How do I choose a coffee machine?
Key features to look out for when choosing a coffee machine are:
What sort of coffee does it use – beans, grounds or pods?
What sort of coffee does it produce – filter coffee or fancier coffees like lattes and flat whites?
How much water can it hold?
How many drinks can it make? Some coffee machines can make several drinks at once while others can only do one at a time
How much space will it take up in your kitchen?
How noisy is it?
How much does it cost?
How environmentally-friendly is it? Some people won’t consider pod machines due to the waste produced
Which type of coffee machine is right for me?
No one would blame you for feeling flummoxed by the huge variety of coffee machines out there. When choosing the right coffee machine for you, consider your lifestyle, your budget and your coffee-drinking habits so that you can narrow down the choices.
Here’s our rundown of the different types of coffee machine on the market.
Bean-to-cup coffee machine
If you regularly utter the words ‘artisan’ and ‘coffee’ in the same sentence, and want to recreate barista-style coffee, you’ll appreciate a bean-to-cup machine. Bean-to-cup coffee machines perform the essential tasks that take your coffee from bean form to being a delicious hot drink. They have built-in grinders, heat the water, and brew and dispense the coffee. If you like milky coffees, look for a model with a milk frother attachment.
Ground coffee machine
Ground coffee machines are significantly cheaper than bean-to-cup machines. They're ideal for those on a budget, and you can always use a separate coffee grinder if you’re keen on achieving the same fresh-from-the-bean effect without breaking the bank. Be warned though – grinding coffee is not a quiet activity.
Pod coffee machine
Alternatively, if you feel more at home in Costa than in your actual home, then a pod coffee machine will allow you to recreate your favourite coffee shop lattes and flat whites for a fraction of the price. Pod coffee machines use pre-packaged pods of ground coffee to create hassle-free hot drinks. Discarded pods can be an environmental concern as they are tricky to recycle in some areas.
Some Mumsnetters use and recommend Nespresso pod coffee machines. Nespresso is owned by Nestlé. Mumsnet refuses advertising from all Nestlé-controlled companies as part of the Nestlé Boycott, a campaign run by Baby Milk Action to put pressure on formula manufacturers to act responsibly – particularly in the context of developing countries. We haven't included any Nespresso machines in this roundup as part of our support for the boycott.
Pod/ground coffee combo
Some machines on the market can be used for brewing both pods and ground coffee, giving you the option to switch between both, depending on what you fancy.
Filter coffee machine
If you prefer to go low-key and old school, along with choosing something more budget-friendly, a filter coffee machine could be the answer to your coffee conundrum – providing you with low-fuss coffee at minimal cost. It will also allow you to brew up to six cups of coffee at once – excellent if you have a family of thirsty coffee drinkers or you just like to have your own morning’s caffeine hits ready and lined up.
Manual coffee maker
For great-tasting, cheap-as-chips coffee, you’ll have to put in a bit of effort. It may be tricky to get the hang of it at first, but a manual coffee maker has significant advantages over its more complicated relatives: it's eco-friendly, portable, and will still work in a power cut for starters.
How much should I spend on a coffee machine?
Ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend. You can splash some serious cash on a fully-automatic coffee machine for effortlessly-perfect flat whites at home, or opt for a manual coffee-maker for a quick, portable and inexpensive cup of joe.
A decent automatic bean-to-coffee machine will set you back around £300 – and you can spend upwards of £1,000 if you have the budget. You can find reasonable coffee pod machines for under £100, whereas premium pod machines can go all the way up to £400. You’ll also find budget manual options for around £30. There's an option for every budget and, whichever you pick, you'll still be saving money in the long-term compared to buying a daily takeaway coffee.
Our verdict: the best coffee machines to use at home
The best pod coffee machine is the Tassimo by Bosch Vivy 2 Pod Coffee Machine as it offers excellent value for money.
The best manual coffee maker we found also works well as a budget travel coffee machine – take a bow, AeroPress Coffee Maker.
The best filter coffee machine is the Melitta Filter Coffee Machine, which serves up a large volume of the caffeinated stuff in one go and keeps it steaming hot for two hours.
The best overall coffee machine is the De’Longhi Magnifica Bean-to Cup Coffee Machine, which makes a variety of scrumptious beverages including luxury hot chocolate. This stylish home coffee machine is consistently rated highly by Mumsnetters and home coffee machine reviewers alike.
How we chose our recommendations
Most of our recommendations for home coffee machines came from coffee fans themselves. We researched various coffee and gadget review sites, including Which?, to find the best-rated machines including budget coffee makers, bean-to-cup coffee machines, pod coffee machines and manual coffee makers. We also searched the Mumsnet forums for posts about which coffee machines Mumsnetters have tried, tested and loved.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.