Coffee Machine Reviews UK – Find the Best Coffee Machine for You

Buying a coffee machine should be simple.

But with hundreds of machines available — from £50 pod machines to £1,500+ bean-to-cup and espresso machines — working out which one is actually worth buying isn't always easy.

That's where Coffee Machine Reviews comes in.

We research and compare the latest coffee machines available in the UK, looking beyond marketing claims to help you understand what you're getting for your money.

Whether you want a one-touch bean-to-cup machine, a proper home espresso setup, an easy pod machine or simply better coffee in the morning, we'll help you narrow down the options.

9+
Machines Tested
100%
Independent Reviews
2016
Reviewing Since
De'Longhi Scultura
Melitta Barista TS Smart
Delonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro
9.1/10
Editor's Choice
From £69
Every Budget

Best Coffee Machines in the UK

Not sure where to start?

Our Best Coffee Machines UK guide compares our standout machines across every major category, budget and type.

Selected by editorial score within each category. Budget picks use recorded review prices.

Best Overall9.6/10
Sage Oracle Jet coffee machine

Sage Oracle Jet

Best forBuyers wanting near-commercial-style espresso architecture with extraordinary levels of assistance.

Best Bean-to-Cup9.5/10
JURA J8 coffee machine

JURA J8

Best forBuyers wanting a luxury one-touch machine with sophisticated milk and drink personalisation.

Best Espresso Machine9.5/10
Ninja Luxe Café Pro coffee machine

Ninja Luxe Café Pro

Best forBuyers wanting Ninja's assisted coffee system with its most sophisticated milk functionality.

Prices can change. Check retailers for the latest price.

View all reviews

What Type of Coffee Machine Should You Buy?

The first decision isn't which brand to buy.

It's which type of coffee machine suits the way you actually make coffee.

Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines

Want freshly ground coffee without learning how to become a barista?

A bean-to-cup machine grinds fresh coffee beans and prepares your drink automatically. Many modern machines can also prepare cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites using an integrated milk system.

They're particularly good for households that want fresh beans combined with convenience.

Best for: Fresh coffee with minimal effort.

Typical budget: Around £250–£1,500+

Popular brands: De'Longhi, Jura, Siemens, Philips and Melitta.

Espresso Machines

Prefer having more control?

Traditional and assisted espresso machines let you control more of the coffee-making process, from grinding and dosing to extraction and milk texturing.

Machines from brands such as Sage, De'Longhi and Gaggia range from compact entry-level models to sophisticated machines that automate much of the difficult work while still giving you control.

Best for: Espresso lovers and anyone who enjoys making café-style coffee.

Typical budget: Around £150–£2,000+

Pod & Capsule Coffee Machines

If convenience matters more than experimenting with grind size and extraction, pod machines remain difficult to beat.

Insert a capsule, press a button and your coffee is ready.

Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo are among the best-known systems, but differences in capsule availability, drink choice and running costs mean it's worth comparing the systems before buying.

Best for: Fast coffee with virtually no preparation.

Typical budget: Around £50–£500+

Filter Coffee Machines

Making coffee for several people?

A filter machine can produce a full pot at once and is particularly well suited to longer black coffees.

Modern machines range from straightforward brewers to premium models with timers, temperature control and built-in grinders.

Best for: Longer coffee and brewing several cups at once.

Typical budget: Around £40–£300+

Find a Coffee Machine by Budget

You don't need to spend £1,000 to make better coffee at home.

The important thing is spending your budget on the features you'll actually use.

Under £100

Expect pod machines, basic filter machines and occasional entry-level espresso options.

Under £200

A much broader selection, including capable espresso machines and entry-level automatic options when discounted.

Under £300

This is where some strong entry-level bean-to-cup machines begin appearing alongside increasingly capable espresso setups.

Under £500

A competitive part of the market offering excellent bean-to-cup and assisted espresso machines.

£500+

Premium automatic milk systems, better interfaces, greater control and more sophisticated espresso machines become available.

Find the Right Machine for Your Favourite Coffee

What you drink matters just as much as your budget.

Latte

Look for good milk texturing and easy control over the balance between espresso and milk.

Cappuccino

A capable steam wand or automatic milk system becomes particularly important.

Flat White

Espresso quality and the ability to create fine-textured milk matter more than simply producing lots of foam.

Espresso

Prioritise temperature stability, extraction control and — if included — grinder quality.

Latest Coffee Machine Reviews

We regularly research new and popular coffee machines available to UK buyers.

Capsule8.5/10
Tassimo My Way 2 coffee machine

Tassimo My Way 2

Best forTassimo households wanting more control over strength, temperature and drink size.

Bean-to-Cup9.2/10
Siemens EQ700 coffee machine

Siemens EQ700

Best forHouseholds wanting a sophisticated touchscreen bean-to-cup machine with lots of drink choice.

Bean-to-Cup8.8/10
Siemens EQ6 Plus coffee machine

Siemens EQ6 Plus

Best forBuyers wanting automatic milk and one-touch bean-to-cup coffee without paying EQ700 prices.

Manual Espresso9.6/10
Sage Oracle Jet coffee machine

Sage Oracle Jet

Best forBuyers wanting near-commercial-style espresso architecture with extraordinary levels of assistance.

Popular Coffee Machine Brands

De’Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine

De'Longhi Coffee Machines

De'Longhi has one of the broadest coffee-machine ranges in the UK, covering affordable espresso machines, premium manual systems and some of the most popular bean-to-cup machines.

