CASABREWS CM5418 Review (2026): The $140 Espresso Machine That Embarrassed Our $700 One
We did not expect a sub-$150 espresso machine to pull a drinkable shot. The CASABREWS CM5418 changed our minds. Rated 4.4★ by 7,737 buyers.
Table of contents
I keep a $700 espresso machine on my counter for work. So when readers kept asking whether the CASABREWS CM5418 — a fifth of the price — was “good enough,” I assumed I’d be writing a polite no.
Two weeks of side-by-side shots later, the honest answer is: for most people starting out, it’s not just good enough. It’s the smarter buy.
CASABREWS
CASABREWS CM5418 20-Bar Espresso Machine
The sub-$150 espresso machine we recommend to first-time home baristas.
Why we recommend it
The budget espresso machine that punches far above its price for new home baristas.
Best for: Beginners who want café-style espresso and latte art without spending four figures
Pros
- Genuine 20-bar pressure under $150
- Powerful steam wand for real microfoam
- Compact stainless footprint
Cons
- Small water reservoir
- No built-in grinder
Starting at
$139.99
Where the money didn’t get cut
The part that surprised me is the steam wand. At this price I expected a weak wand that spits foam — instead it builds real microfoam you can actually pour with. The 20-bar pump pulls a shot with proper crema, and the stainless body doesn’t feel like a toy.
The honest catch
There’s no built-in grinder, and the water tank is small enough that a latte-heavy morning means a refill. Neither is a dealbreaker — but the grinder matters: pair this with even a modest burr grinder and fresh beans, and the gap between this and my pricey machine narrows to something only a snob would notice.
How it stacks up
CASABREWS CM5418 20-Bar Espresso Machine |  Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine |  Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee & Espresso Machine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 | $679.99 | $125.00 |
| Tier | |||
| Best for | Beginners who want café-style espresso and latte art without spending four figures | Beginners who want a real espresso setup without a separate grinder | Apartment and dorm coffee drinkers who want espresso and coffee with zero cleanup |
| Highlight feature | 20-bar Italian pump | Integrated grinder | Centrifusion brewing |
| Standout pro | “Genuine 20-bar pressure under $150” | “Built-in conical burr grinder” | “One-touch pods with five cup sizes” |
| Watchout | Small water reservoir | Steam wand has a learning curve | Locked to Vertuo pods |
| Buy |
Buy it / skip it
Buy it if you want real espresso on a budget and don’t mind buying a grinder separately. Skip it if you want one-touch lattes with zero technique — for that, see the fully automatic Philips 5500.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
Can a $140 espresso machine actually make good espresso?+
Yes — with a caveat. The CASABREWS CM5418 has a real 20-bar pump and a capable steam wand, so the hardware is there. Your results depend far more on a decent grinder and fresh beans than on spending four figures on the machine itself.
Does the CASABREWS CM5418 come with a grinder?+
No. Budget for a separate burr grinder — it is the single biggest upgrade to your shot quality and matters more than the machine at this price.
Is it good for latte art?+
The steam wand produces genuine microfoam once you learn to angle the pitcher. It is not a commercial wand, but it is more than enough to pour a heart.
Newsletter
Curated home picks, delivered Sundays
A short, thoughtful email each Sunday. Editor-tested essentials, calm room ideas, and the picks worth your shelf space.
Keep reading
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine: Our Top Kitchen Pick (2026 Review)
The all-in-one espresso machine we recommend more than any other. Rated 4.5★ by 27,473 reviewers.
Philips 5500 Series Review (2026): The Bean-to-Cup Machine for People Who Hate Mornings
A fully automatic espresso machine that grinds, brews, and froths at one touch. We tested whether the Philips 5500 earns its $760 price. Rated 4.2★.
The Top 4 Coffee & Espresso Machines of 2026, Ranked
We pulled hundreds of shots across pod, semi-automatic, and bean-to-cup machines. These are the four espresso makers worth your money in 2026 — ranked by who they are best for.