Best espresso machine under £200 UK (2026)

If you’re hunting for the best espresso machine under £200 UK retailers sell, the good news is that there’s real choice. We found six manual machines at Currys between £89.00 and £199.99, all in stock on 3 Oct 2026, and every one lists a 15-bar pump and a way to froth milk. The differences are in tank size, width, looks and small conveniences. We haven’t tested this in person. Our picks are based on Currys’ published specs and listings and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.

Best espresso machine under £200 UK: the short answer

Get the De’Longhi Stilosa if you want the cheapest sensible start. It’s £89.00 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026), with single and double filters in the box.

Who it isn’t for: busy households. Its 1-litre tank means frequent refills.

Get the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 if your worktop is tight. Currys lists it at just 14.9cm wide, and it’s £149.00 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026).

Who it isn’t for: anyone wanting a big tank. Currys lists 1 litre.

Choose the De’Longhi Linea Classics if you want the biggest tank under £200. Currys lists 1.7 litres, at £199.99 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026).

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to grow into fresh-ground espresso. Its box lists double-wall baskets only (more on that below).

Skip all of them if you want coffee at the press of one button. Look at a bean-to-cup or pod machine instead; our espresso machines hub explains the options.

What they cost right now

All six are at Currys, in stock and checked 3 Oct 2026. Currys prices can change.

De’Longhi Stilosa EC260BK: £89.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Salter Espirista EK5240BO: £109.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Ariete Vintage Espresso 1389 (green): £124.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. Blue and beige versions were the same price.
De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK: £149.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Beko CaffeExperto CEP5302B: £149.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026.
De’Longhi Linea Classics EM450.M: £199.99 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026.

The six machines in detail

De’Longhi Stilosa EC260BK

The cheapest machine here. Currys lists a 15-bar pump, a steam wand, a 1-litre tank and 1100W of power, and its box includes a tamper, single and double filters and a steam wand cleaner. It’s 28.5cm high, 20.5cm wide and 34.3cm deep, according to Currys.

Who it isn’t for: anyone short on width or making lots of drinks. At 20.5cm it’s wider than the Dedica, and the tank is only a litre.

Salter Espirista EK5240BO

The Salter gives you a 1.4-litre tank for £109.00 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026), which is a lot of water for the money. Currys lists a 15-bar pump, a steam wand with what it calls a cappuccinatore attachment, LED indicators and a 15.3cm width, so it’s nearly as slim as the Dedica. The box includes a measuring spoon with a built-in tamper.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to use ESE pods. Currys lists pod compatibility for the Dedica and Ariete, but not for the Salter.

Ariete Vintage Espresso 1389

This one’s about looks: a retro design in green, blue or beige. Currys lists a 15-bar pump, a steam wand, a 0.9-litre tank and 900W, and says it takes ESE pods (pre-packed paper pods of ground coffee) as well as loose ground coffee. Currys also lists a built-in thermometer, and the box includes 1-cup (or pod) and 2-cup filters.

Who it isn’t for: anyone with limited space or who wants a bigger tank. At 23cm wide it’s one of the wider machines here, and 0.9 litres is the smallest tank.

De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK

The Dedica is the slim one. Currys lists it at 30.5cm high, 14.9cm wide and 33cm deep, with a 15-bar pump, 1450W, a 1-litre tank, a milk frother and ESE pod compatibility. The box includes two filters and a tamper. Our Dedica EC685 review covers it in more depth.

Who it isn’t for: anyone wanting a bigger tank or more space under the spout. If your mugs are tall, check the cup clearance before you buy.

Beko CaffeExperto CEP5302B

The Beko’s party trick is adjustable shot volume: Currys lists a cup size from 30ml to 100ml with a memory function, so it can repeat the amount you like. It also lists a 1.1-litre tank, a steam wand, a two-cup warmer and a 14.5cm width, the slimmest here. The box includes single and double baskets, a combined scoop and tamper, and descaling sachets.

Who it isn’t for: anyone with a shallow worktop. Currys lists it at 42.5cm deep, the deepest machine here.

De’Longhi Linea Classics EM450.M

At £199.99 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026), the Linea Classics squeezes in just under budget. Currys lists a 1.7-litre tank, the biggest here, along with a 15-bar pump, a steam wand and an adjustable cup stand. Its box lists two double-wall filter baskets and a plastic tamper.

Who it isn’t for: anyone planning to buy a good grinder later. Double-wall baskets suit pre-ground coffee, but they limit how much you can fine-tune a shot.

What you give up under £200

Every machine here makes espresso, but there are compromises at this price:

Pressurised baskets. Double-wall (pressurised) baskets build pressure for you, so they’re forgiving with supermarket pre-ground coffee. The catch is that they hide the difference a good grinder makes. Check the box list if you want single-wall baskets too.
Basic steam wands. You’ll get milk froth, but expect it to take practice to get smooth milk for latte art. A jug with a good spout helps.
Small tanks. Most of these hold about a litre.
No built-in grinder. You’ll need pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder.

If you can stretch further, our guide to the best espresso machine under £500 shows what an extra £100 buys.

Who it isn’t for: if any of these compromises is a deal-breaker, this budget isn’t the right one for you.

Grinder or pre-ground?

Pre-ground coffee is the easy start, and it suits pressurised baskets like the Linea Classics’ double-wall ones. If you later want to grind fresh beans, check that a grinder can go fine enough for espresso; many cheap ones are really built for filter coffee. Our guide to the best burr grinders under £100 explains which are realistic for espresso.

Downsides of every machine here

Manual work. You dose, tamp, brew and clean the portafilter yourself.
Practice needed. Both espresso and milk steaming take a few attempts.
One retailer. We’ve only confirmed these prices at Currys, so it’s worth checking elsewhere on the day.
Guarantees vary. Currys lists a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee for the Linea Classics and the Ariete, and one year for the Stilosa, Salter, Dedica and Beko.

FAQ

What’s the best espresso machine under £200 in the UK? It depends on what matters most. The Stilosa is the cheapest at £89.00, the Dedica and Beko are the slimmest, and the Linea Classics has the biggest tank (all at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026).

Can you get a decent espresso machine under £100? Yes. The De’Longhi Stilosa was £89.00 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026), with a 15-bar pump and a steam wand.

Do these machines take pods? Currys lists ESE pod compatibility for the Dedica and the Ariete. These are paper pods, not Nespresso capsules.

Do you need a grinder? No. All six work with pre-ground coffee. A grinder only becomes worth it if you want to fine-tune your shots with fresh beans.