Best Grey Espresso Machines
The best grey espresso machines, ranked by our review scores. The compromise finish, and a sensible one: neutral in a kitchen that is neither white nor black, and better at hiding marks than either of them. Grey also tends to be the colourway a maker keeps longest, which matters more than it sounds - a discontinued colour means a replacement carafe or lid that no longer matches.
Ranked by our review score, which is worked out from the specifications each maker publishes rather than from opinion, so you can open the arithmetic on any product page. Anything commercial is labelled and sits outside that order, and how we score explains what each criterion measures.
Ranked, and why
scored on what the maker publishes · open a row for the working1
Gaggia E24 RI9380/46 Espresso Machine6.5- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 6.5
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 5.6
- Build Quality & Durability
- 7.2
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 3.1
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 7.5
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 10.0
- Value for Money
- 7.1
Weakest link: Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published) — 3.1 of 10, carrying 12 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialSolid steel housingRead review →PriceFrom $4492
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo5.7- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 5.0
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 5.6
- Build Quality & Durability
- 7.2
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 5.4
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 5.8
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 8.3
- Value for Money
- 3.8
Weakest link: Value for Money — 3.8 of 10, carrying 10 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead review →PriceFrom $699.953
Philips Barista Brew Semi Automatic Espresso Machine PSA32185.2- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 6.5
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 4.4
- Build Quality & Durability
- 5.0
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 5.4
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 5.0
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 5.0
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Steam Power & Milk Texturing — 4.4 of 10, carrying 16 of the 70.1 points scored here.