TL;DR — our top picks
In stock now: Swan Nordic Espresso Machine — a simple 15-bar pump machine with a steam wand, 1.2-litre tank and ground coffee or ESE pod support, at around £100. Our usual top pick (below) is currently out of stock on Amazon UK.
Also in stock: Chefman CraftBrew£64.59–£79.99 since 27 Sep — a 15-bar pump machine with a steam wand, touchscreen shot-volume control and a 1.5-litre tank. Our usual pick, the De'Longhi Stilosa EC260, is out of stock on Amazon UK (Stilosa review).
The style pick: Swan Retro Pump Espresso↓ Lowest price we’ve tracked
£89.99–£99.99 since 6 Sep — a touch-screen, 5-preset machine with real retro looks, right on the £100 line. Different philosophy to the Stilosa: convenience and kitchen style over barista control. (The Dedica EC685, long our stretch recommendation here, now sells for £200+ — at that money, see our under £200 guide instead.)
Let's be honest up front: genuinely good espresso under £100 is rare. Most machines at this price are built for convenience, not real espresso. But there is one standout that punches far above its price — and if you understand what you're buying (and pair it with fresh beans and a basic grinder), you can pull café-quality shots for under a hundred pounds. Here's the honest picture. Last updated: June 2026
Our picks in detail
- 15-bar pump
- Manual steam wand
- 1.2L removable tank
- Ground coffee or ESE pods
- 2-year guarantee
With the Stilosa EC260 out of stock, this is the machine we'd point a £100 budget at today. It's a simple 15-bar pump espresso machine with a steam wand for milk drinks, a 1.2-litre removable tank and Scandi styling (wood-effect dial and handle) that looks better than most budget machines. Swan doesn't make a point of basket type, so treat it as a forgiving, convenience-first machine rather than a home-barista tool: it will happily make espresso, cappuccino and latte from pre-ground coffee or ESE pods. Keep expectations realistic — it's a clear step up from instant or pods, not a café machine.
£98
- 15-bar pump
- Steam wand
- Single & double shot baskets
- 1.5L removable tank
- Touchscreen shot volume
Our usual #2, the De'Longhi Stilosa EC260, is out of stock on Amazon UK, so this is the in-stock alternative at a similar price. The Chefman CraftBrew is a 15-bar pump machine with a built-in steam wand for milk, single and double shot baskets, and a touchscreen that lets you set the shot volume for a longer lungo or a stronger ristretto-style shot. The 1.5-litre removable tank is bigger than most at this price, and it reminds you when to descale. Chefman is a US small-appliance brand that's newer to espresso in the UK, so treat it as a convenience-first machine rather than a home-barista tool. For why we rate the Stilosa, read our Stilosa review.
£79.99
- 20-bar pump
- Smart touch display
- 5 drink pre-sets
- Variable steam frother
- Retro styling in several colours
The opposite philosophy to the Stilosa: where De'Longhi gives you manual control and expects you to learn, Swan gives you a touch screen, five pre-set drinks and a machine that looks great on the counter. Espresso purists will prefer the Stilosa's standard baskets — but if you want easy, consistent coffee from a machine with genuine kitchen presence, this is the best-executed version of that idea under £100.
The variable steam frother handles milk drinks well for the price, and the pre-sets (espresso, double, americano and more) mean anyone in the house can use it without instruction. Two honest caveats: the pressurised-style workflow won't teach you barista skills, and Swan is a style-first brand rather than a coffee specialist — but at £99.99 with a 2-year guarantee it's a confident buy.
£89.99At a glance
| Machine | Typical price | Baskets | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swan Nordic Espresso | £90-100 | Not specified by Swan | Easy first espresso machine, in stock now |
| De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 (out of stock) | £80-100 | Standard (non-pressurised) | Genuine budget home barista |
| De'Longhi Dedica EC685 (now £200+) | £110-130 | Pressurised | Worth the small stretch |
What £100 actually buys (and when to stretch)
The honest truth about sub-£100 espresso
Most espresso machines under £100 are designed for the mainstream market — convenience over quality. They use pressurised (dual-wall) baskets that force a thick crema even from stale, pre-ground coffee, which is forgiving but caps how good your espresso can get. The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 is the rare exception: it uses standard baskets that reward fresh beans and good technique. Below about £80, you're generally buying convenience, not espresso quality.
Budget the grinder, not just the machine
Here's the thing most budget buyers miss: with espresso, the grinder matters as much as the machine. A £90 machine with a good grinder beats a £200 machine with pre-ground coffee. If you're spending under £100 on the machine, leave room in your budget for a basic burr grinder — it's what unlocks the Stilosa's potential. See our best coffee grinders guide.
Pressurised vs standard baskets
This is the key spec at the budget end. Pressurised (dual-wall) baskets are forgiving — they work with any coffee, even supermarket pre-ground, but limit quality. Standard (single-wall) baskets need fresh beans, a decent grinder and good technique, but produce far better espresso. The Stilosa EC260's standard baskets are exactly why it's the enthusiast's budget pick.
When to skip ahead and spend more
If you want espresso with minimal faff and pre-ground coffee, a cheaper pod machine or a bean-to-cup machine may suit you better than any manual machine at this price. And if you're factoring in a grinder anyway, it's worth knowing that the Sage Bambino Plus (around £250-400) is a big step up in consistency and ready-time. Spend according to your habits and budget — there's no point overspending if a Stilosa makes you happy.