Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK

If you're seeking the ultimate coffee experience, there's nothing better than an espresso machine. They're an act of love, but they allow you complete control over your coffee.

They also have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, as well as a steamer for frothing milk in lattes and cappuccinos.

1. Stovetop

We offer a variety of stovetop coffee makers that will aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. These devices, also referred to as moka pots use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of tea without the hassle of filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use appliances will enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk for lattes or cappuccinos.

The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket that is between two pipes that connect to the upper chamber where the brewed beverage will be served. When the water in the bottom chamber heats up, it pushes through the grounds of the coffee under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a smoky strong, rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or with milk and sugar.

The most important thing to bear in mind when buying a moka pot is the capacity of the unit. It is important to ensure that the size of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be adequate for your needs since a larger unit will require a longer waiting time while a smaller one may not be able generate enough pressure. We recommend that you also look at the material the machine is constructed of. The stainless steel machines are more durable and strong but they can cost more.

Other things to consider is whether the appliance will work with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any extra accessories that are available like steamer wands for milk that are used to heat and froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. You may also want to consider the number of cups you are able to make at one time in order to be a helpful factor when selecting the best size unit for your needs.

We would also recommend to check the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. We found that some models, like the Stelton collar espresso maker had a base that was narrow and were difficult to place on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred models that had thicker walls, since this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from spreading out too fast.

2. Capsule

There are capsule coffee machines which use pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. This is an excellent option if you don't want to be tangled with brewing, grounds and cleaning up after - they provide an easy, quick and hassle-free way to get your caffeine fix in the morning.


You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately, however there are a variety available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are various sizes to choose from and you can pick the size and type of coffee that is best for your taste. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small areas and can make one cup at a time. You can also get a larger model that can handle larger cups, but they're more expensive.

If you want a more sophisticated alternative that also produces better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the most affordable machine, but it does produce excellent coffee, and is easy to use too. It also comes with an intelligent feature that allows it to recognize the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it among the most versatile in our opinion.

If you're looking to explore the entire range of drinks you can make with a pod-based coffee maker It is worth looking for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This will allow you to experiment with cappuccinos, lattes, and other drinks. You can still make popular drinks with a capsule machine, but it will be a than a hit-and-miss experience.

If you're interested in getting capsule coffee maker, make sure it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that will fit these smaller pods. Some of our machines we offer have this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.

3. Manual

These are manual espresso machines for purists. They look like the OG espresso machine, which was invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They are operated by manually pumping water into the portafilter and locking it, after which pushing water under 9 bars of pressure creating a shot of espresso.

A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labor of affection than a capsule maker since they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, then pour it into the chamber above the ground coffee or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method is messy, lengthy and sometimes a bit difficult 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 type of technology that is found in immersion circulators, top-of-the-line toasters and is designed to stabilise the brew boiler temperature. This is a great way to eliminate a lot the guesswork surrounding the optimal temperature of brewing.

There are a few big names that produce manual espresso makers. The likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to most people who will have worked in a cafe or coffee shop. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines with three or two heads that you see in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that reduce the stress out of brewing.

Fully automated espresso machines do all of the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, pull a shot and some will steam your milk all at the push of a button. However, they can also cost a pretty penny so you must have an adequate amount of cash to be in a position to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe at home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right choice for you. These coffee machines permit you to alter your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to your mood at any time.

They come with a portafilter and a steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to super automatics but with some additional manual steps, such as grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate because the brewing process isn't controlled by a computer.

A good semi-automatic will come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper for firmly compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter prior to making. You can also control the amount and pressure of water you use during the process of brewing. You can then customize your shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using.

A semi-automatic should also have the ability to control temperature that can be adjustable. This feature lets you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans based on how they taste. This will also help you to avoid temperature swings. This is important particularly when it comes to the boiling brew. bosch espresso machine can fluctuate by 20oF between cups without a PID controller. This fluctuation is lowered to 0.1oF with a PID.

Some of the top models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The pitcher that froths should be able to handle comfortably and an spout that allows for easy pouring.

You should also choose one with a removable filter basket, as well as a system that automatically doses the ground. This will prevent you from having to perform manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine easier.