10 best espresso machines to buy in 2023

Espresso machines aren't always manual, but the process of tamping the ground coffee, loading and unloading the portafilter and steaming your milk is a hands-on experience you'll recognise from commercial coffee houses. And you don't have to be a seasoned barista to make great coffee either. Many machines offer the step-by-step guidance to walk you through creating espresso-based drinks, then the technical sophistication to brew richly flavoured and aromatic shots topped with caramel-coloured crema. Some will even teach you how to build latte art skills.

Like coffee a different way? Find out how to make coffee like a barista with our guide to achieving the perfect cup of cafetière, AeroPress or pour-over and discover our tried and tested picks of the best coffee machines, including bean-to-cup coffee machines and coffee pod machines.

Treat yourself to the full experience and serve your coffee in one of our favourite espresso mugs. Like a latte, macchiato or flat white? Give your coffee a proper, barista-like serve using a milk frother. We’ve tried and tested a variety to give you the best results for what you need and are always on the look out for the best coffee machine deals to bring you a bargain.

For more coffee reviews, check out our best coffee subscriptions and best gifts for coffee lovers. Make your own homemade coffee syrup using our step-by-step recipe and discover more advice and buyer’s guides on everything from the best British gins and best English vineyard breaks to Gozney vs Ooni pizza ovens in our reviews section.

Jump to section

• Best espresso machines at a glance
• How to choose the best espresso machine
• Best espresso machines to buy
• Top tips for making great espresso every time
• How we tested espresso machines

How to choose the best espresso machine

Depending on your budget and level of passion for the process, there are different considerations when finding the perfect espresso machine for you. The number of personalisation options on your espresso machine will correlate to the price: the more you spend, usually the more features to help you tailor each element to your taste, from the grind-grade to brewing time and milk temperature.

Additional features often include a milk steam wand. Single and double cup filters are common staples. Some machines will also be ESE pod compatible, which are biodegradable and mess-free alternatives to coffee pods or ground coffee. A two-in-one dosing spoon and tamper is another common accessory.

Bean-to-cup machines have integrated bean grinders that will automatically grind and dose coffee grounds depending on your selected drink. Some ‘manual’ espresso machines still plug into the mains but require you to do the dosing and tamping before it heats the water and adds pressure to extract the espresso.

These models often come with a button interface offering single, double and ESE pod options.

Fully manual pump espresso machines don’t need to be plugged into the mains so share one obvious credential: sustainability. This is only to a certain extent, considering you need to preheat the water in a kettle anyway. It does mean, however, that espresso can be made while out and about.

Best espresso machines at a glance

• Best mid-range espresso machine: SMEG ECF01 home espresso machine, £229
• Best modern classic: Gaggia New Classic espresso machine, £419
• Best compact bean-to-cup machine for espresso: De'Longhi La Specialista Arte manual espresso machine, £425
• Most stylish espresso machine: De’Longhi Dedica EC785.M manual espresso maker, £179
• Best bean-to-cup espresso machine: Sage The Oracle Touch espresso machine, £1,999.95
• Best compact machine for quality accessories: KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine, £381.65
• Best espresso machine for adventures: Wacaco Minipresso GR espresso maker, £46.90
• Best manual espresso machine for experimenting: ROK GC manual espresso machine, £189
• Best manual pump espresso machine: Flair Signature espresso maker, £268
• Best mid-range buy for simplicity: Sage The Bambino Plus espresso maker, £302

Best espresso machines to buy in 2023

SMEG ECF01 espresso machine

Score: 5/5 stars

Best mid-range espresso machine

This espresso machine is unmistakably SMEG’s, channelling the brand’s chunky 1950s styling into a slimline footprint. Behind the deceptively simple three-button interface lies a comprehensive series of personalisation features.

Everything from water temperature, coffee quantity and automatic shut off timings can be tailored to your taste. The milk steam wand is efficient, although the lack of stainless-steel milk jug is a shame considering the price of the machine. But most importantly, the dark espresso is rich in flavour and topped with a silky crema. Read our full SMEG ECF01 espresso machine review.

