When it comes to something as earth-shatteringly important as coffee, everyone has an opinion. Some crave a single perfect shot of espresso, while others seek the milkiest latte; some love Starbucks and others, well, don’t. This is why the idea of there being a single best coffee machine is fanciful – everyone’s idea of the perfect coffee couldn’t be more different.
As a selfless service to coffee drinkers everywhere, I’ve spent months researching and testing coffee machines to produce a shortlist of tried-and-tested recommendations. The list spans all the main types of coffee maker: manual espresso, filter, bean-to-cup and capsule (not sure what all of this means? Read our dedicated guide to the different types of coffee machine.
I’ve aimed this guide at everyday coffee lovers who want to up their game without spending a fortune or losing hours to perfecting their craft. Ease of use, simplicity and relative affordability play just as important a role as the quality of the coffee. If you love coffee and need a little help choosing, then read on – you’ll brew better coffee with one of these machines on your worktop.
At a glance
Why you should trust me
Having spent more than seven years as the resident coffee bore at an expert product testing publication, I’ve wiled away countless hours in the search for better-tasting coffee. I’ve tested every type of machine from capsule, filter and fully automated bean-to-cup models all the way through to fully manual espresso machines.
Sadly, though, I have had to accept defeat in my pursuit of latte art mastery – despite the occasional happy accident, most of my attempts resemble indecent cave drawings. I apologise in advance for any incriminating photo evidence.
How I tested
I tested (or retested) 10 machines, several of which I’ve reviewed previously and three of which have a permanent place on my kitchen worktop. I’ve also pored over user reviews and forums, and consulted the recommendations of trusted coffee experts online and on YouTube, in the search for other models to test.
Every machine has been run alongside either my own go-to machines or a curated selection of rivals for side-by-side taste and usability testing. Several kilos of fresh coffee beans and a pile of Nespresso-compatible pods have been sourced direct from my go-to roaster, Craft House Coffee. I’ve used the manufacturers’ official pods where applicable, too.
For the filter and espresso machines that don’t have an integrated coffee grinder, I’ve used my own: a Baratza Vario W+ and a Kingrinder K6 hand grinder. I consumed so much coffee during the testing process that my blood type is now skinny macchiato.
After testing, any coffee machines sourced for this article are either being returned to their sources or being donated to Well Wishers, the official charity of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
The best coffee machines in 2024
Best manual machine for beginners:
Sage Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus’s balance of coffee-brewing talent and beginner-friendly features can’t be beaten for the money. It welcomes even complete newcomers with its friendly, informative user manual and helpful YouTube tutorials, and it’s capable of brewing brilliant coffee.
Why we love it
It’s a neat little machine, and the modest dimensions mean it’ll slot unobtrusively on to most kitchen worktops. Sage supplies almost everything you need in the box, too. I say almost everything: you’ll also need some good fresh coffee beans and something to grind them with.
The quality of the coffee seals the deal here, however. In something of a rarity at this price, the Bambino Plus has a temperature controller, ensuring the brewing water hits the coffee grounds at a consistent temperature. Combine that with a decent-quality coffee bean and a capable grinder, and you’ve got a recipe for routinely good espresso with a bare minimum of faff.
Factor in the automatic milk texturing, which serves up wonderfully hot, silky, frothed milk at the press of a button, and it’s invigoratingly easy to whip up superb flat whites and cappuccinos. It’s a beginner’s dream.
It’s a shame that … the manual mode doesn’t feel quite right without a proper physical dial, so budding baristas may hanker for a fully manual espresso machine.
As you can’t adjust the brew temperature, you’re better off sticking with medium- to dark-roast coffee beans (lighter roasts require higher brew temperatures, so they may taste a little sour).
Machine type: assisted manual espresso
Dimensions: 19 x 36 x 30cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 6 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? yes
Peak noise level: 63dB (50dB average)
Warranty: 2 years repair, replace or refund at Sage’s discretion
The prices below reflect current Black Friday offers
£349 at John Lewis
£349.95 at Amazon
Best low-effort coffee machine:
De’Longhi Magnifica Evo One Touch
I’ve tested several De’Longhi bean-to-cup machines over the years, all the way up to its range-topping £1,999 Maestosa, but the Magnifica Evo One Touch is the best-value pick by a margin. It serves up tasty espresso, americanos and lattes with minimum fuss.
Why we love it
The machine is fairly compact by bean-to-cup standards, although you’ll need to leave a little room around and above the machine.
