Coffee machine as a present. I need help please!

[Definitelynotme2022]

I know this shouldn't be so hard, but I actually can't stand coffee! My boyfriend on the other hand, loves it. I know he'd really like a coffee machine, but it's hard when you don't know what you're looking at. We've also set a budget.

So far I've looked at the following:
Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee Machine by De'Longhi with Aeroccino Milk Frother, Over 30 Varieties of Pods, 6 Coffee Cup Sizes, Latte, Cappuccino, Starter Capsule Set Included, EN120.BMAE, Matte Black : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Or:
Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine by De'Longhi, Over 30 Varieties of Pods, Compact Footprint, Americano, Starter Capsule Set Included, ENV90.P, Pink : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

The smaller one fits in with my budget better (I've already got him a couple of smaller bit), but I'd rather go over and get him a decent one.

Ok so I know this isn't what you asked but we used to have a pod machine and it ended up being v expensive to run. Now we have a basic espresso machine and grind our own beans ( usually a kilo from Lidl around £7.99). Sounds like a faff but isn't really, particularly as no pods to recycle.

espresso

We've got an older version of this, not a pod machine, it's great.

www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-EC685BK-Traditional-Espresso-Machine/dp/B06X3Z9MF3

I agree I wouldn’t go for anything with a pod they are so expensive to use.

Lakeland do a very small bean to cup machine for £100 if you are a new customer you may get a discount.

I use a one (travel) cup drip machine and a burr coffee grinder which would be cheaper around £70.

Although pods can be recycled it can be a real pain to do so. I had to go to a local shop where they would print the label to go on the bags I had to order from Tassimo. Clearly the staff hated doing it and it was embarrassing if a queue built up behind me as it seemed to take a while.

I’ll go against the grain and say I love my pod machine and don’t find it expensive at all! it’s all relative - if you’re spending £4 a coffee when you’re out, then buying 10 pods for £4 from Tesco feels a bargain!

anyways mine is the Nespresso Latissimo One and could fault it.

I asked co-pilot (slow day in work) and it reckons you get 110 single espressos in a kilo of beans. So works out 7p each (from £7.99 bag, obviously fancier beans are available).

Also love our pod machine. It’s really easy to use, the coffee is great, and it’s not expensive - but I would strongly recommend getting the smaller pod
size ones rather than the vertuo larger pods as you’ve linked to OP, because the larger vertuo pods are only available via nespresso so they control the prices, and also not nearly as available in normal shops. We get our small size pods on the Sainsbury’s order, and can pick them up in the local small coop in the village etc - they’re available in hundreds of brands that all seem to fit fine, and you get better prices.
We really like the L’or ones. If we want a longer (500ml plus) coffee we use the Lungo pods and sometimes add an extra espresso with hot milk from microwave, but 90% of the time the lungo pods are perfect.

We get the pods we like at 40 pods for £10. That’s not bad prices.

We have this machine: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nespresso-Espresso-Original-Pressure-Recyclable/dp/B0DG34WRW1

Didn’t want one that steamed milk as I know I’d find it a faff to clean. I just heat up milk in microwave and add it to the coffee - there’s a great crema on the top anyway.

We also recycle the pods via the pod back scheme:
https://www.podback.org/

We fill up a large bag and take it to our local Morrisons 10 mins away every couple of months. V easy. You can see on the link above if there are any places near you.