Best espresso machines under $300
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These machines are usually sold in the lower-cost tier, but prices move, so check the current price before you buy. At this level, the biggest trade-offs are steaming power, temperature stability and whether you can use non-pressurized baskets.
Breville Bambino (BES450)
Good fit for: A first machine on a tighter budget, if you're happy to steam milk by hand.
- Same 54 mm portafilter platform and ThermoJet heating family as the Bambino Plus
- Manual steam wand (no automatic milk texturing or auto-purge)
- Smaller and lighter than the Plus; Wirecutter found its shots less consistent than the Plus
Sources: Breville BES450 · Wirecutter: The Best Home Espresso Machine (updated Mar 17 2026)
De'Longhi Dedica (EC685)
Good fit for: Very small counters.
- About 149 mm (5.9 in) wide; Thermoblock heating; 15 bar pump
- 1.1 L tank; manual frother; accepts ground coffee or ESE pods
- Honest caveat: Wirecutter got muddy, under-extracted shots in its testing
Sources: De'Longhi EC685 · Wirecutter: The Best Home Espresso Machine (updated Mar 17 2026)
De'Longhi Stilosa (EC260BK)
Good fit for: Trying espresso at the lowest entry cost.
- Compact manual machine, 15 bar pump, stainless boiler, manual milk frother (per listing)
- Expect limits: pressurized-basket workflow; a separate grinder helps
CASABREWS CM5418
Good fit for: Budget buyers who want a pressure gauge and steam wand.
- Compact, steam wand, built-in pressure gauge, 34 oz tank (per listing)
- Listing advertises a "20-bar" pump; pump rating is not the same as brew pressure (about 9 bar is typical for espresso)
Sources: Amazon listing (CASABREWS CM5418)
Which should you pick?
- Want the best path to real espresso and a future upgrade: Bambino plus a grinder.
- Very small counter: Dedica, with eyes open about its shot quality.
- Lowest entry cost: Stilosa or CASABREWS, expecting limits.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change often, so check the current price on the retailer's page. Specs come from the manufacturer and retailer sources linked on this page; we have not hands-on tested these products.