Best espresso machines at a glance
- Best espresso machine with grinder: De’Longhi La Specialista Arte, £398
- Best manual espresso machine: Gaggia Classic espresso machine, £499
- Best blowout espresso machine: Smeg EGF03 espresso machine, £849.95
- Best espresso machine for coffee aficionados: Smeg ECF02 espresso machine, £353
- Best automatic espresso machine: Breville One-Touch Coffee House II, £169.99
- Best budget espresso machine: Dualit Espresso coffee machine, £129.99
- Best espresso machine under £500: KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine, £269.40
- Most stylish home espresso machine: De’Longhi Dedica EC685.M coffee machine, £145
- Best portable espresso machine: Wacaco Minipresso GR espresso maker, £55.90
- Best mid-range espresso machine: Sage the Bambino Plus, £349.95
- Best beginner espresso machine: Swan One Touch espresso machine SK22150, £109.95
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Best espresso machines to buy in 2024
De’Longhi La Specialista Arte manual espresso machine
Best espresso machine with grinder
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Pros:
- Dual-height cup tray for long and short drinks
- Stainless steel milk jug, heavy tamper and tamping mat all included
Cons:
- Water tank proved temperamental to load
- Crowded control panel
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 1300W
If you’re someone who likes to try different bean varieties and roasts but you don’t want to buy a separate coffee grinder, the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte is an excellent choice.
It will grind beans freshly from its hopper when a coffee is selected, offering 11 grind settings to choose from. This technically makes it a bean-to-cup coffee machine, but we’ve included this here because of its price point, compact size and quality.
It’s the high-quality extras that not only make the experience of using this espresso a joy, but we found it’s relatively simple even for beginners, such as the dosing hat that sits on the portafilter to minimise mess.
The manual is packed with diagrams and tips to guide you through everything from pre-infusion temperature profiles to the ratios of espresso-based coffees, and will even help you improve latte art skills. For the money, this is an excellent value espresso machine.
Gaggia Classic espresso machine
Best manual espresso machine
Pros:
- Professional grade accessories and specifications
- Easy to use rocker switches
- Good tamper and coffee scoop included
- Efficient steam wand
Cons:
- Tall, so less ideal for lower cupboards
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 1425W
Designed and made in Italy, the Gaggia Classic is pitched as a state-of-the-art coffee machine for the home – a statement we don’t disagree with.
Much of this is due to the impressive functionality hidden behind its stainless steel body, such as the solenoid valve, which is responsible for controlling water temperature inside the filter holder, but you can also feel it in the parts for manually making coffee.
The chromed brass group and filter holder are the same size, weight and style of those used with professional commercial machines, designed to control the heat during brewing for optimal extraction.
The three filters (single, double and ESE pods) require a solid clip meaning there’s no annoying rattling. There’s space to store and warm five espresso cups on the top. Even with its state-of-the art style, this is still one easy-to-use machine.
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Smeg ECF02 espresso machine
Best espresso machine for coffee aficionados
Pros:
- Available in a range of colours
- Produced rich, dark espresso with silky crema
- Good selection of customisation options
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1350W
An upgrade of the Smeg ECF01 espresso machine, the Italian brand has channelled its iconic 1950s designs into this slimline espresso machine that’s simple on the surface, but packed with advanced personalisation features. It comes with four drink options and a scoop for loading coffee grounds into the portafilter, and we found the set-up impressively straightforward.
For those who like lattes and cappuccinos, it also benefits from an integrated steam wand for frothing milk – though it is a little slow to heat up and you’ll need to buy the milk jug separately. We did, however, reward this espresso machine extra points for sustainability, as all the packaging it arrived in could be recycled.
Cost to pull one double espresso each day for one month: 5.1p
Smeg EGF03 espresso machine
Best blowout espresso machine
Pros:
- Bright, colourful exterior
- High-quality accessories
- User-friendly features
- Built-in adjustable grinder
Cons:
- Expensive
- Chunky footprint
- No adjustable height tray
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1650W
The EGF03 is a sleek statement gadget that perfectly aligns with Smeg’s 50s aesthetic. On the countertop, it looks like a shiny new toy: bright and glossy with accessories to match, including a robust 58mm portafilter and a stainless steel milk jug.
