Coffee machines: Choosing a coffee machine Traditional espresso makers

Traditional coffee machines use a motor-driven pump

If you're looking for a straightforward coffee machine that lets you make coffee to the strength of your taste, a traditional coffee espresso maker could be a good choice.

Most traditional espresso makers use a motor-driven pump to force the exact amount of water needed for one espresso through a thermo block, which heats the water quickly then forces it through the coffee. Usually, they generate 10 to 19 bars of pressure.

Alternatively, you can also buy cheaper pressure-machines, which operate at around 3-5 bars of pressure.

Espresso coffee makers

Traditional espresso makers allow you to easily control the amount of coffee and water you use - unlike a prepackaged pod or capsule - meaning you can brew your perfect cuppa just the way you like to drink it.

Choosing a coffee maker that takes ground coffee offers you the biggest range of choices and there are plenty of options available for less than £300. Using ground coffee is cheaper than using capsules, too.

On the downside, traditional espresso machines can be more fiddly, messy and difficult to clean than other coffee machine varieties.

Traditional espresso makers on test

Check out our coffee machine reviews for the latest Which? Best Buy espresso makers, and use our coffee machine product finder tool to compare features and prices.

We've got traditional coffee machines on test from Argos, DeLonghi, Gaggia and Russell Hobbs, with prices starting at around £40. 

Rewind our coffee machines live event

Which? experts were joined by top coffee connoisseur, Whittard's Giles Hilton, and Bob Payman, who's been selling and servicing machines for 15 years, for a live chat. We were kept busy with your questions on the best coffee makers and how to perfect your espresso making.

Missed it? Log in to replay the Q&A in full at Which.co.uk/coffeelive.