Cappuccinos, espressos, mochas, affogatos, lattes, and americanos, with your very own coffee machine, you can regularly indulge in all of these speciality coffees and get your daily dose of caffeine a lot more affordable.
More and more coffee lovers are investing in quality coffee machines because they can provide so much convenience and it is a lot of fun to whip up tasty beverages for your friends and family.
The great thing about coffee machines is that you no longer have to break the bank to own one. There are quite a few affordable models available that are very satisfying to use and produce fine restaurant-quality coffees.er
In this guide, we are going to compare 7 of the best budget coffee machines that you can pick up under $500 and our list includes various machine types so you can locate one that suits your coffee-making needs perfectly.
Here is a quick look at our seven top picks and a detailed guide on how each works.
1. Sunbeam Barista Max Coffee Machine – A Full-House Barista Machine at a Great Price
The Sunbeam Barista Max is a dreamy investment for coffee-loving families who love to whip up tasty caffeinated beverages to impress friends and family. And, yes, this mini barista machine will serve well in small to medium offices.
The manual coffee machine is a perfect all-in-one barista machine that takes coffee from the bean form all the way to the mug.
This Max comes with a built-in grinder and the top-fitted 250-gram hopper can be turned to adjust the size of the bean grinds. The 30-grind settings are sure to satisfy even the fussiest of coffee snobs. This grinder is very easy to use since aromatic grinds will start pouring from the machine when pushing down on the grinder’s exit spout.
The barista coffee maker includes two-sized coffee pods (small and large) which are useful for controlling the strength of your tasty beverages. The ground coffee beans can easily be compressed into the cups with the tamper, after which you can slide it into the coffee machine.
A large 2.8-litre water reservoir is fitted behind the coffee machine. This reservoir can be topped up by lifting a small panel at the back of the machine. The water tank is also detachable for easy cleaning.
The Barista Max is quick to heat up. Thanks to a single Thermoblock heating system, the water will be nice and toasty within 60 seconds and you can get to work on brewing your perfect cup of coffee.
Simply select one of the two pre-programmed settings (single or double shot) and the brewing process will begin. Within moments, dark golden liquid will start pouring into your cup and the scent of freshly brewed coffee will overwhelm all of your senses.
Don’t worry about spilling because the brewer comes equipped with a drip tray that can easily detach for cleaning.
This coffee machine is perfect for whipping up Americanos and single or double espresso but it can also be used to create all sorts of tasty milky delights. It comes with a milk frother wand and includes a small milk jug. The frother wand will heat up and froth up to 200 millilitres of milk at a time. In less than 1 minute, you can start blending together the frothy milk with freshly brewed coffee to form an indulgent milk coffee drink like cappuccinos or caramel lattes.
We adore the functionality of this manual coffee maker and, thanks to its compact design, it is sure to easily fit on your counter. It is the ultimate option if you love to experiment with different coffees or if you are looking for a good entry-level barista machine.
Specifications
Brand – Sunbeam
Model No – EM5300K
Machine type – Manual whole bean coffee machine
Dimensions – 32 x 35 x 41 Centimeters
Colour – Black or Stainless silver
Weight – 10 Kilograms
Power – 1550 Watts
Interface input – Touch buttons and turn the dial
Water Tank Capacity – 2.8 Liters
Milk Reservoir – None (includes 200ml jug)
Milk frother – Milk frother with a small jug
Pump – 15 Bar
Grinder – Tap-and-go built-in grinder
Pre-programmed settings – Manual shot, single or double shot, hot water and steam
Cups – Reusable metal cups (1 and 2 shot cups)
Heatup Time – 60 Seconds
Pros
- All-in-one coffee machine (grinder, brewer, and frother)
- Good value for money
- The large reservoir is a huge bonus since you don’t have to refill it too often
- Produces cafe-quality coffee
- Easy and simple to use
- Two different cup sizes and brew selections offer a good variety
- A stylish coffee machine will look good in any office
- Ideal if you love freshly ground coffee
- Good for experimenting with coffee blends and strengths
- Beverages are more affordable to make compared to capsule coffee machines
Cons
- Some users would prefer a warmer brewed coffee
- The coffee grinder can be messy if not used carefully
2. Breville BAMBINO PLUS Coffee Machine – Compact and Easy Manual Barista Machine
Breville is renowned for their high-end coffee machines and they certainly outdid themselves with the Bambino Plus. This compact manual coffee machine is perfect for early risers because this advanced piece of machinery can be warm and ready to brew in just three seconds.
