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Buying guides

A Coffee Aficionado’s Guide to the Best Coffee Machines for Your Kitchen

Find the perfect machine with the help of our coffee machine buying guide, regardless of whether you're a novice barista or an Arabica connoisseur.

According to the British Coffee Association, we now drink approximately 98 million cups of coffee per day in the UK, so it is safe to say we love our coffee!

But what makes a good, nay, the perfect cup of coffee? In Italy, the final result is said to be determined by four factors: the skill of the barista, the coffee beans, the coffee grinder, and the quality of the coffee machine. That is why we want to assist you in finding the best coffee machine for your needs and preferences, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a frequent home-brewer!

Which Coffee Machine is Best For Me?

Smeg offers a wide range of coffee machines, enabling you to find a design, style, and performance level to suit your needs. But how do you know which is best? 

In this guide, we’ll help you understand the various choices available, so that you can confidently choose the best coffee maker for your home or office environment.
 

Consider Your Coffee-Brewing Needs

The best place to start when trying to identify the best coffee machine for your needs is to consider each of the following:

  • How Much Involvement Would You Like? Some people love to be involved in the coffee process from start to finish—suiting a manual espresso machine—whereas others prefer the easy click of a button that a pod coffee machine provides. 

  • How Much Kitchen Space Is Available? If you’re tight on space, a compact Bean-to-Cup may be well-suited, compared to larger La Pavoni machines, which require more kitchen space. 

  • Do You Grind Your Own Beans? Manual espresso or drip filter machines use ground beans, so you may need to consider purchasing a coffee grinder. However, the Bean-to-Cup coffee machine features a built-in grinder, while the Pod uses capsules.

  • What Is Your Budget? Our Drip Filter coffee machines are perfect for those with modest needs, while our pod coffee machines add extra versatility. If you’re a coffee enthusiast with a bigger budget, our La Pavoni semi-professional machines can bring the coffee shop style to your home.

Matching Your Coffee-Brewing Needs With Machine Types

Now that you’ve considered your needs, you’ll be in a much better position to determine the most appropriate category of coffee machine. These include:
Espresso Machine with Grinder

Best for those who want fresh, high-quality espresso and prefer to control the grind size and coffee strength.
 

Shop Espresso Machines with Grinder
Manual Espresso Machine

Best for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy hands-on brewing and want complete control over the extraction process to achieve barista-style coffee.
 

Shop Manual Espresso Machines
Automatic Bean-to-Cup Machine

Best for those seeking convenience without sacrificing quality, as it grinds, tamps, and brews coffee with just the push of a button.
 

Shop Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines
Drip Filter Coffee Machine

Best for people who need to brew larger quantities of coffee at once, allowing water to slowly filter through the coffee grounds.
 

Shop Filter Coffee Machines
Pod Machine

Best for those who want a quick, mess-free espresso experience, using pre-packaged pods for simple, convenient brewing.
 

Shop Pod Coffee Machines
La Pavoni

Best for those who appreciate traditional design and exceptional craftsmanship, offering a premium, hand-operated espresso experience.
 

Shop La Pavoni Coffee Machines

Features to Consider

Bar Pressure

This is essential for espresso machines; 9 to 15 bars are ideal for a rich crema and full-flavour extraction, but some machines can start as little as 3 bars. 

Thermoblock Heating System

Ensures consistent water temperature for optimal coffee brewing and fast heat-up times.

Noise

Some machines, especially grinders and steam wands, can be noisy. If this is a concern, look for quieter models, such as Pod machines. 

Filters

Machines may use paper, metal, or mesh filters to improve coffee taste and prevent limescale buildup.

Steam Wand

Machines with a steam wand (sometimes known as a “steam arm”) allow you to create steamed milk for Cappuccinos, Macchiatos, and more.

The Best Coffee Machines - Smeg’s Top Choices

Now that you know more about your needs, tastes, and ideal coffee maker categories, let’s take a look at some of our most popular models:

Espresso Machine with Grinder: For the One That Wants it All

  • Features a built-in grinder and milk frother for fresh-tasting, quality coffee. 

  • Flexibility with four extraction temperature levels and four pre-infusion profiles. 

  • Professional 58mm filter holder, so you can always have the best result in-cup. 

The Smeg EGF03 espresso machine is the ultimate coffee lover's dream, with its built-in grinder and milk frother. Offering quality professional features paired with the curvy, retro Smeg design, this machine is the perfect combination of quality and style. 

Meticulously grind beans to your liking, and pull the perfect espresso using the pressure monometer for guidance. You can also choose from pressurised or non-pressurised filters to tailor your coffee to your taste.

To find out more about Smeg's espresso coffee machine with built-in grinder, click through to our YouTube channel.

View espresso machines with grinder

Fully Automatic Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine: For The Contemporary Connoisseur

  • Fully automated process for quick, easy, and efficient brewing of coffee and milk

  • Features a “Milk System Easy Cleaning” function, making maintenance simple.

  • Multi-different beverages at the touch of a button, from Americano to light espresso. 

If you're looking for the perfect all-round coffee machine, the bean-to-cup could be the perfect solution. This fully automatic machine includes a built-in coffee grinder, so you can enjoy the taste of freshly ground coffee, and a milk frother (on some models) for those creamy, milky drinks. You'll have all you need to be able to make a variety of delicious coffee drinks at the touch of a button. 

The bean-to-cup is also perfect for those who have limited space in the kitchen, as its compact design is only 18 cm wide.

