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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Editor's Choice
Manual Espresso
9.6Score
Sage Oracle Jet coffee machine
Portafilter
58mm
Built-in grinder
Baratza European Precision Burrs
Grind settings
45
Milk
Auto MilQ
Interface
5-inch touchscreen

Sage Oracle Jet Review: Is This the Ultimate Home Espresso Machine?

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

One of the most complete assisted espresso machines we've seen. Spectacularly capable, spectacularly easy — and spectacularly expensive.

Coffee Quality9.7
Ease of Use9.7
Milk Drinks9.8
Grinder9.4
Features9.8
Build & Design9.6
Value for Money8.5
+58mm professional-style portafilter
+Integrated Baratza burr grinder
+45 grind settings
+Automatic grinding and dosing
+Automatic tamping
+Auto Dial-In
+Auto MilQ
+Dairy and plant-milk settings
+5-inch touchscreen
+ThermoJet heating
+Cold Brew and Cold Espresso
+Wi-Fi updates
+Extremely fast workflow
-Around £1,700
-Huge investment for home coffee
-Still requires moving the portafilter
-Integrated grinder limits ultimate upgrade path
-Too automated for some enthusiasts
-Too manual for buyers wanting one-touch bean-to-cup
-Large machine
Read Full Review →
NO. 02
Manual Espresso
9.5Score
Ninja Luxe Café Pro coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Yes
Dosing
Weight based
Milk
Dual Froth Pro
Coffee formats
Espresso, filter-style coffee and cold coffee

Ninja Luxe Café Pro Review: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

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

One of the most versatile assisted coffee machines available. But Premier remains such strong value that we'd only pay the Pro premium if its additional milk features matter to you.

Coffee Quality9.3
Ease of Use9.6
Milk Drinks9.7
Grinder9.1
Features9.8
Build & Design9.3
Value for Money9.2
+Espresso
+Filter-style coffee
+Cold coffee
+Integrated grinder
+Weight-based dosing
+Barista Assist
+Assisted tamping
+Excellent automatic milk
+Hands-free frothing
+Multiple foam settings
+Dairy and plant-milk capability
+Exceptional versatility
+Very beginner-friendly
-More expensive than Premier
-Large
-Not true one-touch bean-to-cup
-Still requires portafilter handling
-Integrated grinder limits future upgrade path
-Huge functionality may be unnecessary for espresso-only drinkers
Read Full Review →
NO. 04
Manual Espresso
9.4Score
Sage Barista Touch Impress coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Baratza European Precision Burrs — 30 settings
Milk
Auto MilQ
Interface
Touchscreen

Sage Barista Touch Impress Review: Is It Worth Over £1,000?

Buyers wanting excellent espresso and milk drinks with extensive guidance and very little guesswork.

Brilliantly executed and extremely easy to use, but expensive enough that you need to genuinely value its assistance and milk automation.

Coffee Quality9.4
Ease of Use9.7
Milk Drinks9.6
Grinder9.2
Features9.6
Build & Design9.4
Value for Money8.4
+Excellent touchscreen guidance
+Integrated Baratza burr grinder
+30 grind settings
+Intelligent dosing
+Assisted tamping
+Automatic milk texturing
+Dedicated dairy, oat, almond and soy settings
+Fast ThermoJet heating
+Customisable drinks
+Proper portafilter experience
-Expensive
-Still requires moving the portafilter
-Not one-touch bean-to-cup
-Large
-Experienced baristas may not need all the assistance
-Multiple Touch Impress versions now exist
Read Full Review →
NO. 07
Manual Espresso
9.4Score
De’Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Yes
Grind settings
15
Milk
Auto LatteArt

De’Longhi La Specialista Touch Review: De’Longhi’s Answer to Sage and Ninja?

Beginners wanting premium assisted espresso without moving above £1,000.

One of the strongest new assisted espresso machines because it combines touchscreen guidance, automatic microfoam and genuine espresso involvement at a highly competitive price.

