The 5 Best Espresso Machine Under 100 Dollars
Owning an espresso machine is some sort of a must for any budding coffee aficionado. But if you’re just starting to dig deeper into the world of coffee, you might be asking: “what is the best espresso machine under 100 dollars?” Truth be told, you don’t need to spend a fortune to have an equally operational espresso machine. Of course, you’d be missing some features here and there. But a perfectly good shot does not exactly lie on the espresso machine; it would also depend on the skill level and expertise of the barista.
Pulling A Shot
The concept behind an espresso shot is both simple and complicated. In the most basic sense, an espresso shot is just ground coffee run through hot water at high pressure. But the technical know-how behind actually doing it is what makes an espresso shot complex and all in all a sophisticated drink. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat your machine, glass, and a portafilter. By doing so, you do not only help the engine warm up faster but also avoid getting your grounds and brew be in contact with a cold surface that would affect its quality.
- Prepare your freshly ground coffee beans. Generally, an espresso shot would use 7 to 21 grams of ground coffee, depending on the amount and strength of espresso you’re trying to pull.
- Fill your portafilter with the right dose and firmly tamp your grounds to form a puck. Keep in mind not to tamp too tight or too loose. An improperly tamped ground coffee would result in an under-extracted or over-extracted brew.
- Attach your portafilter to the espresso machine and start the actual brewing process. An espresso shot would only take some time between 20 to 30 seconds to pull.
- Take note of your pull’s crema. A perfectly good shot of espresso would have a thick layer of golden crema with reddish-brown streaks. Otherwise, you most likely under or over-extracted the shot.
Comparison Chart
De Longhi EC155 15-Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
The De Longhi EC155 is the perfect entry-level espresso machine under 100 dollars for beginners and budding coffee enthusiasts. It offers quality brewing performance and a wide range of features for fast and convenient use.
Mr. Coffee ECMP50-RB Automatic Dual Shot Espresso and Cappuccino System
The Mr. Coffee Automatic Dual Shot Espresso and Cappuccino System is arguably one of the best and cheapest espresso machine that allows further brew customization, unlike fully automated models. The ECMP50-RB is not the easiest to operate but would be worth it once you completely understand how to navigate the machine’s settings.
Staresso Mirage SP-300 Portable Espresso Maker
This manual espresso machine features both portability and brew customization options missing in semi-automated and fully-automated espresso machine models. The Staresso Mirage SP-300 Portable Espresso Maker does not even require electricity and solely relies on the pressure to produce the perfect shot of espresso.
Sowtech ST-HM204 Espresso Machine
The Sowtech ST-HM204 is a basic entry-level model ideal for beginners and novice coffee makers who are looking for an easy and convenient coffee machine to use at home. The ST-HM204 Espresso Machine by Sowtech occupies minimal space and has a notably fast brew time.
Bella 13683 Personal Espresso Maker
The Bella 13683 doesn’t include a lot of features and customization settings, but it can still brew a perfectly good shot of espresso in a matter of minutes. Ideal for simple home use, the Bella Personal Espresso Maker is a straightforward machine dedicated to convenience and quality coffee.
Detailed Reviews of the 5 Best Espresso Machine Under 100 Dollars
De Longhi EC155 15-Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
The De Longhi EC155 is the perfect entry-level espresso machine under 100 dollars for beginners and budding coffee enthusiasts. It offers quality brewing performance and a wide range of features for fast and convenient use.
Value
The De Longhi EC155 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker offers powerful brewing capabilities to create a perfectly good shot of espresso or a delicious cup of cappuccino. It has a straightforward user interface and control settings making it fast and easy to use.
Functionality
The EC155 is packed with features dedicated to making your brewing experience smooth sailing until the last drop. It has a 15-bar pressure capability, a 35 oz. water tank, a built-in swivel frother, a self-priming feature, a descaling notification function, and an easy to navigate user interface. Its water reservoir and drip tray are also removable and dishwasher safe for a more comfortable cleaning job.
The Earls Overall Rating
De Longhi’s EC155 Espresso and Cappuccino maker is considerably the best model that you can find under 100 dollars. Aside from its efficient and quality performance, the EC155 is highly automated, which makes brewing coffee a lot more convenient for the busy user.
