Top 5 espresso machines under $300 - The Best Choices for the Discerning Coffee Aficionado
Keurig K60/K65 Special Edition & Signature Brewers
Arguably one of the better Keurigs on the market, this machine receives mostly solid reviews due to its many excellent flavor options when used with Keurig's single-serving "K-Cup" system. It features a 60-ounce reservoir for water and brews one 6-, 8- or 12-ounce cup. This model gets high marks compared with others of the same brand for longevity, with most users reporting impressive functionality for long periods of time, even with daily use. Unfortunately, it does share the drawback with its sister Keurigs that if it breaks, there is potentially no fix for it.Available at Amazon
Nespresso A+GCA1-US-RE-NE VertuoLine Coffee and Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother
This machine boasts a revolutionary approach to coffee making. When you insert one of Nespresso's special coffee capsules, the VertuoLine reads the code printed on the capsule and automatically adjusts its settings for the ideal brew for that blend. It features a built-in milk frother, is specially designed for larger serving outputs and has one-touch options for both regular coffee and espresso brewing. While reviews still lean largely toward the positive, some users report somewhat weak-tasting coffee and complain that coffee delivered is not hot enough.Available at Amazon
De'Longhi EC680 Dedica 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine
Incredibly, for a machine that only takes up 6 inches of counter space, the De'Longhi EC680 delivers extremely competitive espresso. Users report amazingly professional results from this little dynamo, with truly remarkable taste and function for the price. While the majority of users report that the machine delivers rich, thick creme, others disagreed -- complaining of the creme not forming well or dissipating quickly. It has been suggested that these complaints can be remedied with more careful studying of the directions and a bit more practice working with the machine.Available at Amazon
Nespresso D110 Citiz Limousine Black Automatic Espresso Machine
This surprisingly attractive little machine receives very positive reviews for the quality of coffee, espresso and cappuccino it brews. Wonderful flavors, nice crema delivery on the espresso setting and hot output temperature all leave customers satisfied. Some reviewers have gone so far as to say that it is far superior to Starbucks coffee and ultimately much less expensive as well. However, some users have found issues with the relatively small sizes delivered by the Nespresso Citiz, as the "large" setting only delivers 5 ounces of coffee, so it may not be the ideal machine for high-volume coffee drinkers.Available at Amazon
Capresso 118.05 EC PRO Espresso and Cappuccino Machine