Rosette

Read before you buy

What the specs mean, what's worth paying for and what isn't. Researched from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and long-term owner reports.

  1. Best listUpdated 18 Oct 2026

    The best espresso grinders under £250

    Most grinders under £250 can't grind fine enough for espresso. These are the ones that can, chosen from current UK prices and stock.

  2. Best listUpdated 18 Oct 2026

    The best espresso machines under £1,000

    Several of the best machines under £1,000 cost far less than that, and if you need a grinder too, the difference is better spent on it. The list is built from current UK prices and stock.

  3. Best listUpdated 18 Oct 2026

    The best espresso machines under £500

    Under £500 you can buy a machine that makes good espresso, though each one cuts a corner somewhere. The list is built from current UK prices and stock, and the notes below it explain what you give up at this price.

  4. ExplainerUpdated 18 Oct 2026

    Do you need a grinder for espresso?

    For good espresso, yes. The grinder makes as much difference to the taste as the machine does. This guide explains why, and when you can get by with pre-ground coffee for a while.

  5. How toUpdated 18 Oct 2026

    How to split your budget between machine and grinder

    The most common mistake when buying an espresso machine and grinder is spending nearly everything on the machine. This guide explains how we divide a budget between the two, and when you can ignore the rule.

  6. ExplainerUpdated 18 Oct 2026

    Pressurised or non-pressurised baskets?

    The small metal basket that holds the coffee decides whether your machine can use pre-ground coffee, and how much difference a good grinder will make. This guide explains the two kinds and when to switch from one to the other.

  7. ExplainerUpdated 18 Oct 2026

    Single boiler, heat exchanger or dual boiler?

    How a machine heats its water decides how long it takes to warm up, how consistent the coffee is from one shot to the next, and whether you can steam milk while the coffee pours. This guide explains the four common designs and who each one is for.