Where it differs from the ECF01 and ECF02 is the built-in grinder, which means you can enjoy freshly ground beans in every cup. The hopper slots in easily and rotates depending on the grind size you want, from super-fine to medium.
We also thought the grinder was quiet and speedy, filling the portafilter basket in seconds. Our espresso was sweet, strong, and topped with silky crema, and we loved the manoeuvrability of the steam wand. It comes with a steep price tag, but is simple enough for beginners and fully delivers on quality.
Cost to pull one double espresso each day for one month: 3.9p
Breville One-Touch Coffee House II
Best automatic espresso machine
Pros:
- Quality espresso
- Grounds and pod-compatible
- Sleek, slimline design
- Portafilter baskets release easily
Cons:
- Noisy
- No americano preset
- Limited guidance on how much coffee to use
- Have to twist the portafilter very firmly to lock it in
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1470W
If you’re a regular drinker of lattes or cappuccinos, this Breville model comes with an automated milk frother that delivers deliciously creamy results. It’s a sleek, compact machine with clearly marked icons and an intuitive display, and has a progress bar along the top so you can see how quickly it’s heating up.
It uses ESE pods or coffee grounds, which slot inside the portafilter basket with ease. There’s a scoop included with a tamper on the end, though the guidance on how much coffee to use was a bit vague – Breville advises filling the basket 3mm from the top, though most other machines simply say one scoop of grounds for a single shot.
We also found locking the portafilter into the grouphead quite tricky, and needed two hands to stop the machine from slipping on the worktop as we did it. The effort was worth it, however: the Coffee House II produced excellent espresso with thick, glossy crema.
Cost to pull one double espresso each day for one month: 1.2p
Dualit Espresso coffee machine
Best budget espresso machine
Pros:
- Simple, intuitive controls
- Small footprint
- Easy to insert grounds
- Adjustable speeds for steam wand
- Auto-shut off
Cons:
- Steam wand can be tricky to manoeuvre
- Manual stop for espresso
Star rating: 4.5/5
This Dualit model is a solid choice for anyone making the jump from instant coffee to brewing fresh espresso. It’s intuitive and fuss-free, with a simple dial and slimline body that’s ideal for small countertops.
Manoeuvring the milk frother into position was more awkward (making it difficult to achieve the perfect microfoam), but we liked that we could adjust the speed of steaming using the dial on the side. Our espressos flowed steadily and were pleasant with thick, hazelnutty crema.
You have to manually stop the flow of espresso, so it may be worth purchasing a separate small measuring cup if you want to ensure consistency (or set a timer – you’ll want to aim for between 25-30 seconds). That aside, this is a machine that produces solid results, and with a price tag of below £150, it offers great value too.
Cost to pull one double espresso each day for one month: 0.9p
KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine
Best espresso machine under £500
Pros:
- Five-year warranty
- Proper stainless steel tamper included in the box
- Anti-slip mat for tamping
- Single- and double-wall filter baskets included
Cons:
- Small icons denoting its functions
- More expensive than most
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1300W
KitchenAid products have a brand legacy to live up to, so when new models are released, expectations are high. The Artisan edition of the espresso machine has a low, slimline footprint but a hefty metal body that gives it good stability on its grippy base.
We found this model was a classy, pricey unit that fully delivers in terms of coffee quality, steam wand efficiency and the accessories included (which is where many machines fall).
There’s a weighty stainless steel tamper and an accurate coffee scoop that decants 12g of coffee into a single-shot filter basket (just the right amount). After brewing, the used coffee puck was almost dry, making it mess-free to tap out. All we missed was a second cup tray for lifting espresso cups higher to the stream to stop splashing.
