Britain’s love affair with coffee has percolated in recent years.
Some 98 million cups are enjoyed every day in the UK, up from 25 million in 2008.
In fact, coffee is now even more popular with British people than tea.
But with the cost of a latte reaching £5 a cup in many UK coffee shops, it’s unsurprising that there are more coffee machines on the market than ever before, at every price point, and promising to serve up a cup to rival the high street coffee shops.
A barista-made brew now costs an average of £3.40, and in many places, particularly the nation’s biggest cities, looks set to soon break the £5-a-cup mark.
So is it possible to save money making coffee at home? Even if you spend £1,000 on a machine?
Here, Femail test outs the most popular coffee machines in the UK – to see if i’ts really worth it.
ESPRESSO ‘BEAN TO CUP’ MACHINES
Rebecca Evans, Brand Manager at Miele GB told Femail: ‘A professional coffee machine is ideal for adding a moment of luxury to your everyday routine and a must-have for those who can’t live without their morning cup of coffee.
‘For those searching for a truly authentic coffee shop experience at home, consider a bean-to-cup coffee machine.
‘Bean-to-cup machines offer unrivalled freshness in comparison to other types of coffee machines, as the rich flavour and aroma of the beans is retained during the extraction process and therefore they can deliver a freshly brewed espresso, coffee or ristretto with a luxuriously smooth crema every time.’
KitchenAid KF8 Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine
Price: £1,899
The KitchenAid KF8 Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine costs a whopping £1,899 – but promises barista style coffee, and makes plant based drinks easy to achieve
The machine carries a Quiet Mark certification meaning it won’t noise pollute your home; right: the milk chamber which can be filled with any milk of your choice
With such a regal price tag, you’d expect this new to the market KitchenAid KF8 espresso machine to be good enough to mean you never have to darken the door of a high street coffee chain again – and, for the most part, it totally delivers.
Like all KitchenAid products, it’s a dream to look at – the one we tested came in Stainless Steel, but there’s alluring shades such as Porcelain White and Juniper alongside a more classic Cast Iron Black.
The digital screen serves up a shot of wow factor, you can scroll through the range of drinks on offer (from frothed milk to cortado and green tea) and create your own profile – then save your favourite drinks to it.
There’s a separate chamber for milk (any milk you like – oat, soya, almond etc), which connects to the machine via a wire; you simply top up when you’ve run out.
Likewise, the coffee beans of your choice go in a vessel at the back of the machine, and bean-to-cup magic happens in a quick whirr – although it’s Quiet Mode certified so not too noisy.
It took a little tinkering to find a coffee that rivals a barista-served one but I definitely got there – the double lungo espresso topped up with hot frothed milk is really, really good. And the prospect of a matcha latte with oat milk went down a storm with Gen Alpha.
There is, as with any coffee machine, a little work involved – the milk cleaning function is super easy, but also happens after two cups, and the overflow tray fills quickly too.
All that said, this is the closest I’ve come to a great coffee from a machine at home – so worth the investment if you’re serious about your morning brew. – Joanna Tweedy
Melitta Latte Select Coffee Machine
Cost: £999
If you’re a coffee enthusiast who loves a café-quality brew without the hefty price tag, this could be a game-changer
Verdict: If you’re a coffee enthusiast who loves a café-quality brew without the hefty price tag, this could be a game-changer.
The Melitta Latte Select Machine is sleek, easy-to-use machine and makes a very rich, very velvety brew.
To be honest, it’s as good as anything you would find in a speciality coffee shop and leaves the likes of Starbucks and Costa in the dust.
I’ve been making flat whites galore since I got it. I’ve previously tried stand alone milk frothers and it’s just not the same.
The coffee, as long as you’ve got good beans, is smooth, indulgent, and has that perfect velvety texture you expect from a professional barista.
There’s simple settings to make espresso, cappucinos or macchiatos and it’s easy to whip up a recipe other coffee drinks.
You can tweak your recipes and make everything from lattes to cappuccinos to espresso just the way you like it.
Saving £3-£5 which adds up quickly, All I need to make is 250 coffees and it’s paid for itself (which is probably what we get through in three to four months in my house).
