Coffee is a truly magical thing that comes from the most banal of sources.
Making coffee can be as complicated as a multi-step, multi-minute session of pressurized mixology, or as uncomplicated as pouring scorching water into a mug through a mountain of ground beans. Either way, getting started on your own coffee at home can be daunting, especially if your TikTok feed is as occasionally decorated with torturously smug coffee tutorials as ours.
The truth is that anyone can make good coffee, and cheaply. But with so many different options when it comes to making coffee, which way should you go?
What type of coffee maker should I buy?
When shopping for a budget-friendly coffee machine, it’s critical to have some knowledge about the different coffee options available. Even in this budget range, there are many different coffee brewing methods that many coffee lovers prefer over the most steep machines.
For example, drip coffee is one of the simplest brewing methods, but it can be incredibly instructive about the nuances of a given blend—not to mention a more mellow drink than the compact, keen shock of flavor bomb that comes with espresso. Drip-coffee accessories are incredibly budget-friendly, but they also require following a few steps (and putting in the time) to get the best out of the process.
Sure, you might want that exact compact brew and fruity flavor. Barista-style coffee machines are challenging to find for under £100 (though not entirely impossible), but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great espresso. There are a number of hand-pressed coffee makers on the market, each finding clever ways to build pressure and produce a elaborate, flavorful cup.
If you’re looking for a more immediate solution, you’ll want to look into pod coffee machines instead. Pod coffee is a bit controversial, but it might be just what the doctor ordered – especially if you’re getting ready to commute.
The best budget-friendly coffee machines under £100 to buy in brief
- Best Overall: Barista & Co Strong Brew Coffee Machine – £35.99, Amazon
- Best for drip coffee: Hario V60 02 Ceramic Coffee Maker – £25.82, Amazon
- Best for elegant stovetop coffee making: Bialetti Moka Express Aluminum Stovetop Coffee Maker – Italia Collection (3 cups) – £27.99, Amazon
- Best for long black hair without further ado: Barista & Co Brew It Stick – £14.99, Amazon
- Best for espresso capsules: L’Or Philips Barista Sublime LM9012/60 Coffee Machine – Black – £59.99, Currys
- Best for convenient and versatile coffee brewing in pods: Dolce Gusto De’Longhi Genio S Touch EDG426GY coffee machine – £94.99, Currys
- Best for filter coffee at home: Morphy Richards 162501 Drip Coffee Maker – Black – £35, Argos
- Best Tassimo coffee maker for under £50: Bosch Tassimo Suny TAS3012Gb Coffee Machine Black – £39.99, Amazon
- Best for barista-style espresso under £100: Coffee machine Swan SK22110GRYN Nordic Pump Espresso – £98, Argos
- Best for portable coffee making: Aeropress Go Coffee Maker – £40, Amazon
Regardless of what coffee snobs think about one method or the other, we’ve taken an impartial look at the entire field of budget-friendly coffee machines under £100.
The right budget-friendly coffee maker under £100 ultimately comes down to two things – your favorite type of coffee and your desire for convenience. In this writer’s case, however, the slight fuss of making drip coffee Hario V60 Ceramic V-shaped conical coffee dripper is meditative in nature, and the effects of drinking coffee are worth the time spent.