To find out more about Smeg's bean-to-cup machine, click through to our YouTube channel

View bean-to-cup coffee machines

Manual Espresso Machine: For the Home Barista

  • Heating system with Thermoblock technology, keeping water at the optimal temperature.

  • Features a 15-bar pump power to ensure consistent espresso extraction. 

  • Immerse yourself in a barista-style experience from the comfort of your home. 

Looking for a machine that's straightforward to use with coffee shop results? Want to enjoy an authentic barista experience from the comfort of your own home? If so, Smeg's manual espresso coffee machine is a great option for barista novices or all-around lovers of coffee! 

The manual method gives you complete control over the brewing process and allows you to adjust the degree of roast to achieve true espresso flavour and aroma. Thanks to its 'hands-on' experience, this machine will produce a coffee tailored just for you. It also has a milk wand for making cappuccinos!

To find out more about Smeg's espresso machine, click through to our YouTube channel.

View espresso coffee machines

Drip Coffee Machine: For The Perfect Americano

  • “Keep Warm” function helps your pot of coffee stay warm for 40 minutes after brewing.

  • Make up to 10 cups of coffee in the glass carafe, ideal for entertaining family and friends.

  • Features an Auto Start function to automatically start the process at your convenience.

Do you need a lot of coffee to start your day? If so, you should consider the Smeg drip filter coffee machine. It is capable of brewing large amounts of coffee (up to 10 cups) and keeping it warm for up to 40 minutes. It also has a timer function, so you can wake up to a delicious cup of filter coffee first thing in the morning.

This coffee machine is ideal for those who work from home or for sociable coffee drinkers who love to make a pot for the household.

To find out more about Smeg's drip coffee machine, click through to our YouTube channel

View drip filter coffee machines

Coffee Pod Machine: For The One on The Go

  • Fast heating of water due to the 10 bar pump pressure, so you can enjoy coffee sooner.

  • Use taller cups and easily clean the machine through the removable drip tray. 

  • Easiest to use—simply pop in a pod and choose espresso or double espresso!

If time is of the essence then a Pod machine could be the one for you. The Lavazza x Smeg collaboration coffee pod machine is the quickest in the Smeg range. Simply pop a capsule into the machine and with the press of a button, you'll have a delicious cup of coffee ready to go.

Lavazza pod coffee machines offer the authentic taste of Italian espresso in an instant, with no grinding, measuring, or tampering needed—ideal for coffee beginners!

View POD machines

La Pavoni: For The Coffee Expert

  • Immerse yourself in the coffee-making experience, grinding and tamping your coffee.

  • Timeless but trendsetting design, serving as a work of art in your kitchen.

  • Various types are available, such as lever, automatic, and semi-professional. 

Love to immerse yourself in the ritual of making coffee? Long to grind and tamp your own coffee at home? If this sounds like you, then prepare to discover handmade La Pavoni espresso machines, the pinnacle choice for coffee connoisseurs.

La Pavoni is one of the oldest manufacturers of espresso machines in the world, and its name has been a hallmark of Italian coffee since 1905. Acquired by Smeg, La Pavoni produces high-quality traditional machines that deliver the very best and authentic Italian espresso results.

View La Pavoni coffee machines

What Coffee Accessories Are Available?

Coffee Grinder

Beans are the secret to a perfect cup of coffee and when they are freshly ground, they can make a world of difference to the aroma and taste you get from your cup.

If you choose a manual espresso coffee machine or drip filter coffee machine, you can enhance your coffee experience with a Smeg coffee grinder.

The grinder allows you to choose the degree of grinding depending on the desired coffee type.

View coffee grinders
Milk Frother

If your coffee machine doesn't include a milk wand, a milk frother makes a great addition as it can heat & froth to perfection; resulting in thick, creamy milk for cappuccino, latte macchiato & flat whites.

It is also a great stand-alone appliance to make various drinks such as velvety hot chocolate or cold foam for milkshakes. You can even use it to create latte art if you're feeling creative!

View milk frothers
Coffee Accessories

Take your Smeg coffee machine to the next level with a variety of premium accessories, from sleek milk jugs to precision coffee tamping sets, designed to enhance your brewing experience.

View coffee accessories

FAQs

How often should you clean your coffee machine?

Daily for basic rinsing, weekly for deep cleaning, and monthly for descaling to prevent limescale buildup, depending on water hardness.

Are coffee machines expensive to run?

Bean-to-Cup and espresso machines use fresh beans, which are often more cost-effective long-term. However, pod machines can often be more expensive to run due to the cost of capsules. 

What is the best type of coffee machine for beginners?

If you want the simplest solution, a Pod coffee machine requires very little experience, working by inserting a capsule and pressing "Start." Alternatively, a manual espresso machine can be straightforward even for beginners, using freshly ground beans to create a quick coffee at the touch of a button. 

Do all coffee machines come with a milk frother?

No, only certain models include a steam wand or automatic milk frothing system, such as an automatic espresso machine. If your machine does not feature a milk frother, these can be purchased separately to use alongside it. 

Can I use any coffee beans in my machine?

Most machines accept a variety of coffee beans, but different types of appliances favour certain beans. For example, espresso machines prefer a medium to medium-dark roast, although lighter roasts can be used. Drip filter machines are much more flexible for bean-type, as are Bean-to-Cup machines. 

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Need help?

Did you know that Smeg has a dedicated support website which is full of useful information about our products, including everything from how to change the settings on your coffee machine to how to register your warranty?

Read our FAQ's

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