It’s surprisingly easy to use, even for a coffee novice. No need for complex settings or a PhD in espresso-making – just press a button, and voila.
The only slight downside is the cleaning process, which can be a bit fiddly. The tray is a little awkward to empty without spilling, and the machine itself requires regular maintenance.
You have to make sure you put just the right amount of milk in, or it spoils quickly.
But, that’s pretty standard for any coffee machine of this calibre, and it’s a small price to pay for such delicious results.
If you’re someone who’s tired of overpriced coffee shop runs, this machine will pay for itself in no time. – Bridie Pearson-Jones
Russell Hobbs Distinction Coffee Machine
Cost: £200 (on offer for £99)
It’s intuitive, quick to set up, and brews a cup of coffee in no
Verdict: Compact, easy to use.
The machine is incredibly simple to use.
It’s intuitive, quick to set up, and brews a cup of coffee in no time. It’s also impressively small, making it ideal for a work-from-home desk setup where space is at a premium.
You won’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience, and the machine fits neatly into any room or office.
The coffee itself is a major plus. It brews a much nicer cup of coffee than many Nespresso or other pod machines at the same price point (and looks classy on your desk or tabletop).
The rich, full-bodied flavour is a definite step up from pod-based options, which is great if you prefer freshly ground beans.
Plus, for a machine of its size, it’s impressive that it even includes a tamper—a nice touch for those who like to perfect their espresso.
That said, it’s not quite as heavy-duty as some larger coffee machines.
It feels a little more lightweight, so you may need to refill the water tank and change the coffee grounds more often compared to sturdier models – but this isn’t a deal-breaker, especially given the machine’s affordable price.
It’s also very pretty—sleek and stylish, it would look great in any room. Whether it’s perched on your kitchen counter or sitting on your home office desk, this coffee machine is bound to add a touch of elegance to your space. – Bridie Pearson-Jones
Melitta Avanza Mystic Titan 6767843 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Cost: £524
It is absolutely worth it if you’re someone who struggles to strike the right balance for your own personal cup of coffee as it lets you curate the perfect brew for you
Verdict: Perfect for coffee savants and elevates the game to make your brew exactly how you like it… but a touch pricey if you’re after a regular cup of Joe
This coffee machine lets you customise everything from now grinded your beans are to the intensity of your drink.
As someone who had before this had a simple but effective Nespresso pod machine, I felt a touch overwhelmed by the selection and I’ll admit, have stuck to the same settings when making my brew, not straying far outside them.
As I only really make black Americanos the fancy find left me a little bit out of my depth, but it was amazing for when people came over.
Suddenly, I could cater to everyone’s needs – and there is even a handy milk frother attachment on hand.
It is absolutely worth it if you’re someone who struggles to strike the right balance for your own personal cup of coffee as it lets you curate the perfect brew for you.
Another handy function of the machine is that the nozzle length is adjustable, meaning you have a lot of leeway with the size of cup you can use. There is also even a function to pour two cups of coffee at a time.
It requires a fair bit more maintenance than my old coffee machine when it comes to cleaning, but truth be told it’s still less upkeep than I thought it would require for such a regal coffee crown jewel.
I would ultimately recommend this coffee machine if there are a lot of people who might end up using it – such as an office or a family that hosts many guests – but it’s probably a touch steep (albeit fun) for a solo reveller. – Elmira Tanatarova
FILTER MACHINES
Rob Baines, General Manager, John Farrer & Co, Kendal, Cumbria, the UK’s oldest coffee roaster says that filter coffee can be a ‘great to way to make clean-tasting coffee,’ but said it ‘needs to be drunk quickly’.
Matthew Wade, co-founder of Hundred House, one of the UK’s first licenced Q-Graders and a graduate of LA’s Coffee Chemistry added this can be good for peoople who want a less strong flavour.
‘It is a longer drink than espresso and is very enjoyable without milk – for me, it also whisks me away to the streets of New York’s Lower Eastside- with a large cup of black batch brew in one hand and a donut in the other…. the perfect crime!
