Review · Espresso machines
Swan Retro espresso coffee machine review: a budget pump espresso
The Swan Retro Pump Espresso Digital is sold at Swan; check price at Swan. Here's what you get, how it differs from the older SK22110, and what to do if it won't pump.
This Swan Retro espresso machine review covers the model Swan sells now: the Swan Retro Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine, SK22113. Check price at Swan’s online shop. We also cover the older Retro Pump Espresso, SK22110, because many people still own one. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Swan’s product pages, Currys’ listing, the SK22110 instruction manual and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Swan Retro espresso machine review: the short answer
Get the Swan Retro Pump Espresso Digital if you want a cheap, good-looking espresso machine with a steam wand and buttons for each drink. It’s small and simple; check price at Swan.
Skip it if you want to grind fresh beans and adjust each shot. A budget machine like this suits pre-ground coffee, and a step up such as the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 gives you more room to grow.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a bean-to-cup that grinds for you. This is a manual espresso machine with a portafilter.
What it costs right now
- Swan Retro Pump Espresso Digital SK22113: Check price at Swan. Swan’s page showed blue, cream and grey in stock and green sold out.
- Swan Pump Espresso Digital SK22113BLK (black): £99.99 at Swan, checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Older Retro SK22110: Currys listed the white SK22110WHTN at £97.99, but out of stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. Swan’s own shop now sells SK22110WHTN as the Nordic Pump Espresso, at £119.99 with only slate grey in stock.
- Black SK22113BLK at other shops: listed at Lakeland, which showed it as currently unavailable, and in stock at Amazon UK, checked 3 Oct 2026.
We couldn’t check Argos, which blocked our request on 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants the old SK22110 look in a particular colour. Stock was thin on 3 Oct 2026.
Specs from Swan
- Pump: Swan says 20 bar, which it describes as 33% higher than a standard 15-bar machine. Pump pressure is a maker’s figure, and a higher number doesn’t guarantee better espresso.
- Water: a 1.5-litre detachable, see-through tank, which Swan says makes up to 25 large espresso shots per fill.
- Drinks: a touch display with presets for espresso, double espresso, americano and Espresso Cool, plus a milk and steam function. It can make two shots at once.
- Milk: a high-pressure steam frother with variable steam settings.
- Size and power: 31cm high, 20.5cm wide and 27.4cm deep, and 1350W.
- Extras: a measuring spoon, a tamper, a dual stainless steel filter, a cup storage plate on top, and overheating and over-pressure protection.
- Guarantee: two years, made up of one year as standard and a second year when you register the product.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who needs a big tank for a busy household. 1.5 litres is fine for one or two people.
How it differs from the older SK22110
The SK22110 is the original Swan Retro pump espresso. Currys lists it with a 15-bar pump, a 1.2-litre tank, 1100W, buttons and a dial rather than a touch display, and a body 19.4cm wide. It takes ground coffee or ESE pods, comes with one-cup and two-cup filters and a tamper, and switches itself off 29 minutes after you press the on button.
The newer SK22113 adds a digital display with presets, a bigger tank and Swan’s 20-bar claim.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants ESE pods. Currys confirms pod use for the SK22110, but Swan’s SK22113 page doesn’t mention it.
Not pumping water? What the manual says
Swan Retro owners often search for help when the machine won’t pump water. Here’s what the SK22110 instruction manual says about first use and priming:
- Fill the tank no higher than MAX and push it firmly back in place.
- Fit the portafilter with an empty filter and put a cup underneath.
- Switch on, then press the pump control button down until water flows, and press it again to stop.
- Wait for the green light, then run water through for one minute.
The manual says there may be noise the first time it pumps while it releases air from the system, and that the noise should stop after about 20 seconds. If steam stops coming out, it says to let the machine cool for about half an hour and clear the outlet with a needle about 1mm across. If that doesn’t work, contact Swan or the retailer under the guarantee, rather than taking the machine apart.
Who it isn’t for: anyone hoping to fix a faulty pump at home. That’s a warranty job.
Cleaning and descaling
The SK22110 manual says limescale can seriously damage the machine. It recommends filtered or bottled water, and descaling every four weeks, or every two weeks in a hard water area. You can use household descaler at four parts water to one part descaler, or citric acid at 100 parts water to three. After steaming milk, it says to run the pump through the steam wand into an empty jug for 30 seconds and wipe the outlet.
Who it isn’t for: anyone in a hard water area who won’t descale regularly.
Downsides
- Pressure claims are marketing figures, not a guide to taste.
- Patchy stock for some colours on 3 Oct 2026.
- Guarantee registration needed for the second year.
- Basic filters that suit pre-ground coffee more than fine-tuning.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants café-level control.
Alternatives to consider
- De’Longhi Stilosa EC260BK: £89 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. See our De’Longhi Stilosa review.
- De’Longhi Dedica EC685M: £149 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
For more choices, see our guides to the best espresso machine under £200 and the best coffee machine under £100, or browse all espresso machines.
Who it isn’t for: anyone set on the retro look. The De’Longhi rivals look more modern.
Independent review: Daily Star has published a review of the Swan Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine (SK22113BLK). We haven’t summarised its findings here.
FAQ
How much is the Swan Retro espresso machine? For the Retro Pump Espresso Digital SK22113, check price at Swan.
Does the Swan Retro espresso machine have a steam wand? Yes. Swan lists a high-pressure milk frother with variable steam settings.
Why is a Swan Retro not pumping water? Check the tank is filled and pushed fully home, then prime the pump as the manual describes. If it still won’t pump, contact Swan or your retailer.
How often should you descale it? The SK22110 manual says every four weeks, or every two in a hard water area.
What’s the guarantee? Two years on the SK22113: one year as standard and one more when you register it, per Swan.
Verdict
Swan Retro Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine SK22113
The Swan Retro Pump Espresso Digital is a cheap, compact way into espresso with a steam wand and one-touch presets. At under £100 at Swan it costs about the same as a De'Longhi Stilosa, so pick on looks, presets and tank size rather than price.
Pros
- Pro: Under £100 at Swan, checked 3 Oct 2026
- Pro: Five one-touch presets plus a milk and steam setting
- Pro: Steam wand with variable steam, per Swan
- Pro: 1.5-litre tank and a compact 20.5cm-wide body
Cons
- Con: Swan's 20-bar claim doesn't mean better espresso on its own
- Con: Some colours were sold out at Swan on 3 Oct 2026
- Con: Second year of guarantee needs product registration
- Con: Dual-wall filters suit pre-ground coffee more than fine-tuning
- Best for
- First-time espresso buyers on a tight budget who want retro looks.
- Who it isn't for
- Anyone who wants to grind fresh beans and dial in shots.
See it on the maker's site: Swan's UK page for the Retro Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine SK22113Link: Swan's UK page for the Retro Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine SK22113. Not an affiliate link.
Sources
- Swan (shop.swan-brand.co.uk)
- Lakeland (lakeland.co.uk)
- Currys (currys.co.uk)
- Currys (currys.co.uk)
- review of the Swan Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine (SK22113BLK) (dailystar.co.uk)