Bright, illuminated icons along the top edge evoke the glow of touchscreens on pricier models, but these are simple press buttons. You can choose from seven different drinks, and the built-in milk carafe allows it to serve up cappuccinos and creamy lattes with zero hassle.
The quality of the drinks isn’t as immaculate as the pricier Jura C8, but it’s not far off. Espresso is rich and flavourful, hitting about 68C, and cappuccinos and latte macchiatos are topped with a pleasingly dense layer of creamy foam. The MyLatte drink option will prove popular: fill the carafe with the right amount of milk for your preferred coffee cup, and the machine will drain the carafe and add a shot of coffee.
It’s a shame that … it’s not quiet. The grinder’s whines peak at 75dB, and the average noise level of 60dB is markedly louder than the Jura. The lack of a dedicated hot milk function feels like an oversight, too.
Machine type: bean to cup
Dimensions: 24 x 44 x 36cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 35 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? yes
Peak noise level: 75dB (average 60dB)
Warranty: 2 years repair or replace at De’Longhi’s discretion
The prices below reflect current Black Friday offers
£375 at John Lewis
£379 at De’Longhi
Best for simple filter coffee:
Moccamaster KBG Select
Spending more than £200 on a filter coffee machine might seem extravagant, but the KBG Select is anything but ordinary. Built to last a lifetime, it’s one of a few select machines to earn an accreditation from both the Specialty Coffee Association and the European Coffee Brewing Centre for its brewing prowess.
Why we love it
That the machine is designed and handbuilt in the Netherlands goes some way towards explaining the high price. As does the five-year warranty and the promise of lifelong repairability. It certainly doesn’t hurt that you can pick from more than 20 kitchen-matching colours.
It couldn’t be simpler to use: pop in a paper filter, add the ground coffee to the filter and wait patiently. You can brew anything between four and 10 125ml cups of coffee – admittedly closer to five normal-sized mugs – and a full jug takes a consistent six minutes to brew.
If you’re making fewer cups, you can flick the half-jug switch to slow the brewing process and eke every last drop of flavour from smaller doses of coffee. However much you brew, the hotplate then stays on for 40 minutes, keeping coffee warm without stewing it.
The quality of the coffee it makes, and the consistency with which it does so, is what sets the KBG Select apart. I’ve had surprisingly pleasant results from pre-ground supermarket coffee but routinely enjoy wonderful cups from freshly ground beans. Feed the KBG Select with great coffee and it quietly does the rest.
It’s a shame that … the machine feels lightweight, and the glass carafe doesn’t feel especially solid. That said, my unit has been used daily for almost two years now, and nothing has broken. Yet.
One final word of caution for any coffee perfectionists: you may prefer a machine with more adjustability, such as Sage’s well-regarded Precision Brewer.
Machine type: filter
Dimensions: 32 x 17 x 36cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 25 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? no
Peak noise level: 59dB (average 44dB)
Warranty: 5 years (excluding carafe)
£218 at AO
£212.99 at Amazon
Best for capsules:
L’or Barista Sublime
Built by Philips, this L’or-branded machine makes a huge range of coffees thanks to its compatibility with official Nespresso, Nespresso-compatible and L’or’s own range of pods. It doesn’t support the latest Vertuo pods, but this machine looks great and works well.
Why we love it
The compact dimensions are a big plus, and the design is (mostly) sensible. There’s a removable 0.8l water tank at the rear, and the drip tray and pod bin slide out together.
It’s easy to use, too. Simply lift the large curved handle on top, pop in a capsule and close the lid. You can also pour two normal-sized cups simultaneously.
I wasn’t a fan of some of the more potent XXL L’or espresso pods – although the high-street chain flavour may be to some tastes – but there are more than 100 other options from which to choose.
It’s a shame that … the drip tray, lid and pod bin separate with minimal encouragement, so it’s easy to send their contents scattering across your kitchen floor if you’re not paying attention.
Nor is it the quietest machine, although it’s unlikely to wake up the household.
Some users have reported that the machine doesn’t play nicely with all Nespresso-compatible capsules. I had no such problems during my testing, but it’s worth buying a handful of capsules to test before buying in bulk.
Opinions are mixed on the sustainability of capsule coffee, but L’or and Nespresso’s standard aluminium capsules can be sent back for recycling – both companies provide free postage options for returning capsules in bulk. L’or doesn’t yet offer compostable options, but Nespresso and Nespresso-compatible compostable capsules are available.
