Best Espresso Machines

Most recent update: 4th December 2024

The UK has become a nation of coffee connoisseurs and anything other than fresh coffee simply won’t do – even when we are just making a quick brew at home.

Thankfully, you don’t need to have barista training to make a great tasting coffee at home, and the best espresso machines will even do most of the hard work for you. With more options available then ever before and with technology always improving, there has never been a better time to find a really good machine that makes coffee just how you like it – either with the push of a button, or to help you indulge in the entire process.

The problem most of us have is finding the right machine to buy. Sat all together, they all look a little intimidating – is a bulky machine a good thing? Do I want loads of options or simplicity? How much do I need to do to make a good cup of coffee with it? How much?!

It’s a lot to consider, especially if you’re unfamiliar with them. So, we did some espresso machine shopping. We tested over 20 different appliances and drunk over 100 cups of coffee, till we finally whittled down the very best.

These nine options are the best out there. We’ve made sure there’s something for everyone, from enjoying a lengthy brewing process and options to a fast, perfectly brewed espresso with hardly any input, and all at varying budgets.

What Is An Espresso Machine?

You might hear espresso machines being called bean-to-cup coffee machines, and that is essentially what they are – machines that take you through the whole process of creating a gorgeous coffee drink straight from beans, or in some cases from ground coffee.

So instead of instant coffee or pre-ground coffee, you get the freshest brew in every cup – and the different is quite staggering. Real enthusiasts would even say the switch from basic, off-the-shelf jars to fresh barista style coffee is life-changing!

Espresso Machine Styles Explained

When it comes down to which style of appliance is best for you it really does pay to consider how you plan to use your machine and how it will fit in to your lifestyle. If you are looking for a quick fresh daily cup before you go to work (and find yourself pushed for time in a morning), then you may prefer machines that will make you a fresh cup at the touch of a button.

However those who want to take some time over their brew and get a bit more hands-on, or those who want to learn more about the art of coffee making might prefer something a little more manual.

The three main types are fully automatic espresso machines, semi-automatic espresso machines and manual machines. Let’s take a look at the main differences between them, so you know which machine would be best for you, before you buy.

Manual Espresso Machines

Manual espresso machines sound more complicated, and I suppose they are – they’re supposed to be. Because when you have more options and functions to play around with, you get to enjoy the full art of creating your perfect coffee, just how you like it.

Manual machines aren’t for everyone. If you haven’t got time and don’t want to get involved in experimenting from bean to brew, then they’re not for you. This kind of machine is for the true connoisseur who wants to be involved throughout the process, and learn the art of coffee. Speak to someone who owns a manual espresso machine and uses it regularly, and they’ll talk passionately about what they do and why, and what that rewarding espresso tastes like. They have sheer joy from it.

The best manual machines offer plenty of options and adjustments, can look a thing of beauty in the kitchen, and smell a dream when a coffee is being brewed.

Fully Automatic Espresso Machines

Here is the manual’s polar opposite. A fully automatic takes care of pretty much everything for you. These true bean-to-cup models allow you to simply make a fresh coffee at the touch of a button. The more expensive models will still allow you to create different types of coffee and change various settings to give you exactly the drink you crave, but the whole process is done for you.

One element that is important to consider with fully automatic machines is the milk. The better machines will allow you to control the amount of steam that is output from the steam wand and this is important to have full control over the drinks you make – meaning you will be making lattes and cappuccinos with ease.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

As the name implies, semi-automatic machines are a good middle ground between manual and fully automatic appliances. They are the most common type of home espresso machines, and most people who come here after searching for ‘best espresso machines uk’ are likely to be considering this type of machine for their home coffee making.

They are an excellent middle ground and don’t require any training to use. That being said, you will likely improve your coffee making skills over time as you learn how to better adjust your process and how you control the variables that these kinds of appliances allow you to alter. Typically, semi-automatic machines will allow you to control the amount of water used, change how much coffee you use, and allow you to tamp the coffee grinds to the appropriate pressure.

Semi-automatic machines tend to be a little bit cheaper than their fully automatic siblings although many manufacturers are starting to turn more towards fully auto espresso machines as busy lifestyles dictate this as is evidenced through consumer buying behaviour.

8 Best Espresso Machines In The UK

Having drunk copious amounts of coffee (most of which was great so it was hardly a traumatic experience) and having unboxed and re-boxed over 20 different coffee machines, we have concluded that the following are our top 8 espresso machines. There should be something for everyone here irrespective of budget or experience level.

Sage Barista Express

Best Budget Semi-Automatic Machine

Sage are one of the biggest names in home espresso machine department, and the Barista Express is actually their entry-level model.

But don’t let the lower price tag put you off, as this machine punches well above its weight and as a semi-automatic model it is a fnatastic choice whether you are a complete novice or an experienced barista.