So do they live up to it? Femail puts the to the test…
Lakeland Bean to Cup Filter Coffee Machine
Price: £99
Alanah liked the fact that you can pick between a strong and weak setting and the warming plate that keeps the coffee hot for 30 minutes
The coffee machine does exactly what is says on the tin. It’s very straightforward to use, thanks to the touchscreen, and makes a good cup of coffee.
It’s not the best looking, but it’s small, making it ideal for those with a less space. The £99.99 price is also attractive, making it one of the cheaper options available.
I liked the fact that you can pick between a strong and weak setting and the warming plate that keeps the coffee hot for 30 minutes.
However, it only makes a small amount each time and I found that the measurements for four cups actually only made two.
The biggest downfall for me was in the cleaning aspect; it was a major faff, you have to clean it out each time, so I wouldn’t say it’s suited to someone wanting multiple cups a day.
I’d say it’s a solid choice for someone wanting to buy their first simple bean-to-cup machine and who isn’t massively into coffee but enjoy a cup here and there – Alanah Kholsa
Melitta AromaFresh II Filter Coffee Machine
It brews up to ten cups in one go, making it perfect for entertaining guests or fuelling the entire family during the morning rush
Cost: £235
Verdict: Very easy to use and great if you’re in a big family or household where lots of people are hoping for a caffeine fix in the morning.
Easy to use and beans are ground fresh. There’s also intuitive controls and built-in grinder mean you can enjoy freshly ground beans without needing a separate gadget – a space saver in the kitchen.
It brews up to ten cups in one go, making it perfect for entertaining guests or fuelling the entire family during the morning rush.
But, while the AromaFresh II has many charms, it’s not without its shortcomings.
The coffee it produces is decidedly milder than what you’d get from a high-end espresso machine. It’s more suited to smooth, everyday sipping rather than a bold caffeine kick. And for those who dream of creamy lattes or frothy cappuccinos? You’ll have to invest in a separate milk frother, as this machine sticks strictly to black coffee.
That said, what it lacks in barista-level flair, it makes up for in practicality. Its adjustable strength settings and programmable timer mean you can wake up to a fresh pot tailored to your taste. Cleanup is a breeze too, thanks to its detachable components – Bridie Pearson-Jones
Pod machines
James Bellis, CEO of Balance Coffee, told Femail that pods are ‘extremely convenient and fast’ and give ‘consistent results’.
However, he added they can be ‘more costly per cup vs other methods, environmentally unfriendly and less fresh impacting taste,’.
The taste, according to James, are ‘often balanced but lacks depth compared to freshly roasted and ground coffee’.
Tassimo My Way 2 Black Coffee Machine
Price: £139.99 (currently £69.99)
The Tassimo My Way 2 Black Coffee Machine is a relatively affordable pod machine
It’s very easy to clean and looks nice in the kitchen, so worth it for the reduced price of £69.99
The Tassimo coffee machine makes a decent espresso and you can customise how weak or strong the coffee is.
There’s a great variety of pods available from popular brands such as Costa and Kenco, which you can buy in your local supermarket, and they even include hot chocolate.
I’ve found that they’ve been in the reduced section on quite a few occasions, which has been an added bonus.
I would watch out for the latte and cappuccino pods as they are more expensive due to including ‘milk’ pods, which taste slightly odd. It works better when you buy a 16 pack of coffee pods and add in your own milk.
It’s very easy to clean and looks nice in the kitchen, so worth it for the reduced price of £69.99. It’s very convenient, as you just add your pod in and it creates a tasty coffee with minimal effort.
However, if you were thinking of paying full price, I would tend to opt for a Nespresso machine instead. – Eleanor Dye
L’OR Nespresso Machine
Cost: £89.99 (comes with 100 capsules)
This compact, stylish machine makes it effortless to enjoy barista-quality coffee from the comfort of your own kitchen – or desk
Verdict: Easy to use, good quality, great value.
This compact, stylish machine makes it effortless to enjoy barista-quality coffee from the comfort of your own kitchen – or desk.
Setting it up is a breeze – just pop in a pod, press a button, and within seconds, you’ve got a hot cup of coffee.
It’s definitely a great option on a budget, and perfect for an office as people can use their own pods (and it’s easy to clean!).