Machine type: capsule
Dimensions: 16 x 40 x 28cm (WDH);
Time to heat up: 4 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? no
Peak noise level: 60dB (average 45dB)
Warranty: 2 years
The prices below reflect current Black Friday offers
£218 at AO
Best premium low-effort coffee:
Jura C8
Jura describes its C8 as its first entry into the “premium economy segment”, which gives you a good idea of how expensive the rest of its machines are. The C8 is, however, an example of trickle-down technology done right. It makes only four types of coffee but makes them very well indeed. The design is well thought out, and it’s easy to use. A class act through and through.
after newsletter promotion
Why we love it
There’s only so lovely you can make a large black cuboid, but Jura’s done well here. It’s all plastic, but it doesn’t feel unsubstantial, and unlike rival machines, there’s precious little in the way of lumps and protrusions.
One of my favourite features is the milk system: the milk carafe itself is rather elegant, or you can choose to drop the rubber tube into a milk bottle or jug straight from the fridge.
Espresso is among the best from any bean-to-cup machine I’ve tested in this price range, and the Jura produces a smoother, more balanced shot than cheaper machines. The black coffee is good, and although the cappuccino is similarly tasty, the latte macchiato was my favourite – the combination of a nice dense milk foam and well-extracted coffee is dangerously moreish.
It’s a shame that … it’s mostly quiet – noise levels hover around 45dB while brewing and grinding – but the milk system can make a loud 70dB slurp when it first starts to pull milk through.
Machine type: bean to cup
Dimensions: 26 x 44 x 33cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 30 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? yes
Peak noise level: 70dB (average 45dB)
Warranty: 25 months repair or replace at Jura’s discretion
£895 at John Lewis
£894.95 at Harts of Stur
Best Nespresso machine:
Nespresso Vertuo Plus
The Vertuo Plus uses Nespresso’s larger, pricier Vertuo capsules, allowing it to make everything from surprisingly refined espresso to half-litre carafes.
Why we love it
If you’re looking for the most compact machine possible, then the Vertuo Plus isn’t it. Standing almost 33cm tall, the Plus’s curved body and offset water tank are quite an imposing sight next to the smaller capsule machines on my kitchen counter.
Crucially, though, the Vertuo Plus makes a mean coffee. You can use any of the Vertuo capsules, and the machine did a great job with all those I tested. It’s much quieter than the Vertuo Lattissima, too, and while the noise levels reach 54dB when the capsules spin up, it’s a much less annoying thrum than its stablemate.
One word of warning: lungos come out at a steaming hot 78C, perfect for adding milk, but tongue-searingly hot without. Espresso shots tend to pour into the cup at about 70C, so are drinkable right away.
It’s a shame that … the retail price is high. However, it’s regularly discounted. The same machine is made by several different manufacturers, though, so you’ll see versions with slightly different styling.
Machine type: capsule
Dimensions: 22 x 35 x 33cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 27 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? no
Peak noise level: 54.5dB (average 50.5dB)
Warranty: 2 years repair or replace at Nespresso’s discretion
The prices below reflect current Black Friday offers
£199 at Nespresso
£99 at Fenwick
Best of the rest
Lavazza Jolie Evo
Best for: hassle-free Italian espresso and tasty black coffees
There are cheaper capsule machines and there are far fancier ones, but the £99 Jolie Evo earns a recommendation by making consistently enjoyable coffee. Lavazza’s A Modo Mio capsule range is small, but each gives a pleasingly brash, nutty Italian espresso flavour with minimal hassle, and the machine itself is compact and uncomplicated.
Why we love it
The Jolie Evo is tiny, so fits into tiny gaps on a kitchen worktop. The removable 0.6l water tank saves you from carrying jugs of water across the kitchen, and the little bin holds five caps.
The machine heats up in 30 to 35 seconds, then you drop a capsule in the slot, pull down the lever (which has a rather satisfying action, it must be said) and press the button. The Jolie Evo will keep pouring until you press the button a second time, so you can have any amount of coffee from the shortest ristretto to a longer 160ml brew. It’s reasonably quiet, too, and I measured a peak sound level of 45dB from a metre away.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the water tank can be a little fiddly to slot back into place. Also, the capsule drawer doesn’t always push back flush with the surround.