Coffee Quality9.3
Ease of Use9.6
Milk Drinks9.6
Grinder9.0
Features9.6
Build & Design9.3
Value for Money9.4
+Touchscreen guidance
+Integrated burr grinder
+15 grind settings
+Bean Adapt Technology
+Smart dosing guidance
+Assisted tamping
+Auto LatteArt milk
+Four milk-temperature settings
+Five foam levels
+Dairy and plant-milk capability
+Hot and cold drinks
+Excellent price against premium Sage alternatives
-Still requires portafilter handling
-Only 15 grinder settings
-Not one-touch
-More cleaning than bean-to-cup
-Integrated grinder limits long-term upgrade path
-Experienced baristas may prefer more manual control
Official UK price
Around £699.99 at the time of writing
Read Full Review →
NO. 09
Manual Espresso
9.3Score
Ninja Luxe Café Premier coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Yes — 25 settings
Built-in scale
Yes
Milk system
Automatic Dual Froth System

Ninja Luxe Café Premier Review: The Best Coffee Machine for Beginners?

Beginners who want to make café-style coffee rather than press one automatic button.

One of the most complete all-in-one coffee machines available for someone who wants involvement without having to learn espresso entirely through trial and error.

Coffee Quality9.1
Ease of Use9.4
Milk Drinks9.3
Grinder9.0
Cleaning8.8
Features9.7
Value for Money9.3
+Espresso, filter coffee and cold brew
+25-setting integrated grinder
+Weight-based dosing
+Barista Assist grind recommendations
+Assisted tamper
+Automatic milk frothing
+Four milk presets
+Works with dairy and plant milk
+Large drink-size range
+Excellent beginner-friendly concept
-Large and heavy
-Not genuinely one-touch
-You still need to move and tamp the portafilter
-Lots of functionality can initially look intimidating
-Enthusiasts may eventually want more manual control
-Newer Premier Plus and Pro models complicate the choice
Read Full Review →
NO. 13
Manual Espresso
9.2Score
Sage Bambino Plus coffee machine
Built-in grinder
No
Portafilter
54mm
Water tank
1.9 litres
Milk
Automatic and manual steam wand

Sage Bambino Plus Review: The Best Compact Espresso Machine?

Anyone wanting proper home espresso from a genuinely compact machine.

One of the strongest compact espresso machines for beginners because it makes milk easy without removing the proper espresso workflow.

Coffee Quality9.3
Ease of Use9.4
Milk Drinks9.5
Cleaning8.9
Build & Design9.2
Value for Money9.0
+Extremely compact
+Rapid heat-up
+Proper 54mm portafilter
+Automatic milk texturing
+Adjustable milk temperature
+Adjustable milk texture
+Manual steaming available
+Simple controls
+Single and dual-wall baskets included
+Excellent machine to learn on
-No grinder
-Grinder substantially increases total setup cost
-Less guidance than Touch Impress
-Small footprint means a relatively lightweight machine
-Still requires proper espresso preparation
Read Full Review →
NO. 16
Manual Espresso
9.2Score
De’Longhi La Specialista Opera coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Yes
Grind settings
15
Tamping
Smart Tamping Station
Milk
Manual steam wand
Cold drinks
Cold Brew and Espresso Cool functionality

De’Longhi La Specialista Opera Review: A Better Alternative to Sage Barista Express?

Buyers wanting assisted puck preparation but manual control over milk.

A superb middle ground between fully manual espresso and highly automated assisted machines.

Espresso Quality9.3
Ease of Use9.1
Milk Drinks9.3
Grinder8.9
Build & Design9.3
Features9.2
Value for Money9.2
+Integrated burr grinder
+15 grind settings
+Smart Tamping Station
+Pressure gauge
+Active Temperature Control
+Powerful steam wand
+Cold Brew
+Espresso Cool
+Proper portafilter workflow
+Strong build
+Easier than traditional manual espresso
-No touchscreen
-No automatic milk
-Fewer grind settings than some Sage rivals
-Still requires technique
-Large compared with compact espresso machines
-La Specialista Touch is easier for beginners
Read Full Review →
NO. 17
Manual Espresso
9.1Score
Sage Barista Pro coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Yes
Grind settings
30
Portafilter
54mm
Heating
ThermoJet
Milk
Manual steam wand

Sage Barista Pro Review: Still Worth Buying in 2026?

