SMEG COFFEE MAKER REVIEW: MORE STYLE THAN SUBSTANCE?

You know a Smeg product is going to look great, but can it make good coffee?

You’re probably interested in the Smeg coffee maker because you love the Smeg aesthetic. And with its 1950s retro look – all smooth curves, bright colors, and chrome – this small appliance certainly won’t disappoint on that front.

But what about the coffee? Is the quality of the brew on par with the design? Or is this just a cheap coffee maker wrapped in a pretty shell? That’s what I wanted to discover in this review of the Smeg Coffee Maker.

The Full Smeg Coffee Machine Review

Founded in Italy in 1948, Smeg was originally an enameling and metalworks business, but it gained international recognition for interior design with the introduction of the FAB line of fridges in the 1990s (1). 

FAB fridges now hold a cult following, thanks to their iconic rounded edges, vibrant colors, and friendly retro aesthetic. But for those who want Smeg style without the huge price tag of a major appliance, the brand has a matching line of small appliances – toasters, mixers, espresso machines, and the Smeg drip coffee maker I’m reviewing today.

This is an update to my original review of this coffee maker, as there is now a newer model. The DCF02 was released in response to consumer complaints, and it addresses some of the faults I noted in the older model. This is an undoubtedly better machine, but is it worth your money?

How I Rated It

• Design
• Features
• Coffee Flavor
• Ease of Use
• Value for Money

3.6

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Iconic Retro Design

The design is the obvious selling feature of the Smeg DCF02, so let’s start there. It shares the same chic retro-style design as other Smeg appliances, with smooth curves, fun colors, and chrome accents. It would look right at home in a 1950s home or diner. 

The Smeg filter coffee machine comes in ten colors, so there is one to suit any decor. I’m a fan of the pastel blue, but you can also choose from black, red, pastel mint green, cream, brushed stainless, grey, navy blue, pink, and white. It definitely stands out from the crowd of identical black-and-chrome drip coffee makers on the market – which should be one reason you’re considering buying it.

Its all-metal body with powder coat enamel finish is another way it stands out. It would have been easy for Smeg to use a plastic casing on this machine, and it is to their credit that they opted for high-quality materials. It will hold up to daily wear and tear much better than a cheaper plastic coffee maker. 

Size And Capacity

The Smeg drip coffee maker is a 10 cup coffee machine, which is smaller than the more common 12-cup capacity but likely not a deal breaker for most people. Don’t forget that “cups” in the coffee maker world measure around 4 ounces – not the 8-ounce cups used by bakers. 

I don’t mind the 40-ounce capacity of this brewer, which is plenty for the average household, but it’s a little weird to have such a small glass carafe in such a huge machine. The whole thing measures 9.6 inches wide by 10.1 inches deep by 14.25 inches tall due to the extra space needed for its unusual shape. And because of its metal construction, it weighs a hefty 8 pounds.

Using The SMEG Drip Coffee Maker

The Smeg drip coffee maker has many of the features you’d expect in an automatic drip coffee machine, but not as many as you would hope, given its price. This coffee machine is for design lovers who like coffee, not coffee lovers who appreciate design.

Does the SMEG coffee machine need filters?

You open up the top to add the coffee grounds and water, as with most drip brewers. The water reservoir holds 47 ounces, and a transparent window on the side of the machine lets you see how much water you’ve added. 

It comes with a reusable coffee filter made from stainless steel. You don’t need to add a paper filter, but you can if you prefer a cleaner cup. It’s a little unusual to find a conical filter in a drip machine of this size – most use flat-bottom basket filters. Personally, I’m a fan. I always find conical filters do a better job brewing smaller serving sizes, which you’ll definitely notice if you opt for the 1-4 cup setting.

Upon lifting the lid, I was happy to note that the spray head has five holes rather than just one or two. This is a key feature of all the best drip coffee machines. It provides a more even water shower over the coffee, which means better extraction and a more flavorful brew. 

How To Brew

A few buttons on the front of the machine provide access to the coffee brewing options.

You can choose your coffee strength between Regular and Bold. To my amusement, Smeg calls this selecting your “aroma intensity” between “delicate” and “intense,” but we all know what they mean. 

There is also a button for brewing the aforementioned smaller volume, which runs a slightly different cycle to brew coffee with maximum flavor in 20 ounces or less. Another button turns the warming plate on and off.

An LED display has a digital clock and lets you program your coffee to brew on a timer, which is always a welcome feature. There’s nothing like waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Alternatively, starting a brew is as simple as hitting a button.