Gaggia New Classic espresso machine

Score: 5/5

Best modern classic

Gaggia is an Italian coffee brand steeped in legacy that's been at the forefront of home-coffee machines since the 1930s. Its Classic espresso machine was originally launched in the 1990s and is characterised by long lines and the trio of rocker switches that are still carried on its New Classic. But the magic that positions it as state-of-the-art machine for home-use lies beneath its stainless steel outer.

Unlike most home-espresso machines, this Gaggia has a solenoid valve for controlling water temperature inside the filter holder. All of the accompanying accessories are also professional grade. The chromed brass group and filter holder are the same weight and capacity as those used in commercial machines. A heavy tamper is a useful addition for ensuring the even compression of grounds, plus the cup storage is actually a practical size for five espresso cups. It's pricey, but the perfect espresso machine for style and substance.

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte manual espresso machine

Score: 5/5

Best compact bean-to-cup espresso machine

Thanks to its integrated bean storage and grinder, you can class this as a bean-to-cup coffee machine. But it's manual elements of a loadable filter holder enables a hands-on, experiential coffee making experience synonymous with espresso machines.

It's a great value choice for anyone who likes their beans ground freshly for every cup and the flexibility to experiment, alongside the sophisticated comforts of 11 coffee presets and the opportunity to save your preferences as favourites. High-quality accessories accompany the machine in a barista kit. The comprehensive instruction manual walks you through set-up and the basics of coffee to milk ratios of classic espresso-based drinks. But for the curious, it also expands into areas like adapting pre-infusion temperature profiles and latte art skills, so will support the development of your own coffee knowledge. Despite its height, this model doesn't dominate kitchen space so would be a compact bean-to-cup coffee machine option.

Sage Bambino Plus espresso maker

Score: 4.5/5

Best mid-range buy for simplicity

This is a sleek little gadget that delivers on the style front as much as the performance with a brushed-metal body and textured control buttons.

Like its bigger counterpart, the Bambino comes with a water filter which slots into the water tank – a well thought out addition that will help prolong the life of the espresso machine, particularly handy for those in hard-water areas. It also has an in-depth manual that guides you through tamping techniques and filter fill levels. Read our full Sage Bambino plus espresso maker review.

KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine

Score: 4.5/5

Best compact machine for quality accessories

KitchenAid's Artisan espresso machine doesn't disappoint. A proper coffee tamper is included in the box along with an accurate coffee scoop and single and double-wall filter baskets depending on whether your coffee is freshly ground or not. The machine is not very tall so it's a practical model for slotting below kitchen cupboards on countertops.

This does mean it limits the type of cup you could fit below the outlet, tall mugs won't be accommodated. We would have enjoyed a second cup tray for lifting short cups towards the coffee spout to prevent espresso from splashing. The four control icons are also small, but on a sustainability front, the five-year warranty offers important coverage that should save you replacing the whole machine in certain circumstances.

De’Longhi Dedica EC685.M manual espresso maker

Score: 4.5/5

Most stylish espresso machine

This espresso machine has the look and feel of a modern-classic. Just 14cm wide and 33cm deep, it’s also a practical option for smaller countertops, packing 15 bars of pressure into this compact footprint for professional espresso extraction.

The result was gleefully strong and aromatic without a hint of bitterness. It’s an excellent example of both style and substance being packed into an affordable espresso machine. Read our full De'Longhi Dedica EC685.M review.

Sage Oracle Touch espresso machine

Score: 5/5

Best bean-to-cup espresso machine

This Sage is as forgiving to those who know nothing about coffee, as it's adjustable for those who know exactly what they want. It’s a bean-to-cup machine that combines 11 automated pre-sets with sophisticated personalisation features, while leaving the fun bits to you, like loading the portafilter and frothing the milk in a stainless-steel jug. It grinds and doses beans depending on the filter basket you’ve loaded.

