Smeg Drip Coffee Machine Review

We purchased the Smeg Drip Coffee Machine so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

Coffee is a daily ritual for many, so having a coffee maker in the home can be a lifesaver. Drip coffee makers in particular are a popular option for the home because they are easy to use and quick to brew coffee. However, these days there are tons of drip coffee makers available to suit every preference, making it extra challenging to choose the best one. One brand, Smeg, has come out with a line of retro-looking coffee machines that cater to a unique visual fanbase. I tested its setup, cleanup, coffee quality, and design. Keep reading to see what I found. 

Setup Process: Quick and painless

The setup for this coffee maker is standard and easy to do. Before using the Smeg Drip Coffee Machine for the first time, I washed the filter holder, permanent filter, carafe, and carafe lid. Next, I put everything back into its place on the machine and added water to the tank up to the max fill line (visible on the side of the machine). Then, I ran the machine through without adding coffee grounds to clean out the interior components. I repeated this process once more per the included instructions. After these steps, the machine was ready to go. 

I found that this entire process took about 15 to 20 minutes. Most of that time was just waiting for the machine to finish the brewing cycles, so it wasn’t labor intensive. 

Design: Flawlessly retro and available in beautiful pastels  

The Smeg Drip Coffee Machine boasts a stunning retro aesthetic resembling something from the 1950s. If that's your kind of look, always shopping for the latest vintage find, this could be a score. Instead of a modern appliance with sharp edges, this coffee maker is detailed with rounded edges, which greatly contributes to its older, classic vibe. This coffee machine is also made with a lot of care, as it looks highly detailed and feels sturdy in that it will last a long time. The housing of the main unit is made of metal and is available in various colors. 

The colors that Smeg offers for this line are why this coffee machine stands out against the competition. Options include black, white, stainless steel, red, cream, pastel blue, and pastel green. The pastels are quite beautiful for kitchen appliances. I chose to go for the pastel green and found that it added a nice bit of color to my predominantly stainless steel kitchen.  

The overall design of this coffee machine is rather simple, contributing to its classic vibe. However, it’s not completely ancient in terms of features. On the front of the unit, there is an LED screen displaying the time. Next to this, there are four buttons on the front and a small lever on the bottom right of the main unit. This lever moves up and down, and it can also act as a button when adjusting the settings. This machine includes a permanent reusable filter that you can use each time you make a batch of coffee, but you can purchase paper filters if preferred. 

In terms of size, this coffee maker measures 9.75 x 10 x 14.25 inches and weighs just over 7 pounds. It was easy to move around, but I found that the design and size were somewhat limiting. The rounded edges made it harder to fit right next to my other kitchen appliances. Plus, it’s rather large for a coffee maker.  

Performance: Easy to use, makes standard drip coffee

If you’re looking for nothing beyond a basic home coffee maker, the Smeg Drip Coffee Machine delivers standard drip coffee. In one brewing cycle, it can make up to 6 cups of coffee (though the carafe can hold up to 10 cups). There’s also a warming plate set into action after it finishes brewing a pot of coffee. It will keep coffee warm for 60 minutes after the coffee cycle is complete. 

In terms of extra features, the user can adjust the water hardness and intensity of the brew by following the included instructions. Alas, I found that modifying these two variables didn’t make much of a difference in terms of flavor. Ultimately, though there are some additional customizable features on this machine, the coffee isn't too special. 

I found that using this machine was very straightforward since there are only a few buttons to work with. I appreciated the simplicity and could basically figure it out without needing the manual. It functions no differently than a home coffee maker. Simply add the coffee grounds to the filter, add water to the tank, and press the power button to start the brewing cycle.  

This coffee maker also comes equipped with an automatic brewing feature. This means the user can put their grounds and water in the machine ahead of time and set the machine to make their coffee automatically at a certain time. I set mine up, and it was a nice little convenience for when I woke up and could smell the coffee brewing in the kitchen.  

Ease of Cleaning: Necessary (but not difficult) maintenance

The upkeep of this small coffee machine is not cumbersome. It just requires wiping with a wet cloth after each use on the exterior to keep it in good shape. The filter holder and the permanent filter are dishwasher safe. While you must wash the carafe and lid by hand, this cleaning isn’t a big deal, as all coffee machines I’ve used in the past have had similar requirements. 

When the machine needs a deeper cleaning, an automatic reminder light will come on to alert the user it needs to be descaled. That said, many reviewers have found this feature an annoyance because the machine cannot be used until it’s gone through the descaling process. 

Price: Retro design makes it worth the price 

This coffee maker retails for around $199, which seems relatively high considering it only makes up to 6 cups of coffee. But, examining the detail that went into designing this coffee machine makes it worth the high price tag in my book. There’s really nothing quite like it available right now, making it valuable from an aesthetic standpoint.  

Smeg Drip Coffee Machine vs. Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

The Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker retails for around $100 and can make up to 14 cups of coffee at one time. It boasts a sleek, modern design and features temperature control and an automatic brew function. 

Though it costs less and makes more coffee than the Smeg Drip Coffee Machine in one brew cycle, it doesn’t compare to the aesthetic that the Smeg offers. Ultimately, it comes down to what’s more important to you in a coffee machine: design or practicality.