SMEG has solidified itself as one of the most reliable coffee machine brands in the industry, serving high quality products with a range of technological innovations in recent years. As the company continues to change its offering over the years, it’s important to consider whether it is remaining current enough among modern trends, especially in relation to some of its competitors on the market. Today, we’ll revisit the history of the brand, look at their product range as a whole, while diving into whether it remains competitively priced relative to other similar brands around the world.
A History of the SMEG Brand
SMEG is an Italian manufacturer focusing on the creation and distribution of domestic appliances. The company, which has grown into a fully fledged conglomerate, first got its start back in 1948 in a town called Guastalla. Few people know that the name of the business is an acronym for “Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla”, loosely translated to English as as Emilian metallurgical enamel works of Guastalla. Although best known for its retro style fridges, the company now manufactures washing machines, ovens, microwaves, wine cabinets and of course, coffee machines.
SMEG Coffee Machine Types
What sets SMEG apart from a lot of their competitors, is that they are renowned for their built-in coffee machines, which can form part of the design of any home or office space. For the more casual user, the brand offers a choice between standalone drip filters and espresso machines too. The first thing you’ll notice, regardless of the type you explore, is their exquisite and unique retro design, which is easy to spot without even seeing the brand label. Italians love their coffee, which has typically made their espresso range (with ground coffee or coffee pod options) popular across Europe, ultimately trickling down to the rest of the world too. Regardless of the type you choose, one thing is for sure – you’re getting a high quality coffee machine in the process.
General Price Expectations
Relative to other brands on the market, SMEG tends to be a little more on the expensive side. Take second hand options, for instance, which retail anywhere upwards of R6000 in South Africa, with some even levelling out at around R30 000 per machine. Naturally, their machines cater to different needs and built-in coffee machines will set you back a pretty penny. While a SMEG coffee machine may not be ideal for all setups, any space with an additional consideration for the finesse of design will benefit from their built-in or standalone product options. Continuously working to improve their machines year after year, it helps to look at older models if you’re trying to cut back on costs a little.
Gaining Extra Insight From The Experts
While SMEG definitely holds up as a reputable coffee machine maker in 2021, it certainly caters to somewhat of a niche clientele. With many products to choose from, you may need a little bit of help to pick the right one based on your needs. Companies like Aquaspresso paid up coffee machines with buyers around the clock, and their team of experts have years of experience assisting with the purchase of new machines, as well as offering rental options to businesses and homes alike. Whether you’ve got a SMEG or a similar brand on the mind, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