De’Longhi Dedica EC685.M manual espresso maker
Most stylish espresso maker
Pros:
- Good range of movement with the milk steam wand
- A* energy rating
Cons:
- Slightly unstable when locking portafilter
- Easy to press a button accidentally
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1350W
De’Longhi’s Dedica espresso machine is uber sleek, with a stainless steel exterior that gives it a true, modern-classic feel. At 1.1 litre capacity, its water tank is smaller than others but it packs in 15-bars of pressure to create deliciously smooth and crema-topped espresso with no hint of bitterness.
It’s also a practical size for fitting on smaller countertops, only 14cm wide and 33cm deep. For an espresso machine that won’t break the bank and looks great on your countertop, the De’Longhi Dedica EC685.M manual model should be at the top of your list.
Read our full De’Longhi Dedica EC685.M review.
Wacaco Minipresso GR espresso maker
Best portable espresso maker
Pros:
- Compact
- Easy to transport
- Integrated coffee scoop and cup
Cons:
- Water needs to be preheated
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: N/A
The Wacaco Minipresso GR features five main parts that screw together into one portable, robust package. Its integrated manual pump generates eight bars of pressure (116 PSI) to produce a full-bodied single espresso, complete with a thick crema.
The build-quality combined with the hands-on process means it’s not only fun to use but a genuinely functional bit of kit for making espresso on the go.
Read our full Wacaco Minipresso GR espresso maker review.
Sage the Bambino Plus espresso maker
Best mid-range espresso machine
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Efficient milk frother
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1600W
Simple, intuitive and capable of brewing thick, rich espresso, the Bambino Plus packs a lot of power into a mid-range package. It comes loaded with bonus features, including a very good steaming wand and a clever water tank. Despite its name, it does take up a fair amount of room, so this should be considered before investing.
Read our full Sage Bambino Plus espresso maker review for all specifications.
Swan One Touch espresso machine SK22150
Best beginner espresso machine
Pros:
- 20 bars of pressure
- ESE pod compatible
Cons:
- Large-cup latte setting produces too much coffee for the largest mug in your cupboard
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 1250W
This Swan is the new iteration of the fully manual Swan Retro Pump SK22110 espresso machine. It’s arguably a step-down model for personalisation, but a step up in automation and ease-of use. It comes in several pastel colours (including pink – check out our full round-up of the best pink kitchen accessories and appliances for more fun pink gadgets).
We found the preset buttons make it more user-friendly, and there’s a steam wand that’s intuitive. You’re left with the ‘fun bits’ of filling, tamping and loading the portafilter: choose the filter, press the button and it’s 20-bar pressure pump does the work, and remember to manoeuvre the milk steam wand into the mug beforehand.
Read our full Swan One Touch espresso machine review.
Other espresso machines tried and tested
How to choose the best espresso machine
While there are many types on the market, we’d advise any espresso lover to buy a traditional pump-action machine, which combines mechanisms for both maintaining water temperature and applying pressure.
These machines use pumps to drive near-boiling water through a layer of finely ground coffee and filter into your espresso cup quickly. The whole process, from loading to full extraction, should take under one minute (25 to 30 seconds is the optimum extraction time for 25ml of espresso) and speed is one of the major advantages of this brewing method over traditional drip methods.
The best coffee pod machines require you to buy pods, which can be less cost-effective while also posing a greater sustainability issue as they’re difficult to recycle or biodegrade. In contrast, espresso machines just require ground coffee, and there are a couple of types to choose from.
Automatic espresso machines
These will heat the water, brew and extract espresso into your coffee cup. You’ll likely need to do the dosing and tamping of the grinds, then load and unload the portafilter. Certain elements will be adjustable to help you personalise your coffee, like the brew time, quantity and water temperature.
Manual espresso machines
This type of machine doesn’t plug into the mains, so are generally more portable and sustainable espresso makers compared to plug-in automatic types. The water does need to be pre-heated, but they do offer a very hands-on process of making the coffee that’s incredibly gratifying.
If speed and convenience are the biggest decision drivers for you, a bean-to-cup coffee machine may be an interesting alternative. Some espresso machines – including most of the ones reviewed in this guide – have extra features in addition to coffee extraction.
