The Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine Is Half the Price of Breville

As someone who’s pulled shots on some of Breville’s finest machines for years (like the Barista Express or the tech-y Touch Impress), I’ve admittedly become a bit of an espresso snob. So when the $210 Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine — which is less than half the price of one of my beloved Brevilles — landed on my counter, I didn’t expect much. But after weeks of testing the machines side by side, I’m ready to admit that one of the best coffee makers in the world does have some competition from a budget player. 

Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine

The Casabrews Ultra delivers the nearly the same café-quality espresso I’ve come to expect from my Breville, with all the professional features serious home baristas actually need — at half the cost. What shocked me the most is that the shots are nearly identical if you’re not a java connoisseur splitting hairs. 

I ran the same beans through both machines and pulled shot after shot. The Casabrews 20-bar Italian pump generated roughly the same rich crema and full-bodied extraction I get from my Breville. One former Starbucks barista has even said they felt like the machine “pulls more consistent and far more flavorful shots than the automated ones Starbucks has.” I asked one of my best friends to do a blind taste test as well, and they couldn’t tell which machine produced each shot. 

But the PID temperature control is where this machine really won me over. Temperature stability is everything in espresso — we’re talking about a few degrees making the difference between a balanced shot and a bitter mess. You can select one of four temperature settings on the Casabrews, which isn’t prone to the temperature swings that I find tend to plague budget machines. I was pulling consistent shots from the very first time I tested the machine, which took hours to achieve when I was trying to adjust to a light roast on my first Breville. 

I also loved the milk frother, which produces a silky microfoam that’ll rival your favorite coffee shop’s. Some flimsy, cheaper machines I’ve encountered don’t have enough power in the steam wand to texture milk properly, but the one on the Casabrews does well. The stainless steel construction also feels solid and well made, and its clear LCD display (which you’ll tend to find on pricier espresso machines) guides you through each step. This is especially helpful if you’re new to pulling manual shots. 

Look, I’m not saying the Casabrews is perfect. My Breville Barista Express has a slightly more refined feel, and the build quality is marginally better. The Casabrews doesn’t have an attached burr grinder, which most Brevilles feature built in, so you’ll need to buy one separately. But for everyday use, the performance difference is negligible, and at $210, it’s a steal to get equipment that genuinely rivals machines costing two or three times as much. One shopper even agreed that it’s “shocking how good this machine is for the money. My last espresso machine was a KitchenAid and cost $2,000, and it was very complicated and not worth the money. The espresso comes out smooth here with no bitterness.” 

A daily latte habit could run you close to $200 a month at a coffee shop, so this machine practically pays for itself. If you’ve been eyeing a Breville but can’t stomach the price tag, the Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine is a worthy alternative. After testing both, I can confidently say you’re not sacrificing quality for affordability here, and you’ll stay just as caffeinated. 

More Espresso Machines to Shop Now

Breville Barista Express

De’Longhi Dedica Duo

Gaggia Classic Evo Pro

Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso Maker 

De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine