It's now easier than ever to brew espresso from the comfort of your own kitchen with some of the best espresso machines. While delicious on its own, espresso forms the basis of classic coffee drinks like americanos, cappuccinos, milky lattes, chocolatey mochas, flat whites, and even espresso martinis.
Approximately 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day in the UK according to the British Coffee Association, and there's a host of home espresso machines designed to replicate the results of those used in commercial coffee shops.
There's also more than one type of home espresso machine for making barista-style coffee, so I've explained the different types below. Although some machines will grind the beans freshly for you (these are broadly known as bean-to-cup coffee machines), there are alternative ways to achieve this without splashing out.
Read on for my top picks, and for more recommendations, check out Good Food's broader guide to picking the best coffee machine for your home.
The latest additions were tested and reviewed by Sarah Finley.
View Affiliate Playlist on the source websiteBest espresso machines at a glance
- Best manual espresso machine: Gaggia Classic espresso machine, £549
- Best luxury espresso machine: Smeg Mini Pro espresso machine EMC02, £1,399.95
- Best mid-range espresso machine: Sage the Bambino Plus, £399.95
- Best espresso machine for beginners: ProCook espresso machine, £199
- Best blow-out espresso machine: Sage the Dual Boiler, £1,249.95
- Best espresso machine with grinder: Smeg EGF03 espresso machine, £699.95
- Best espresso machine for coffee aficionados: Smeg ECF02 espresso machine, £397.95
- Best espresso machine under £500: KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine, £225
- Best espresso machine for a coffee connoisseur: Lelit Bianca espresso coffee machine, £2,199.95
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How I tested espresso machines
I spent a lot of time with each machine in this list, navigating the controls, dialling in the coffee beans to achieve the optimal extraction (25-30 seconds), and playing with any customisation settings that were on offer.
After putting each model through its paces, I then scored them out of five against the following core criteria, which determined their overall star rating:
- Espresso quality: I looked for espresso with rich flavour, smooth consistency, a hazelnut-coloured silky crema and bold aroma.
- Quality of materials: An espresso machine is usually an expensive purchase, so it should 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: I scored each machine on how easy they were to set up, the protective quality of its packaging, and amount of single-use plastic in its box.
Why you can trust Good Food reviews (and me, the reviewer)
I've been testing coffee machines for three years at Good Food, but before that I worked as a coffee shop barista for several years – so I know what makes a good coffee machine, and more importantly, what good espresso should taste like.
I've also trained at the London School of Coffee and have a Specialty Coffee Association qualification under my belt.
The team and I test every product in the Good Food Test Kitchen, which is designed to replicate the average home kitchen rather than a specialist lab. Because of this, you can be confident that if a product performs well in our kitchen, it should perform well in yours, too.
No product reviews are shared with manufacturers or retailers before they're published, and we never accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, either.
View oEmbed on the source websiteBest espresso machines to buy in 2026
Gaggia Classic espresso machine
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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
Designed and made in Italy, the Gaggia Classic is pitched as a state-of-the-art coffee machine for the home – a statement I 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, which 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.
Wattage: 1425W
Functions: Single and double espresso, milk steaming, hot water
Weight: 8.1KG
Capacity: 2.L
Warranty: 5-year parts warranty
Cost to run: (based on 25.73p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
Smeg Mini Pro espresso machine EMC02
Available from AO (£1,399), Currys (£1,399), Smeg (£1,399.95)
Best luxury espresso machine
Pros:
- Attractive look
- Easy to set up and use
Cons:
- No warning when water is low
Star rating: 4.5/5
This compact machine sat beautifully on my worktop, with its matte green body and stainless steel finishes. Its footprint wasn’t quite as small as I expected, but it still fit neatly under my cupboards. The setup was straightforward and I was brewing my first espresso within five minutes. Despite its ‘mini’ label, it has a generous 1.7L removable water tank. An alert to let you know when the tank needs filling would have been a good addition, however.
You can use this machine either manually or automatically. I preferred the ease of pressing one of the three buttons – for either one shot, two shots or hot water for a longer coffee – but there’s also a lever on the right-hand side if you prefer to extract manually. For coffee connoisseurs, it there’s also a pressure gauge that helps you monitor how well the coffee has been extracted.
It comes with four interchangeable steel filters for the portafilter, allowing you to adjust depending on how you like your coffee. The machine preferred a normal grind, rather than a really fine grind and the latter took a while to filter through. There’s a separate wand for warming up milk, which performed well. Once I found the right grind and filter combination, the espresso had a fruity, rich flavour with a fluffy crema.
Cleaning is simple, and the drip tray slides out easily for rinsing. I loved how easy the Mini Pro was to use, but at just under £1,400, it’s pricier than some of the brand’s other coffee machines.
Wattage: 1700W
Functions: Single, double espresso, milk frothing and hot water
Weight: 12.8kg
Capacity: 1.7L
Warranty: 2 years
Available from:
Sage the Bambino Plus espresso maker
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Best mid-range espresso machine
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Efficient milk frother
- Quality espresso
Cons:
- A little bulky
- Rickety drip tray
Star rating: 4.5/5
Sleek and intuitive, the Bambino Plus packs a lot of power into a mid-range package. It comes loaded with bonus features, including a steaming wand and a robust plastic water tank. The only minor flaw is the drip tray, which is a little rickety compared to the rest of the machine.
Like any good espresso machine, this model takes a little time to master. Simple tasks such as One Cup, Two Cup and Steam Milk are well accommodated by its minimalist controls, but more in-depth commands, like setting the amount of coffee to the cup, might require some practice or quick glance at the manual.
As for the coffee, it produced barista-quality, thick espresso that struck a good balance between rich flavour and drinkability, complete with glossy crema. A great value machine in all.
Wattage: 1600W
Functions: 3 drink options, milk steaming, hot water
Weight: 6.7KG
Capacity: 1.9L
Warranty: 2 years
ProCook espresso machine
Available from ProCook (£199)
Best espresso machine for beginners
Pros:
- Lower price point
- Attractive design
- Easy to use
- Fully recyclable packaging
- Brightly lit screen with timer
Cons:
- Some accessories are a bit flimsy
- No water filter included
Star rating: 4.5/5
If you've long coveted a Sage coffee machine but your budget doesn't stretch that far, this ProCook model might be the one for you – it closely resembles Sage's Duo-Temp Pro and Dual Boiler (below) in looks but is much cheaper.
Where some espresso machines can seem complex, it's perfectly suited to beginners. The manual is packed with tips and diagrams, and I found the set-up straightforward – just a quick rinse of the components is all that's needed before you switch the machine on.
In test I thought it showed good robustness, but the flimsiness of the portafilter (where the coffee grounds go) was a bit of a giveaway as to how inexpensive this machine is versus other models. I also would have liked the steam wand to have more manoeuvrability, but could still achieve a decent microfoam when making lattes and cappuccinos.
Brewing the perfect espresso shot was a breeze, especially as there's a timer on the screen to help you monitor the extraction (you'll want to aim for 25-30 seconds per shot). This is rare for a budget-friendly coffee machine, but will no doubt prove invaluable to beginner baristas.
Wattage: 1250-1450W
Functions: Single and double espresso, milk steaming, hot water
Weight: 6.3KG
Capacity: 2.2L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 7.2p (based on 24.86p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
Sage the Dual Boiler espresso machine
Available from Origin Coffee (£1,249.95), Amazon (£1,200), Sage (£1,249.95)
Best blow-out espresso machine
Pros:
- Quality build
- Pop-up wheels on the base
- Allows for lots of customisation
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some non-recyclable packaging
Star rating: 4.5/5
This is a high-quality machine that requires some coffee knowledge (or willingness to learn), but what you get in return is seriously good espresso. It's large and weighty but has pop-up wheels on the base, so you can move it around the counter as and when needed. Its settings include single and double espresso, plus a manual mode, and there's an integrated steam wand, too.
The water tank is user-friendly as it can be filled from the front, saving you the bother of reaching behind the machine to top it up every time. Where it gets more hands-on is the brewing process – everything from dosing the grounds to tamping them is done manually, allowing for lots of customisation but potentially some trial and error for beginners.
