Smeg is well-known in the coffee maker industry and people love the durability and automatic features that come with their machines. This retro style Smeg Espresso machine is high cost, but also very high quality. They last for years, even when used every day or several times a day. They will save you money in the long run because you won’t be constantly buying new coffee machines or parts to replace the old ones.
- Thermoblock Heating System
- 15 Bar Pressure
- 1-cup Button; 2-cup Button; Steam Option
Contents
Quantitative Score
Performance – 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Durability – 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value for Money – 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐
Overall Score – 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Learn more about how we score.
Features
- 15 bar pressure
- Thermoblock heating system
- User-friendly panel control
- Removable drip tray
- Stainless steel wrap in plastic painted housing
- Stainless steel cup holder
- Passive cup warmer
- 1 cup and 2 cup button options
- Flow stop function to customize the coffee length
- Automatic stand-by
- Can also be used as a hot water dispenser
Overall, the Smeg espresso machine has some great features that make it stand out from other espresso machines. The Thermoblock heating system heats the espresso safely and reliably. The water tank is 1 liter and completely removable. This makes cleaning and refilling much easier.
It also comes with a stainless-steel filter holder. This can be used for powder coffee or paper pods. Keep in mind this does not include a grinder, so you will need to grind the coffee before putting it into the machine.
The machine is finished with a stainless-steel wrap and plastic-painted housing. The plastic housing comes in many different colors including black, white, pastel green, pink, and red. You can choose a neutral color if you want it to match the kitchen blend in with your other appliances.
The style and colors of this machine are very much in a retro design which is an improvement aesthetically to previous models and alternate options.
What is included in the box?
The machine comes with 3 filters including 1 cup, 2 cups, and paper pods. The steam lever and the plated base are also chrome. This makes the machine very durable as opposed to machines that have levers made of plastic or other materials. It also comes with a stainless-steel cup holder and a passive cup warmer. This is a great way to keep one cup of coffee warm while you are making another one for friends or family.
- 1-cup filter
- 2-cup filter
- Paper pods filter
- Measuring scoop
Controller
The control panel is user-friendly even for people who are new to coffee makers or espresso machines. This Smeg machine is very easy to learn to use. The drip tray is completely removable and can be detached if you want to place a large mug or travel mug under the machine.
The functions and buttons are easy to use. There is a 1 cup button, a 2-cup button, and a steam option. This means you don’t have to program the machine yourself, just push the button of the size you want and get started.
The flow stop function also allows you to customize your coffee length, so you can make the coffee stronger or weaker depending on how you want the coffee to taste. It also has adjustable coffee temperature settings and water hardness settings. Basically, everything on this machine is customizable and can be changed according to how you want your coffee to taste.
The machine also has a simple on/off button so you can switch it off when you aren’t using it. It also has an automatic standby feature which allows you to leave it waiting for you ready to go when you want coffee.
The machine can also be used as a hot water dispenser if you are wanting to make tea or hot chocolate. This makes the machine much more versatile than other espresso machines, especially the ones that use pods or capsules.
- Single coffee: Yes
- Double coffee: Yes
- Adjustable coffee size: Yes
- Adjustable water hardness: Light / Medium / Hard
- Decalcification alarm: Yes
- Hot water function: Yes
- Stand-by setting: 9 min / 30 min / 3 h
- Adjustable coffee temperature: Low / Medium / High
Specifications
This Smeg machine is 12 inches x 13 inches x 6 inches and weighs 11 pounds. The cord length is one meter, so it can reach long distances across the counters. It’s also 120V, 60Hz, and 1300W.
- Heating system: Thermoblock
- Pump pressure: 15 bar
- Water container capacity: 0.3 gal
- Removable water container: Yes
- Drip tray: Yes
- Cup warmer: Passive
- Hot water / Steam dispenser: Yes
- Anti-slip feet: Yes
- Dimensions: 13″ x 5 7/8″ x 13″
- Width: 5 7/8″
- Depth: 13″
Video Review
Pros
- Easy to use and has a user-friendly control panel
- Has different cup options so you don’t need to program it yourself
- Flow-stop function
- Elegant and modern design to keep your kitchen looking classy
What the positive reviews say
People love the way the espresso tastes in this machine. They also love the way it looks on the counter and that it doesn’t take up much space. The espresso shots come out with nice crema on top and look like they were made by a professional barista.
People also love that machines can use pods. This is great for days where you don’t feel like making your own espresso or grinding beans. It also seems to be very durable and lasts through months and years even with users that make espresso several times a day.
Cons
- Plastic outside makes the machine look cheap
- Expensive
- Not the best option for new coffee drinkers or machine users
What the negative reviews say
The main complaint is that the plastic housing makes the machine look cheap. It also feels cheap when you pick it up or touch it. The 3D logo can also look cheap on certain models because users say the letters look blurred or like they were not printed correctly.
The on/off switch also feels like it was made cheaper than the other parts of the machine. Overall, this machine is expensive. So, if the plastic look bothers you, you might want to choose another model that looks and feels better.
Smeg’s Reputation
Smeg is renowned as a luxury home goods company with a unique style that can be found throughout high-end homes. But their reputation for quality does not always match the price. Their Trustpilot score for their UK branch is only 1.9/5 with the common failing being manufacturing errors leading to slow customer service – this is not what you expect from a luxury brand.
Choice Australia, the product comparison service, put it more concisely:
“Smeg has a reputation as a luxury brand, but it doesn’t always deliver bang for your buck. Its fridges are priced at the very upper end of the market, but they’re made by the same company that produces Beko fridges, which fall at the lower end of the price scale and often don’t perform well in our tests.”
Having said that, they do have unique designs that you simply cannot find anywhere else. If you like the aesthetics of this Smeg espresso machine then you will still want to pick this option.
Conclusion
The Smeg Espresso machine has some great features that make it very easy to use. The simple design makes it easy to learn and can be used by beginners or advanced coffee makers. The automatic features and the different brewing sizes also give it some extra features that are hard to find in other coffee makers.
The only real problem with the machine is the cheap plastic housing. Sitting on the counter, it looks modern and elegant. However, if someone touches it or picks it up, it noticeably has a cheap feeling. For being so expensive, this can be a deal-breaker for some. People who are spending that much on a coffee maker usually want one that is completely chrome or stainless steel. That way you can get a more modern and elegant-looking espresso maker.