The espresso machine is ideal for home or small offices because its stylish appearance and compact size will fit nicely into any coffee bar.
The Bambino is also very simple to use. The spacious 1.9-litre water tank is fitted behind the machine and can easily be lifted out of place if you want to give it a good scrub or directly filled if it needs to be topped up. At the front, the Bambino also has a removable drip tray designed to catch any spills you might make on your brewing journey.
To start using your Bambino, you will need to buy some pre-ground coffee since it doesn’t come with a grinder. The coffee can be inserted into reusable pods and loaded into the filter basket before securing it into place. Choose between single and double-shot espresso with the click of a button and your little coffee machine will instantly start whipping up some delicious coffee brewed at a perfect temperature of 93 degrees C / 200 degrees F.
This fantastic barista machine also comes with a frother wand and can be used to warm and froth milk or dispense warm water.
We highly recommend this barista machine to anyone who loves making delicious coffee from coffee grinds.
Specifications
Brand – Breville
Model No – BES500BTR4JAN1
Machine type – Manual ground bean coffee machine
Dimensions – 31 x 32 x 54 Centimeters
Colour – Black, white or silver
Weight – 4.95 Kilograms
Power – 1650 Watt
Interface input – Pushbuttons
Water Tank Capacity – 1.9 Liter
Milk Reservoir – None
Milk frother – Built-in adjustable
Pump – 15 Bar for 9 bar extraction
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – 1 Cup, 2 cup and steam function with adjustable steam temp.
Heatup Time – 3 Seconds
Pros
- Extremely compact design
- 2-in-1 machine that can brew and froth
- Functionality and brew quality compare well with top-of-the-range coffee makers
- Nice and large water tank
- Milk frother can adjust in temperature
- Stable brewing temperature considering the coffee machine’s affordable price
- Simple to use and understand
- Can be used to dispense hot water
- Reusable coffee pod design saves a lot of money on beverages
Cons
- Some find it a bit too light in weight
- Does not come with a hot-water button
- No coffee grinder or hopper
- Dispensing hot water through the frother requires a bit of effort since it doesn’t have a hot water button
3. Tassimo Bosch My Way Coffee Machine – A Smart Capsule Coffee Maker
The Tassimo coffee machine by Bosch can be a good investment if you prefer to start your day with a luxury coffee blend. This can also be a good option for coffee pod lovers who like to brew tasty blends without the fuss of grinding coffee beans or filling reusable pods.
This automatic coffee maker is very simple to use. It is equipped with a 1.3 water reservoir at the back. Unlike most water tanks, this one can be fitted with a water filter allowing you to use tap water when it is time to refill the machine.
Users also find the Tassimo very easy to clean. The smart coffee maker comes with a little cleaning bit that can be inserted instead of the coffee pod. Once inserted, the machine will automatically know that it is cleaning time and will start swishing and rinsing itself when you start it up.
Coffee drinkers love the tasty beverages that this modern coffee machine produces. Tassimo has many interesting flavours to try but, sadly, is only compatible with Tassimo brand capsules. You can, however, buy a reusable Tassimo filters online if you want to use coffee grinds or cut back on the cost of your beverages.
Using this machine is very simple. The pod is loaded into the top of the machine and it will start brewing delicious coffee with the click of a button. It is important to realize that making milk coffee types is a two-step process and might require the use of two different types of pods (one milk pod and one coffee pod).
Specifications
Brand – Tassimo
Model No – TAS6503GB
Machine type – Automatic pod coffee machine
Pod Types – Tassimo pods (reusable pod available)
Dimensions – 28.5 x 22.8 x 34 Centimeters
Colour – Red, white, cream or black
Weight – 3.32 Kilograms
Power – 1500 Watts
Interface input – Push button
Water Tank Capacity – 1.3 Liters
Milk Reservoir – Uses milk capsule pods
Milk frother – None
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – 3 Coffee strength levels
Pros
- Built-in water filter
- Less than 1 minute to brew coffee
- Tassimo also makes reusable pods so you can use ground coffee
- Easy to use and simple design
- Coffee pods can be recycled
- Tassimo produces many delicious coffee flavours and recipes to try
- The coffee machine is easy to use
- Coffees created by this machine taste divine
- Affordable price range
- The compact machine easily fits into your coffee bar
Cons
- Only compatible with Tassimo coffee pods
- The instruction manual isn’t very detailed
- A bit noisy
- Pods are manually removed
- No coffee grinder or milk frother
4. Sunbeam MINI BARISTA Coffee Machine – The Ultimate Budget Barista Machine
The Sunbeam Mini Barista is an ideal investment if you always dreamt of owning a barista coffee machine but are shopping on a tight budget. It is also an ideal pick if you don’t have a lot of space.
