Plugs, Sockets and Voltage by Country

Espresso machines draw a lot of power (often 1,200 to 1,700 watts), so the plug and the voltage both matter. This page shows what your country uses and whether the machine from the Amazon store we link to will fit.

Adapter safety

• Choose an adapter with a ground (earth) contact. Espresso machines have metal parts and must be grounded.
• Check the rating: at least 10 A, ideally 16 A. Many small travel adapters are made for phone chargers only.
• An adapter only changes the shape of the plug. It does not change the voltage.
• Never plug a 110 to 120 V machine into 220 to 240 V mains, or the reverse, without a suitable transformer (see below).
• Plug the machine straight into the wall socket. Avoid extension cords and power strips.

Voltage transformers

If you really need a machine from a store with a different voltage, you need a heavy step-up or step-down transformer, not a small travel converter.

• Choose a transformer rated for at least double the machine's wattage: 3,000 W or more for most espresso machines.
• A transformer does not change the frequency (50 or 60 Hz). Pumps and clocks may work differently, and the warranty may not cover use in another country.
• These transformers are heavy, noisy and expensive. Buying the model made for your country's voltage is almost always the better choice.

Search for a 3,000 W voltage transformer on Amazon

Which plug do the machines from each Amazon store have?

All countries

Data from the IEC World Plugs list. Some buildings use other sockets, so always check your own sockets before buying.