Costar 20-Bar Espresso Machine

Best Espresso Machines in India 2026

Costar 20-Bar Espresso Machine — Best Budget Pick

Price Range: Rs.7,000 – Rs.9,499
Bar Pressure: 20 Bar
Features: Espresso + Drip Coffee modes
Best for: First-time buyers, occasional users, students, and those experimenting with espresso

What We Like –

Dual Mode – Espresso and Drip Coffee: This is Costar’s most interesting feature. It can function as both; an espresso machine and a drip coffee maker. For households where different family members have different preferences – some like espresso, some like regular drip coffee – this versatility is genuinely useful. At this price, it’s a great two-in-one option.

Honest 20 Bar Pump: Unlike some cheaper machines that claim high bar pressure through misleading marketing, the Costar’s pump pressure is sufficient to make a recognizable espresso—not a perfect café-like espresso, but a real espresso with a hint of crema. At this price, this is a commendable achievement.

Entry-Level Affordability: Priced at Rs. 7,000 – Rs. 9,000, this is the most affordable espresso machine we can think of. For those curious about making espresso at home but not ready to spend a lot of money, the Costar offers the opportunity to try it without any financial worries. Many people find they use their espresso machine less than expected – so it’s better to try it with an Rs. 8,000 machine rather than a Rs. 25,000 machine.

Compact Footprint: Indian kitchens are smaller than Western kitchens. Computer space is very valuable. The Costar is so small that it fits easily into even small kitchens and doesn’t take up much counter space.

What Could Be Better –

Build Quality Is Budget-Level: There’s no denying it. Plastic components feel lightweight and lack long-term durability. This is a machine that may need replacing after 2-3 years of regular use, while machines with better durability have a lifespan of 5-8 years.

Inconsistent Results: Making consistent espresso with this machine requires practice and patience. Coffee grind size, tamping pressure, and water temperature affect results more than with better machines. Beginners may find its inconsistency frustrating at first, until they get the hang of it.

Limited Customer Support: Costar doesn’t have a robust service network like brands like Agora, LG, or De’Longhi. Obtaining repairs or spare parts can be challenging. This is the main risk of buying from lesser-known brands.

Real Talk –

The Costar machine isn’t for serious coffee enthusiasts. But it’s a great option for curious beginners, students, occasional users, or anyone who wants to learn how to make espresso at home without thinking twice. Think of it as a starting point, not a destination. If you use it regularly and enjoy making espresso at home, you’ll know it’s time to upgrade. If this machine doesn’t work out, you haven’t wasted Rs.8,000

How to Choose the Right Espresso Machine for Your Needs?

Buying an espresso machine is more complex than buying most appliances because the ‘best’ machine genuinely depends on how you plan to use it. Here’s what actually matters:

Bar Pressure — The Most Important Specification

Real espresso requires 9 bars of pressure at the coffee puck. This is not negotiable — it’s physics. Machines that use steam instead of a pump cannot achieve this pressure and produce fundamentally different coffee (it’s not really espresso, regardless of what the label says).

When shopping, look for machines with a pump-driven system. The bar rating on the pump (15-20 bar) is higher than the 9 bars needed because pressure drops between the pump and the coffee — this is normal. What matters is that the machine has a real pump, not just steam pressure.

Semi-Automatic vs Fully Automatic vs Pod Machines

• Semi-Automatic (All machines on this list): You control grind size, dose, tamping, and extraction time. More control, more skill required, more rewarding for coffee enthusiasts. Better coffee ceiling if you invest time to learn.

• Fully Automatic (Bean-to-Cup): Machine handles grinding, dosing, and extraction automatically. Much more convenient, consistently decent results. Significantly more expensive (Rs.40,000–Rs.2,00,000+). Better for people who want reliable coffee without involvement.

• Pod/Capsule Machines (Nespresso, etc.): Maximum convenience, minimum skill required. Good but not great espresso. Ongoing capsule cost is high — typically Rs.30-50 per cup. Environmentally questionable. Good for occasional users who prioritize convenience over quality and cost.

• Grinder — The Purchase You Must Plan For : This point cannot be overstated: the grinder is more important than the espresso machine for coffee quality. Fresh ground coffee makes a dramatic difference. Pre-ground coffee for espresso goes stale within days. Budget at least Rs.5,000–Rs.15,000 for a decent burr grinder alongside your espresso machine purchase. The combination of a mid-range espresso machine with a good grinder will consistently outperform an expensive espresso machine with pre-ground or blade-ground coffee.

