Best Espresso Machines November 2026
Finding the right espresso machine depends on how much control you want over the brewing process. This independent guide compares top automatic and semi-automatic models across grinding options, milk frothing, and key features to help you pick the best fit.
Last updated: 1 November 2026
The list is unchanged since the last update.
Espresso Machines: Top 5
1
DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM21.117
from £276.003 stores
from £276.00
3 stores
2
Sage Appliances The Barista Express SES875
from £478.9512 stores
from £478.95
12 stores
3
Sage Appliances Bambino Plus
from £399.952 stores
from £399.95
2 stores
4
Ninja ES601 Luxe Premier
from £448.9720 stores
from £448.97
20 stores
5
Ninja ES701EU Luxe Café Pro
from £460.0015 stores
from £460.00
15 stores
The DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM21.117 is a fully automatic espresso machine that grinds fresh beans for every cup. It offers simple rotary and button controls to adjust coffee strength, water volume, and grind coarseness. A traditional steam wand lets you froth milk manually for cappuccinos and lattes.
Pros
Built-in 250 g coffee grinder
Automatic bean-to-cup operation
Works with beans and ground coffee
Adjustable coffee strength and volume
Cons
Manual steam wand without milk tank
Loud grinder during operation
The Sage Barista Express SES875 is a semi-automatic espresso machine equipped with an integrated conical burr grinder and a large 450 g hopper. It uses a ThermoCoil heating system with precise temperature control to deliver authentic espresso extraction. The commercial-style steam wand gives you full manual control over milk texture.
Pros
Large 450 g bean hopper
Integrated steel burr grinder
ThermoCoil heating system
Large 2.0-litre water tank
Cons
Requires manual barista technique
Heavier unit at 11.0 kg
The Sage Bambino Plus packs café-style performance into an ultra-compact frame that fits easily on tight countertops. It features an automated steam wand that textures milk to your chosen temperature and foam level hands-free. The fast heating system brings the machine to brewing temperature in just seconds.
Pros
Compact 195 mm width
Automatic hands-free milk frothing
Fast heat-up system
Compatible with ESE pods
Cons
No integrated bean grinder
Requires separate coffee grinder
The Ninja ES601 Luxe Premier is a versatile semi-automatic espresso machine with a built-in steel burr grinder and a 2.0-litre water reservoir. It offers multiple brewing styles, from traditional espresso and Americanos to dedicated cold brew drinks. An integrated milk container simplifies frothing for specialty milk-based recipes.
Pros
Built-in steel grinder
Integrated milk container
Dedicated cold brew option
Generous 2.0-litre water tank
Cons
Bulky frame on countertops
Heavy build at nearly 11.0 kg
The Ninja ES701EU Luxe Café Pro is an advanced all-in-one coffee station that supports coffee beans, ground coffee, and capsules. It features smart app controls, customizable user profiles, and an integrated steel grinder. With automated milk frothing and cold brew support, it covers a wide variety of drink preferences.
Pros
Accepts beans, capsules, and grounds
App connectivity and user profiles
Integrated milk frothing system
Cold brew function included
Cons
Heavy footprint at nearly 11.0 kg
More settings to configure
Compare specifications
| Installation type | Freestanding | Freestanding | Freestanding | Freestanding | Freestanding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Automatic Coffee Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine |
| Coffee grinder | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Features | Milk steamer, Keep Warm, Automatic shut-off, Cleaning program, Display, 2 cups at once, Adjustable cup height, Detachable water tank | Milk steamer, Keep Warm, Automatic shut-off, Cleaning program, Display, 2 cups at once, Adjustable cup height, Detachable water tank | Milk steamer, Keep Warm, Anti-drip function, Automatic shut-off, Cleaning program, 2 cups at once, ESE pods | Milk steamer, Keep Warm, Automatic shut-off, Cleaning program, Display, Adjustable cup height, Detachable water tank | Milk steamer, Keep Warm, Automatic shut-off, Cleaning program, Display, 2 cups at once, App control, User profiles, Adjustable cup height, Detachable water tank |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
