Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine vs Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

9.1/10 Excellent

4.5★ (8,400 owners)

Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning.

Full Review

Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine

8.6/10 Great

4.3★ (3,800 owners)

15 bar, manual steam, 1L tank, retro design, 7 colours. The kitchen statement espresso machine.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine	Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine
247Verdict Score	9.1/10	8.6/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,400)	4.3★ (3,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.1/10 vs 8.6/10. Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning. That said, the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine is worth considering if 15 bar, manual steam, 1L tank, retro design, 7 colours. The kitchen statement espresso machine. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

Colour touchscreen displays step-by-step guidance for every recipe — genuine learning resource
Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings eliminates separate grinder purchase
Auto-purge function cleans group head after each shot automatically
30 built-in recipes guide through espresso, flat white, latte and more with video tips
Sage (UK)/Breville (US) engineering pedigree — same manufacturer as Sage Barista Express

£700+ for a semi-automatic with guided screen — Sage Barista Express delivers equivalent extraction without the touchscreen at lower cost
Touchscreen durability concerns in steamy kitchen environments over years
Video guidance is useful initially but rarely referenced by experienced users

Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine

Iconic 1950s retro Italian design available in 7 colours to match Smeg kitchen appliance sets
15-bar pressure delivers genuine espresso quality comparable to Sage alternatives
Manual steam wand allows milk frothing technique development
1L water tank on the worktop — easy to see water level and refill
Smeg's design heritage — the most aesthetically considered espresso machine available

Premium design pricing — specification doesn't match Sage Barista Express at similar cost
No built-in grinder — requires separate grinder purchase for bean-to-cup
Manual steam wand requires practice — no automatic frothing

FAQ

Which is better, Breville Barista Touch or Smeg ECF01 Espresso?

Is the Breville Barista Touch worth the extra cost?

Yes — Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine scores higher at 9.1/10 vs 8.6/10.

Who is the Breville Barista Touch best suited to?

Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning.

Who is the Smeg ECF01 Espresso best suited to?

15 bar, manual steam, 1L tank, retro design, 7 colours. The kitchen statement espresso machine.

What are the main downsides of each?

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine: £700+ for a semi-automatic with guided screen — Sage Barista Express delivers equivalent extraction without the touchscreen at lower cost; Touchscreen durability concerns in steamy kitchen environments over years. Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine: Premium design pricing — specification doesn't match Sage Barista Express at similar cost; No built-in grinder — requires separate grinder purchase for bean-to-cup.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine sits at 4.5★ from 8,400 verified Amazon owners, and Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine at 4.3★ from 3,800.

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