It’s great for americano or black coffee drinkers, it doesn’t come with a milk frother though – so people who want a silky flat white or latte might struggle (you can add a milk frother for a little extra however!). – Joe Adams
Nespresso Virtuo Pop
Cost: £69
Verdict: Great for time poor coffee fans needing a hit.
Have you ever found yourself in a rush in the morning, craving the taste of coffee, but lacking the time to make it? Then the Nespresso Vertuo Pop is the perfect machine for yo
Have you ever found yourself in a rush in the morning, craving the taste of coffee, but lacking the time to make it? Then the Nespresso Vertuo Pop is the perfect machine for you.
Straight out of the box, I could tell that it was going to be easy to set up. After all, with only one button to choose from, you can’t really go wrong. After attaching the drip tray, plugging it in and filling the water tank, I was underway.
In fact, the only complicated process was choosing which coffee I wanted, with a wide range of flavours to choose from. However, it is worth noting that the machine is only compatible with Nespresso Vertuo pods – so you better like Nespresso coffee, and accept you won’t find cut-price pods yet in the supermarket.
The automatic adjustment setting adapts the brewing parameters to each capsule, including cup size, pressure, temperature, and brewing time, meaning you can try several different coffees without having to rumble through cupboards for the right size mug.
When it comes to the taste test, the Nespresso Vertuo did not let me down and gave the impression of a perfectly smooth, freshly ground cuppa – superior to any instant or filter-based alternative.
Ultimately, though, the Nespresso’s greatest strength is its speed. With a simple push of a button, you can be sipping away while getting on with the rest of your morning routine.
There’s no surprise then, that cleaning the coffee machine is also fuss-free. Since there aren’t many parts to dismantle or settings to play with, cleaning the machine takes just 15 minutes. While the automatic self-pod emptying system ejects all the used pods into an internal box.
Finally, the machine looks the business. The sleek design and matt finish helps to give your kitchen a modern look, but it’s small size means it won’t dominate the space.
Perhaps, the deciding factor on whether you choose to invest in the Nespresso Verto Pop is whether or not you like Nespresso coffee. Mind you, I’d like to think that you wouldn’t have got this far if you didn’t.
French press? Instant? Or a from a machine? Experts explain the best way to brew a coffee
There are many different ways to brew a cup of Britain’s favourite hot drink.
Those on a budget might opt for a V60 or French press – while some who are against the clock might instead whip up a much aligned cup of instant.
Emma Loisel, Co-Founder, Volcano Coffee Works, a roastery in south London, told Femai: ‘I am also often asked which brew method is best to use to make a stronger tasting coffee .
‘This my order of brew method for strength (from strongest to less strong) – Espresso Machine, moka pot, French Press, Aero Press, V60, Pods
‘If your goal it so taste the different flavours in coffees, the best method is a V60 followed by Espresso machine and Aero press’,.
Matthew Wade (co-founder of Hundred House), one of the UK’s first licenced Q-Graders and a graduate of LA’s Coffee Chemistry said: Home brew methods are fun, inexpensive, accessible and you can really taste the difference – it’s rewarding when you nail it and the fact that these brew methods are portable ensures that you’ll never have to endure bad coffee again.
‘One tip – use scales so you can repeat a good brew or make adjustments. Once you are enjoying brewing it is wise to invest in a portable hand grinder- you’ll never look back!
FILTER COFFEE
Filter machines are easy to use – but can give a weaker cup
PROS
Emma says: ‘This is a great way to brew coffee if you need a lot of coffee quickly, with very little effort.
CONS
Emma says: ‘This method of brewing can bring out some harshness in coffee flavour or the coffee can taste a little flat. If it sits in the pot for too long it could also start to stew so it is best to drink it quick.’
Howard Gill, Head of Coffee at Grind added: ‘Never keep coffee on a hot-plate for too long – it will taste terrible after 15 minutes!’
Espresso or Barista style machine
There are many variables when using an espresso machine that impact the taste of the coffee
PROS
Emma says: ‘Coffee made by espresso machine has grown in popularity because the drink generally provides a coffee with strength,depth and intensity of flavour, giving you a fuller feel in your mouth. This is because of the water pressure passing over the coffee, forcing the coffee solubles out of the grind into the cup.
