Is Walmart’s viral $129 Chefman espresso machine worth it? Here’s what to know before you buy

The

Chefman CraftBrew Espresso Machine, priced at just $129

, has gone viral thanks to home baristas who say it looks great on your counter and makes a decent latte, especially for the price.

But if you’re wondering whether it’s actually good or just TikTok-good, it’s worth looking closer.

What the Chefman offers for $129

The

Chefman CraftBrew espresso machine

comes with a 15-bar pressure pump, built-in steam wand, and touch controls. It can pull a single or double shot and looks, frankly, better than most machines in this price range. A viral TikTok video from

@alexhomebarista

shows it in action, steaming milk and pulling espresso with minimal fuss. For anyone looking to level up from drip coffee or a pod machine,

the appeal is obvious

.

But here’s the honest truth about budget espresso machines

At this price point

, you’re not getting a café-quality shot. That’s not a dig, it’s just reality. Espresso is extremely sensitive to pressure, temperature, grind size, and shot timing.

Budget machines (under $200)

usually struggle to maintain consistent pressure and heat, which means your results may vary.

Steam wands

in this category

also tend to be weak or a little unpredictable. You might be able to froth milk for a cappuccino, but don’t expect silky microfoam like you’d get from a pro-level setup.

That said: if you’re after an

affordable, decent-looking

way to make espresso drinks at home, the

Chefman CraftBrew espresso machine

is an easy place to start.

There’s a big jump in quality around the $500 mark. That’s where you’ll find machines like the

Gaggia Classic Pro

, a barista favorite semi-automatic machine that lets you really learn how to pull a proper shot. If you want to geek out over tamping, pressure, and grind size,

this is the one to grow with

. Just don’t forget to

get a grinder

, too.

Prefer convenience? Super-automatic machines like the

Gaggia Brera

or

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo

handle everything from grinding to tamping to brewing, and some even have cold brew options. They’re faster, more consistent, and more forgiving, but it costs a good deal more.

Bonus deal:

As of writing, the

De’Longhi La Specialista

is on sale for

under $700

at Wayfair, which is a solid value for a solid home machine that looks and feels high-end.

If you’re espresso-curious, want to try your hand at milk frothing, and don’t mind a little inconsistency,

the Chefman

is a perfectly fine intro machine. It’s affordable, it looks good, and it gets the job done. Enough of the job, at least, to decide whether home espresso is a hobby you actually want to pursue.

But if you already know you love espresso? Save up for

a machine that will last longer

and grow with you.

Essential Shopping & Deals

• Upgrading your coffee gear for camping season? Yeti Rambler pour over is durable, designed for the outdoors, and just $30

• Hoka hiking boots on rare sale just in time for Summer

• New UGG sandal brings regenerative agriculture to footwear

• Filson outlet deals: Rarely on sale, tin cloth short lined cruiser jackets are over $100 off

• ‘America’s Best’ espresso machine is 40% off at Wayfair right now

About The Author