But how much space is it going to take in your kitchen? Always find out before you purchase! This one is relatively compact in comparison to other models, and takes up just 330mm (w) x 300mm (d) of surface space and sits at a height of 400mm.

Despite its diminutive appearance, the Barista Express from Sage is a fully operational bean-to-cup machine that makes a luxury espresso as well as milk-based coffee drinks, including cappuccinos and lattes. It has a 2 litre water tank which means you won’t need to refill the tank too frequently, and it operates at a power level of 1850 watts and has a 15 bar water pressure.

The Barista Express can take care of all the hard work for you, but also provides a good level of control for the user. You have the option to control the dose, and it comes with a razor dose trimming tool for even greater precision.

The Barista Express has an integrated grinder which might lead you to think it is a full automatic machine, and yes, it can make a really good coffee quickly and easily. But it also has another level of expertise – with a little more effort on the user’s part and some increasing knowledge on how best to use it, you can make some truly sensational brews.

To us, that’s a plus – you’ve got ease with the machine when you need it, but also that extra bit of control (with a shallow learning curve) which shouldn’t really be much of a barrier for most, and gives you a much more personalised taste based on your own preferences. Sage have pitched this machine from beginner to advanced users, and it really does suit all.

The built-in grinder has 16 settings, and although this is less than Sage’s more expensive models it is more than sufficient for all but the most ardent of coffee drinkers. The bean dispenser can hold 250g of coffee beans which is a decent amount, and the conical burr grinder does an exceptional job of grinding.

There is a hot water and steam wand which makes it easy to create coffee shop-style milky coffees and perfect micro-foam milk texturing. The machine takes care of ensuring the coffee is hot but not scorched. There is a separate temperature controlled milk jug which again makes it ideal for controlling every aspect of your brew.

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Sage The Oracle

Overall Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

There are two versions of The Oracle by Sage, one of which is a touch screen variant (and is aptly named The Oracle Touch), and the other is the standard model, which is the version we are talking about here. We did indeed test both, but we prefer the semi-automatic nature of the standard version and it’s not easy to justify the additional £500 for the touch screen version.

The Oracle is a big step up from the Barista Express, and this is of course reflected in the price. Although The Oracle is not what we would consider a cheap espresso machine, it does offer excellent value for money when you consider exactly what you are getting.

Additionally, when most coffee drinkers work out their weekly or monthly spend on coffee pods or drinks from coffee shops, it soon becomes apparent that as a long-term investment a top-quality coffee machine is well worth the initial spend.

This machine is ideal for all levels of users and is about as close to being a fully automatic espresso maker as you can get without taking away some level of autonomy.

The Oracle takes care of the grunt work with a 3-part temperature control system that heats the water to within a single degree of accuracy, as it targets the optimal 93 degree centigrade temperature and ensures you never end up with scorched coffee or coffee that isn’t hot enough. This temperature control is key to producing the best-quality coffee possible.

You will find dual stainless steel boilers and both benefit from the PID digitally controlled temperature system. In short, this means you can make one or two cups of coffee at a time, both at the perfect temperature.

The machine takes care of the coffee bean grinding and features a conical burr grinder with automatic tamp to get the perfect dose each time. The automatic milk steamer will create the perfect micro-foam milk dependent on how you want it, with the controls on the front of the machine very intuitive to use for all settings. The steamer will also self clean itself, which is a very welcome feature.

As you might expect, this machine is a little larger than the Express version; but it’s a thing of beauty. In terms of worktop space you will need at least 373mm (w) x 368mm (d) and it sits at a height of 447mm.

It can hold 280g of beans and the water tank can hold 2.5 litres of water – both a little more than the entry-level model. However, it is important to state that this machine is not about water tank size or bean capacity (or indeed coffee making speed). It is all about the overall quality of coffee that you get as a result of using it, and that is something that this machine excels at – the coffee is simply divine.

If you are looking for an espresso machine that creates the out and out best coffee and gives you some control as part of the process, then in our experience The Oracle is it. The only problem with this appliance is that your coffee intake may well go up considerably as a result of buying it!

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De’Longhi Magnifica S

Best Budget Automatic Espresso Machine

De’Longhi are our second most featured brand for espresso machines, and this is the first fully automatic machine to feature on our list. The Magnifica S is an ideal choice for anyone who is either new to the world of coffee machines or who wants a simple, no-fuss machine that isn’t going to break the bank.

In fact, the De’Longhi Magnifica S is perhaps the most budget friendly of all the machines that made our top 9 list, and is ideal for making great coffee from beans or from ready ground coffee in a quick and easy way.

Some people will tell you not to bother with cheaper espresso machines (and by cheaper, we mean sub £350) and for the most part that is true. But this model sits right around that threshold at the time of writing, and delivers way more than its price tag would suggest.

