Coffee Machine Reviews

Calling all coffee lovers! From filter coffee machines to bean-to-cup, read our expert reviews and discover which coffee machine is right for you today.

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Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines

Filter Coffee Machines

Manual Espresso Machines

Capsule Coffee Machines

Best Coffee Machines We've Tested

Ranked by our editorial score across coffee quality, ease of use, cleaning and value for money.

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01 · EDITOR'S CHOICE Bean-to-Cup
9.1/10
Melitta Barista TS Smart coffee machine
Water Tank 1.8L
Bean Hopper 2 x 135g
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 9.9kg

Melitta Barista TS Smart Review: Still One of the Most Versatile Bean-to-Cup Machines?

Touchscreen bean-to-cup with app control and dual bean hoppers

Twenty-one preset recipes, touch sensitive controls and a dual bean store that lets you switch beans without emptying the hopper. Works with the Melitta Connect app for starting your coffee from another room.

Coffee Quality
9.3
Ease of Use
9.0
Cleaning
8.8
Value for Money
8.5

Key Advantages

  • Dual bean hoppers avoid mixing beans
  • App control from anywhere in the house

Drawbacks

  • Large counter footprint
  • Premium price point
Typical UK Price
£999
Read Full Review →
02 Bean-to-Cup
8.6/10
Water Tank 1.8L
Bean Hopper 250g
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 9.5kg

DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM4200 Review

Reliable espresso and cappuccino machine for fresh or pre-ground beans

Works with fresh, freeze-dried or pre-ground coffee, so the hopper is never limited to one option. A dependable everyday machine for espresso and cappuccino drinkers who value consistency over gadgets.

Coffee Quality
8.8
Ease of Use
8.4
Cleaning
8.2
Value for Money
9.0

Key Advantages

  • Takes beans or ground coffee
  • Excellent value for a bean-to-cup

Drawbacks

  • Dated LCD interface
  • No smartphone app
Typical UK Price
£399
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03 Capsule
8.5/10
Water Tank 1.3L
Pump Pressure 19 Bar
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 7.0kg

Delonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro Review

One touch milk drinks with 19 bar pump pressure

A 1.3 litre tank and 500ml milk carafe pair with 19 bar pump pressure to deliver lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of a button. A refined follow up to the original Lattissima's blockier design.

Coffee Quality
8.6
Ease of Use
9.1
Cleaning
8.0
Value for Money
7.9

Key Advantages

  • Automatic milk frothing
  • Fast heat up time

Drawbacks

  • Capsules only, no ground coffee
  • Milk carafe needs regular cleaning
Typical UK Price
£279
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04 Manual Espresso
8.4/10
Water Tank 1.4L
Pump Pressure 15 Bar
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 6.2kg

De’Longhi Scultura Review

Retro styled manual espresso with a 1.4 litre tank

A design led manual espresso machine for drinkers who rate flavour over convenience. The 1.4 litre tank and traditional steam wand put control of extraction and milk texture in your hands.

Coffee Quality
9.2
Ease of Use
7.0
Cleaning
7.8
Value for Money
8.2

Key Advantages

  • Genuine manual espresso control
  • Standout retro design

Drawbacks

  • Learning curve for beginners
  • Manual tamping and frothing required
Typical UK Price
£299
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05 Bean-to-Cup
8.2/10
Gaggia Brera coffee machine
Water Tank 1.2L
Bean Hopper 250g
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 8.8kg

Gaggia Brera Review: Is This Older Bean-to-Cup Machine Still Worth Buying?

Compact Italian bean-to-cup for espresso at home

Gaggia bring their commercial grade heritage to a compact footprint that fits most kitchens. A built in grinder and panarello wand mean fresh espresso and frothed milk without buying a bigger machine.

Coffee Quality
8.7
Ease of Use
8.0
Cleaning
7.9
Value for Money
8.3

Key Advantages

  • Compact for a true bean-to-cup
  • Built in grinder

Drawbacks

  • Manual panarello wand, no auto frother
  • Small bean hopper needs frequent topping up
Typical UK Price
£379
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06 Capsule
8.0/10
Nespresso Pixie coffee machine
Water Tank 1.0L
Pump Pressure 19 Bar
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 3.3kg

Nespresso Pixie Review: Is This Compact Nespresso Classic Still Worth It?

Compact capsule machine with 19 bar pressure

A 1 litre tank and 19 bar pump pressure bring a brew time of around one minute twenty five seconds. Efficient and compact, the Pixie is built to disappear into a small kitchen without disappearing on flavour.

