Smeg’s new coffee machine is their best yet – with a digestion-friendly feature

Smeg perfected the stylish aesthetic with their very first coffee machine, but for curious coffee drinkers, there were always a few features missing. Now, the brand is back with its signature 1950s retro design, but this time it's paired with clever, luxurious upgrades that prove Smeg is brewing better than ever before.

You might have spotted that many of the best coffee machines released in the past couple of years now offer a cold-brew function. If you haven’t yet tasted this style of coffee, it's essentially a smoother, sweeter more digestion-friendly brew. And now, Smeg has hopped on board and integrated it into the central options on their machine.

What really stands out is that, whilst traditional cold brew can take 18–24 hours to make, the Smeg Espresso & Cold Brew Coffee Machine promises the perfect cup a matter of minutes, and with the option to brew hot coffee too. Add in the all-Italian styling, a pressure gauge for monitoring extraction, and plenty of colour options, and the only question left is: what more could you want when you're upgrading your regular morning coffee?

Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine review

Who would the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine suit?

There are a few types of coffee drinkers the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine really shines for. The first is right there in the name, this is one of the very few machines that can brew cold brew in minutes rather than hours (or even days). It delivers an impressively smooth, sweet flavour profile that even the most discerning barista would struggle to fault. And because it still nails classic hot coffee drinks, you can enjoy proper café-style variety without needing multiple machines.

Another major reason people invest in Smeg is, of course, the style. These machines do sit at a higher price point than more functional, boxy models, but a large part of that is the iconic 1950s Italian design. The slim silhouette, curved edges, and chrome accents make it a genuine style statement, even in a smaller kitchen. The only caveat is that Smeg has sacrificed an integrated grinder for the sake of the design, so you’ll need to bring your own grinder and some decent hands-on coffee skills if you want the freshest results.

The one element I need to point out is that the group head is still too low for a tall travel cup or glass to fit underneath, so make sure you have lots of wide and low coffee cups rather than big ones.

Unboxing the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine

I’ve always adored Smeg’s packaging. The robust, but stylish blue packaging makes the whole unboxing experience feel like a little indulgence. Even better, every piece of packaging can be flattened and recycled, which is a rare treat in the coffee world.

Once your coffee machine is out of the box, you’ll find there’s very little set-up required. Smeg includes a clear instruction manual that guides you through the four-button menu. It’s worth reading if you haven’t used a Smeg machine before; there are clever shortcuts and hidden features you might otherwise miss. (Don’t worry, we’ll cover these later.)

You'll see the instructions pointing out that you can slide out the drip tray for more storage. Behind the curved front is a space that doubles as a handy storage compartment for all the little accessories: a stiff-bristled cleaning brush, a needle tool for clearing the steam wand, and a blank disc for cleaning the machine. The cleaning disc is an unexpected delight for a domestic machine: it’s something usually found on commercial models.

The 58mm portafilter feels reassuringly solid and comes with four different filter baskets, along with a tamper that’s noticeably weightier and more premium than Smeg’s older models, making it much easier to apply even pressure. A pressure gauge is a new addition and really useful one at that: while it doesn’t show exact numbers, the needle lets you monitor pressure visually.

The only notable omission is a stainless steel milk jug. For the price of the machine, I would have expected one to be included. It’s easy enough to source separately, but it’s a little disappointing not to have it straight out of the box.

What is the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine like to use?

Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the instructions, there are a few simple tasks to complete before you can start brewing. The water reservoir at the back, for example, needs filling, but thanks to a neat handle, it’s a splash-free, completely fuss-free process.

It’s also worth running a rinse cycle to clear out any dust or debris from inside the machine, and checking the water hardness using the strips provided. These are the jobs that you'll only need to do once, so it's worth pushing through and doing them when you're setting up the machine. You won't need more than a spare ten minutes. I'd also recommend investing in Smeg’s water filters available here: these sit inside your reservoir to clean the water before it goes into your machine, so should keep it healthier for longer.

You'll also need to have a coffee grinder, one of my favourite coffee station accessories, to hand (Smeg makes a matching design), because it's not integrated into this design. That's pretty common for more compact machines like this, but it's always good to know in advance.

Like Smeg’s other espresso machines, this model is controlled via four buttons: single shot, double shot, steam, and a brewing mode switch. The buttons change colour depending on the machine’s status: solid white indicates it’s ready for hot brewing, solid blue for cold brew, and flashing orange means it’s still heating or requires maintenance.

In terms of noise, I never measured it above 70 dB during my tests, which is about average for a manual espresso machine. Overall, it’s intuitive, sturdy, and thoughtfully designed for hands-on coffee lovers. So, let's get into the details:

I always start by testing a machine’s espressos first, because they’re the building blocks of every drink you’ll make. A good espresso tells you everything about how well a machine can regulate pressure, maintain temperature, and extract flavour evenly from your grounds.

With the ECF03, my espressos were consistently rich and velvety, with a fine, even crema that suggested the machine was hitting its pressure sweet spot every time. I found the shots to be impressively balanced: no bitterness, no sharp acidity, just a clean, well-rounded base to build your flat white, latte, or cappuccino from.

And because the ECF03 is a dual-function powerhouse, it’s just as confident when you switch to cold brew, delivering a smooth, naturally sweet extraction at the touch of a button. Traditional cold brew takes hours; this one does it in minutes, without compromising on flavour.

