Russell Hobbs Distinctions Espresso Coffee Machine, 15 Bar Pump Pressure + Milk Frother Steam Wand, Latte & Cappuccino, Detachable Water Tank, ESE pods, Cup warmer, Black,…

7 reviews for Russell Hobbs Distinctions Espresso Coffee Machine, 15 Bar Pump Pressure + Milk Frother Steam Wand, Latte & Cappuccino, Detachable Water Tank, ESE pods, Cup warmer, Black,…

1. 

   Rated 3 out of 5

   Morgan – April 1, 2025

   I really like this coffee machine but I’m struggling to use it as it keeps coming up with an exclamation mark when I try to use the shots of coffee, it would be great if someone can explain how to stop this

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Musicfan – April 17, 2025

   I do enjoy a nice coffee but have always favoured using ground coffee in a cafetiere. If having a latte or a cappuccino, that is for out and about in a coffee shop. This machine does look good. It looks a little like the coffee machines used by a Barista in a coffee shop. It is easy to set up. The instructions are straightforward. It is easy to use. It can be used with ground coffee. If using beans, you will need to grind them first. This machine does not do that. Important to press the coffee used not too heavily or lightly, just firmly. You can make one or two cups of expresso or whatever. You can use the measured or the manual to determine how much coffee you want. The machine needs to be used with coffee cups. You will not be able to use it with large cups or mugs. Worth warming up the relevant parts as the instructions to make sure the coffee is warm enough. Frothing the milk is easy and quick with the steamer. Important to clean this part properly soon after use or there will be milk residue stuck on the steaming tube. The coffee tastes great. The milk froths well. It looks and tastes at least as good if not better than the coffee bough in many coffee shops. Great for a latte or expresso or cappuccino. I have had great results from my first use although with practice the results will get better. This is an easy and quick way to make a great tasting coffee. The machine looks great and it is easy enough to clean. I like the machine and I love the coffee. I can now be my own barista. Well pleased.

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   almc – April 27, 2025

   First function buttons. 1 cup 30ml 2 cup button 60ml. Timed 60sec button, which you have to hold for required amout of water, then cuts out, not great but is what it is. Steam button and dial on side for amount of steam. Short throthing wand, or you can use it to reheat drinks or just for hot water.
   Bought this to replace A beko, but for some reason the coffee tasted 10 times better with this design, I think just for this reson the pice tag of £140 is reasonable, not £199 though.
   Who would have thought that there was a scientific method for sealing and forcing water through coffee grinds for maximum flavour. Coffe grinder next on my shopping list.

4. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Amazonian – April 28, 2025

   This is a very nice looking coffee machine. It is classically styled and finished in silver.

   It’s fairly easy to use, but I personally find the steaming wand a bit fiddly to use.

   The espresso produced has a nice creamy layer, you just need to experiment a bit to work out how to get the coffee to the right consistency for your preference.

   The machine feels solid and should be long lasting.

5. 

   Rated 1 out of 5

   Fraszier – May 28, 2025

   Water not hot as it should be

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Liz – June 14, 2025

   It is more compact than I thought (thought it might be a little higher) and fits perfectly in the space I had for it. It was well packaged and easy to set up.
   I think the pre set espresso comes out really well and even when I change the grams of coffee beans, it still comes out good.
   I am still figuring out the milk steamer, as I have done latte art on the bigger machines.
   Would recommend it!

7. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Amazon Customer – June 22, 2025

   Bought this for £136.00 and believe, on experience, this it is now worth the price tag – anything over, including the RRP of £199.00 would make this poor value for money.

   Essentially this machine does what a lot of espresso machines do around this price tag. I have previously had 2 x De’Longhi machines (Firstly: De’Longhi Icona priced £149.00 Amazon and then De’Longhi Stilosa EC230.BK priced £89 Amazon), then the Swan Nordic Espresso machine priced £80 Amazon) (All current prices at time of this review). The De’Longhi machines lasted around 1-2 years before both failed on boiler and the Swan failed just after 1 year when the steamer began to leak pressure.

   Pluses on this machine:
   – product warranty is 2 years with a further year extended upon registration. This is good when previous experience of machines around this price tag tend to fail after 1-2 years.
   – I have found this makes a good espresso with great crema. I have also found the steamer to be quicker and more efficient at creating foamed milk compared with other machines.
   – The depth between drip tray and dispensar is typical – these machines are not meant to fit a tall latte glass but it does fit a squat mug quite comfortably meaning no double handling of the dispensed coffee.
   – Added feature of preset one shot / one cup or two shot / two cup buttons allowing coffee to be dispensed in a measured way as well as a manual option for dispensing more than the measured shots, say for making americanos.
   – Nice looking machine. Though it is still light and mostly made of plastic, the plastic is wipable (The swan machine stains) and chrome effect for other details, as you would expect for machines once you go over the £100 mark.

   Negatives off this machine (quite a few but all quite minor)
   – Unlike previous model uses, it is difficult to dispense coffee again after foaming milk (I usually do milk first) due to the heating up of the machine for creating steam. An explanation mark error occurs whereupon you need to discharge all steam and allow machine to sufficiently cool (doesn’t take too long).
   – As others have said and other coffee models suggest, the cup heater on top is a waste of time – it doesn’t get warm enough and your cup won’t be on it long enough to heat up.
   – This machine makes some funny noises during dispensing – most off-putting is that it seems to have a “pre-charge” noise which sounds like it is about to dispense coffee but then it stops before restarting again.
   – Also as others have noted, the water reservoir does need to slide in vertically to attach properly – there is a position where it looks attached but actually sitting out from the machine.
   – Steam dispensing knob is on the right hand side over the want so this is a little awkward in terms of your left arm having to cross to the right hand side of the machine.
   – The Russell Hobbs brand does bang on about being British but rest assured this machine (like so many others) is made in China. Most products are and while this is not negative in itself, it jarrs in regard to the advertising.

   Overall – I found this does make an attractive espresso with good crema and the milk frother to be more efficient than other models. However, it is comparable in function to other models around the same price tag. What wins for me (and should win for you) is that it does seem to make a slightly better coffee when compared with other models. The 3 year guarantee is also better than some of the other typical 1 year manufacturer warranties.