10 Best Espresso Machines 2021

Not only the best overall espresso machine we have reviewed, but also one of the most space-saving for anyone who isn’t sure how a coffee machine will fit into their kitchen.

The 15 bar pressure is the perfect amount for producing coffee-shop style espressos, and a slight crema is formed to add to the taste. If you occasionally fancy something other than espresso from time to time, there is a dedicated milk frother for the production of cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites. You don’t have to be a barista to be able to work it either, with it only taking less than a minute to froth and warm the milk.

Sometimes, design is just as important as the coffee produced, and the design of this model is sleek, modern and looks a lot more professional than the price would suggest. Available in four colours – Black, White, Red and Silver – it can either blend in with the rest of your appliances or opt for something which will add a bit of a pop.

The only slight gripes we have with it are both to do with the milk frother. It is shorter than some other models, which could be problematic if you like to use a deep jug, and it is also limited to use time-wise. In the manual, it states only to use it for a minute or so, and when we attempted to go over this, it shut itself down. This is a great safety feature to stop it overheating and isn’t unique, but could still be time-consuming if you regularly have guests over.

Other than this tiny little issue, it is otherwise a fabulous little machine from one of the leading names in the coffee world. We had high expectations, and they set the bar high.

Sage constantly bring out some of the best home gadgets around. Their other coffee machines always feature in our Top 10’s, and this one is no different. It sold out within days of being brought onto the market and still remains in incredibly high demand.

One of the newest from them, it is for those who love proper coffee from baristas but want to be able to indulge in that luxury at home from time to time. A new digital interface gives you all of the data you need, from the grind size chosen to how many shots are being poured.

That’s right – the grind size. Because this espresso machine actually has a built-in grinder so you can freshly prepare beans for your espresso, rather than using ground coffee which is already losing its freshness. The beans are ground right into the tamper, so you are good to press it and go.

It takes just three seconds to heat up too, so when your brain is screaming for coffee, you don’t have to put up with it.

This product blew our mind a little bit when we first saw it, and trying to categorise it after we got our heads around it was a challenge in itself.

It is an espresso machine, able to make two cups at once. But it is also a filter machine with a 10-cup capacity carafe, and it has a built-in milk frother for those luxurious milky drinks. You can also use over 40 varieties of Dolce Gusto capsules in it if you don’t want to bother cleaning out the grounds, so there is absolutely no way you’ll be stuck for choice.

The 15 bar pump gives good crema as well as a quality espresso. It auto-detects the appropriate fittings for the coffee you are making, displaying only the appropriate options on the touch screen. So, it isn’t as complicated as it sounds on paper at all. The cup stand can be raised so there is little splashing when using smaller cups, and it can also accommodate travel cups or carafes if you’re off on a day out.

Many people have commented that it gives the same flavours as a bean to cup machine, and due to the higher pressure compared to a pod machine, it makes capsule coffee taste miles better than pod machines too. You would expect this all to come at a price, but it is fab value, which makes it all the better.

If you like your coffee hot and your past coffee machines have disappointed you, then this Sage model has put optimum temperature control right at the front of its list of priorities.

Electronic PID control optimises the temperature for the perfect cup each time and ensures the heat is always balanced throughout the mug as well as consistent, from the first espresso to the last.

Most people have problems with milk-based coffees, as the temperature of the milk brings down the heat in the coffee resulting in a brew which gets cold within minutes. Sage realise that 93 degrees is the perfect temperature for coffee, but 130 degrees is the best for hot milk. The coffee grounds would get burnt at this temperature meaning a bitter taste, so the Duo Temp Pro flushes itself with cold water to eliminate this problem.

Want your coffee always to last that bit longer? The cup warmer function will help the coffee stay at the right temperature and make sure it doesn’t start to cool as soon as it is poured.

Water pressure builds up to expand the grounds, rather than ejecting it at full barista-level force immediately.

The temperature, although optimum for taste, was still a little bit cold for those of us who like our coffee tipping boiling point. And it was quite noisy as well. But the look, care and consideration which has gone into creating the product is top-level, and the feel is really high-end.

If you want a basic espresso pump machine with extra features at a good price, the Beko CEP5152B is a perfect choice. Its price falls just short of £100 and comes with a generous water tank, a milk frother, and a cup warmer.

Customer reviews praise the Beko machine’s ease of use and value. Reviewers also like its elegant, compact design, making it perfect for apartments or small kitchens.

On the downside, the 2-in-1 filter system might be a bit tricky to clean. The machine also does not automatically stop when you get a complete shot, leaving the user to guess when the espresso is done.

