10 Best Espresso Cups 2020

A very famous name when it comes to china and kitchenware. These Royal Doulton cups don’t come with the price tag you would expect, however.

They are made from porcelain and given a satin dipped glaze to finish off the look and smoothness. Each mug is a slightly different hue of a neutral tone, so you have a set which perfectly matches each other yet offers something different.

They’re all dishwasher and microwave safe for an easy life and also come with matching saucers for when you are feeling extra fancy. There is an entire coffee studio set by Royal Doulton too, in case you want other matching products.

Very sturdy and a design that won’t go out of date, these are demitasse which will be with you for years to come. A nice large-enough handle finishes them off.

An incredibly popular brand when it comes to kitchenware which you can trust. These mugs are not only available to buy as single products which is great if you want a particular number, but they are also available in a huge range of colours in case you are picky, making them the best for colour choice.

It features the iconic Le Creuset branding, which is fabulous if you’ll be casually leaving them out on the kitchen counter for all your guests to see. The chip-resistant enamel will also ensure they remain intact and looking their best, even with hundreds of uses.

Strong stoneware is able to withstand temperatures up to 260°C, which they’ll likely never have to cope with but is good to know for when you’re preheating them. A ten-year guarantee will give you further peace of mind.

You get a ‘care and use’ booklet, and they are a good size for fitting under the majority of machines. They’re also easy to handwash and are microwave, oven and freezer safe (although they’re not much good in there but good to know anyway).

A 0.08L capacity, which many coffee aficionados say is just perfect. A saucer which is slightly curved to keep spills contained and biscuits safe. A nice large handle which anyone should be able to grip safely. These cups are rather wonderful.

They’re made from porcelain, so if you’re after something very fine and genteel then you have come to the right place. A neutral design, they will look timeless in any kitchen for years to come, and they’re surprisingly pretty solid.

Their fineness doesn’t make them hard to look after, though. They’re still dishwasher and microwave safe, and oven safe too (you never know, we suppose). They come presented in a nice little gift box, so can be kept for best or given to the coffee lover in your life.

The single Le Creuset cups are widely available and come with a colour choice, but they are pricey if you want to buy a few.

So this set of six, all colours of the rainbow, is not only great value but will offer a pop of colour to your kitchen. They are presented in a gift box, which could make them the perfect present or will just ensure that they’re kept safe in between uses.

Durable chip-resistant enamel should keep them looking at their best for years to come, and they come with a 10-year guarantee as well as a little booklet telling you how best to care for them and use them.

Le Creuset has a huge range of products on offer, from their famous casserole dishes to egg cups, carafes and tea plates so you can always have matching items.

Six espresso cups is a nice number to always have one spare, or ensure you can entertain properly. These are a bestseller in the Drinkware Set category, and it is easy to see why.

Made from mouth-blown glass, they are surprisingly perfect in every way. This can be hard to get just right and there can sometimes be little discrepancies such as marks or uneven inner glass, but there is no such thing here.

They are 80ml, which is said to be the perfect maximum size of an espresso a will suit machines which are generous in their portions well. Double-walled for insulation, they’ll keep the caffeine warm while protecting your fingers when picking it up.

A selection of two glass demitasses, transparent so you can see the lovely colours and finish of your espresso and made from borosilicate glass so you won’t burn your hands when you lift them.

They are double-wall thermal glasses, so will retain the heat as they won’t let any escape out of the walls of the glass. Dishwasher safe, they make for an easy clean up after entertaining so you can put your feet up.

The shape tapers towards the base, which encourages the production of crema at the top. This can make them hard to pair with a saucer, but they are good for more informal use.

They’re able to hold 60ml, which is good for a single shot but you may need something larger for a doppio or if you’re a firm believer that espresso should be closer to the 80ml mark. Some users have said that their machine often causes the glass to overflow when left automatically, so check how much yours disperses first.

Another choice perfect for pops of colour. These feature the official Pantone logo and the colour code of the featured hue, so you can match your decor or simply pick your favourite.

Hand made from ceramic, it is strong and dishwasher safe, as well as being easy to wash by hand. At 120ml, they would hold enough for two espresso shots if you really need a morning pick-me-up.

The demitasse is part of the larger Pantone Living Collection, offering a host of products from other cup sizes and coffee accessories to pen holders and keyrings. Want everyone in the office to know your favourite colour is the light green shade better known as Pantone 578? They will soon enough.

A black espresso cup will no doubt match your coffee machine better than any other colour. If you have a Nespresso pod or espresso machine (the most popular range in the UK), then this set of demitasse are double winners.

Made from porcelain, they are great for keeping in the heat and also for prewarming so your shot is served perfectly. But if you have a history of hot fingers from your cups and mugs, you will be pleased to hear that there is a silicone band around them for protection too.

This band displays the Nespresso logo so don’t panic – everyone will know you go for the top brands. They were created by Berlin design studio Geckeler Michels, and they indeed wouldn’t look out of place in a trendy, hip coffee shop in Europe or the capital.

They hold 80ml, so are good for comfortably holding a shot, although won’t stretch to the lungos which many Nespresso machines offer as standard. They’re described as dishwasher safe, but with the black finish and silicone, we don’t know how long they’d last with this so would recommend hand washing.

Need a set of espresso cups but are running low on cupboard and bench space? Maybe you have splashed out on a large, imposing espresso or coffee machine and now need something which is a bit more subdued to drink out of.

These stackable cups are a great space saver. You still get a set of six saucers with them though, so just because you are scrimping on space doesn’t mean your scrimping on the experience.

The bright white colour will suit those who believe it is the only way to serve espresso to view the crema, but you can also buy ‘cold’ or ‘hot’ variations which add a bit more colour.

Professional grade porcelain is microwave safe, dishwasher safe and chip-resistant. To finish it off, they’re a great price for what you get and stamped with the Sweese logo on the base to you know they’re legitimate.

Glass espresso demitasses don’t often come with saucers, so if you want glass and a saucer, this set of two will please you.

Made from durable glass, and with a chunky handle which is easy to hold (again, unlike a lot of other glass cups), they fit an espresso shot just perfectly. They look nice and modern, and they’re surprisingly strong.

We say that glass should always be double layered for thermos properties and to protect your fingers, but these ones aren’t. This is because of the handle, but you still have to be careful not to touch your knuckles on the glass.

For some, this could make them hard to hold comfortably. You also have to be careful not to chip anything. Having said this, they look lovely so will be good if this is your main priority.