One feature missing from the Smeg is an automatic brew pause, which allows you to grab a quick cup before brewing coffee is complete. Its absence is shocking given how standard this function is, even among much cheaper coffee machines. You can avoid the issue by setting your brew timer such that you’re never waiting for a brew cycle to complete, but I still think the brew pause would be a worthwhile addition. It costs hardly anything to implement.

A Note On Maintenance

This coffee machine is designed to monitor water hardness and let you know when it requires descaling. Usually, I find this to be a helpful feature, particularly in many of the espresso machines I’ve reviewed, but in this case, I think it’s overly sensitive. It often declares the water too hard and requires descaling more frequently than most. Descaling isn’t hard or expensive, but it’s an annoying little task that I don’t like to perform needlessly.

The Updates!

I had two major criticisms regarding the user experience of this machine when reviewed the older model. Happily, both have been fixed.

The original model used to beep loudly and aggressively every time you hit a button or finished a brew cycle. It was quite jarring early in the morning. It now comes with a Silent Mode to disable this feature.

The hot plate used to turn off automatically after just 20 minutes, which is by far the shortest time I’ve encountered. Hot plates are notorious for leaving hot coffee tasting burnt and stale, so I didn’t hate the 20-minute timeframe (3). But given that most coffee makers keep coffee warm for 2 hours, I understood the user complaints. The new model stays on for 60 minutes – a nice compromise.

I’d love to see a future model that does away with the warming plate entirely and uses a thermal carafe instead. An insulated carafe is the best way to keep the coffee hot and fresh tasting, and I can see a metal coffee pot working well with the Smeg aesthetic.

How Does The Coffee Taste?

The Smeg coffee machine brews a very standard pot of drip filter coffee. It’s not bad, but don’t think that just because you’re dropping several hundred dollars on a coffee maker, you’re getting a superior brew. That money is going towards build quality, branding, and retro style.

The coffee is smooth with little bitterness but also little character. Even when I brewed a pot using freshly ground specialty coffee beans, it wasn’t substantially better than older ground coffee. The nuance you’d get from a pour over coffee maker operated with some skill just isn’t there. This is a stylish way to prepare the same coffee as a Mr. Coffee machine, for example.

I will note that the “intense” setting works quite well, producing a noticeably bolder flavored coffee.

Why is a SMEG coffee maker so expensive?

With Smeg products, you’re paying for style and the brand name. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. The style is beautiful and unique. If aesthetics are your goal, the Smeg drip coffee machine is an affordable way to add a lovely art piece to your kitchen that also makes a decent cup of coffee.

Value for money is not why you should buy this coffee machine, which is currently priced over $200. If you want delicious coffee, you can get better coffee for the same money (take a look at my list of the best drip coffee makers, for example). And if you’re looking for average-tasting coffee, you can find that in other popular drip brewers that are far cheaper than the Smeg coffee machine. 

I would be remiss not to mention that the all-metal body of the Smeg does put it a cut above the typical cheap coffee machine in terms of durability. And the reusable filter is a nice value-add.

Which is better, SMEG or Breville?

I’m asked this question a lot, and it really comes down to personal preference. My preference is Breville, simply because the brand has much more coffee-specific experience. If you want an automatic drip machine designed for brewing specialty coffee, I’d steer you toward the SCA-certified Breville Precision Brewer.

Don’t Buy the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker If…

• Coffee quality matters more than style: If a perfectly extracted brew is the most crucial thing, opt for an SCA-certified home brewer, like the Breville I just mentioned. Coffee machines with this designation have been recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association for meeting an exceptionally high standard. Other great options include the Technivorm Moccamaster or the Oxo 9-Cup Coffee Maker.

• You want something more affordable: If you’re not prepared to drop $200+ for average coffee, you’re in luck because nearly every coffee machine on the market costs less than the Smeg. I like Cuisinart brewers – like the DCC-1200, for example – which I’ve found to be consistently reliable and long-lasting.

Or check out the Nostalgia retro style coffee maker for a cheaper option with the same 1950s design inspiration.

• You want the option of single-serve coffee: If you sometimes enjoy just one cup of coffee at a time, consider a dual coffee maker that provides the option of preparing a single cup or a full carafe of coffee. To look at one of my favorites in this style, read this Hamilton Beach 49980a review.

The Verdict

Smeg coffee makers aren’t for every coffee drinker. I hope I’ve made that clear in this review. If you love the Smeg aesthetic and want to add that retro charm to your kitchen without dropping five grand on a fridge, go ahead and buy this coffee machine. It looks cool, adds a pop of fun color to your decor, and makes pretty good coffee. On the other hand, if drinking great coffee is your priority, I’d suggest prioritizing brewing features over style.

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