I spent $5 a day on coffee shop lattes for three years. Some quick math: that is roughly $1,800 a year on steamed milk and espresso. A $200 machine pays for itself in about six weeks.

But most “espresso machines” under $200 are not real espresso machines — they are steam-powered coffee makers that produce something closer to strong drip coffee with foam on top. Here is what I found after testing four popular budget models.

What “Real Espresso” Means

Real espresso requires 9 bars of pressure forcing hot water through finely ground coffee. Those cheap $40 “espresso makers” use steam pressure — usually 3-4 bars — which does not extract the same oils and flavors. The result is weak, sour, and missing the crema (the golden foam on top of a real shot).

The Four Machines I Tested

Best Overall: De’Longhi Stilosa EC260BK ($120-150)

This is the budget machine that actually makes real espresso. 15-bar pump, decent steam wand, and it comes with a pressurized portafilter basket that is forgiving if your grind is not perfect. I pulled shots comparable to my local café after about a week of practice. The steam wand is slow — it takes about 45 seconds to steam milk for a latte — but it gets the job done.

Best for Small Kitchens: CASABREWS Espresso Machine ($130-160)

Compact, decent build quality, 20-bar pump. The shots were consistent. The included tamper is plastic and useless — budget $15 for a metal one. The drip tray is shallow and fills up fast. But for a tiny footprint that fits under cabinets, it is hard to beat.

Budget Pick with Grinder: Gevi 2-in-1 ($150-180)

Built-in burr grinder, which saves you from buying a separate $100 grinder. The grinder is loud — like, “wake up your roommate” loud — but it saves counter space. Espresso quality is fine, not amazing. The steam wand is surprisingly good for this price point.

Skip: Chefman 6-in-1 ($90-110)

It makes coffee. It does not make espresso, despite the name. The “crema” is just aerated coffee foam. If you want something that looks like an espresso machine and makes strong coffee, this works. If you want actual espresso, spend the extra $30-50 for one of the above.

One Thing All Budget Machines Need

A decent grinder. Pre-ground coffee from the grocery store is ground too coarse for espresso. You need a fine, consistent grind. A $50 manual burr grinder (like the Timemore C2) produces better results with a $120 machine than a $400 machine with pre-ground coffee. The grinder matters more than the machine at this price point.

I have not bought a $5 latte in two months. The math is undeniably in my favor.