The Smeg Espresso Machine is exactly what we’ve come to expect from Smeg: elegance, retro vibes, and functionality all rolled into one. If you already love Smeg’s other appliances, chances are you’ll be drawn to this machine too. It’s part of Smeg’s popular 50’s Retro Style range, which includes fridges, kettles, washing machines, and coffee machines—appliances intentionally designed with vintage flair, curvy lines, and pastel or bold colors to embody the glamour of the 1950s.
Whether or not this is the right machine for you, no one can deny that it’s a stunning piece of design. But here’s the real question: does its functionality match its aesthetic appeal? And more importantly, does it make good coffee? These are a few of the questions we will seek to answer in this Smeg espresso machine review.
Smeg espresso machine overview
At its heart, the Smeg Espresso Machine is about the blending of fashion and function. It has a slim, lightweight design, is easy to use, and can brew a decent espresso. It’s clearly positioned as an entry-level espresso machine, ideal for beginners who want simplicity and style.
But it’s also worth noting: with a price tag of around $500 USD, you’re paying a premium for the Smeg name and design rather than raw performance.
15 bar pump pressure | Dimensions: H: 303 mm, W: 149 mm, D: 330 mm | Weight: 4.7kg | 1L Water Reservoir | Tamper size: 51 mm
About Smeg
Smeg is a well-known Italian brand that specializes in home appliances. They are commonly associated with the retro style that characterizes their products. Chances are you will have seen one of their distinctive pastel-colored fridges on a design show. Their products intentionally match, each typically with pastel and vibrant colors, curvy lines, and smooth edges.
As well as aesthetics, Smeg is known for reliability and consistent quality across all of its products. Being an Italian brand, they love coffee and, over time, invested in this market. An interesting fact for the coffee connoisseurs out there is that Smeg purchased the renowned La Pavoni coffee-making company in 2019.
Design and Build
This is where the Smeg shines. It’s arguably one of the most beautiful espresso machines on the market, available in a wide range of colors: cream, black, red, pastel blue, pastel green, and even pink. It’s slim enough to tuck into a small kitchen space, yet bold enough to be a statement piece.
That said, while it looks premium, the build doesn’t quite match the price point. Much of the exterior is made from hard plastic, giving it a lightweight feel that lacks the sturdiness of similarly priced competitors. The portafilter is stainless steel but paired with a plastic handle. And the included 2-in-1 scoop/tamper is flimsy—barely worth keeping. You’ll almost certainly want to upgrade to a proper tamper and milk jug.
In fact, the machine’s design and internal layout are strikingly similar to the DeLonghi Dedica—same buttons, portafilter handle, steam wand, and internals. The Smeg is, in essence, a rebranded DeLonghi with a retro faceplate—but at nearly twice the price.
Brewing and Functionality
The Smeg passes the “6 a.m. test”—it’s very easy to use when you’re half-asleep. It heats up in about two minutes thanks to its thermoblock system, and operation boils down to three simple buttons: single shot, double shot, and steam.
Customization is minimal. You can adjust espresso volume and choose between three temperature settings (low, medium, or high), but without an LED screen, the process feels clunky. The 51 mm pressurized baskets (single, double, or ESE pod compatible) make it forgiving with grind size and tamping inconsistencies, but this also means you’ll never get the depth of flavor possible with single-wall baskets.
Like other single-boiler machines, there’s a 20-second wait between brewing and steaming, and you’ll need to cool the boiler down before pulling another espresso after steaming milk—or risk burnt coffee.
Many users have complained about the lack of a stainless steel milk jug and the poor quality of the tamp. So take note if you are considering buying a Smeg espresso machine, you might want to invest in a decent tamper and milk jug as well!
Espresso Quality
The Smeg is capable of brewing a good, drinkable espresso topped with crema. But it’s not going to compete with higher-end machines. The use of pressurized baskets means it smooths out inconsistencies but caps the ceiling on coffee quality.