People wanting to learn proper home espresso without buying a separate grinder.

Barista Pro remains an excellent middle ground between the classic Barista Express and Sage's increasingly automated Impress/Touch machines.

Coffee Quality9.3
Ease of Use8.7
Milk Drinks9.2
Grinder9.0
Build & Design9.2
Features8.8
Value for Money8.9
+Excellent espresso potential
+Integrated conical burr grinder
+30 grind settings
+Very fast ThermoJet heating
+54mm portafilter
+PID temperature control
+Powerful manual steam wand
+LCD interface
+Volumetric shot control
+Strong build quality
+Genuine espresso-learning experience
-Manual tamping
-Manual milk steaming
-No touchscreen
-No Auto MilQ
-No Impress dosing/tamping system
-Integrated grinder limits future upgrades
-Increasingly strong competition
Read Full Review →
NO. 18
Manual Espresso
9.1Score
Sage Barista Express Impress coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Yes — 25 settings
Tamping
Assisted
Milk
Manual steam wand

Sage Barista Express Impress Review: Easier Espresso Without Going Automatic

Beginners who genuinely want to learn espresso.

The Express Impress removes two frustrating variables — dosing and tamping — without taking away the parts of espresso making that people actually want to learn.

Coffee Quality9.2
Ease of Use8.9
Milk Drinks9.0
Grinder8.8
Learning Potential9.5
Build & Design9.1
Value for Money8.8
+Integrated grinder
+25 grind settings
+Intelligent dosing
+Dose correction
+Assisted tamping
+54mm portafilter
+PID temperature control
+Pressure gauge
+Manual steam wand
+Excellent machine for learning
-Milk isn't automatic
-Still has a learning curve
-Large machine
-Integrated grinder limits future upgrades
-Slower workflow than fully automatic machines
Read Full Review →
NO. 19
Manual Espresso
9.1Score
Gaggia Classic E24 coffee machine
Built-in grinder
No
Boiler
120cc lead-free brass
Milk
Manual steam wand

Gaggia Classic E24 Review: The Home Barista Classic Gets a Brass Boiler

Coffee drinkers who want to learn traditional espresso properly.

The E24 improves the Classic in exactly the area enthusiasts wanted: thermal and steaming performance. It's still demanding, but that's part of the attraction.

Espresso Potential9.5
Milk Steaming9.2
Ease of Use7.5
Build & Design9.3
Learning Potential9.8
Features7.2
Value for Money9.0
+Lead-free brass boiler
+Increased boiler capacity
+Improved temperature stability
+Stronger, more stable steam performance
+Stainless-steel filter holder
+Traditional manual controls
+Excellent espresso potential
+Strong enthusiast community
+Proven basic design
+Excellent machine for learning
-No grinder
-No PID temperature display/control as standard
-No automatic milk
-Genuine learning curve
-Requires more technique than Sage assisted machines
-Grinder quality has a huge impact
-Workflow isn't designed around convenience
Read Full Review →
NO. 20
Manual Espresso
9.1Score
De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus coffee machine
Built-in grinder
No
Milk
Auto LatteArt
Width
Approximately 15cm

De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Review: The Best Dedica Yet?

Small kitchens wanting proper espresso with automatic milk assistance.

The Maestro Plus transforms Dedica from a basic compact espresso machine into a serious beginner-friendly milk-coffee setup.

