good old-fashioned plain espresso shots, machines are tailored specifically to one or both needs!

For instance, if you’re looking for something that takes your cappuccinos to the next level with a high-quality steam wand or if making espressos, Americano’s, and ristrettos is more your thing – it boils down to evaluating what fits YOUR needs best. Pick a machine that caters specifically to those cravings and get steaming (and/or brewing!)

Brewing Mechanism

A good coffee machine should provide anywhere from 9 to 15 bars of pressure for extraction. However, you need more than that. Heating times—a good time should be under 1 minute— filter sizes and brew strengths are things to consider. However, they depend primarily on your needs and vary from machine to machine.

Cleaning and Maintenace

You won’t find an automatic cleaning mechanism in a coffee machine at this cost. Still, invest in a coffee machine with removable reservoirs to clean them easily. Manual machines tend to be easier to clean than electric ones.

Conclusion

We’ve provided you with the five best espresso machines for under $300. However, choosing the machine that will suit you best is up to you. The Yabano espresso machine is the best espresso maker under $300, but the others on the list aren’t far behind. These machines won regarding espresso extraction, construction, and the experience they provide.

Of course, all the machines on the list are beautiful to look at too. Our first three picks—the Yabano, Wacaco Picopresso, and Gevi —are functional and appealing, under $300.