By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
Looking for a Swan retro espresso machine review?
You’re in exactly the right place.
We’ve noticed quite a buzz around a particular budget espresso machine making waves in Australia and New Zealand.
As your trusted coffee experts, we’re here to unpack the mystery of this affordable coffee maker and share our professional insights about its UK availability and performance.
Whether you’ve been researching the Aldi Ambiano espresso machine, investigating the Cookworks espresso machine, or considering the Klarstein Espressionata Gusto – we’ve got brilliant news for you.
Before we dive in, if you’re still working out which type of coffee machine would suit your morning routine best, we recommend reading our comprehensive guide:
Our team noticed a surge in searches from coffee enthusiasts asking about the availability of a particular budget-friendly espresso machine in the UK market.
We put our detective hats on to investigate this phenomenon and discover whether this acclaimed affordable machine lives up to its reputation.
The connection to the Swan Retro?
Stay with us – it’s a fascinating revelation that showcases just how interesting the coffee machine market can be.
Our research uncovered some extraordinary claims about this budget-friendly espresso maker.
This article boldly declares it outperforms a machine costing 45 times more, while this review suggests it produces superior espresso compared to the De’Longhi La Specialista – a machine from a completely different price category.
Much of the excitement stems from a comprehensive test conducted by consumer.org.nz.
Their analysis placed this budget machine ahead of several premium competitors, including the Jura ENA 8, Jura Z6, Miele CM6350, Delonghi Dedica EC685 Delonghi Icona, Sage duo temp pro, and the La Pavoni Stradivari Lusso.
The machine earned an impressive 80% score for temperature consistency, which likely contributed to its high ranking among these premium competitors.
However, our professional analysis suggests this score might reflect the machine’s temperature display feature rather than true temperature stability.
From our technical assessment, we haven’t found evidence of superior temperature consistency compared to other machines in this price range, though the built-in thermometer is certainly a standout feature.
Interestingly, the Sage Barista Express topped this comparison, surpassing both its more expensive sibling, the Sage Oracle touch, and the Sage Barista touch.
In our extensive research at Caffeinated Gear, we’ve discovered something quite fascinating about the Swan Retro espresso machine.
This popular British coffee maker has a rather interesting secret: it’s actually part of a global family of identical machines marketed under different brand names.
Our research confirms it’s the exact same unit that’s achieved significant success in various markets worldwide, including its appearance as the Aldi Ambiano espresso machine in the UK and beyond.
For detailed insights into this machine’s performance, watch our comprehensive video review above.
Let’s discuss an intriguing development regarding independent testing.
Consumer.org.nz conducted a broad evaluation of coffee machines recently.
While their study encompassed 38 machines, we should note that their testing pool heavily favoured pod machines and bean-to-cup models.
Speaking of which, if you’re interested in exploring those categories, check out our detailed guides to
We found it peculiar that their testing overlooked several cornerstone machines in the home barista market, notably the Gaggia Classic Pro, Rancilio Silvia, and Lelit Anna.
What caught our attention was how well this budget-friendly machine performed in multiple independent tests.
Beyond the consumer.org.nz results, it also received impressive scores in this one from choice, making it a particularly compelling option in the budget category.
The machine’s market presence extends beyond the Swan Retro and Aldi Ambiano brands.
A quick visual comparison makes it abundantly clear these are identical machines wearing different badges.
We’ve also spotted similar machines marketed as the Cookworks espresso machine and the Klarstein Espressionata Gusto.
While we can’t definitively confirm the internal components are identical to the Swan Retro, our analysis suggests it’s the same core machine in a modified housing.
Taking all this into account, we believe this versatile little machine deserves serious consideration for budget-conscious coffee enthusiasts.
One standout feature that caught our attention during testing is the front-mounted thermometre—a rare sight on any espresso machine in this price range, and certainly unexpected on a model under £100.
The machine comes equipped with a generous 1.2 litre water tank. While the manufacturer mentions its 15 bar pressure capability, our testing experience shows this isn’t necessarily a selling point. For more details on why bar pressure isn’t everything, check out our detailed analysis in our 15 bar espresso machines post.
