For many of us, coffee is a vital part of our morning routine. It’s what helps you get up and go. Whether you take it with cream or plain or any other way, it’s a customisable, reliable part of every morning.
But if you run to the coffee shop to get yours each day, the money quickly adds up. That’s why so many are looking to add a coffee machine to their own kitchen counter.
If you don’t know which coffee machine to get, take a look at our list of best coffee machines for home in the UK below. To further help you choose, we’ll also discuss some common features and what they mean.
Quick Recommendation
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Want to skip all the reading? Here’s our overall recommendation: the No products found.
It has a built-in grinder and frother, so you can make authentic coffee-shop style drinks right home. Because it has a built-in grinder, you can grind each cup moments before brewing, resulting in the freshest possible taste.
What to Remember When Buying a Home Coffee Machine
Espresso vs Coffee Machine
When you go to a coffee shop, you probably go to get a drink like a latte or a flat white. Those are espresso-based drinks, and are not made with drip coffee like you’d get from a traditional coffee machine.
Drip coffee is brewed by letting water soak through a filter filled with coffee grounds. Espresso is similarly brewed, but the water needs to reach a particular amount of pressure and certain temperature.
However, espresso doesn’t have to be something that’s restricted to coffee shops. You can choose a coffee machine that makes only drip coffee, or you can choose one that makes espresso-based drinks.
Some machines can even do both. For that reason, you should stop to think about whether you want to be able to make an espresso-based drink from home, or if you just want a cup of drip coffee in the morning instead.
Pods or Grounds
Another thing to factor in is your comfort level with making coffee. Home coffee machines can accommodate coffee grounds in two different ways: as pods, or as grounds.
Pods are small capsules that contain a pre-measured amount of coffee grounds. They’re really easy for beginners, because all you need to do is insert the pod in the coffee machine and let it handle the rest.
The drawback to this design is that you’re not getting fresh coffee grounds. As with many other things, fresher is better, which is why some people choose to grind their own coffee beans at home right before brewing a cup.
You’ll get a better taste when you grind your coffee right before brewing it. However, buying a separate grinder can be expensive, and then you need to understand what fineness your coffee grounds should be.
There are, however, some coffee machines that come with grinders built in. These are often called “bean to cup” machines, because they address all parts of the process, from grinding to brewing.
Serving Size
Some coffee machines can brew an entire pot, and others will brew you one cup at a time. You can even find coffee machines that can brew pots or single cups depending on your current mood.
There are benefits to either design, and each is suited to different circumstances. For instance, if you’re the only one who will be using the coffee machine, you might not need to brew a whole pot.
But if you’re going to be sharing the coffee machine with an entire household, you’ll likely appreciate the ability to brew several cups at once. You might even want a whole pot to yourself if you’re planning to drink it over the course of a morning or evening.
Coffee Styles
Espresso aside, there are still other ways to brew yourself a drink. Drip coffee is one of the most common ways of making coffee at home.
French press is also pretty popular, though. In a French press coffee machine, rather than letting water soak through grounds, you let the water and coffee grounds mix together for awhile.
There’s a difference in taste between the methods. Coffee made through the French press method will have a more concentrated taste because of how long the water is in contact with the grounds.
Unlike drip coffee, though, it needs to be consumed as soon as possible. In comparison, drip coffee can often sit for hours at a time on a warming plate between cups.
Additional Features
Last, take time to think about whether or not you want your coffee machine to have any extras. There are so many additional features that can make your morning cup that much easier.
Most coffee machines will have warming plates, for example, which keep a pot warm for hours. Others will have removable drip trays that catch any spills and are easy to clean.
Make sure you read the product description for each coffee machine to see if any of these additional features are important to you.
Best Coffee Machines for Home UK
Swan Retro Pump Espresso and Coffee Machine
The Swan Retro Pump Espresso and Coffee machine is as beautiful as its name implies. It has a breezy powder blue exterior with sleek metal accents.
This is the kind of machine you would get if you want to enjoy a homemade latte in your own kitchen. Not only can you brew a shot of espresso, but you can foam your milk with the attachment on the side.
A removable drip tray at the bottom makes cleaning a snap. Simply slide the drip tray out and give it a quick rinse in your sink.