Helpfully, there is an LCD screen that displays the temperature and extraction time, plus a comprehensive instruction booklet. Once I'd perfected the grind size, the results were excellent: smooth, silky espresso with a balanced flavour, topped with rich crema.
Wattage: 2200W
Functions: Single and double espresso, milk steaming, hot water
Weight: 17.2KG
Capacity: 2.5L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 5.4p (based on 28.62p/kWh– one coffee each day p/week)
Smeg ECF02 espresso machine
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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:
- No accompanying milk jug
Star rating: 4.5/5
An upgrade of the Smeg ECF01 espresso machine, the Italian brand has channelled its iconic 1950s design into this slimline espresso machine. It'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 I 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. I did, however, award this espresso machine extra points for sustainability, as all the packaging it arrived in could be recycled.
Wattage: 1350W
Functions: 4 drink options, milk steaming, hot water
Weight: 4.7KG
Capacity: 1.1L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 5.1p (based on 28.62p/kWh– one coffee each day p/week)
Smeg EGF03 espresso machine
Latest Deals
Best espresso machine with grinder
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
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.
I also thought the grinder was quiet and speedy, filling the portafilter basket in seconds. The espresso was sweet, strong, and topped with silky crema, and I 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.
Wattage: 1650W
Functions: Single and double espresso, 6 grind settings, milk steaming
Weight: 12.7KG
Capacity: 2.4L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 3.9p (based on 24.5p/kWh– one coffee each day p/week)
KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine
Available from Amazon (£225)
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
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.
I thought 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 I missed was a second cup tray for lifting espresso cups higher to the stream to stop splashing.
Wattage: 1300W
Functions: Single and double espresso, milk steaming, hot water
Weight: 5.5KG
Capacity: 1.4L
Warranty: 5 years
Available from:
Latest DealsLelit Bianca espresso coffee machine
Available from Coffee Friend (£1,999), Lelit (£2,199.95)
Best espresso machine for a coffee connoisseur
Pros:
- Attractive
- Velvety smooth espresso
- Well-thought-out design
Cons:
- Very heavy
- Expensive
- Complicated to work with some splash
Star rating: 4/5
You’ll need a little patience with this one, as my first attempts at creating the perfect espresso didn’t quite go to plan. At first glance, I was wowed by the Bianca’s smooth lines and walnut wood accents. In fact, if I had the budget (over £2000), I’d happily make this the centrepiece in my kitchen. But it's definitely not a beginner coffee machine.
Unfortunately, the instruction booklet isn’t detailed enough and I found myself turning to online advice. The coffee extraction works in tandem with the manometer, which should move when you adjust the top paddle, indicating the pressure and quality of extraction. However, for my first five attempts, the needle didn’t budge and the coffee resembled weak filter coffee. After some detective work, I realised my grind wasn’t fine enough. Thankfully, once corrected, the quality of my espresso was velvety smooth.
The manual machine, with 12 pumps, has two portafilters, a heating rack for cups and a detachable drip tray. If you want to create longer drinks, you can also use the hot water wands and milk steamer wand, which are easy to operate. It also comes with a 2.5L water tank, which you’re alerted to fill via its digital display. At over £2,000 its a huge purchase, but if you’re a coffee connoisseur who wants to perfect your technique and you have time on your hands, it's a nifty piece of tech, which will look very attractive in your kitchen.
Wattage: 1400W
Functions: Espresso, double espresso, water and milk frother
Weight: 26.5 kg
Capacity: 2.5L
Warranty: 2 years
Available from:
Other espresso machines tried and tested
- Swan Retro Pump espresso machine review, £89.99
- ROK Espresso GC review, £206.10
- Dualit Espresso coffee machine, discontinued
How to choose the best espresso machine
While there are many types on the market, I'd advise any espresso lover to buy a traditional pump-action machine, which combines mechanisms for 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 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, I recommend either buying a machine with a steamer, or if not, getting a standalone steaming/frothing appliance.
- 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, I've featured a variety of espresso machines in this guide, 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. Our team has also 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.
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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.
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