Coffee Quality
8.2
Ease of Use
8.9
Cleaning
8.0
Value for Money
7.4

Key Advantages

  • Very fast heat up and brew time
  • Small footprint

Drawbacks

  • 1 litre tank needs frequent refilling
  • Capsule cost adds up over time
Typical UK Price
£139
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07 Capsule
7.8/10
Water Tank 0.7L
Pump Pressure 19 Bar
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 2.4kg

Magimix Nespresso Inissia Review

The lightest machine in the Nespresso range

Magimix put their own spin on the Inissia design, producing the lightest machine in the Nespresso line up. Easy to move, store and clean, though it is capsule only with no option to grind your own beans.

Coffee Quality
8.0
Ease of Use
8.6
Cleaning
8.1
Value for Money
7.2

Key Advantages

  • Lightest Nespresso machine available
  • Simple one button operation

Drawbacks

  • Capsule only, no bean or ground coffee option
  • Basic plastic build quality
Typical UK Price
£99
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08 Capsule
7.5/10
Water Tank 0.8L
Pump Pressure 15 Bar
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 1.9kg

NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Oblo by Krups Review

Krups build quality meets Dolce Gusto's capsule range

Krups bring their manufacturing pedigree to the Dolce Gusto capsule system, working within Nespresso's shadow to deliver a well built, good looking machine that covers coffee, hot chocolate and more.

Coffee Quality
7.6
Ease of Use
8.4
Cleaning
7.8
Value for Money
7.6

Key Advantages

  • Wide variety of drink capsules beyond coffee
  • Compact, attractive design

Drawbacks

  • No built in milk frother
  • Capsules cost more than ground coffee
Typical UK Price
£69
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09 Capsule
7.2/10
Water Tank 0.8L
Pump Pressure 3.3 Bar
Warranty 2 Years
Weight 2.6kg

Bosch Tassimo Joy 2 Review

Brita filter technology with around 56 drink options

Compatible with the full Tassimo capsule range, the Joy 2 can produce roughly fifty six different drinks. Built in Brita filter technology and a simple, elegant design make it an easy one touch choice.

Coffee Quality
7.4
Ease of Use
8.7
Cleaning
7.6
Value for Money
7.1

Key Advantages

  • Huge range of drinks via T-Discs
  • Built in Brita water filter

Drawbacks

  • Tied to Tassimo capsules only
  • T-Discs cost more than ground coffee long term
Typical UK Price
£89
Read Full Review →
Knowledge Base

Essential Buying Advice

A few things worth knowing before you buy, whichever type of coffee machine you're after.

Steel vs Ceramic Burrs

Steel burrs grind faster and hold their edge well under heavy daily use, though they generate a little more heat during long grinding sessions. Ceramic burrs run cooler and resist wear from moisture, but are more brittle and can chip if a small stone gets into the hopper.

UK Hard Water Protection

Much of the South and East of England has hard tap water, and limescale buildup in the boiler is one of the most common causes of a coffee machine breaking down early. Use filtered water where you can, and run the descaling cycle every two to three months.

True Cost Per Cup

Capsules typically cost around 30 to 45p per drink depending on the brand, while ground coffee in a bean-to-cup or filter machine works out closer to 15 to 20p a cup. If you drink several coffees a day, that gap can repay a bean-to-cup machine's higher price within a year or so.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an automatic milk carafe and a manual steam wand?

An automatic milk carafe stores milk in a sealed container and froths it at the touch of a button, giving consistent results with less effort. A manual steam wand means frothing a jug of milk yourself, which takes some practice but lets you texture the microfoam precisely for latte art.

Will bean-to-cup machines fit beneath standard UK kitchen cabinets?

Most compact bean-to-cup machines are designed to sit on the countertop rather than under a cabinet, and many need extra clearance above for topping up the bean hopper and water tank. Check the manufacturer's height and clearance specification first if counter space is tight.

Should I choose a machine with a removable brew unit?

A removable brew unit can be taken out and rinsed under the tap, which makes it much easier to stop coffee oils and residue building up. Machines without one still work fine, but rely on a regular internal cleaning cycle instead.

Can I use oily dark roast coffee beans in these machines?

Yes, though oily dark roast beans can clog the grinder and hopper more quickly than lighter, drier roasts. If you drink dark roast regularly, look for a machine with an easily accessible hopper and clean it more often to avoid blockages.