The other quirk the Smeg espresso machine has is that the boiler must be cooled down if you want to prepare another coffee directly after steaming milk. Skipping this step results in burnt coffee- eek! To cool down the boiler you simply put a container under the steam wand and turn it on. This will release the pent up hot water and cool the boiler, once it has stopped you turn the steam knob off.
If your goal is convenience and style, the Smeg espresso machine will suffice. If you want café-level espresso, this isn’t the machine for you.
Steam Wand
The steam wand is a Panarello-style frother. It’s great for beginners—it quickly produces thick, frothy milk foam. But it struggles to create the silky microfoam required for latte art. The wand is short, awkwardly placed, and not mounted on a ball joint, making it harder to maneuver. As a result, you often end up with hot milk underneath and a thick layer of foam on top, making it strickly entry-level. The steam wand also doubles as a hot water dispenser for those Americanos.
Smeg has recently released a version of the machine fitted with a manual steam wand. This upgrade makes a big difference if you’re serious about milk drinks, as it allows for much better texturing and a more authentic café-style experience. We’d recommend opting for this model if milk frothing is a key part of your routine.
Cleaning
The other thing worth noting in regards to the functionality is the question of maintenance. Espresso machines, just as most things in life, need care if you want them to last. There are two main aspects to cleaning the Smeg espresso machine: regular cleaning, which isn’t too hard, and semi-regular descaling. Routine cleaning involves cleaning the body by wiping it down with a damp cloth and cleaning the drip tray, steam wand, and filters. When it comes time to descale, the orange light on the steam button lights up. The machine has a descaling cycle that automatically performs a series of rinse cycles.
Value for Money
Here’s the biggest drawback: at around $500, the Smeg espresso machine is overpriced for what it offers. You’re paying a premium for aesthetics rather than performance.
For the same price, the Breville Bambino Plus easily outperforms it—it has a PID temperature controller, automatic pre-infusion, single and double wall baskets, and an automatic milk frother. It makes far better espresso and milk texture, while still being compact.
Meanwhile, the DeLonghi Dedica is essentially the same machine as the Smeg, just without the retro shell—and it costs about half as much.
When it comes to the Smeg, you are paying for aesthetics. So if you love the finer things in life or are wanting the perfect machine to complement your kitchen, then it might be worth investing in a Smeg espresso machine. However, if you want an entry-level espresso machine and are not so concerned with aesthetics, there are better options.
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Alternatives Worth Considering
Breville Bambino Plus
If you like the simplicity of the Smeg but want a machine that’s more capable, the Bambino Plus is worth a look. It has a fast-heating ThermoJet boiler, a 54 mm portafilter that supports single-wall baskets, and one of the best automatic milk systems in its class. Like the Smeg, it’s compact and straightforward to use, but it delivers better espresso potential and more consistent milk texture—though it lacks the Smeg’s retro charm.
De’Longhi Dedica Arte
The Dedica is virtually identical in design to the Smeg, with the same slim thermoblock build, 15-bar pump, and reliance on pressurised baskets. In fact, the Smeg is essentially a rebranded version of the Dedica with a 1950s-inspired makeover. The Dedica’s steam wand is slightly more capable, giving you a bit more control over milk frothing, though results are still limited compared to higher-end machines. If you love the Smeg’s look, go for style; if you care more about price, the Dedica is the cheaper, equally functional option.
The Final Verdict
The Smeg espresso machine is best suited for:
- Beginners who want something easy and forgiving
- Design lovers who want a stylish, retro statement piece for their kitchen
- Smeg fans who already own other matching appliances
If espresso quality and value for money are your priorities, better options exist at this price point. The Breville Bambino Plus delivers far superior performance, while the DeLonghi Dedica gives you the same functionality as the Smeg for half the cost.
At the end of the day, the Smeg is a gorgeous status symbol—a machine you buy for its looks, not its performance.
Happy Buying!
