Review · Espresso machines
Smeg espresso machine review: which ECF model to buy
Smeg's 50s-style espresso machines compared: the ECF02 from £299.95 and the ECF03 with cold brew at £499.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, plus the older ECF01.
This Smeg espresso machine review covers the two manual espresso machines Smeg UK sells now: the 50’s Style ECF02 and the ECF03 Espresso and Cold Brew. We also explain what happened to the older ECF01. The ECF02 was £299.95 and the ECF03 £499.95 at Smeg UK’s online shop, checked 3 Oct 2026. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Smeg UK’s product pages, Currys’ listings and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Smeg espresso machine review: the short answer
Get the Smeg ECF02 if you want a compact, good-looking espresso machine for ground coffee or paper pods, with a steam wand and settings for temperature and coffee length.
Get the Smeg ECF03 only if you’ll use its cold brew function, or you want a 58mm portafilter and pressure gauge in a 50s-style body.
Look elsewhere if espresso quality per pound matters most. The Sage Bambino and the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 are worth comparing. Sage Bambino SES450: See it at Sage for Sage Bambino SES450 (opens in a new tab)
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a machine that grinds beans. Both ECF models need ground coffee or pods.
What it costs right now
- Smeg ECF02: £299.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, against a regular price of £399.95. All seven colours were in stock: pink, cream, pastel blue, pastel green, red, white and black.
- Smeg ECF02 at Currys: £299.99 in cream or white, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. Currys had the pastel blue ECF02PBUK at £399.
- Smeg ECF03: £499.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, in white, black, pastel blue and cream.
- Smeg ECF03 at Currys: the black ECF03 was £349.99, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026, and the other colours were £499.
That black ECF03 at Currys was the cheapest way into the ECF03 on 3 Oct 2026. Currys’ Was prices for both models applied to windows that had already ended, so we don’t count them as savings.
Who it isn’t for: anyone set on a particular colour at the lowest price. Prices vary by colour.
Smeg ECF02: specs from Smeg UK
- Heating and pump: a thermoblock and a 15-bar pump.
- Portafilter: a 51mm stainless steel filter holder for ground coffee or paper pods. Currys lists double-wall one-cup and two-cup filters and a paper pod filter in the box.
- Drinks: buttons for single and double espresso and single and double long espresso, plus a steam lever and hot water.
- Settings: adjustable coffee length, three temperature levels, water hardness, a descaling alarm, an empty-tank alarm and stand-by after 10, 30 or 60 minutes.
- Size: 33cm high, 14.9cm wide and 32.9cm deep, with a 1.1-litre tank, and 4.7kg.
- Warranty: two years, per Smeg UK.
Who it isn’t for: anyone making lots of drinks in a row. The 1.1-litre tank needs frequent refills.
Smeg ECF03: specs from Smeg UK
- Portafilter: a 58mm portafilter, which Smeg calls professional, plus a manometer (pressure gauge).
- Drinks: single and double espresso, and cold brew in single (100ml) or double (160ml) doses. Smeg says cold brew takes less than five minutes.
- Steam: a stainless steel steam wand.
- Settings: espresso length, three temperature levels, water hardness, descaling and empty-tank alarms, and stand-by after 10, 30 or 40 minutes.
- Size: 36.4cm high, 20.5cm wide and 29.5cm deep, with a 1.4-litre tank, a die-cast aluminium body, and 7.9kg.
- In the box (per Currys): single-wall and double-wall filters for one and two cups, a tamper and cleaning brushes.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who doesn’t drink cold brew. You pay for it either way.
What about the Smeg ECF01?
The ECF01 was the earlier 50’s Style espresso machine. On 3 Oct 2026 we couldn’t find it on Smeg UK’s shop or at Currys, so we couldn’t confirm a UK price. The ECF02 is the model Smeg UK sells in its place. If you see an ECF01 listed, compare it with the ECF02 price before you buy.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a new machine with a full warranty from a mainstream UK retailer.
Milk and the steam wand
Both models have a steam wand, operated with a lever. Smeg UK’s ECF02 guidance says to run the wand briefly before frothing to clear water, and after each use to clear milk residue before wiping it down. If you’d rather not steam by hand, Smeg sells a separate jug frother. See our Smeg milk frother MFF11 review.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants one-touch lattes. Neither model froths milk automatically.
Downsides
- Small ECF02 portafilter and tank: 51mm and 1.1 litres.
- ECF03 price, which is high for a machine without a grinder.
- Price varies by colour at Currys.
- ECF01 hard to find new in the UK.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who mainly wants great espresso for the money.
Alternatives to consider
- Sage Bambino Plus SES500: £399.99 at Currys in black stainless steel, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. See our Sage Bambino review.
- De’Longhi Dedica EC685M: £149 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Swan Retro Pump Espresso Digital: a cheaper retro option. See our Swan Retro espresso machine review. Swan Retro Pump Espresso SK22113: Check price at Amazon for Swan Retro Pump Espresso SK22113 (opens in a new tab)
Browse all our espresso machines for more.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who only wants the Smeg look. The rivals look quite different.
Independent review: TechRadar has published a review of the Smeg ECF02. We haven’t summarised its findings here.
FAQ
How much is a Smeg espresso machine? The ECF02 was £299.95 and the ECF03 £499.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026. Currys had the black ECF03 for £349.99.
What’s the difference between the Smeg ECF02 and ECF03? The ECF03 adds cold brew, a 58mm portafilter, a pressure gauge, a die-cast aluminium body and a bigger 1.4-litre tank, per Smeg UK.
Is the Smeg ECF01 still available? We couldn’t find it at Smeg UK or Currys on 3 Oct 2026. The ECF02 is Smeg UK’s current model.
Can you use pods in a Smeg espresso machine? The ECF02 takes paper pods as well as ground coffee, per Smeg UK.
What warranty do Smeg espresso machines have? Two years, per Smeg UK.
Verdict
Smeg 50's Style espresso coffee machine ECF02 (and ECF03)
The ECF02 is the Smeg espresso machine most people should look at: compact, adjustable and £299.95 at Smeg UK, or £299.99 at Currys in cream or white. The ECF03 adds a 58mm portafilter, a pressure gauge and cold brew, but at £499.95 it sits against stronger espresso machines.
Pros
- Pro: ECF02 is only 14.9cm wide, per Smeg UK
- Pro: Adjustable coffee temperature, length and water hardness on both
- Pro: ECF03 has a 58mm portafilter and a pressure gauge
- Pro: Seven ECF02 colours in stock at Smeg UK on 3 Oct 2026
Cons
- Con: ECF02's 51mm portafilter and 1.1-litre tank are small
- Con: ECF03's cold brew adds cost if you won't use it
- Con: You pay for the 50s design as well as the coffee
- Con: The ECF01 is no longer sold by Smeg UK or Currys
- Best for
- Anyone who wants a stylish, compact espresso machine for pre-ground coffee.
- Who it isn't for
- Anyone who wants the most espresso control per pound.
See it on the maker's site: Smeg's UK page for the 50's Style espresso coffee machine ECF02Link: Smeg's UK page for the 50's Style espresso coffee machine ECF02. Not an affiliate link.
Sources
- Smeg UK (shop.smeguk.com)
- Smeg UK (shop.smeguk.com)
- Currys (currys.co.uk)
- Currys (currys.co.uk)
- review of the Smeg ECF02 (techradar.com)