Best espresso maker under $300?

The Breville Bambino Plus (~$250) is our top recommendation for a compact and user-friendly espresso machine under $300. It features a 15-bar pump, thermal block heating element, and automatic grind control. The learning curve is relatively low, but the results are consistently good with proper tamping and maintenance.

• Pair it with a Baratza Encore ESP grinder (~$200) for optimal espresso quality

If you're willing to spend a bit more, consider the Gaggia Classic Pro (~$550), which is a popular choice among baristas but falls outside our budget. The Breville Bambino Plus offers an excellent balance of performance and affordability.