Best 5 Retro Espresso Machines: Attractive Vintage Look For Any Home

Have you been trying to find the best retro espresso machine?

Then you are in the right place!

Listed below, you can find all the important information you need to know about the five best models that are currently up for sale. I also added a short guide that’ll help you choose the best one.

The Rundown

What Does Retro Mean For A Espresso Machine?

Retro machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes that resemble old-fashioned coffee machines. At the same time, they are designed to ensure that they fit the decor of any modern home. They usually have an idustrial-looking pressure gauge and scattered push buttons that provide the old-fashioned feel.

Wide Color Range

The great thing about these models is that you can find them in a wide color range:

Some colors you can find include:

• bright red, dark cherry, and brick red
• powder pink
• a lively orange color
• dark yellow
• kiwi greeen
• powder blue
• sage color

Is A Retro Machine A Good Fit For Your Home?

The great thing is that you can fit retro appliances in any kind of home, you only have to pay attention to the colors. If you have a modernly designed black or white kitchen, any color will work perfectly. However, if you have a pink kitchen, choose a machine that comes in light pink or soft beige color. Avoid colors that create too much of a contrast, such as blue, orange, red, etc.

Are There Different Machine Types You Can Choose From?

Well no, since the emphasis is on their design, retro models are your basic machines that provide a single espresso cup at a time and come with a steam wand. To be clear, this is not a bad thing. You can still make versatile specialized beverages. The only downside is that you can not choose from versatile automation levels.

Get The Most Out Of Design And Performance

Apart from their looks, all these espresso machines also provide powerful performance. Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding which model you want to buy:

Think About Size

Size is important for obvious reasons. You don’t want to end up with a machine you can not fit atop your countertops. If you have very little room, a 12.99 x 5.87 x 11.93-inch model might be a great fit. However, if you do not need to spare the room, a larger 16.02 x 13.98 x 10.51-inch one with fit in perfectly.

High-Quality Design

Even though the emphasis, in this case, is on the design, you should never compromise on quality. These machines are very colorful but are still made out of stainless steel material that provides them with proper quality and durability.

Powerful Performance

Another thing you want to make sure of is that the machine you buy is powerful enough. Now, while a 1500 Watt power rating would be optimal, these machines generally range around 1100 Watts. This is still fine, just don’t go any lower than 900 Watts if you want to enjoy great performance.

Adjustable Features

While you won’t be able to control many brewing parameters, you will have control over the shot size and the steaming performance. This means that you will easily make a perfect brew wheter you set your mind on an espresso or on an espresso/mlik-based beverage.

Versitile Performance

All these models are designed to provide versitile performance. You can use them to brew espresso, cappuccino and lattes, etc. You can even use them to boil water for hot chocolate, cocoa, or tea. Either way, these models will provide great results.

Extraction Pressure

The important thing you need to keep in mind is the power of the extraction pressure the machine uses to brew coffee. Most models use a 15 bar extraction pressure which extracts all the delicious flavors from your coffee grounds and provides barista-style results.

Coffee Compatibility

Another thing you need to keep in mind is the compatibility of the espresso machine you like. For example, there are models that are compatible only with coffee grounds, grounds & coffee pods, or only specific coffee pods. All provide great flavor, you can choose based on your brewing preferances.

Best 5 Retro Espresso Machines

De’Longhi ECP3220R Espresso Machine

Space-Saving Design
This machine features a bit more space-saving design with a small footprint. Thanks to this feature it will easily fit on your countertops and it won’t take up too much counter space. The best thing is that you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect storage space for it.

Filter Holder
Another great thing about this red model is that it comes with a specially designed three-in-one filter holder that allows you to brew coffee based on your preference. Additionally, the advanced cappuccino system maintains the optimal temperature to ensure that you can brew one cup after the other.

Removable Water Tank
The water tank that comes included with this espresso machine is completely removable from the unit. This is a great thing because you won’t have any trouble refilling it when required and the cleaning process will be a breeze.

