Best espresso machines 2023

KitchenAid’s Artisan Espresso Machine is a high quality espresso machine that’s a good option for people looking to get into making fresh coffee at home. There’s some extra help built in thanks to its sensors, which monitor and control the water temperature as your coffee brews. This does mean that it takes some of the control out of your hands, so coffee hobbyists will want to look elsewhere.

But everyone else will enjoy the consistency of the coffee it brews, as well as the pleasure of using a well made appliance.

The inbuilt steam wand has one button operation – although you’ll still have to froth the milk in the jug by hand.

It comes with a beautiful set of accessories: a stainless-steel milk jug, solid metal tamper and coffee scoop, as well as two single and two double wall baskets (the latter is to help beginners brew consistent, drinkable espresso).

If you enjoy using a portafilter, tamping and getting your espresso just right, but you want to grind the beans yourself, the Barista Max could be just what you’re looking for.

It’s a great alternative to a bean-to-cup machine, allowing for all the hands-on personalisation of an espresso machine but with an inbuilt conical burr grinder that has 30 settings. What’s really compelling is the price point: it’s around the same price as competing espresso machines, none of which feature a grinder.

It’s well designed, with handy features such as the Tap & Go Grinding Cradle, a half hoop that you stick the portafilter into. Press down, the grinder starts and coffee is deposited right into the basket. A light even comes on to illuminate the process. 

On the negative side, it has a huge countertop footprint and the plastic water tank is less than attractive – but luckily hidden at the back of the appliance.

This espresso maker is attractive, compact and feature-filled. It has an inbuilt steam wand, hot water dispenser and adjustable automatic settings for brewing one and two cups of espresso.

It comes with both single and double-walled portafilter baskets for one and two cups, meaning that the machine can be used equally by baristas-in-training who want to experiment to get the perfect shot and those who just want a decently brewed coffee without too much fuss.

It’s tall enough to dispense straight into a mug, has a generous drip tray with a bright red float and enough space on top to warm two cups. There are plenty of nice design features, like the handle on top of the water tank that allows you to easily lift it out, and the removable water filter. Plus, it comes with all the accessories you’ll need, including a stainless steel milk jug.

Most importantly, it has an impressive build quality and it’s easy to use.

Smeg’s espresso maker is in the brand’s characteristic retro design: all curves and chrome accents. And it is a thing of beauty. However, it is almost entirely clad in shiny plastic, while other machines have a stainless steel exterior. 

It’s light, narrow and compact, so you’ll easily find a spot for it on your countertop. It’s easy to use, with a single button operation, but you can modify water temperature, water volume and adjust for water hardness. 

It also has an integral milk wand/hot water dispenser. The machine heats quickly and you can move between coffee making and steaming milk without waiting for it to cool down.

However, it only comes with the most basic accessories: a portafilter, one and two cup baskets and a plastic tamper/scoop, which is a disappointment at this price point.

It comes in a range of colours but you may have to shop around the find the one you want. It’s worth it, as its lovely design is why you’re paying a premium.

The very compact Bijou would make a good entry-level machine for would-be baristas who want to learn the art of espresso making. It’s not such a great option for people who just want to make a quick coffee. 

It’s a manual dispensing machine, and the instruction manual provides little in the way of advice on volume, dispensing time or tamping. So if you buy, you need to be prepared to research how to use it and to experiment with the machine.

It comes with a portafilter, two double walled baskets (for one and two cup brewing) and a scoop/tamper but you’ll need to provide your own milk jug. 

The budget price becomes apparent in the fact that it takes several minutes to warm up and that it needs time to cool down between using the steam wand and dispensing coffee. This means that making several coffees at once can take some time.

Swan’s retro espresso machine is beautifully designed and comes in nine colour options. If you like the look of Smeg appliances but not their price tags, this is a budget-friendly alternative. And although you can’t buy it in the US, if you want one, we’ve spotted a dupe on Amazon.

It’s compatible with ground coffee and ESE pods and has a powerful integral steam wand that’s adjustable, using a dial on the front of the appliance.

But as you might expect at this price point, you’ll need to make a couple of compromises. First of all, it’s a manual dispense, which means there are no pre-set dispensing volumes to rely on. You’ll have to work it out by trial and error, although the manual is helpful.

But perhaps more importantly, there’s an additional warming stage in the coffee-making process, meaning that an already fiddly and time-consuming operation takes even longer.

But if the look of your appliances is important to you (and you can opt to match everything from your mugs to your dishwasher in Swan’s retro range) and price is a sticking point, this is one to consider. 

Not only does this machine function as an espresso machine, using ground coffee but it’s also compatible with ESE pods, NX and Nespresso capsules, making it a good choice for a busy household that wants a quick coffee in the morning but the option of a good espresso on the weekend.

And it does produce a good espresso – reliably so. It heats quickly, using Thermoblock technology, has a cup warming space on top and a drip tray with a float. 

It’s an attractive machine, with a stainless steel exterior. On the negative size, it’s lightweight and largely made of plastic and does not sit solidly when attaching the portafilter. Plus, it can’t fit a full-sized mug under the dispenser. It’s also very noisy when in use.