Milk Frothing — What You Actually Need

You mainly drink espresso or Americanos: Frothing capability doesn’t matter much. Focus budget on the brewing components.

You want lattes and cappuccinos occasionally: A basic steam wand will do. All machines on this list have one.

Water Quality in India — A Critical Factor

Indian tap water varies enormously in hardness. Mumbai and Delhi have notably hard water that causes scale buildup inside espresso machines. This scale reduces heating efficiency, affects taste, and eventually damages internal components.

• Use filtered water wherever possible — even basic RO-filtered water is better than direct tap water for espresso machines
• Descale your machine every 2-3 months in hard water areas (most brands include descaling solution or recommend branded descalers)
• Consider a water softener attachment (Rs.1,500-3,000) if you live in a very hard water area
• Never use distilled water — it lacks the minerals that carry flavor and can damage rubber seals over time
• Budget Reality Check

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Buying on Bar Pressure Alone: A machine claiming 20 bars with a steam-pressure system is misleading advertising. Always check whether the machine has a pump (good) or uses only steam pressure (not suitable for real espresso).

2. Ignoring Ongoing Costs: Beyond the machine cost, budget for: quality coffee beans (Rs.600-1,500 per month for regular drinkers), descaling solution (Rs.500-800 every 2-3 months), a good grinder if not already owned (Rs.5,000+), and occasional maintenance.

3. Expecting Perfect Coffee Immediately: Semi-automatic espresso machines require practice. Your first 20-30 shots will likely be underwhelming. This is normal. The learning process is part of the experience — don’t return the machine after a disappointing first week.

4. Skipping the Grinder: We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again — a Rs.15,000 machine with pre-ground coffee will be consistently outperformed by a Rs.10,000 machine with a Rs.8,000 burr grinder. Good coffee starts with fresh grinding.

5. Neglecting Cleaning: Espresso machines need regular cleaning — back flushing, porta filter cleaning, steam wand purging after every use, and periodic descaling. A neglected machine produces increasingly poor coffee and fails sooner. Budget 5-10 minutes after each use for basic maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the difference between an espresso machine and a regular coffee machine?

Espresso machines use high pressure (9+ bars) to force hot water through finely ground coffee, producing a concentrated, flavourful shot with a golden crema on top. Regular drip coffee makers simply let hot water drip through grounds by gravity — no pressure, different extraction, different result. They’re not interchangeable in terms of output.

Q: Can I use regular supermarket coffee in an espresso machine?

You can, but the results won’t be great. Supermarket coffee is typically ground for drip machines — too coarse for espresso, which leads to weak, watery shots. For best results, buy whole beans specifically labelled for espresso and grind them fresh.

Q: How much electricity do espresso machines consume?

Espresso machines are powerful (typically 900-1,500 watts) but are used for short periods — usually 1-5 minutes per brewing session. Daily electricity consumption is quite low, typically 0.05-0.15 units per day for regular home use. At Rs.6-8 per unit, you’re spending Rs.10-30 per month on electricity — far less than what you’d spend on a single café visit.

Q: How often do I need to descale an espresso machine?

In hard water areas (most of India), descale every 2-3 months. In areas with softer water (parts of Kerala, Northeast India), every 4-6 months is adequate. Many modern machines have indicator lights that alert you when descaling is needed. Using the manufacturer’s recommended descaling solution protects internal components and extends machine life significantly.

Q: Is it worth buying an espresso machine if I only have 2-3 coffees per week?

Probably not — at least not at the higher price points. If you’re buying 2-3 coffees per week at Rs.250-400 each, you’re spending Rs.2,000-5,000 per month. A Rs.15,000 machine pays for itself in 3-7 months of that spending. But if you’re having 2-3 coffees per week total, your monthly café spend is closer to Rs.500-1,200, and the break-even extends to 1-2+ years. For occasional coffee drinkers, pod machines or a good drip coffee maker might be more sensible.

Q: Which is better — buying from Amazon India or a physical store?

Amazon India offers better prices and easy returns. Physical stores (Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales) let you see and feel the machine before buying, and offer in-store support if issues arise. For machines above Rs.15,000, we recommend visiting a store to assess build quality in person before purchasing, even if you ultimately buy online for the price advantage.

Disclaimer: We are a product review website providing honest opinions based on extensive research and real-world usage analysis. Prices mentioned are approximate and may vary based on sales, offers, and location.