Budget-Friendly Option
Although this 2 cup espresso coffee maker comes at a higher price, it is the most affordable option out of all models I reviewed in this post. Still, it offers many amazing features that make it a great choice if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option.

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Smeg ECF01RDUS Coffee Machine

User-Friendly Controls
This retro brewer comes with simple user-friendly controls that consist of three push-buttons. They are located atop the unit to ensure that you can easily set the preferred brewing option and activate the side milk frother.

De-Calc Alarm
Another great thing about this small machine is that it comes with a specially designed de-calc system alarm. It is made to alert you when the unit needs a de-calc. Thanks to this feature the coffee maker will have a much longer life span and provide great performance.

Single Thermoblock System
You can be sure that this coffee maker will provide you with a time-efficient performance. It features a single thermoblock system that will speed up the water heating process. It also uses powerful extraction pressure to ensure that you can enjoy the delicious taste of all coffee oils that are found inside the grounds.

Adjustable Wand
The included milk frother wand is specially designed to ensure that you can adjust its position according to your needs. It will help you make a delicious and rich mil foam for a cappuccino, latte, etc.

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Swan Nordic Espresso Machine

15-Bar Extraction Pressure
You can be sure that this model will always provide you with a powerful performance. Just like some professional models, it uses a 15 bar extraction pressure that ensures a delicious and much richer taste of your coffee.

Steam Pressure Control
Another thing worth mentioning is that this 15 bar espresso machine provides steam pressure control too. Thanks to this feature you will be able to control the steamer’s performance depending on whether you want to achieve a thick or creamy milk foam.

Large Water Tank
The included water tank can accommodate up to 1.2 liters of water at once. This means that you’ll be able to make multiple servings without refilling the reservoir. Also, it is completely detachable from the unit to ensure you can easily refill it when required.

Cup Holders
This coffee maker even has cup holders that are located atop the unit. This is a great thing because it means that you will be able to have your espresso cups or different mugs ready to use at arm’s length.

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Amake Espresso Machine

Stainless Steel Parts
Just like the rest of these models, this one also features stainless steel coffee filter and a milk frother. Make sure that you clean them thoroughly after each use to ensure that the machine always makes a delicious flavorful cup.

Powerful Performance
Another great thing about this model is that it provides a powerful extraction pressure. Thanks to this feature you will be able to enjoy a much fuller brew that contains the coffee oils that otherwise remain trapped inside the grounds.

Food-Grade Water Tank
This white machine comes with a removable water tank that is made out of food-grade PP material. Because of this feature, you never have to worry that the quality of the water inside the tank might get compromised.

Removable Drip Tray
The bottom drip tray is completely removable from the unit. By removing it, you can create more space for larger cups or even travel mugs. This feature also makes the cleaning process much more simple. Remove the tray, clean it and the machine, and place it back.

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Illy Espresso Machine

Black Design
This Italian machine comes in a beautiful metal black color but its design is what gives it a bit more retro feel. Thanks to this feature it will easily fit into the design of your home.

Versitile Use
The best thing about this coffee maker is that, just like the rest of the listed models, it is also made for versitile use. You can use it to make an espresso, cappuccino, or latte. You can even boil the water to make a cup of hot chocolate or tea.

Coffee Compatibility
Note that this espresso machine is compatible only with illy iperEspresso capsules. You will need to purchase them separately to ensure that the machine always provides the best results.

Indicator Lights
Another great thing about this model is that it comes with built-in indicator lights that are located right next to the power switch. They will take all the guesswork out of the game and inform you about the current status of the unit.

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Are Your Choices Limited?

Unfortunately yes because there are not that many models you can choose from. Generally, these machines are your “basic” home models. However, since a lot of models use a high extraction pressure, you can find them in retro coffee shops.

Are These Machines Worth The Money?

Well, if you love the retro design and the feel it provides the room with, yes, they are worth the money. However, if you are only looking for a basic machine that will provide you with a shot of espresso per day, you can find more affordable models that cost less than $300.