
The most wonderful time of the year is here: the time for gift-giving. Whether your list of people to shop for is a mile long or short and sweet, there are tons of brilliant products to choose from, including splurge-worthy items and gifts for the green thumb in your life. But if you’re shopping for someone who prizes a perfect cup of third-wave coffee, the easiest and best gift to show your appreciation is a high-quality espresso machine.
And while you may think the best espresso machines cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, there are quite a few reputable ones on the market that are less than $200. And you don’t need to be a seasoned barista to use them. Below, we listed some of the best reviewer-approved espresso machines at every price point and experience level that any coffee fanatic would love.
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Promising review: "Never owned one before, so this purchase was the first Espresso machine I've owned. Incredibly easy to use, and to clean - which is good, because im lazy. You honestly dont need much more than this if you're a simple latte lover. I would recommend to anyone looking for a beginner Machine." — Thalles Souza
Promising review: "This isn’t one of those confusing machines with knobs and gauges. You toss a pod in and press the button. It’s quiet and makes good espresso and coffee. I’ve wanted one for years. Zero regret!" — S. Foley
Promising review: "We received this espresso machine as a wedding present and it was hands down the best gift! We have used it every single day for at least 4 shots/day and it works flawlessly, making frothy, hot, rich espresso. It’s absolutely worth the money; we’ve saved countless dollars at coffee shops since owning this machine; it undoubtedly paid itself off." — peter
Promising review: "I bought this product as a first-time espresso machine owner. This was extremely easy to use, it is also very easy to clean and I found all kinds of YouTube videos on how to use it! Quality of the espresso is delicious and I love how you can use either ground espresso or the espresso pods! Highly recommend!" — Jen
Promising review: "This product is great for any beginner who is looking to start making more advanced coffee drinks. I bought it as a gift for my friend and every time I see her she makes me a delicious cup of espresso. Great value for the price and highly recommend this for every coffee enthusiast." — Caleb W
Promising review: "This machine works fantastic. I literally love the espresso it makes so much I never crave Starbucks or lattes anywhere else now. Best investment I have made in a long time will pay itself off in a month versus what I spend on getting coffee sometimes twice a day. I love to wake up now and have a latte on the couch instead of rushing to get out of the house to go get my Starbucks lol" — Alli
Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my husband who drinks lots of coffee from Starbucks. It’s well built, and easy to use. He uses this everyday, and it saves on those expensive espresso trips to Starbucks. I use the steam wand to froth my milk for my green tea lattes. A win win for everyone." — gustavo
Promising review: "Been using for three months now and love it. We only drink coffee made by our Breville Oracle cause nothing else compares. Easy to learn how to operate and maintain." — DFROST