Best Espresso Machines Under $250
The best espresso machines under $250, ranked by our review scores. Enough money to expect published specifications, so this list is unforgiving about makers who do not give you any.
Ranked by our review score, which is worked out from the specifications each maker publishes rather than from opinion, so you can open the arithmetic on any product page. Anything commercial is labelled and sits outside that order, and how we score explains what each criterion measures.
Ranked, and why
scored on what the maker publishes · open a row for the working1
Mattino Pro Mattinata Espresso Machine6.5- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 5.0
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 5.6
- Build Quality & Durability
- 4.8
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 7.3
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 8.3
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 8.3
- Value for Money
- 10.0
Weakest link: Build Quality & Durability — 4.8 of 10, carrying 16 of the 70.1 points scored here.
2
De'Longhi Classic Signature Espresso Machine6.2- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 5.0
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 4.4
- Build Quality & Durability
- 7.2
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 3.1
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 7.5
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 6.7
- Value for Money
- 10.0
Weakest link: Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published) — 3.1 of 10, carrying 12 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead review →PriceFrom $224.993
De'Longhi Dedica EC680M6.1- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 5.0
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 5.6
- Build Quality & Durability
- 6.7
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 3.1
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 6.7
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 5.0
- Value for Money
- 10.0
Weakest link: Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published) — 3.1 of 10, carrying 12 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead review →PriceFrom $149.954
De'Longhi Stilosa EC260BK5.6- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 5.0
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 4.4
- Build Quality & Durability
- 6.4
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 3.1
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 4.2
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 5.0
- Value for Money
- 10.0
Weakest link: Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published) — 3.1 of 10, carrying 12 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steel, PlasticRead review →PriceFrom $104.995
Flair Classic Manual Lever Espresso Maker5.0- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 5.0
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 3.1
- Build Quality & Durability
- 5.0
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 0.8
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 5.0
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 6.7
- Value for Money
- 10.0
Weakest link: Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published) — 0.8 of 10, carrying 12 of the 70.1 points scored here.