Overall, the Beko CEP5125B offers a lot of bang for your buck. It’s an ideal entry-level choice for consumers.

For that classic 1950’s retro design, you can’t beat anything by Smeg.

With a milk frothing wand, you aren’t limited to just espressos, with cappuccinos and lattes also being within easy reach. It is super quick and simple to use and only requires a quick wipe after use to keep it clean.

The ability to be able to use both grounds and paper-type pods will appeal to a lot of people and is also great for anyone who loves having great tasting coffee but sometimes needs a bit of convenience and a mess-free brew.

For anyone who likes large mugs too, the drip tray stand is removable to accommodate these. Thermoblock technology allows the appliance to warm up really quick, so it is always ready to go when you need it the most, and to make your coffee even hotter, just preheat the cup on the flat surface at the top of the machine.

It was one of the most comfortable water tanks to remove and refill, with a nice wide opening and a compact shape. Even when full, it is simple enough to slot back into place and keep secure. The capacity will make about 8 espressos before needing to be refilled, which is generous for an espresso machine.

The frother can only be used for about a minute before shutting down, which stops it overheating, so this needs to be taken into consideration when preparing your milk-based drinks. Despite this, it is a really effective frother, which seems to hold itself well even when added to drinks.

Great at turning coffee grounds into a brilliant barista drink, with an added milk frothing jug in case you want a bit of something indulgent.

This wand can add crema, froth milk or add latte art to your cup. The Thermojet technology heats up the coffee grounds in just three seconds, and there is digital temperature control so you can ensure the coffee is always served at the right temperature.

There is a generously sized water tank to say it is called the Bambino, and the whole body is made from stainless steel so is high quality. The three settings are Single espresso, Double espresso and Automatic milk texturing, so even if you often ask for a double shot, you are covered.

The drip tray is removable, so you can put big mugs under the spout, and descaling and cleaning programmes will ensure it remains running well throughout its lifespan.

Coming in a glamorous, high gloss finish, the De’Longhi Scultura traditional pump espresso machine  is a stunning little number that bags you the very best in espressos and cappuccinos.

Not just a pretty face, the Scultura’s great design is easy to use, with a simple three-button operating system and two-in-one professional filter that allows you to pick between ESE pods of fresh ground coffee.

It is an ideal choice for the budding barista, as the stainless steel manual milk-frothing arm makes whipping up creamy specialities a simple process thanks to variable steam emission. It’s a hefty model too, which can easily accommodate either two large cappuccino cups or two smaller espresso shot glasses.

Bringing sophistication, elegance and class to your kitchen, it’s got everything you need to impress your dinner guests, including built-in tamper, separate coffee and steam boiling, a cup warmer and a drip tray!

It’s the certified charmer of the De’Longhi range!

A part of the Breville Curve toaster and kettle range – but that isn’t to say it won’t look absolutely fabulous on its own, too.

This coffee machine allows you to choose from Espresso, Cappuccino & Latte settings, which are all separate and require no extra finger-lifting. Perfect if you sometimes want a bit of variation, because as much as an espresso works wonders for the brain, you sometimes want something a bit more luxurious.

You can use both ground coffee and ESE pods (the latter is good if you can’t be bothered doing much cleaning up), and it only takes one touch to get it going. Adjust the cup stand to fit various sizes under, and then when you’re done, the automatic cleaning cycle will ensure it lasts for years to come!

For anyone looking for a non-electrical method of coffee preparation in their home or something for a caravan/holiday apartment which won’t add to the bills, we have included this as a bonus pick.

Not only is it completely manual, but it also looks the part. Made from high-quality aluminium and polished for shine, all you need to do is pre-boil the water for your espresso. Pop the grounds in the coffee filter and pour the water into the dedicated chamber, then raise the lever arms to let the water pour down and filter through, then push down the arms again to create the pressure to brew your espresso.

That is it. No pressing buttons or changing settings, just a simple operation to make quality espresso. Want more than an espresso on the odd occasion to treat yourself? There is a milk frother included so you can open up your coffee world to lattes and cappuccinos with ease.

It is the perfect item if you really enjoy the traditional ritual of coffee making and like to put a bit of effort into your cup and treat yourself.

With the fun and manual operation comes a bit of mess and temperamental results. Grinds occasionally go a bit astray, and it does take a lot more precision than automatic machinery, but it is to be expected. You need to sort out your favourite bean/grinding method or pre-ground variety, as well as to tamp the coffee correctly and using the right speed to press, which can take a lot of experimentation and dud results at first.

But for a product which will no doubt give you a lifetime of results, a few weeks of getting to grips with the ROK Espresso Maker will surely seem worth it in the end.