From professional standard models to sleek, design-led beauties that will transform your countertop, we’ve rounded up the best espresso machines to bring a touch of the coffeehouse – along with its attendant aroma – into your home. Now who’ll bring the pastries?
Gaggia
Gaggia Classic Evo (2024) Lobster Red Espresso Machine £425 (Was £499)
A Gaggia coffee machine is always an encouraging sign in any café. This stainless steel beauty in an arresting orange represents a chance to ape the flavour of your favourite coffee house at home – and courtesy of the winner of the Expert Review 2023 award for the Best Manual Espresso Machine Under £500, no less. With a 2,1L tank, it comes with three filters and a ‘perfect crema’ basket to help you nail the perfect espresso. Professional standards all round.
ProCook
ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Coffee Machine, £399
The ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Coffee Machine delivers all the at-home caffeine-related wizardry a coffee enthusiast could ever possibly need. With an 58mm portafilter, single and double filter baskets, tamper, 2L detachable water tank, bean hopper, 460ml milk jug, cleaning brush, and pin, it provides all necessary accessories for crafting various style of coffee, depending, of course, on how you take yours. The intuitive black and white display screen allows users to customise settings such as grind time, water volume, and temperature, ensuring each cup is brewed just so. Ultra slick.
Phillips
L'Or Alessi LM9012/08 Coffee Machine, £159.99
This ultra good-looking coffee machine offers an affordable way to try your hand at home brewing. Its design, crafted in collaboration with renowned Italian architect Michele De Lucchi, features signature pleats reminiscent of haute couture, making it a super stylish addition to the kitchen. Beyond its aesthetics, this neat little machine delivers quality espresso, providing a cost-effective alternative to pricier alternatives.
KitchenAid
5KES6551BSX Auto Espresso Machine, £699
Combining sleek stainless steel design with user-friendly features, this Kitchen Aid number would look stylish perched atop the countertop. Its integrated burr grinder offers 15 precise grind settings, ensuring freshly ground beans for each cup. The machine's smart dosing technology and reliable temperature control, meanwhile, simplify the brewing process, allowing users to easily rustle up café-quality espressos at home. Which is, after all, the name of the game.
De'Longhi
Dedica Arte Metallics Espresso Coffee Machine, £199
If space is an issue, De'Longhi’s Dedica Arte Metallics Espresso Coffee Machine is a neat option – as well as being a great lower cost one too. Compact yet powerful, you can use either coffee grounds or pods to create your cup of joe, which adds to its winning versatility. Expect a beautifully silky microfoam atop your morning brew, making it the ideal way to kickstart the day.
Sage
The Barista Touch™ Impress Stainless Steel Luxe Coffee Machine, £1,199.95
A seriously high-end machine for the coffee connoisseur, the Sage Barista Touch Impress does it all. With an integrated conical burr grinder, automated tamping, and precise milk texturing, it ensures consistently excellent espresso. The touchscreen interface simplifies customisation, allowing users to save their coffee preferences for the perfect brew every time. A worthy investment for those who take their coffee seriously.
Smeg
ECF02 Espresso Machine, £399
Blending retro charm with modern coffee-making precision, the Smeg ECF02 is a dream for design lovers. Its vivid red casing adds a good splash of irresistible colour (Unexpected Red Theory, anyone?), while its professional-grade 15-bar pressure pump and stainless steel portafilter ensure a rich, full-bodied espresso. Complete with a steam wand for silky microfoam, this is a stylish yet powerful machine for the at-home barista.