Even though this barista appliance is affordable, it looks quite luxurious with its sleek design and high-end materials. The manual coffee-making process is quite rewarding and provides a more fulfilling coffee-tasting experience.
This coffee machine is a hit in homes but can also be functional in offices because it is equipped with a large 2-litre water reservoir. The tank is fitted behind the machine and can easily be topped up by lifting up the back panel. You can also remove it for a deep clean.
On the front of the coffee maker, you will notice a large mug stand with a removable drip tray underneath. This stand is ideal for supporting small mugs but can be removed if you like to use a bigger coffee cup.
Using the mini barista coffee machine is a breeze. Simply start by flushing out some hot water to ensure that the coffee maker is nice and clean. You can now fill up the coffee filter pods with coffee, use the tamper to compact the coffee grinds and secure them into place. The barista machine has two pre-programmed coffee settings; large and small allowing you to easily control the strength of your coffee.
Within moments of starting the machine, a caramel-like syrup will start pouring from the brewer and you can choose to fill one or two mugs simultaneously since the brewer has a split exit spout.
To make milk coffees, you can fill a little jug with some milk, and warm up the frotheir. Now turn the dial to steam and froth the milk until it is fluffy and hot. The frother is extremely quick and perfect for making all sorts of tasty milky coffee drinks.
Specifications
Brand – Sunbeam
Model No – EM4300K
Machine type – Semi-automatic ground coffee machine
Dimensions – 29.5 x 25 x 33 Centimeters
Colour – Black or Silver
Weight – 7.36 Kilograms
Power – 1350 Watts
Interface input – Turn knob design
Water Tank Capacity – 2 Liters
Milk frother – Built-in frother
Pump – 15 Bar
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – Single shot (30ml), double shot (60ml), steam, and hot water
Pros
- A stylish barista machine look is ideal for coffee bars
- Affordable price for a semi-automatic barista coffee maker
- Has a built-in milk frother
- The reusable pod design allows you to brew beverages more affordably
- You won’t have to refill it too often since the water tank is large
- The 15 bar pump pressure level is perfect for brewing stronger coffees
- The machine is very easy to use
- It does have a hot water function so you can easily pour some warm water
- Sensational manual brewing experience
Cons
- Does not come with a coffee grinder
- It can be difficult to see the tank’s water levels
- Entry-level machines might not satisfy the needs of professional baristas
5. Lavazza Jolie Plus & Milk Coffee Machine – Perfect for Milky Capsule Coffees
Lavazza’s Jolie Milk certainly has an interesting design with its dedicated pod brewer and side-fitted milk frother. This combo unit can be a good option if you prefer milk coffees and want a capsule coffee maker that comes with a frother.
You won’t have any trouble fitting this small appliance on your kitchen countertop because it is quite small and offers a stylish overall look.
The brewer of the Jolie and milk is very easy to use. It has a 600-millilitre water tank with open top at the back of the machine. To brew coffee, simply insert your favourite Lavazza capsule inside the machine (you will need to lift the lever to reveal the small capsule compartment), press a button and golden-brown coffee will soon start pouring from the machine.
To create frothy milk coffees like cappuccinos, you can add some milk to the frother, place the magnetic whisk inside and close the lid. Press the button and the frother will heat and froth the milk. The entire frother can be lifted from its base so you can easily pour freshly frothed milk into your espresso. This detachable frother design also allows you to clean it more comfortably.
Specifications
Brand – Lavazza
Model No – 18000218
Machine type – Automatic pod coffee machine
Coffee Pods – Lavazza capsules only
Dimensions – 33,1 x 21,7 x 22,2 Centimetres
Colour – Silver and black, black
Weight – 3.7 Kilograms
Power – 1250 Watts
Interface input – Push button
Water Tank Capacity – 0.6 Liters
Milk frother – Integrated frother
Pump – 10 Bar
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – 2 Coffee selections
Pros
- Removable parts are dishwasher-safe
- Produces well-balanced coffees
- Elegant and sleek design
- Compact enough to fit on the counter
- The water heats up quickly
- Capsules automatically dispense into a holder
- Great variety of coffee pod flavours to choose from
Cons
- The frother can be a bit difficult to use.
- The cup holder is too small for tall mugs
6. Nespresso Citiz Coffee Machine – A Tiny Device That Won’t Clutter Your Spaces
The Citiz coffee machine by Nespresso is perfect for those who dislike bulky appliances cluttering the counter. With its small 27 x 37 x 12 centimetre footprint, it won’t take up much space at all yet will open up an entirely new world of bold coffee tastes.
