Best Coffee Machines UK (2026)
The right coffee machine depends on how much fuss you want. This guide compares bean-to-cup, pod, espresso and filter machines picked by Mumsnet's panel and by Expert Reviews' testing, so you can match the machine to your budget and how you drink coffee.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
De'Longhi Magnifica Bean-to-Cup
Best overall bean-to-cup
The most recommended machine on Mumsnet's forums. It works with beans or pre-ground coffee, has adjustable strength and length, and descales automatically.
- Beans or pre-ground coffee
- Customisable strength and length
- Quick and easy to clean
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| De'Longhi Magnifica Bean-to-Cup | Best overall bean-to-cup | Bean-to-cup, 1.8L tank, milk frother | Check price |
| Sage The Barista Express | Best for coffee enthusiasts | Bean-to-cup espresso, built-in grinder | Check price |
| Gaggia Classic Pro | Best for authentic espresso | Manual espresso, brushed stainless steel | Check price |
| Breville One-Touch VCF108 | Best versatile ground and pod | Ground coffee and pods, automatic milk frother | Check price |
| Tassimo by Bosch Vivy 2 | Best budget pod machine | Pod, self-cleaning | Check price |
| Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea | Best premium pod for lattes | Pod, built-in milk frother, 8 drinks | Check price |
| Melitta Filter Coffee Machine | Best filter machine | 10 large or 15 small cups | Check price |
| AeroPress Coffee Maker | Best budget and portable | Manual, ready in about 30 seconds | Check price |
| Jura C8 | Best premium bean-to-cup | Bean-to-cup, 200g hopper, automatic milk frothing | Check price |
| Nespresso Vertuo Pop | Best compact pod machine | Pod, 600ml tank, 8-capsule bin | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall bean-to-cup
De'Longhi Magnifica Bean-to-Cup
The most recommended machine on Mumsnet's forums. It works with beans or pre-ground coffee, has adjustable strength and length, and descales automatically.
- Type
- Bean-to-cup
- Water tank
- 1.8L
- Milk frother
- Yes
- Cup warmer
- Yes
- Warranty
- 2 years
Pros
- Beans or pre-ground coffee
- Customisable strength and length
- Quick and easy to clean
- Automatic descaling
Cons
- Milk frother takes practice
Best for coffee enthusiasts
Sage The Barista Express
A bean-to-cup espresso machine with a built-in grinder, automatic and manual settings and a milk frother. It is a big investment and can be complex for beginners.
- Type
- Bean-to-cup espresso
- Water tank
- 2L
- Milk frother
- Yes
- Cup warmer
- Yes
Pros
- Grinds beans for strong coffee
- Automatic and manual settings
- Stainless steel body
Cons
- Expensive initial investment
- Complex for beginners
Best for authentic espresso
Gaggia Classic Pro
A professional-looking espresso machine with a crema attachment that works with pods and grounds. It rewards practice but has a steep learning curve.
- Type
- Espresso
- Water tank
- 2.1L
- Milk frother
- Yes
Pros
- Professional appearance
- Authentic Italian-style espresso
- Works with pods and grounds
Cons
- High price
- Steep learning curve
Best versatile ground and pod
Breville One-Touch VCF108
A stylish machine that takes ground coffee or pods, with an automatic milk frother and a fridge-storable milk tank.
- Type
- Ground coffee and pod
- Water tank
- 1.4L
- Milk frother
- Yes
Pros
- Stylish design
- Works with grounds and pods
- Adjustable drip tray
- Automatic milk frother
Best budget pod machine
Tassimo by Bosch Vivy 2
A good-value pod machine that makes Costa lattes and Cadbury hot chocolate, is self-cleaning and has an adjustable drip tray. Pod waste is the main drawback.
- Type
- Pod
- Recycling
- About 130 UK recycling points (Mumsnet)
Pros
- Brilliantly priced
- Costa lattes and Cadbury hot chocolate
- Self-cleaning
- Adjustable drip tray
Cons
- Pod waste
Best premium pod for lattes
Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea
A pod machine with a built-in milk frother, adjustable froth levels and eight drink options. Mumsnet rates the coffee highly, though pod machines at this level are pricey.
- Type
- Pod
- Water tank
- 1.1L
- Milk frother
- Yes
- Drinks
- 8 (3 black, 5 milky)
Pros
- Built-in milk frother
- Adjustable froth levels
- Eight drink options
- Highly rated
Cons
- Upper-end pricing for a pod machine
Best filter machine
Melitta Filter Coffee Machine
A filter machine that makes 10 large or 15 small cups, with adjustable strength and a reinforced thermal jug that keeps coffee warm for two hours.
- Type
- Filter
- Water tank
- 1.2L
- Jug
- Thermal, keeps coffee warm for two hours
Pros
- Makes 10 large or 15 small cups
- Adjustable strength
- Thermal jug
Cons
- Functional rather than stylish
Best budget and portable
AeroPress Coffee Maker
A compact manual coffee maker that Mumsnet says makes great coffee and takes up little space. It makes one cup at a time.
- Type
- Manual
- Water capacity
- 0.35L
Pros
- Great coffee for the price
- Takes up little space
- Ready in about 30 seconds
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Manual operation
- One cup at a time
Best premium bean-to-cup
Jura C8
Expert Reviews' premium pick. It produces excellent coffee quality with an easy-to-use automatic milk system, though it is expensive and limited to four drink options.
- Type
- Bean-to-cup
- Bean hopper
- 200g
- Water tank
- 1.6L
- Milk frother
- Automatic
Pros
- Excellent coffee quality
- Easy to use
- Great milk system
Cons
- Expensive
- Only four drink options
Best compact pod machine
Nespresso Vertuo Pop
Expert Reviews' pick for compact spaces. It is small, comes in several colours and offers various drink sizes, though its water tank and mug clearance are limited.
- Type
- Pod
- Water tank
- 600ml
- Capsule bin
- 8 capsules
Pros
- Compact
- Various drink sizes
- Several colour options
Cons
- Limited mug clearance
- Small water tank
Buying guide
Bean-to-cup, pod or filter?
Bean-to-cup machines grind fresh beans and give the closest thing to cafe coffee with minimal effort, but cost the most. Pod machines are convenient and simple but create waste and cost more per cup. Filter machines are good for making several cups.
Do I need a milk frother?
If you mostly drink lattes and cappuccinos, an automatic milk system saves time, but they need regular cleaning. If you drink black coffee, you can skip it.
How do I keep a coffee machine in good condition?
Descale it regularly as the manufacturer recommends, clean the milk system after use, and empty drip trays and grounds containers often.
Sources
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