As a semi-automatic espresso machine, it uses a pump to generate pressure—the standard approach for modern machines. This sets it apart from manual alternatives like the La Pavoni Europicola, which relies on a piston lever system. It’s worth noting this isn’t a bean to cup espresso machine, so you’ll need a separate grinder for your coffee beans.
While the included pressurised basket makes it technically possible to use pre-ground coffee, our extensive testing confirms this isn’t the path to premium espresso. We strongly recommend investing in quality, freshly roasted beans and grinding them just before brewing. This approach consistently produces superior espresso and espresso-based drinks.
Speaking of exceptional coffee, our commitment to quality extends to every aspect of coffee brewing. After rigorous testing of countless beans across different roast profiles and origins, we’ve curated a selection that meets our exacting standards. We’re so confident in our recommendations that we back them with a satisfaction guarantee.
As seasoned baristas and coffee equipment specialists, we’ve thoroughly tested these budget-friendly espresso machines to help you make an informed decision. While the price point sits comfortably under £100, we’ll share our honest professional assessment of what you can realistically expect.
The hard truth about budget espresso machines? You get what you pay for. These machines use basic components and simpler construction methods to hit their price point. They come with a pressurised portafilter system, which essentially means they’re designed for casual home use rather than serious espresso crafting.
If you’re passionate about developing your barista skills and want to perfect your espresso technique, we’d strongly suggest looking at more capable machines. Our extensive testing shows that machines like the Gaggia Classic, Sage Bambino Plus, or Rancilio Silvia offer the features you’ll need for that journey.
However, if you’re just starting your home espresso adventure and working with a strict budget, these machines might surprise you. In fact, when coffee expert James Hoffmann reviewed this home espresso machine, his findings were quite interesting.
For those who might not know, James Hoffmann isn’t just any coffee reviewer – he’s a World Barista Champion and co-founder of Square Mile, one of Britain’s most respected coffee roasteries. He literally wrote The World Atlas of Coffee (brilliant read, by the way), so when he speaks about coffee equipment, we pay attention.
His review of this budget machine was surprisingly positive. While most premium equipment specialists might dismiss a machine at this price point, Hoffmann’s measured response caught our attention.
Let’s break down his key observations:
The machine’s build quality is undeniably plastic-heavy – expected at this price point. The power button doesn’t click in like the others, but this is actually a common feature in newer machines (even the latest Gaggia Classic has this) due to EU auto-shutdown regulations.
The built-in thermometer is an interesting feature, though its temperature stability isn’t perfect. Mind you, even pricier machines like the Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia can struggle with temperature consistency. At least here you get a visual temperature reading – something missing from those more expensive alternatives.
The pressurised portafilter and basic tamper aren’t going to win any awards, but they’re standard fare for machines in this category. Remember, these machines are designed for quick, convenient home espresso rather than competitive-level brewing.
Hoffmann’s verdict on the espresso quality? “Fine – but a bit dull.” Coming from someone with his refined palate and professional experience, we consider this remarkably positive feedback for a sub-£100 machine.
Speaking as professional baristas and coffee equipment testers, would we use this as our primary espresso machine? Not a chance – though we did buy one for thorough testing!
The simple fact is, as dedicated home baristas who value precise control over our espresso extraction, regularly calibrate our grinders, and don’t mind spending time dialling in shots, this machine isn’t designed for us. We prefer non-pressurised baskets and complete control over our brewing parameters.
However, if you’re looking for a straightforward entry into home espresso without the complexity of traditional espresso making, this machine deserves consideration. Most coffee drinkers aren’t looking to become expert baristas – they simply want a decent cup of coffee without the faff.
While the espresso quality won’t compete with professional equipment, our testing showed it’s perfectly serviceable.
One interesting challenge we discovered was the machine’s tendency to overheat – a common issue with budget machines. However, the built-in thermometer proves surprisingly useful here. You can perform a cooling flush (running water through the group head) and actually see the temperature drop, unlike many other machines where you’re simply guessing.
The steam wand performance impressed us more than expected. Unlike some budget machines (like the Amazon Basics where your espresso goes cold while you’re steaming milk), this machine offers decent steam power. We particularly liked that the Panarello attachment is removable, revealing what appears to be an intentionally designed single-hole steam wand underneath – an unusual but welcome feature at this price point.
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