Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK

Espresso machines are the best method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They're a labour of love but allow you to control every aspect of your coffee.

They usually include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds and steamer to froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

1. Stovetop

There are 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day. We have a huge selection of espresso makers that can be used on stovetops to help you make the perfect cup of coffee. Known as moka pots, these appliances use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee without the need for messy filter papers. These simple and easy to use devices will enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.

The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket that is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be served. As the water in the lower chamber boils, it pushes through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a rich aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or with sugar and milk.

The most important thing to bear in mind when buying moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is essential to make sure the dimensions of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket will be sufficient for your requirements as larger units will require a long wait time, whereas a smaller model might not be able to build up enough pressure. We recommend that you take a look at the material that the machine is made of. Steel machines made of stainless steel are more durable and stronger however they cost more.

Other things to consider is whether the appliance will work with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons you might have like steamer wands for milk that can be used to heat and froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You should also think about the amount of cups you can make in one sitting, as this is a good way to determine the ideal size unit for you.

We would also recommend that you check the base of the moka maker to ensure it fits on your burner. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker have a base that is narrow that makes it difficult to place the machine on a gas burner. However, bases with a wider width, such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also favored models that had thicker walls, since this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and prevent it from exploding too fast.

2. Capsule

Similar to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers that can make cappuccinos, espresso and more with pods. This is a great option for those who don't want to deal with messing around with brewing, grounds and cleaning up - they offer an easy, quick and hassle-free method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.

You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, however there is a wide selection on the market from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes to choose from to allow you to tailor your drink size and coffee style to your own preference. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. A larger model is available which can also hold larger cups, but it will cost more.


For a more sophisticated option that also makes better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant alternative for coffee lovers. It isn't the cheapest machine however it produces a superb cup of coffee, and is easy to use as well. It also has an innovative feature that lets it detect the brand of pod it is using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it among the most versatile in our opinion.

You should choose an item that comes with a milk cup if you're looking to test all the drinks you can make with a pod machine. This lets you play with cappuccinos, lattes, and other drinks. You can still make most popular drinks using a capsule machine, but it will be a hit-and-miss affair.

If you're thinking of buying a capsule coffee machine be sure that it's marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of our machines in our range include this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.

3. Manual

The name suggests that they are espresso machines that are for purists. They look similar to the OG espresso machine invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They are operated by pumping water manually into a portafilter and locking it, after which forcing water to 9 bars of pressure, resulting in a shot of espresso.

A manual espresso maker is often more of a labour of love than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water separately from the coffee, pour it into the chamber above the coffee that has been ground or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method is messy, time-consuming and a bit frustrating to get right however the result is well worth the effort.

Some of the more modern models like the Flair 58 and the Sage The Barista Touch Impress have taken a different approach to make it easier to control, they have utilised an electronic temperature controller known as a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative). This is a piece technology that can be found in immersion circulators, high-end toasters and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew boiler. This is a great method to eliminate a lot the uncertainty about the optimal brewing temperature.

There are several big brands that make manual espresso makers. The likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to those who have worked in a cafe or coffee shop. They produce the large commercial espresso machines with three or two heads that you can see in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles that can alleviate some of the hassle out of making espresso.

Fully automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp and then pull one shot, and steam your milk too all at the touch of a button, but they can also cost quite a bit of money, so you need to have a decent bank balance to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

If the thought of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café at home is appealing to you with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These coffee machines permit you to alter your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to how you feel at any time.

These machines are outfitted with a portafilter as well as a steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to super automatics but with some added manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. They also require more understanding and skills to operate because the brewing process is not controlled automatically.

espresso coffee machine -automatic will have a removable portafilter and a tamper that is capable of compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water used during the making process. You can then customize your shots according to your preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using.

A semi-automatic machine should also have an adjustable temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature lets you decide the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on their taste. It will also help you avoid temperature fluctuations which is crucial when it comes to the boiler for brewing. The brew temperature could vary by as much as 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. With PID controllers, this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF.

A few of the more expensive models come with a milk frother to create milk-based espresso drinks. This will help you create delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher must have a comfortable handle as well as an spout to make it easy to pour.

You should also choose an option with a detachable filter basket, as well as an automatic system to dose the grounds. You'll be able to avoid the manual grinding and tamping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine simpler.