I test espresso machines for a living, and my favorite compact De'Longhi machine just hit a record-low price ahead of Prime Day

I've tested 14 coffee makers in the last year, and one of my favorites just hit a record-low price at Amazon ahead of next week's Prime Day sale. If you move fast, you can grab the excellent De'Longhi Dedica Duo espresso machine for just $249.94 (was $299.95) at Amazon, which is the cheapest it's ever been (if you're in the UK scroll down for a fantastic deal on a similar machine).

The Dedica Duo is a fantastic little machine that's much better quality than others in this price bracket. It's made using quality components that feel reassuringly solid and, most importantly, it can generate and sustain the pressure necessary for consistent brews. It performs as well as a coffee maker costing twice as much, and easily won a place in my roundup of the best espresso machines.

Want to know more? Take a look at my full De'Longhi Dedica Duo review, in which I heap praise upon the little machine and award it a full five stars.

Today's best De'Longhi Dedica Duo deal (US)

De'Longhi Dedica Duo: was $299.95 now $249.95 at Amazon

The De'Longhi Dedica Duo is my favorite affordable espresso machine, and it's even easier to recommend with this great pre-Prime Day price cut. It performs brilliantly, feels solid to use, brews hot and cold, and comes in a choice of four colors: pink (shown here), green, white, and stainless steel, all of which are on offer.

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The De'Longhi Dedica Duo isn't discounted in the UK right now, but don't worry – its predecessor, the De'Longhi Dedica Style is even cheaper, down to just £149.99 at Amazon (was £229.99).

The biggest difference between the two (other than the choice of colors) is that the Dedica Style can't make cold-extracted espresso. It's still an excellent, well-made little coffee machine, and was my number-one small espresso maker for years. It's easy to use, reliable, and perfect for beginners – particularly at this price.

Today's best De'Longhi Dedica Style deal (UK)

De'Longhi Dedica Style: was £229.99 now £149.99 at Amazon

This excellent little espresso machine is a steal for under £150 ahead of Prime Day. It doesn't have the cold-brew function of the Dedica Duo, but it's a lot cheaper and still brews an excellent shot of espresso. Its steam wand is excellent too, and it feels as solidly-made as you'd expect from a De'Longhi appliance.

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If you want to get really picky, I found it a bit tricky to fit two espresso cups under the Dedica Style due to its relatively narrow drip tray. That's a minor quibble though, and one that De'Longhi resolved with the Dedica Duo. Whichever machine you choose,you can adjust it to accommodate taller cups and mugs by removing the top part of the tray, which is a nice touch.

In all other respects, these are two of the best espresso machines you can buy if you're on a budget or have a small kitchen, and I'd happily recommend either one to my own family and friends.