The Americano test is all about how well the Smeg handles hot water. On this machine, it comes through the steam wand rather than a dedicated spout, which is slightly different to what you’ll find on larger models. The pressure is surprisingly strong, the jet is a thin, focused stream, so while it’s perfectly manageable, it can cause the coffee to splash up the sides of your mug. You’ll get a little spray on your favourite ceramic at first, but you quickly learn to angle the cup to control it.

Temperature-wise, the hot water came out at 92°C, which is ideal for enhancing the espresso's flavour. Too hot and the oils begin to scald, leaving you with bitterness; too cool and the drink loses heat instantly, making it taste a little flat or acidic. The Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine strikes a lovely balance here, delivering water at exactly the right temperature to keep your Americano smooth and rounded.

One thing to be aware of is that the steam wand can’t run at the same time as extraction. This is completely normal for a compact machine, but it may slow you down slightly if you’re making multiple coffees back-to-back.

The cappuccino test is all about the steam wand, and because the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine is fully manual, you’ll need to lean into your barista skills to get that beautifully silky microfoam. Steaming milk is a true little art form, introducing just the right amount of air before letting the steam whirl through. You’re aiming for that gentle ticking sound as the wand sits just under the surface of the milk.

The wand itself pivots smoothly out from the side of the machine, with plenty of movement to help you create a proper whirlpool in your milk pitcher. I also loved the cool-touch silicone grip, which keeps your fingers comfortably away from the hot metal. As with the Americano test, the steam pressure is excellent. You control it using the stainless steel knob on the side: pull it towards you for steam, and push it away for a concentrated jet of hot water.

In use, it textured both dairy and non-dairy milks beautifully (oat and almond included) producing a glossy finish that held its shape well. The only downside is that Smeg doesn’t include a stainless steel milk jug in the box. Their branded jug feels lovely to hold and pairs well with the machine, so it could be worth the splurge, but you can easily buy one separately. I’d also recommend picking up a temperature patch for your pitcher, just to keep an eye on the milk as you steam. With no automation to prevent overheating, it’s a simple way to make sure you never scorch your milk.

You have a couple of cold brew options here: a cold brew espresso or a cold brew Americano. As a self-confessed cold brew geek (I drink at least two a day and have experimented with every method under the sun) I was genuinely excited to put these to the test.

There are a handful of automatic machines that promise cold brew in minutes, but I have to hand it to Smeg: this one is excellent. Achieving that naturally smooth, sweet flavour profile in such a short time is notoriously difficult, yet the ECF03 delivered a cup that tasted genuinely well-crafted in two minutes (or 1 minute and 56 seconds if you're counting). I even spotted a fine layer of crema, which is a great sign that the coffee oils were properly extracted rather than rushed or underdeveloped.

I’d happily drink this every day. The only thing you’ll need is a touch of patience, cold brew takes slightly longer than a standard espresso cycle, but the results are absolutely worth the wait.

Cleaning the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine

The Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine is undeniably beautiful, and machines this pretty often come with a reputation for high maintenance, but I actually found it refreshingly easy to keep clean. The reflective backsplash does show the occasional coffee splatter, especially after an enthusiastic extraction, but a quick wipe with a damp cloth keeps it looking pristine.

Day to day, the most important habit is purging the steam wand: a short blast of steam after each use clears out milk residue, meaning you’ll rarely need the needle-like cleaning tool tucked away in the drip-tray storage.

Smeg also includes a blank disc for backflushing the group head, and you can pick up cleaning tablets if you want to give the machine a deeper refresh every few weeks. Overall, it’s far less demanding than its polished exterior suggests.

If you want some more advice, we have a page dedicated to how to clean a coffee machine.

How does the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine comapre?

If you’re torn between the ECF03 and Smeg’s earlier ECF02, it’s worth knowing that the older model is still an excellent machine. It delivers the same signature Smeg styling, reliable espresso performance, and an impressively consistent extraction, just at a lower price point. The main difference is functionality: the ECF02 doesn’t offer cold brew, so you won’t get those smooth, sweet, chilled extractions that the ECF03 can produce at the touch of a button. If cold brew isn’t part of your daily ritual, the ECF02 remains a brilliant and more budget-friendly choice. But if you are a cold brew devotee, the upgrade is absolutely worth it.

If you're firmly in camp cold brew (me too), but don't like the idea of having to texture your own milk, it's worth taking a look at De'Longhi's machines (especially the Primadonna). These are super-automatic and they are seriously good at all tasks: from making cold almond cappuccino milk through to a whole pot of cold brew. They have more drink options and some more customisability, but that comes with a hefty price tag (at least double the Smeg) and a less attractive silhouette. I'd recommend both machines, just for different tasks.

Should you buy the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine?

If you are after a cold brew coffee machine that's as chic as it is capable, you can't go wrong with the Smeg Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine. It's my favourite model that they've made - and is certainly stealing a spot on my Christmas list.

How we test coffee machines

At woman&home, we have a rigorous process for how we test coffee machines. As a former barista, I focus a lot on the flavours, making over ten of each kind of coffee: espresso, Americano, cappuccino, and cold brew (in this instance). I look at time, temperature, flavour, colour, and consistency to make sure that you're getting the very best results.

It's not all about the flavours though. I'll also talk about what the machine is like to use, how it looks, and any cleaning and maintenance routines you'll need to adopt. In short, by the end of the review, you should have a really clear idea of what each machine is like to use. If you don't, please email me. I'm always happy to chat about coffee.