Aside from the simple one-touch operation there are a few features that really help the Magnifica S to stand out. It has a dual cup filler so you can make two cups of coffee at the same time, or you can of course select one cup mode for a single fill.

There is a built-in coffee bean grinder with the Magnifica S and this is badged as being a silent grinder. We found it to make a very small amount of noise, but when compared to other models it is exceptionally quiet and perhaps it was the beans that we were using that meant it wasn’t silent.

For anyone looking to make a cup of coffee early in the morning without waking the whole house up can do so with this machine – you can also opt to make coffee from a ready-ground blend if you prefer.

The grinder has 13 settings in total and it does a very good job of grinding fresh beans for a very good cup of coffee.

The Magnifica S doesn’t have a huge footprint, but isn’t what we would describe as compact either. In terms of surface space you will need 238mm (w) x 430mm (d) to house this machine and it is 351mm tall.

The capacity of the bean hopper is 200g, which is a little below average and the same can be said for the water tank which holds 1.8 litres. These are small concessions to make considering the price saving when compared to other models.

There is a steam wand with manual control for the steam output, and this can be used to create a variety of different coffee types including cappuccinos and lattes. This does take a little bit of getting used to and means there is some level of input you need make when making your coffee – this will suit most casual users very well though.

All in all, it is hard to fault this machine and there are thousands of user reviews to make testament as to the overall coffee quality and the longevity of this machine. So for anyone looking for a automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine on a budget, you simply cannot go wrong here.

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De’Longhi Dedica Style

Best Traditional Barista Pump

The De’Longhi Dedica Style is the second De’Longhi appliance to feature on our list but it couldn’t be further from the Magnifica in its style. In actual fact, it is further from any of the other machines on this list.

This is a traditional barista pump-style coffee maker, but it also has some semi-automated functions that make it accessible to all.

The one major difference between this machine and others listed here is that it does not have a built-in coffee grinder, so you couldn’t class this as a bean-to-cup machine. You can of course grind your beans yourself and go down that route, or you can opt for pre-ground coffee.

It even accepts coffee pods if you really want to make things easy on yourself, but there will be a significant quality difference if you do this.

This is by far and away the cheapest option out of all 8 that made our best espresso machine list (with the exception of the Swan Pump), but for the reasons listed above it is probably unfair to directly compare it to some of the models that cost upwards of £1,500 when this costs around 15% of that.

However, what we can say is that in its own right, the Dedica Style performs very well and has a few neat functions that set it apart from others in its class.

One of those advantages is its footprint. At less than 15cm in width it is the most compact of all those on this list. Not only that, but it packs a lot into its small package. The Dedica Style is perfect for those who wish to have more control over the coffee they make, and it lets you control everything from the temperature of the water to the length as well as tamping the coffee.

With 15 bar of pressure, this machine has more than enough oomph to create the perfect cup and you will find the milk frother allows you to create perfect coffee shop-style coffee. There is a cappuccino setting on the steam wand itself, which makes things easier for the less experienced baristas.

Overall, this is a top-quality machine. If you can live with grinding your own coffee beans or using ready ground coffee (we prefer the former), then this is a brilliant option – especially for those on a tight budget or tight on space.

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Melitta Purista Automatic Espresso Machine

Best Slimline Automatic Espresso Machine

The Melitta Purista is a fully automatic appliance that is budget friendly, makes excellent coffee, and also has a relatively small footprint. In fact, the Purista sits at just 200mm in width and has a depth of 455mm, meaning it will sit perfectly on most kitchen worktops without taking up a whole lot of space.

The Purista has a lot more going for it than just its size though, and is a true bean-to-cup machine with one of the quietest grinders of all the models we tested. It is the entry-level model from Melitta, but it impressed us so much that we just had to include it in our top 8.

The coffee that the Purista makes is fully automated and is done so at the touch of a button. It is capable of making two cups of coffee at a time if you need it to, and it has 3 settings to change the intensity of the coffee as well as a couple of pre-set programmes for speciality coffee.

This model, as the name suggests, is really for the coffee purists as it only makes espressos and black coffee. We wouldn’t really recommend this machine for those who like milky coffees such as cappuccinos or lattes, as this isn’t their target market – but for anyone looking for a high-quality espresso making machine, this is top notch.

There are five grinding modes for the beans and it has a 1.2 litre capacity for water, which should be enough to keep you going for a good few days without needing to refill.

There are no frills with this machine, it just simply makes great coffee at a great price. The only downside of this machine is that it does get through a fair few coffee beans when compared to other models, making it a little more costly to run when compared to other models such as the Sage Barista Express.

Check Latest Price Of The Melitta Purista

Swan Pump Espresso Coffee Machine

Best Cheap Espresso Machine

The Swan Pump traditional espresso machine is an affordable option for anyone looking to test out their barista skills in their own home. It is not the easiest to use, but after a few goes you soon get the hang of things and for anyone looking to make coffee their hobby or who has time to spend making their coffee then this is a great option.