Machine type: capsule; dimensions: 12 x 33 x 21cm (WDH); time to heat up: 35 seconds; makes milk-based drinks? no; peak noise level: 45dB (average 35dB); warranty: 2 years repair or replace at Lavazza’s discretion
The prices below reflect current Black Friday offers
£49.50 at Lavazza
£44.99 at Amazon
Sage Barista Touch Impress
Best for: manual espresso excellence without the effort
If it weren’t for the price, this would be in one of the top slots: it’s become my go-to for espresso, cappuccino and beyond. The combination of automatic grinding, dosing and brewing assistance and the excellent automatic milk texturing is a life-saver when I need to be juggling kids rather than coffee paraphernalia.
The Barista Touch Impress is truly lovely to use. The bright touchscreen guides you gently through the process of dialling in your espresso and steaming your milk, so even beginners don’t feel too overwhelmed. What’s more, it optimises the grind size and amount of coffee to ensure that every shot extracts the optimal amount of flavour.
All the little details make for a great experience, such as the Baratza-manufactured burrs in the grinder, the adjustable brew temperature and the overall ease of use. And, although it’s assisted, the physical process of handling the portafilter and popping the milk jug under the wand makes you feel like you’re doing it all yourself.
This is barista cosplay for lazy and busy espresso fans – and I count myself as being in both camps simultaneously.
It didn’t make the final cut because … for the same kind of money, you could buy a very capable fully manual machine, a quality grinder and still have enough cash for a few kilos of high-end coffee beans.
Machine type: assisted manual espresso; dimensions: 36 x 34 x 42cm (WDH); time to heat up: 6 seconds; makes milk-based drinks? yes; peak noise level: 76dB (average 60dB); warranty: 2 years repair, replace or refund at Sage’s discretion
£1,199.95 from Sage
£1,199 from Amazon
Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima
Best for: sumptuous milk-based coffees with minimal effort and no mess
Built by De’Longhi, the Vertuo Lattissima is what you’d get if you crossed an automatic bean-to-cup with a Nespresso Vertuo machine. You get all the usual black coffee options, and the clip-on milk carafe means it also serves moreish cappuccinos, latte macchiatos and hot milk on demand.
It’s possible to make some gorgeously long milk-based drinks with the Vertuo Lattissima – so much so that you’ll need to unclip the small drip tray completely. Pop in an 80ml espresso capsule, for instance, and the latte macchiato button will fill a super-sized 590ml cup.
The drinks are more than worthy substitutes for any high-street coffee – I could see this machine costing people a small fortune in capsules.
It didn’t make the final cut because … as tasty as the coffees are, £379 is a lot of money. It’s rather noisy, too.
Machine type: capsule; dimensions: 19 x 41 x 31cm (WDH); time to heat up: 35 seconds; makes milk-based drinks? yes; peak noise level: 60dB (average 53dB); warranty: 2 years repair or replace at Nespresso’s discretion
The prices below reflect current Black Friday offers
£199.99 from De’Longhi
£229 from John Lewis
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
Best for: manual espresso tinkerers and secondhand bargain hunters
The Gaggia Classic lives up to its name. Despite a handful of redesigns since its release in the 1990s, this manual espresso machine has become a regular sight in the kitchens of coffee enthusiasts worldwide. It’s capable of making superb espresso, but its retro-facing looks go hand in hand with old-school engineering, and this means that getting consistently great coffee requires a fair bit of trial and error.
The decidedly unmodern construction is all part of the appeal here. The stainless steel body and chunky switches are reassuringly utilitarian, and while the drip tray just loosely slots home and the water tank is fiddly to remove, there’s a ramshackle charm to the whole thing.
It feels built to last, and it will – replacement parts are readily available. What’s more, this DIY repairability opens the door to aftermarket upgrades that can radically improve its shot-pulling capabilities, and makes it a good buy on the secondhand market, as long as you budget for potential repair costs.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s perfectly possible to pull a great espresso, but it takes a little trial and error to get there. If you’re willing to learn its quirks, you’ll find the Classic a rewarding companion.
Machine type: fully manual espresso; dimensions: 23 x 24 x 38cm (WDH); time to heat up: 1 minute; makes milk-based drinks? yes; peak noise level: 76dB (average 60dB); warranty: 3 years repair or replace
£425 from Gaggia
£474.05 from Inhabito
Sasha Muller is a freelance tech and consumer journalist, avid coffee drinker and craft beer enthusiast with more than two decades of experience in testing products and avoiding deadlines. If he’s not exploring the local woods with his kids, boring people talking about mountain bike tyres or spending ill-advised amounts on classic drum’n’bass vinyl, he’s probably to be found somewhere swearing at an inanimate object.