- Milk steamer wands: These are a popular add-on, used to heat and froth milk for lattes, cappuccinos and other creamy concoctions. If you like your coffee with milk, we recommend you either buy a machine with a steamer, or get a standalone steaming/frothing appliance to go with a machine that doesn’t have the feature.
- Single- and double-cup capabilities: Some espresso machines will be able to make two cups of coffee at the same time.
- ESE pod compatibility: Biodegradable pouches containing ground coffee that can be placed into the portafilter and minimise the mess of wayward grinds.
- Coffee dosing spoon and tamper: Filling your portafilter with coffee and compressing them down into an even layer is an essential part of the espresso-making process, particularly if splitting espresso between two cups.
In the interest of meeting lots of different needs, we’ve featured a variety of espresso machines, with styles ranging from retro to contemporary, for different budgets.
Before you choose one and place an order, think carefully about the types of coffee you’d like to make and the characteristics you’d like your coffee machine to have.
Top tips for making the best espresso at home
Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to refresh your barista skills, there are a few simple steps to making the best espresso from the comfort of your kitchen.
- Invest in good coffee beans: A good cup of espresso starts with high-quality coffee beans. When browsing, think about which aromas and flavour profiles you like – medium-to-dark roasts are usually better for making espresso. You can find inspiration in our guide to the best coffee beans.
- Grind just before brewing: Where possible, try to use fresh, very finely ground coffee when making espresso. We’ve tested the best coffee grinders to bring you our picks of the most efficient, value for money and well-designed models on the market.
- Use a tamper: This will help you to evenly distribute and pack the coffee grounds into the portafilter, resulting in better quality coffee. When using the tamper, apply pressure and gently twist so the grounds are uniformly spread. Most espresso machines come with a tamper included, but you can buy them separately as well.
- Preheat your cup: If you want to keep your coffee at the optimum temperature for longer (and preserve all those delicious espresso flavours), warm your mug beforehand. Simply fill it with hot water, leave it for few minutes, then throw the water away.
- Clean your machine regularly: Keeping on top of cleaning will help to increase its lifespan. Look at the instruction manual of your gadget to find cleaning and descaling advice.
How we tested espresso machines
These gadgets are investment purchases, which is why our reviews experts have tested over 100 coffee machines and made over 200 coffees to find the best coffee machines on the market.
The espresso machines featured in this review were chosen from a carefully curated longlist of over 40 machines and tested against strict test criteria using the same, finely ground coffee. Each machine was scored out of five against the following core criteria:
- Espresso quality: We looked for espresso with rich flavour, smooth consistency, a hazelnut-coloured silky crema and bold aroma.
- Quality of materials: These are investment appliances and therefore the quality of each component needs to be built for daily use and longevity.
- Ease of use: How helpful is the manual and how intuitive is the machine to use?
- Value for money: Does the machine offer good return of investment?
- Ease of assembly and packaging: The machines were scored on how easy they were to set up, the protective quality of its packaging and quantity of single-use plastic in its box.
The following criteria also played into our decision-making:
- Extra features: For example, a milk wand for steaming milk, accompanying stainless steel milk jug, single- and double-cup functions, and a scoop for measuring coffee grounds.
- Personalisation options: Adjustable water temperature, coffee brew time, hard or soft water settings.
- Water tank: Needs to be easily accessible or removable for refilling.
- Ease of cleaning: Descaling settings, self-cleaning functions, steam wand purge, dishwasher-safe portafilter and filter baskets, portafilter rinsing.
- Countertop footprint: Espresso machines can vary from the slimline to the big and boxy.
- Design: Would we buy this for keeping out on our kitchen worktops? If not, they weren’t included.
Some of these factors may matter more to you than others. The coffee fanatics among you will care deeply about the quality of extraction, and advanced features such as temperature control and milk frothing.
Minimalists will be interested in the kitchen footprint and ease of cleaning. If you’re new to making coffee and don’t mind your espressos on the weaker side, value for money and ease of use may be your top priorities.
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All cost-to-run calculations were measured against the standard variable tariff at the time of testing – read more on the current energy price guarantee rates.
This guide was last updated in March 2024. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.