Popular ranges include Magnifica, Rivelia, Dinamica, Eletta and La Specialista.

Sage Oracle Jet coffee machine

Sage Coffee Machines

Sage is particularly strong in the home espresso market.

Its range spans compact machines such as the Bambino through to Barista models with integrated grinders and premium machines that automate increasingly large parts of the espresso-making process.

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima coffee machine

Nespresso Coffee Machines

Nespresso remains one of the biggest names in capsule coffee.

Its Original and Vertuo systems work differently and use different capsules, making it important to understand the differences before choosing a machine.

JURA J8 coffee machine

Jura Coffee Machines

Jura specialises in premium automatic coffee machines.

They're generally considerably more expensive than entry-level bean-to-cup machines but target buyers looking for automation, premium construction and extensive drink menus.

Coffee Machine Comparisons

Got your choice down to two machines?

Our head-to-head comparisons examine the differences that actually matter.

Popular comparisons:

Coffee Machine Buying Guides

A good coffee machine can last for years, so it's worth understanding what you're buying.

Our guides explain things such as:

  • Bean-to-cup vs espresso machines
  • Pod vs bean-to-cup machines
  • How much to spend on a coffee machine
  • Whether you need a built-in grinder
  • Automatic vs manual milk frothing
  • Coffee machine running costs
  • Coffee machine pressure
  • Cleaning and descaling
  • Choosing coffee beans
  • Choosing the right grind size

Explore buying guides

How We Review Coffee Machines

Our aim is straightforward:

Help you choose the right coffee machine without the marketing nonsense.

We compare machines using factors including:

Coffee Quality

The machine's brewing system, temperature control, extraction capabilities and consistency.

Ease of Use

How straightforward the machine is to set up, operate and adjust.

Milk Drinks

The capabilities of automatic milk systems or manual steam wands where applicable.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Daily cleaning, milk-system maintenance, descaling and other ongoing requirements.

Features

Which features genuinely improve the experience and which simply increase the price.

Value for Money

How the machine compares with similarly priced alternatives.

Owner Experience

We also examine recurring themes in verified owner feedback to identify longer-term strengths and potential problems.

Where we've personally tested a machine, we'll make that clear in the review.

Where we haven't, we'll tell you that too.

Find Your Perfect Coffee Machine

Still don't know what to buy?

Use our Coffee Machine Finder.

Tell us:

Matches use our published review details. Budget filters include machines with a recorded price.

and we'll narrow down the machines that best fit what you're looking for.

Coffee Machine Advice

Already own a machine?

We also cover maintenance, troubleshooting and getting better coffee from the machine you've already bought.

Buying guide

Best Small Coffee Machines UK 2026: Compact Machines for Small Kitchens

A coffee machine doesn’t need to occupy half the kitchen.

Read guide
Buying guide

Best Pod Coffee Machines UK 2026: Which Capsule Machine Should You Buy?

Pod coffee machines aren’t going to satisfy someone who wants to spend Sunday morning weighing 18 grams of freshly ground coffee and perfecting their espresso extraction.

Read guide
Buying guide

Best Filter Coffee Machines UK 2026

Filter coffee machines aren’t fashionable in quite the same way as £1,000 espresso machines.

Read guide
Buying guide

Best Espresso Machines UK 2026: Our Top Home Espresso Picks

A bean-to-cup machine makes coffee for you.

Read guide

Popular guides include:

How to Descale a Coffee MachineWhy Does My Espresso Taste Watery?Why Isn't My Coffee Hot Enough?Best Coffee Beans for Bean-to-Cup MachinesCoffee Grinder Settings ExplainedHow Often Should You Clean a Coffee Machine?Can You Use Oat Milk in a Coffee Machine?

Independent Coffee Machine Reviews for UK Buyers

The “best” coffee machine isn't necessarily the most expensive one.

A £1,500 automatic machine makes little sense if you simply want a quick morning espresso, while a £100 pod machine probably isn't right for someone who wants to experiment with freshly ground speciality coffee.

Our job is to make those differences clear.

We compare coffee quality, features, ease of use, maintenance, running costs and value so you can spend your money on the machine that actually fits your needs.

Start with our Best Coffee Machines UK guide, browse the latest Coffee Machine Reviews, or use our Coffee Machine Finder to narrow down your options.

Explore the guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best coffee machine for home use?

It depends on your budget, preferred drinks and how involved you want to be. Bean-to-cup machines offer convenience with fresh beans, while espresso machines provide greater control. Pod machines prioritise simplicity.

How much should I spend on a coffee machine?

Capable home machines are available from under £100, while premium automatic and espresso machines can exceed £1,000. Spending more generally buys additional automation, control, build quality or features rather than guaranteeing better coffee for every user.

Are bean-to-cup coffee machines worth it?

They can be an excellent choice if you want freshly ground coffee without manually grinding, dosing and extracting espresso. They generally cost more upfront than pod machines.

Is Nespresso better than a bean-to-cup machine?

They serve different buyers. Nespresso prioritises speed and consistency, while bean-to-cup machines use fresh coffee beans and typically offer more control over the resulting drink.

Which coffee machine is easiest to use?

Pod machines are generally the simplest. Fully automatic bean-to-cup machines can also be extremely easy to operate, particularly models with one-touch milk drinks.

What coffee machine is best for lattes and cappuccinos?

Look for a machine with either a capable steam wand or a good automatic milk system. Our latte and cappuccino guides compare machines specifically for milk-based drinks.

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.