Espresso Quality9.0
Ease of Use9.4
Milk Drinks9.5
Compactness9.9
Build & Design9.1
Features9.0
Value for Money9.0
+Exceptionally narrow
+Automatic milk texturing
+Multiple milk temperatures
+Multiple foam textures
+Proper portafilter workflow
+Fast heating
+Hot and cold coffee capability
+Stainless-steel construction
+Beginner-friendly
+Excellent for small kitchens
-No grinder
-More expensive than basic Dedica
-Still requires dosing and tamping
-Small footprint means compact drip tray
-Integrated-grinder machines may offer better all-in-one value
-Experienced users may prefer fully manual steaming
Read Full Review →
NO. 21
Manual Espresso
9.0Score
Sage Bambino coffee machine
Built-in grinder
No
Portafilter
54mm
Heating
ThermoJet
Milk
Manual steam wand

Sage Bambino Review: The Best Small Espresso Machine for the Money?

Buyers wanting excellent compact espresso who are happy to buy a separate grinder.

One of the strongest-value routes into genuine home espresso, provided you budget for a decent grinder.

Coffee Quality9.2
Ease of Use8.8
Milk Drinks8.7
Build & Design8.8
Compactness9.9
Features8.1
Value for Money9.5
+Extremely compact
+Fast ThermoJet heating
+54mm portafilter
+18g-style espresso dose
+PID temperature control
+Low-pressure pre-infusion
+9-bar extraction
+Manual steam wand
+Excellent espresso potential
+Outstanding value
+Separate grinder can be upgraded later
-Grinder sold separately
-Milk steaming is manual
-No Auto MilQ
-Small drip tray
-Lightweight compared with larger machines
-No pressure gauge
-No screen
-Grinder cost changes the real purchase price
Read Full Review →
NO. 26
Manual Espresso
8.9Score
Sage Barista Express coffee machine
Built-in grinder
Yes
Portafilter
54mm
Milk
Manual steam wand

Sage Barista Express Review: Is the Classic Still Worth Buying?

Buyers wanting a proven all-in-one manual espresso machine at a strong price.

Still a superb gateway into home espresso, but newer machines are easier. The Barista Express is now most compelling when the price is excellent.

Coffee Quality9.2
Ease of Use8.3
Milk Drinks9.0
Grinder8.6
Build & Design9.1
Features8.1
Value for Money9.2

when discounted

+Proven design
+Integrated burr grinder
+Proper portafilter workflow
+Pressure gauge
+PID temperature control
+Manual steam wand
+Strong espresso potential
+Huge ownership community
+Plenty of accessories available
+Frequently discounted
-Slower heating than newer Sage machines
-Manual dosing requires practice
-Manual tamping
-Manual milk
-Older grinder architecture
-No touchscreen
-No guided workflow
-Express Impress is easier
Read Full Review →
NO. 30
Manual Espresso
8.9Score
De’Longhi Dedica Duo coffee machine
Built-in grinder
No
Milk
Manual steam wand
Cold coffee
Yes

De’Longhi Dedica Duo Review: The New Compact Espresso Machine to Buy?

Small kitchens wanting an affordable manual machine for hot and iced espresso drinks.

A smart evolution of Dedica for modern coffee habits, particularly if iced drinks matter but you don't want a large machine.

Espresso Quality8.9
Ease of Use9.0
Milk Drinks8.8
Cold Drinks9.3
Compactness9.9
Design9.2
Value for Money9.1
+Extremely compact
+Hot espresso
+Cold espresso functionality
+Excellent for iced coffee
+Manual steam wand
+Modern Dedica design
+Proper portafilter workflow
+Fast everyday operation
+Separate grinder can be upgraded
+Strong value
-No grinder
-No automatic milk
-Manual tamping
-Small drip tray
-Less assistance than Maestro Plus
-Cold espresso isn't traditional cold brew
-Requires technique for best results
Read Full Review →
NO. 45
Manual Espresso
8.4Score
De’Longhi Scultura Review
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 Quality9.2
Ease of Use7.0
Cleaning7.8
Value for Money8.2
+Genuine manual espresso control
+Standout retro design
-Learning curve for beginners
-Manual tamping and frothing required
Typical UK Price
£299
Read Full Review →