Shop home espresso machines for serious home baristas, small offices and compact commercial set-ups — including traditional single-boiler espresso machines, dual-boiler models for simultaneous brewing and steaming, and PID-controlled machines for precise temperature management. Every machine in this range is built for manual espresso preparation with a portafilter, giving you full control over extraction pressure, shot timing and milk texture.

Pair your machine with a burr coffee grinder for consistent results — a quality grinder makes a more measurable difference to espresso quality than almost any other variable. For coffee beans, browse our coffee beans range, including espresso blends and single-origin options suited to home and small-scale commercial use. Free next working day delivery on orders over £69.

Choosing a home espresso machine

For home use where you want café-quality espresso without a large commercial footprint, a single-group traditional espresso machine with a heat exchanger or dual boiler gives you the performance to pull consistent shots and steam milk simultaneously. Machines with E61 group heads — a classic design used in professional espresso machines since the 1960s — are valued for their thermal stability and ease of maintenance.

If you are setting up a small office or hospitality space and want manual espresso control without the cost of a full commercial machine, a compact traditional espresso machine is a practical middle ground. For higher-volume environments requiring one-touch operation and minimal training, a bean-to-cup machine is typically the better fit. For budget-conscious buyers who still want commercial-specification equipment, see our refurbished coffee machines — many are traditional espresso machines from leading commercial brands at 30–60% below new prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a traditional espresso machine?

A traditional espresso machine — also called a semi-automatic or manual espresso machine — brews espresso by forcing pressurised hot water through a portafilter basket filled with ground coffee. Unlike bean-to-cup machines, they require the user to grind, dose and tamp the coffee manually before each shot. This gives the barista direct control over extraction and is the standard workflow in professional coffee shops worldwide.

Do I need a separate grinder for a home espresso machine?

Yes. A quality burr grinder is essential for consistent espresso. Pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly and cannot be adjusted for the specific grind size your machine and recipe require. Browse our Eureka Mignon grinders — the most popular home espresso grinder range we stock — for options that match the performance level of the machines on this page.

What is the difference between a single boiler and a dual boiler espresso machine?

A single boiler machine uses one boiler for both brewing and steaming, meaning you need to wait between pulling a shot and steaming milk while the boiler adjusts temperature. A dual boiler machine maintains separate temperatures for each simultaneously, allowing you to pull a shot and steam milk at the same time — a significant advantage for making milk-based drinks efficiently. Heat exchanger machines offer a middle ground between the two.

Can I use a home espresso machine for a small office?

Yes, for low to moderate volumes. A traditional espresso machine works well in small offices where a trained person is managing drinks service. For self-serve office environments or higher volumes, a bean-to-cup machine or coffee vending machine is a more practical choice.