Pros:
• Allows you to brew authentic espresso at home.
• Its water reservoir can hold up to 1.2 litres, so you won’t need to refill it constantly.
• Beautiful look.
• Removable drip tray for easy cleaning.
Cons:
• There are some reports of a plastic taste in the coffee that fades with time.
• Some felt that the plastic panels make it look kind of cheap.
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Maybe you’re looking for something that isn’t so hands-on. After all, you’ve got a lot to do in the morning as you prepare for your day, so it could be better if your coffee machine can do more for you.
That’s what makes the Tassimo Bosch Coffee Machine a dream. It has auto cleaning and descaling features, which makes maintenance simple.
You also get variety with this coffee machine. It can make over forty different drinks from popular brands, so you can find something to suit your mood every day. All you need to do is insert the disc for your drink and let the machine handle the rest for you.
Pros:
• Comes in several bright, lively colours.
• Makes over forty different kinds of drinks.
• You only need to press one button to operate it after inserting a disc.
• Its cup stand can be adjusted to different heights to accommodate cups of all sizes.
• Made to fit on even the most cramped counters.
Cons:
• The discs you have to buy for drinks can get expensive.
• With a smaller water reservoir, you’ll need to refill it more often.
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If you’re the only coffee lover in your household, this Cuisinart coffee machine makes brewing a single cup simple.
Everything you need (except the coffee grounds!) is combined in this machine, which includes a coffee grinder. That means you can enjoy an aromatic, freshly ground cup of coffee every single day right at home.
Operation is easy, too. Once you put your beans in, all you need to do is touch a single button to grind and brew your beverage.
Pros:
• Freshly grinds your coffee for you every time.
• One-button operation is easy, even for coffee novices.
• Prevents waste by only making one cup at a time.
• You won’t need to buy a separate grinder.
Cons:
• The grinder can be a little loud.
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Planning on brewing coffee for a whole household of coffee drinkers? Then you’ll need something like the Melitta Filter Coffee Machine.
As you can see, it comes with a pot that allows you to brew multiple servings of coffee at once. The pot is also insulated, so it can keep your coffee warmer much longer than alternatives.
That means you could easily brew a jug for yourself, then enjoy it in a few hours. There’s no need to rush to drink all of it when it will be kept nice and toasty for you.
Pros:
• Can brew up to 15 small cups or 10 large cups of coffee.
• The jug is insulated, so coffee is kept warmer longer.
• You can tweak the intensity of the coffee to be strong or weak, depending on your preferences.
• Has a timer feature that allows you to set the machine up and brew at a specific time.
• Stainless steel look matches with most kitchen appliances.
Cons:
• Some felt the instructions are a little unclear.
• The clock doesn’t back itself up, so if you unplug the machine, you need to reset the clock every time.
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This Cuisinart coffee machine combines the convenience of multiple servings and a built-in grinder. You get to enjoy multiple cups of the freshest tasting coffee with this machine.
That’s because it has an integrated grinder. With just the press of a button, you’ll be able to grind fresh beans and brew up to 12 cups of aromatic coffee at once.
It also has programmable settings. You can prepare the machine in the evening before bed, then set it to brew coffee right before you wake up so that your home smells like a coffee shop when it’s time to get out of bed.
Pros:
• Allows you to brew anywhere from 4 to 12 cups of coffee each time.
• Has a built-in grinder, so each cup is as fresh as possible.
• You can set it to brew in advance, so that you’ll wake up to coffee waiting for you.
• The strength control lets you customise the strength of your coffee.
Cons:
• There are some reports that the jug doesn’t keep the coffee warm for very long.
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If you’re looking for the easiest coffee-making experience out there, it doesn’t get much easier than with this De’Longhi Eletta Fully Automatic machine. As you might have guessed from the name, it completely automates the drink-making process.
All you need to do is add your beans and milk, then choose what kind of drink you want. Once that’s done, just wait. You’ll soon have a café-quality drink with minimal effort on your part.
The automatic milk frother makes it possible to brew coffee shop-style drinks with the push of a button. Lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos are all possibilities that are effortless to make.