The Swan Pump is available in 7 different colours and has a small footprint which makes it an ideal choice to go with most kitchen designs. It can make espressos as well as milky coffees, as it comes with a milk frother which will again allow you to hone your barista skills.

There is no built-in grinder, so like the Dedica Style you will need to grind your own beans if you want truly fresh coffee or you can use ready ground coffee or pods if you so wish.

The pressure of the water heater is up to 15 bar, and this can be controlled to ensure you get the perfect coffee each and every time. There is a 1.2 litre water tank, which is decent for the size of the machine and you can even make two coffees at once if you wish.

This is a reasonably priced machine that is at the low end of the market, so you can’t expect miracles – but if you can grind your own coffee then this makes a great cup and it looks just the part too.

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The Barista Touch By Sage

Best Touch Screen Espresso Machine

The Barista Touch provides a good middle ground between the Sage Barista Express and The Oracle. It is pretty much a fully automatic espresso machine, but it does provide some room for manual control too. This machine has all the hallmarks of what makes the other two Sage machines brilliant, but has the added functionality that comes with a touch screen device.

Now of course, when you bring a touch screen into the mix you are going to lose some of the style that comes with a traditional-looking machine, but the Barista Touch does a pretty good job of blending the old and the new technology pretty seamlessly. If you are concerned about the aesthetics of a touch screen device you needn’t be – as the Barista Touch’s display is pretty discreet.

What you gain from the screen is pretty considerable though, and aside from a great method of control you gain the ability to swipe across to quickly select your drink of choice, with everything from the bean grinding to the milk preparation taken care of.

What we love about this machine is that you have the ability to save up to 6 drink profiles, so you can quickly choose your favourite drink with the exact strength and other permutations ready programmed. This is ideal for larger families or for anyone who needs to be able to quickly make their drinks on the go.

The technology behind the mechanics of the machine are what we have come to expect from Sage with PID temperature controlled water creating the perfect coffee every time. The steam wand will create the perfect milk automatically as part of the programme you select, but you will need to physically hold it in place when using it. This is the perfect balance for us between fully automatic and semi-automatic, as you can still use the steam wand manually if you prefer.

The Barista Touch can hold 2 litres of water in its tank and the bean hopper can hold 250g of beans. In terms of space, you will need just over 322mm x 394mm of surface space, which means although this isn’t a compact machine it is also not a space hogger.

All in all, this is a top machine that balances affordability with usability, and ultimately it creates excellent coffee.

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Ariete 1313 Metal Espresso Machine

Good Budget Friendly Semi-Automatic Option

The Ariete 1313 Espresso Machine is a budget-friendly option and is pretty much the cheapest semi-automatic appliance that we included in our top 8 list.

Despite its more palatable price tag, it has some impressive features and makes really good coffee. If you wanted to make a direct comparison then this is more akin to the Sage Barista Express. There are slight differences in the overall quality of build, the components used, and the coffee produced, but if you are on a really tight budget then this machine will do the trick.

The Ariete has some nifty additional features such as the cup warming plate located on top of the machine, so that the cold china of your cup doesn’t take the edge of your brew.

The integrated bean grinder has 11 different settings, which allows you to achieve the style of ground coffee that suits you, and the machine can make one or two cups at a time – although not simultaneously. You will need to replace the cup once the first one is filled.

There is a steam wand that is ideal for creating the perfect micro-foam milk, and we found this to work well although some users have reported issues with this. The bean hopper holds 200g of beans, which is slightly below average but is still adequate, and the water tank holds an impressive 2 litres.

Like most of these machines, the Ariete has a water pressure of 15 bar, and this is ideal for making high-quality coffee. There is also a hot water dispenser if you want to use it to make other hot drinks. If you are really in a rush you can even use coffee pods with this machine, which is another nice touch, especially considering the range available today.

The Ariete is not the most exciting espresso machine in the world, but it does a good job at a good price and looks pretty decent too. All in all, a good buy.

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Summary

Which one do you think you’d go for? There’s a lot your decision will ride on – if you want a machine that does the barista job for you, and fast, then something like the Melitta Purista would be great, with the bonus of space saved in your kitchen.

For budget-friendly, we’ve included a few here, all of which are at a good price for what they offer. And if you want to go all out, Sage’s Barista Touch is the one. It’s a beauty and a beast, but with a high albeit reasonable price tag.

It all depends on how much you want your machine to do, and how much choice you think you’ll need and indulge in, to create that luxurious, smooth coffee.

We’ll be keeping an eye on newer models as they emerge, though all these machines have withstood the test of time, and continue to be up there with the very best.

Happy brewing!