1.5/5 Stars Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso is not really an espresso machine. It’s a $40 box that tries very hard — and kind of fails — to make something like espresso. But if you’re flat broke, desperate for caffeine, and okay with compromise, it will at least get hot coffee into your cup.
Buy this Mr Coffee Espresso box here
What It Gets Right
- Super cheap: You can usually find it under $50, sometimes less.
- Compact: Fits anywhere.
- Simple operation: Add water, coffee, turn the knob, and wait.
- It makes… something: It’s not espresso, but it’s a concentrated coffee drink with crema-adjacent foam.
Where It Falls Apart
- Not real espresso: Steam-driven machines can’t hit the 9 bars of pressure needed for true espresso. You’re basically making strong moka pot coffee.
- Inconsistent shots: Sometimes scorched, sometimes weak. Temperature control? Forget it.
- Milk frothing: The steam wand is a sad little puff of hot air. Good luck making microfoam.
- Build quality: Feels cheap because it is cheap. Expect plastic parts to wear fast.
- Upgrade dead end: You can’t mod it, can’t fix it, and shouldn’t bother.
Who (Maybe) Should Buy It
Honestly? Only if you’re:
- A student in a dorm with $50 to your name.
- Someone who wants to “play barista” without actually making espresso.
- Or you just need a temporary caffeine machine until you can afford better gear.
If you’re serious about espresso, skip this entirely. Save up for a used Rancilio Silvia, Gaggia Classic, or even a decent moka pot and milk frother — all of which will blow this machine away.
Verdict
The Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso isn’t espresso. It’s barely coffee cosplay. But it’s dirt cheap, and if you’re in a true financial bind, it’s a quick caffeine fix. Everyone else? Look elsewhere.
⚡ TL;DR: You get what you pay for. And sometimes, that’s not much.
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