Pros:
• Can make a range of café-style drinks, including lattes and cappuccinos.
• Includes a built-in grinder for the freshest taste.
• Steams your milk for you.
• You can customise the temperature of your coffee, so you never get something too hot or cold.
• The bean hopper is designed to seal in the flavour of the coffee until you grind it.
• An impressive two-litre water tank won’t need to be refilled often.
Cons:
• Can be expensive.
• Some owners felt that it doesn’t get the coffee hot enough and that they needed to heat it even further after brewing.
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Sometimes, simpler is better. Nowhere is that more apparent than with the La Cafetiere Monaco French Press Coffee Maker.
Instead of having an assortment of buttons that can get confusing, it’s a basic French press. Available in a few different colour options, it can grace just about any kitchen seamlessly.
With crystal-clear sides, you can see easily when your coffee is ready. Plus, because its operation is pretty pared-down, it’s generally very affordable.
Pros:
• Affordable.
• Offered in a few different colours.
• Clear sides let you see when your coffee is ready.
• Easy to use.
• Lightweight and simple to store between uses.
Cons:
• Unlike other coffee machines on this list, it does not make the coffee for you. You will need to learn to use the French press.
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Nespresso isn’t a household name without good reason, and the Essenza Mini Coffee Machine demonstrates that. This beautiful and compact machine is sold in a few different colours so that it can blend into an array of kitchen styles.
Furthermore, it’s one of Nespresso’s smallest machines. No matter how short on space you are, you can find room for this little coffee maker.
Because it uses pods, you won’t need to worry about grinding your own coffee. It even has a built-in container for storing up to 6 pods, so you can keep everything you need to brew your drinks in one place.
Pros:
• No need to grind your own coffee, as it uses pods.
• Includes pod storage that can hold up to 6 pods at a time.
• Heats up in 25 seconds, so you won’t need to wait long after you turn it on.
• Remarkably compact size makes it easy to squeeze in anywhere.
• Sold in a few different colours to suit a range of kitchens.
• Comes with a milk frother.
Cons:
• Its water reservoir is about half a litre, so you will need to refill it more often.
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If you’re in need of a way to make a lot of coffee every day on a budget, the Russell Hobbs Buckingham Filter Coffee Machine is a great pick.
The permanent filter inside means you won’t need to waste money buying packs of paper filters. It further eliminates waste by allowing you to brew exactly as much as you need when you need it.
No more dumping out frigid, leftover jugs of coffee. With this coffee maker, you can brew anywhere from one to ten cups at once depending on your need.
Pros:
• Has a reusable filter, so you don’t need to buy paper filters.
• You can brew exactly as much coffee as you need – anywhere from one to ten cups.
• A water level indicator will let you know immediately when it needs to be refilled.
• You can pause in the middle of brewing to pour yourself a quick cup if you can’t wait.
• Has a fast heat-up time, so you don’t need to wait long to start brewing.
• Affordable.
Cons:
• Because there’s no backup battery for the clock, you will need to reset it every time the power goes out or it’s unplugged.
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Unique might as well be the real name of the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Krups Lumio machine. You can see right away that it looks completely different from any of its competitors.
One thing it does particularly well is pressure. With the espresso you get at a coffee shop, a pressure of around nine bars is used. In this coffee machine, you can achieve up to 15 bars of pressure, much like the standard professional espresso machine.
This makes it possible for you to enjoy professional-like drinks right at home. You’ll have over forty different drinks to choose from in its wide selection of pod flavours.
Pros:
• Extra compact size can fit in anywhere.
• Designed to be easy to clean.
• Its drip tray can be adjusted, so you can brew larger or smaller drinks whenever you want.
• Over forty different drink flavours to choose from.
• Unique aesthetic.
Cons:
• The pods can get pricey.
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Wrap Up
With any of the coffee machines on this list, you can cut down on expensive trips to your local coffee shop. Better yet, these coffee machines come in a huge range of prices and features, so you’ll have no issue finding one that’s perfect for your budget.
If we had to choose which one we were putting on our counter, though, we’d say our dream machine is the No products found.
It’s true that it can be expensive, but with the included grinder and milk frother, we feel like it gets the closest to making an authentic latte.