Grind level is adjustable, as is milk froth level, temperature and up to eight tailored drinks can be saved for selection on its touchscreen. Despite its bells and whistles, it fulfils the fundamental requirements of guaranteeing a great cup of coffee every time. But if you’re after simple, delicious espresso, the same quality can be achieved from a much smaller and less expensive machine. Read our full Sage Oracle Touch espresso maker review.

Wacaco Minipresso GR espresso maker

Score: 4.5/5

Best espresso machine for adventures

The portability, design quality and experience of the Wacaco makes it one of the most satisfying espresso makers we’ve ever tested. It’s like a Russian doll – each part slots into another until you’re left with one hand-sized gadget with a manual pump.

Despite its size it produces 9 bars of pressure for a single espresso and the result is a rocket-fuel shot topped with silky crema that rivals all the others tested. Plus you can chuck it in your bag for easy transportation. Read our full Wacaco MiniPresso GR espresso maker review.

ROK GC Explorer’s Edition

Score: 4/5

• Available from: ROK (£199)

Best manual espresso machine for experimenting

As far as manual espresso makers go, the ROK GC is the pick for anyone that enjoys navigating the process of extraction for producing a perfect shot. The Explorer’s GC Edition features the brand’s traditional cast-aluminium exterior, but an upgraded glass composite brewing chamber along with accessories and three portafilters.

The body easily absorbs heat from the hot water but when you get it right, it’s a gratifying, hands-on experience. We found that pre-heating the machine and using the naked portafilter produced the best crema-topped espresso. Read our full ROK GC espresso maker review.

Also available from:

ROK (£199)

Flair Signature espresso maker

Score: 4.5/5

Best manual pump espresso machine

For the eco-conscious, the slimline footprint of the Flair is incredibly practical if you’re looking for a manual espresso machine that’s both elegant and easy to store. Importantly, it produces outstanding espresso.

The bundle includes a branded pressure gauge and chess piece tamper with great quality feel, although these are sold separately. Thanks to the two-piece set-up, it’s also a cinch to clean. Read our full Flair Signature espresso maker review.

Top tips for making great espresso every time

• Grind your own beans: freshly ground beans offer the best flavour and taste.
• Buy beans with a ‘roasted on’ date rather than a ‘use by’ date: store them in an airtight, opaque container. Old coffee beans can taste bitter.
• Invest in a proper tamper: most espresso machines will arrive with a two-in-one dosing spoon and tamper. But there’s a reason professional baristas use heavy little numbers and put their body weight into compressing the grounds. The goal is to press out any air bubbles and create an even layer for brewing, particularly for achieving the same amount when splitting a double espresso into two cups.
• Preheat manual pump espresso makers: pulling a ‘mock espresso’ without coffee will help prevent a cold machine from stealing all the precious heat from the hot water as it infuses your grinds.
• Clean your filter and milk wand after every use: coffee residue and oils linger long after you’ve rinsed your portafilter

How we tested espresso machines

The espresso machines featured in this review were the best performing appliances chosen from a longlist of more than 20 machines. All were tested in control conditions using a standardised criterion with ground espresso coffee and scored out of five against the following areas:

• Quality of espresso
• Value for money
• Ease of use
• Quality of materials
• Design and aesthetic for keeping on the countertop

The average score out of 5 decided the overall star rating. The additional criteria played into our decision making:

• Variety of functions
• Kitchen footprint
• Ease of cleaning
• Advanced features
• Packaging

Want to learn more about becoming an expert at-home barista? Read our guides here:

Celeste Wong's guide to becoming an overnight coffee expert

Celeste Wong's guide on sustainable coffee
Celeste Wong's best moka pots
Celeste Wong's best gooseneck kettles to try
Celeste Wong's best coffee grinders
Celeste Wong's best decaf coffee to try
Celeste Wong's best reusable and compostable espresso pods
Celeste Wong's best coffee beans to try
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If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at oliveweb@immediate.co.uk.