Howard said: There is so much variation in what you can make, and espresso is, in my opinion, the greatest form of coffee, with such a heavy body and so much aroma coming off the cup before you even take a sip.
CONS
Emma says: ‘There are many variables when using an espresso machine that impact the taste of the coffee.
‘Therefore, more knowledge and skill is generally needed to get the best tasting coffee. These variables include coffee beans, roast type, freshness, grind size, temperature and tampering.
‘Any of these not quite right can result in coffee that can taste bitter (under extracted) or taste woody and watery (over extracted).
‘There has been a huge rise in home ‘bean to cup’ espresso machines which endeavour to manage a number of these variables for the maker.’
V60
This is an excellent method of brewing to achieve clarity of flavour, according to Emma
PROS
Emma says: ‘This is an excellent method of brewing to achieve clarity of flavour and for highlighting different flavours in the coffee. Best used with single origin coffees (rather than blends) and light roasted coffee.’
Niall Munro | founder of Birch said: ‘ For me, drinking coffee from a V60 or Aeropress is the perfect way to enjoy and get the most out of your cup. Whilst being a deliciously refreshing brew, the subtle and delicate notes can be tasted, along with the more bold flavours that lots would associate with coffee – such as caramel and chocolate. This is especially applicable to light roasts, as the fruitiness of the coffee hasn’t been lost during the roasting process which, in turn, adds so much flavour to your drink.
CONS
Emma says: ‘There is a little bit of knowledge needed to use this method. Be sure to have the right grind size (medium to fine) to get the flavour notes out of the coffee. It is also important to have the right amount of coffee for the right amount of water.’
AEROPRESS
An aeropress is a great way to brew while travelling
PROS
Emma says: ‘This is a super method to make a great brew away from home (we take one away every time we travel);
CONS
Emma says: ‘The Aeropress can be a bit fiddly and messy, plus it only makes small amounts of coffee (1-2 people max per brew)’
MOKA POT
‘The moka pot can sometimes give you coffee with a burnt flavour, to avoid this, turn down the heat once the coffee starts flowing into the pot,’ Emma says
PROS
Emma says: Another useful brew method when travelling and the coffee is ready relatively quickly. It also makes coffee at a higher heat, pulling out the flavours in the coffee, so you can still get a nice cup of coffee with ‘less special’ coffee.
Howard says:: ‘Iconic and low effort, yet still makes a really good espresso. You can also brew something closer to a filter-style coffee.
CONS
Emma says: ‘The moka pot can sometimes give you coffee with a burnt flavour, to avoid this, turn down the heat once the coffee starts flowing into the pot.
Howard says: ‘Howard says: ‘Brews at 100 degrees, which can slightly burn the coffee. It’s also harder to clean.
FRENCH PRESS
Howard says: ‘Needs to sit for a long time to achieve good extraction. It also lacks clarity compared to a V60.’
PROS
Emma says: ‘Good for doing large qualities quickly (2 minute brew time). With fresh coffee beans, ground to the right grind size (medium to coarse), you can achieve a good range of coffees flavours. It’s simple to use so good for the every day coffee drinker or a smaller office environment.’
CONS
Emma says: ‘French Press can be a little messy, plus the coffee is best drunk as soon as its brewed, otherwise it may start to stew and the flavour will become ‘dirty’ tasting.
Howard says: ‘Needs to sit for a long time to achieve good extraction. It also lacks clarity compared to a V60.’
PODS MACHINES
Howard says: ‘Extremely convenient, easy, and quick, with loads of options for flavours and coffee origins online.
PROS
Emma says: ‘These machines provide no fuss coffee as they are so easy to operate and leave little mess. There are now speciality coffee pods that make better tasting coffees than the traditional, more commercial coffee providers.
Howard says: ‘Extremely convenient, easy, and quick, with loads of options for flavours and coffee origins online.
CONS
Emma says: ‘Pod drinkers need to be aware that there is only 5-6 grams of coffee in a standard pod (about a quarter of the amount used in a double espresso), meaning the intensity of flavour and full mouth feel can be hard to achieve.