PROs
CONs
Mr. Coffee ECMP50-RB Automatic Dual Shot Espresso and Cappuccino System
The Mr. Coffee Automatic Dual Shot Espresso and Cappuccino System is arguably one of the best and cheapest espresso machine that allows further brew customization, unlike fully automated models. The ECMP50-RB is not the easiest to operate but would be worth it once you completely understand how to navigate the machine’s settings.
Value
Ideal for any novice espresso maker, the Mr. Coffee ECMP50-RB Automatic Dual Shot Espresso and Cappuccino System provides impressive results and convenience without taking too much from your wallet.
Functionality
Despite being a cheap entry-level espresso machine, the ECMPR50-RB offers quality performance with its amazing features such as its Dual espresso shot system, thermal block heating technology, and its 15-bar pressure pump capability.
The Earls Overall Rating
Considering its price, you wouldn’t expect many features and special functions from this model. But the ECMP50-RB Automatic Dual Shot Espresso and Cappuccino System has tons of helpful features to make your brewing experience easier.
PROs
CONs
Staresso Mirage SP-300 Portable Espresso Maker
This manual espresso machine features both portability and brew customization options missing in semi-automated and fully-automated espresso machine models. The Staresso Mirage SP-300 Portable Espresso Maker does not even require electricity and solely relies on the pressure to produce the perfect shot of espresso.
Value
If you’re specifically looking for a portable espresso machine that brews a perfectly good cup of coffee, the Staresso Mirage SP-300 is the best match for you. This model does not only look good, but it also performs exceptionally well.
Functionality
Ideal for anyone who wants their coffee any time of the day, the Staresso Mirage SP-300 Portable Espresso Maker is an extremely compact espresso machine specifically designed for portability and outdoor use. Despite its small stature, the Staresso Mirage SP-300 is capable of producing several brews of exquisite tasting cup of coffee.
The Earls Overall Rating
The Staresso Mirage SP-300 performs exceptionally well. Perfect for coffee lovers who want their coffee on the go, the Staresso Mirage SP-300 can satisfy their caffeine needs quickly and easily.
PROs
CONs
Sowtech ST-HM204 Espresso Machine
The Sowtech ST-HM204 is a basic entry-level model ideal for beginners and novice coffee makers who are looking for an easy and convenient coffee machine to use at home. The ST-HM204 Espresso Machine by Sowtech occupies minimal space and has a notably fast brew time.
Value
As an entry-level espresso machine, the ST-HM204 model by Sowtech provides quality coffee and adequate brewing capabilities. This makes it perfect for any coffee lover who simply enjoys a freshly brewed cup of coffee without the intention of stepping up their coffee game any time soon.
Features
The Sowtech ST-HM204 can’t do much than brewing coffee at a set time, pressure, and temperature. However, this system allows for more flavorful and consistent results every time. Plus, this model consists of detachable parts that are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
The Overall Rating
The Sowtech ST-HM204 Espresso Machine is a reliable model for average home use. It can brew good tasting coffee and espresso with a press of a button in a matter of minutes.
PROs
CONs
Bella 13683 Personal Espresso Maker
The Bella 13683 doesn’t include a lot of features and customization settings, but it can still brew a perfectly good shot of espresso in a matter of minutes. Ideal for simple home use, the Bella Personal Espresso Maker is a straightforward machine dedicated to convenience and quality coffee.
Value
Considering that its absolutely cheap, the Bella 13683 is a reliable espresso machine ideal for any budding coffee lover who is on quite a tight budget. This model lacks several features, but it can produce quality brews with no trouble whatsoever.
Functionality
At its price point, this espresso machine managed to put in some amazing features such as a built-in frother arm, a glass decanter, and a reusable and detachable filter basket. It’s modern and compact built is also plus for people with limited living spaces.
The Earls Overall Rating
While the Bella 13683 won’t be as powerful than other entry-level espresso machines in this list, it is the perfect budget-friendly model that we can find in the market. It is inexpensive, but it can still produce quality coffee despite the several drawbacks.
PROs
CONs
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Starting your journey as a coffee maker or barista doesn’t have to cost a fortune. That is why we provided you a list of the best espresso machines under 100 dollars. This way, you can start learning how to pull an espresso shot and brew different coffee drinks without paying as much. However, by the time you’d want to try and explore more in the coffee industry, you might want to upgrade to better and more sophisticated espresso machines that allow for more customization settings and better brew control.