The little device is a capsule coffee machine and there are a variety of tasty Nespresso capsule blends to try. The fact that you can also use Starbucks capsules, as well as some third-party capsules inside the little machine is a huge bonus for coffee connoisseurs.
Users love the convenience that this little machine provides. The 1-litre water tank positioned at the back is very easy to fill out. To brew your coffee, you can simply slide the coffee capsule into the machine and press a button to create a one or two-shot espresso. Within seconds, the coffee maker will start pouring golden brown freshly brewed coffee into your mug.
This coffee maker is compatible with small or tall mugs since it has two different stands. It also comes with a mini drip tray and the leftover capsules are automatically dispensed into a capsule tray inside the machine.
Specifications
Brand – Nespresso
Model No – EN167B
Machine type – Automatic pod coffee machine and frother
Coffee pods – Nespresso, Starbucks and third-party producers
Dimensions – 27,6 x 37 x 12,9 Centimeters
Colour – Black, Silver/black
Weight – 3.3 Kilograms
Power – 1260 Watts
Interface input – Push button (40ml and 110ml)
Water Tank Capacity – 1 Liter
Milk frother – None
Pump – 19 Bar
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – 2 Cup selections, flow stop
Pros
- Compatible with various pods (Nespresso, Starbucks, and other third-party suppliers)
- Takes up very little space on the counter
- Empty capsules are automatically dispensed into a built-in capsule tray
- Compatible with tall or short mugs
- Very easy to use
- Brews perfect cup of coffee in a few seconds
- The 1-litre water tank isn’t too small
- The strong pump extracts the maximum amount of flavour from capsules
- Produces delicious coffees
Cons
- No Milk frother
- A bit noisy
7. Nespresso Inissia Capsule Coffee Machine – A Good Camping Buddy
If you want a small and compact capsule coffee machine and love milky coffee blends then the Nespresso Inissia coffee machine might just be a good fit for your home.
This little coffee maker can also be a good camping buddy since it has a low wattage level making it compatible with battery banks. You can use it inside a caravan and enjoy fine-tasting beverages no matter where you are.
As with Nespresso’s smaller Citiz, this little coffee maker is very easy to use. It has a smaller tank of 700 millilitres so you will need to keep an eye on the water levels but the little machine is compatible with various coffee pod models including all Nespresso pods, Starbucks pods, and even some pods from third-party manufacturers.
To use the Innisia, you can lift the lever and insert the pod. On top of the machine, you will notice two push coffee selections – single and double espresso. After clicking the desired coffee, the machine will quickly start brewing your coffee. When we say quickly, we do mean immediately. The little espresso machine is incredibly quick and will have your cup of coffee ready within seconds.
This espresso machine comes with an independent frother. To use the frother, pour some cold milk into the little device, press the magnetic whisk inside and close the lid. When you turn the frother on, it will start warming up and whisk the milk until it is fluffy.
When the milk is properly frothed, you can mix it with other ingredients like espresso to create delicious milky beverages. This frother can also be a wise investment for parents since you can use it to create tasty frothed chocolate milk drinks for little ones.
Specifications
Brand – Nespresso
Model No – EN80BAE
Coffee pods – Nespresso, Starbucks and third-party producers
Machine type – Automatic capsule coffee machine with frother
Dimensions – 23 x 32 x 12 Centimeters
Colour – Black
Weight – 2.4 Kilograms
Power – 1260 Watts
Interface input – Push Button
Water Tank Capacity – 0.7 Liters
Milk frother – Yes
Pump – 19 Bar
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – 2 Cup sizes
Heatup Time – 25 Seconds
Pros
- Small design so it won’t take up too much space
- Simple and easy to use
- Ideal for single-person use
- Affordable price range
- Comes with frother
- Compatible with all Nespresso, Starbucks, and other capsule brands
- A low wattage level doesn’t require too much energy
- Very quick warming and brewing time
- Delicious drinks
- Many different flavours to try
Cons
- A bit loud
- Some users dislike the milk frother
- The water tank is small
The Tasty Takeaway
This guide shows that gourmet coffees can be within everyone’s reach. With seven fantastic and budget-friendly coffee machines to choose from, there is something to suit every preference. Whether you prefer capsule espressos, creamy coffees from premium capsule brands, brewing from coffee grinds, or processing your beverage from whole beans, there’s an ideal option for you.
Discover your perfect coffee companion today and enhance your coffee experience without breaking the bank.
