Find the right type of coffee maker with our Best Buy recommendations and expert shopping advice.
Compare all the coffee machines we have tested with ours coffee machine reviews.
The Best Coffee Machines for 2024
The machines below are the best coffee machines of all the machines we tested – to see more highly rated machines of each type, click on the links.
Every year, we rigorously test coffee machines – from espresso quality to energy efficiency – to find the best machine for you. Only logged in members For a complete list of the best coffee machines, see the table below. Join which one? to get instant access to our Best Buys and expert reviews.
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Why you should trust our coffee machine reviews
We go out and buy every coffee machine we test – so no sneaky “freebies” from PR companies.
We test about 40 coffee machines every year. Each model undergoes stringent independent laboratory testing, and all models are tested in the same way, regardless of manufacturer claims.
Our team of experienced tasters evaluate the espresso and cappuccino from each machine, while laboratory experts measure temperature, dispensing time, energy efficiency, noise level and more.
Explanation of types of coffee machines
The type of coffee maker you choose will depend on the type of coffee you like to drink, your budget, and how practical you want your drinks to be.
Capsule coffee machines
The most popular type are capsule or pod machines. They’ll probably suit you if you’re looking for a quick and uncomplicated way to make coffee at home.
Advantages:
- Usually quite compact, so it won’t take up too much space in your kitchen.
- Low-cost to buy – some cost as little as £40.
- Speedy, straightforward and consistent results, requiring minimal clean-up.
- Some also serve drinks such as scorching chocolate and tea.
- Perfect for occasional coffee drinkers, as tightly closed capsules keep the coffee fresh.
- You can have a range of coffee flavours and styles at once.
Cons:
- Higher price per unit than ground or coffee beans.
- Coffee capsules are a source of waste as many are made of plastic – although some are greener than others.
- You’re usually locked into using a specific type of capsule (like Nespresso capsules), which limits your choice of drink and where you can buy capsules. Some are only available online.
More shopping tips can be found in the article Bthese are capsule coffee machines.
Conventional espresso machines
A customary coffee machine will be right for you if you want more control over your coffee and don’t mind making your drinks by hand. They also offer a good compromise between the initial cost and the ongoing cost of your coffee.
Pros:
- You can employ any ground coffee, provided it is the right grind (fine espresso).
- Some people may also employ ESE capsules (like coffee and tea bags), which doesn’t create a mess.
- Cheaper per cup than capsules.
- Greater control over drink strength and volume.
- You can make two drinks at once.
Cons:
- The process of making coffee can take some time to master, and there is more room for error.
- More manual preparation and cleaning than other types.
More shopping tips can be found in the article Bthese are espresso machines.
Coffee bean machines
If you want to make the freshest coffee possible and have more to spend, a bean-to-cup coffee maker is the right choice for you.
Pros:
- Grind beans on demand for a fresh brew.
- Most of them automate the coffee-making process, but manually operated models are also available.
- You can employ a variety of coffee beans and in some cases even ground coffee.
- Some of them have extensive settings that can be customized to your needs, so you can create personalized drinks and save preferences.
- Some can prepare two drinks at once.
Cons:
- They are usually much more costly.
- Some models are very huge and bulky.
- It can be complex to spotless and prone to clogging.
- It may be loud when sanding.
For more shopping tips, check out our shopping guide the best coffee bean machines.
Don’t like espresso? See our guide to best drip coffee makers.
The best coffee machine features to consider
No matter what type of coffee maker you choose, here are some critical features of the machine to consider:
Descaling program
Regularly cleaning and descaling your appliance will support it work well for longer. Look for automatic cleaning programs to make it less of a hassle. If you have to spotless it manually, check if the parts are uncomplicated to remove for cleaning and if they are dishwasher unthreatening.
Immense water tank
If you tend to make a lot of coffee at once, look for a model with a larger water tank, around 1.5 liters, otherwise you’ll have to constantly refill it. Some capsule coffee machines have very tiny tanks.
Milk frother
If you are a fan of milky drinks such as cappuccino and latte, choose a coffee machine with a milk frothing function.
There are several options: you need to decide whether you want your drink to be prepared for you, or whether you prefer to froth the milk and add it to the coffee.
Steam wand – the customary option, most commonly found in ground coffee and some bean-to-cup machines. You froth the milk in a separate jug with a shot of steam, then you can add it to your drink. Some premium versions are semi-automatic, so you just insert the wand into the jug to create the froth.
Standalone frother – a separate gadget that whips and heats milk, which you can add to your coffee. Often sold with Nespresso and Lavazza machines.
Automatic, built-in frother – available in coffee beans and some ground/capsule coffee machines. Just pour the milk into a special container, and the built-in frother sucks it in and dispenses the frothed milk directly into the cup.
Milk pods – pre-prepared capsules with UHT milk or powdered milk dispense foam directly into the cup. Used in Tassimo and Dolce Gusto capsule coffee machines.
Personalization/memory function
Some coffee machines allow you to customize pre-set beverage settings to suit your preferences. This means that the machine automatically dispenses the right amount of coffee at the perfect strength every time.
Smart control
Currently, only a tiny number of brands produce sharp coffee machines. When we asked brands how long they would support their coffee machines with critical security updates after launch, only Miele agreed to tell us that they would support their Clever Home app with security updates for up to 10 years.
While you may not be at immediate risk by using a device that is not supported, it is highly recommended that you purchase and employ a device that you know will support updates for a longer period of time.
For more information, read our guide sharp devices and security.
What type of machine offers the best value for money?
Based on drinking two espressos a day for five years, and taking into account the initial cost of the cheapest suitable Best Buy machine, we calculated how the costs of each type of machine add up over time.
The result? At £773, the customary coffee machine is the cheapest in five years, followed by the bean-to-cup machine at £1,033, and the coffee capsules at £1,153.
The most costly option is to buy takeaway coffees twice a day – this will cost a staggering £7,118!
Longevity is also critical. To find out which brands make machines that run smoothly for longer, check out our guide coffee machine brands are the most reliable.
Where to buy a coffee machine
Popular online retailers selling coffee machines.
- Argos offers capsule, bean-to-cup and espresso models from brands including Nespresso, De’Longhi and Tassimo. Select Click and Collect and Argos will hold the item for seven days.
- John Lewis lists Sage, Tassimo and Nespresso among its most popular brands. The list of products includes: Krups Nespresso Pixie.
- Curry sells a wide range of machines. Standard delivery is free on orders over £40, with next day delivery starting from £5.99.
- Amazon offers hundreds of coffee machines to choose from and regularly offers models at discounted prices.
To see which retailers are rated highly by Which? members, see our expert guide best and worst stores.
