FORGET queuing at your local café – that barista-quality coffee kick can now be yours at home with 2025’s impressive lineup of high-tech coffee machines.
The days of settling for instant coffee are long gone. Today’s smart machines let you whip up everything from velvety cappuccinos and silky lattes to rich Americanos with just a few taps or button presses.
Whether you prefer pods, beans, or ground coffee, these clever devices do all the hard work for you.
Simply add your coffee, press a button, and within seconds, you’re enjoying café-quality drinks without the café prices.
With so many options hitting the market in 2025 – from budget-friendly pod machines to premium bean-to-cup models – choosing the right one can feel more complicated than ordering at a speciality coffee shop.
That’s exactly why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide.
We’ve thoroughly tested the UK’s top coffee machines to help you find the perfect match for your morning brew, counter space, and budget.
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How we tested
Our coffee machine testing isn’t just about making a quick cuppa – we put each machine through its paces with a thorough brewing bootcamp to ensure you’re getting the real deal.
First up, we examined how faff-free each machine was to set up and use. After all, who wants to battle with complicated controls before their morning caffeine fix?
We checked whether instructions were clear, buttons were intuitive, and you could get from box to brew without breaking a sweat.
For pod machines, we investigated how easily available the pods are – looking at supermarket availability, online options, and whether you’re tied to expensive brand-specific capsules or can save with compatible alternatives.
We pushed each machine to show off its range, testing everything from simple espressos to fancy frothy lattes to see which ones delivered cafe-quality results across different drinks.
The look and feel of each machine got our full attention – because, let’s face it, something taking up precious worktop space needs to look the part!
We assessed build quality, considered different kitchen styles, and measured the actual footprint to help you figure out if it’ll squeeze into your space.
Most crucially, we taste-tested every single coffee (tough job, but someone’s got to do it!), judging temperature, strength, crema quality, and that all-important flavour.
Because even the shiniest, most feature-packed machine isn’t worth your money if it can’t deliver a properly delicious brew.
Best coffee machines at a glance:
- Best overall: Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup
- Best budget: De’Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS
- Best pod: Nespresso Vertuo Next by Krups
- Best for milk-based drinks: Lavazza A Modo Mio Deśea
- Best traditional espresso: Beem Espresso Perfect Portafilter
- Best filter: Wilfa Performance Coffee Machine
- Best multi-compatible pod: Philips L’Or Barista Sublime
- Best retro: Salter Retro Espresso Machine
- Best smart: Nespresso Vertuo Pop
1. Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup
Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup
£679.99
Pros: Barista-quality coffee at home, impressive range of coffee styles, intelligent self-cleaning system
Cons: Takes time to master your perfect settings, premium price tag
Rating: 5/5
As a frequent coffee drinker, there’s nothing I love more than freshly brewed coffee, and the Philips 5400 LatteGo promises that every single time with the touch of a few buttons.
It takes up a bit of counter space and is a bit fiddly to assemble as you need to attach a few parts separately and set up the screen, but once it’s done, that’s the hardest bit out of the way.
It has a sleek interface, and you can pick whatever coffee you want from extensive options that you normally wouldn’t be able to enjoy at home, like latte macchiato, flat white,
Each drink has a customisable setting for you to personalise the ratio of caffeine and liquid per coffee and it also includes an extra shot function, which I personally enjoyed.
It does take a bit of trial and error to figure out what your ideal setting is. The first time I made a cappuccino, I hadn’t adjusted the setting, so it turned out way too milky for me, but after figuring it out, it was one of the best at-home coffees I had.
While it’s easy to use, I’d say the machine is better for regular coffee drinkers who know what type and intensity of coffee they enjoy.
It’s super easy to clean as there’s a self-cleaning function, and the drip tray and ground container can be easily removed, rinsed and reattached once dry.
Although it’s compatible with ground coffee, it works better with coffee beans as it has an in-built grinder and it can be hard to clean the section for ground beans. I once tried pouring water down it, and it leaked. Not to mention, it’s quite pricey.
But since I’ve used the machine, I’ve never had a coffee falter in quality, and it’s even made me buy fewer coffees from shops as they pale in comparison to what I have at home.
Size: 24.6 x 37.2 x 43.3 cm, Weight: 8kg, Coffee compatibility: Coffee beans, ground coffee (works best with beans)
2. Nespresso Vertuo Next by Krups
Nespresso Vertuo Next by Krups
£149
Pros: Intelligent barcode-reading technology, café-quality crema on every brew, sleek eco-friendly design
Cons: Pods still primarily available online/in Nespresso boutiques, premium price for capsules
Rating: 4.5/5
The Vertuo Next Pod coffee machine proves Nespresso’s a household name for a reason.
Priced at £150, this machine’s compatible with Nespresso’s wide range of Vertuo pods that come in so many delicious flavours, both caffeinated and not.
Not only are the pods all recyclable, but the removable parts of this are dishwasher safe, which is a plus.
I can confirm that this easy-to-use machine gives you barista-level coffee in a matter of seconds, and we’re obsessed.
Some capsules are frothy, others creamy – there is something for all coffee tastes.
The only real downside is that you can’t purchase their capsules in your local supermarket.
You have to either order them online or head to a Nespresso store if you’re lucky enough to live near one.
Size: H31.4 x W14.2 x D42.9cm, Weight: 4kg, Pod compatibility: Nespresso Vertuo capsules only
3. De’Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS
De’Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS
£35
Pros: Incredible value for money, super-compact footprint, impressive drink variety from one tiny machine
Cons: No smart connectivity features, limited to Dolce Gusto pod ecosystem
Rating: 4/5
Perfect for smaller kitchens, this dinky machine is very user-friendly and has a manual lever, so you can control the size of your drink exactly.
It’s very quick to heat up and can produce a range of Dolce Gusto hot drinks as well as Starbucks-branded ones.
For the non-coffee drinkers in your life, this machine also makes tea and hot chocolate using the appropriate Dolce Gusto pods, so it’s sure to get a lot of use.
While I reviewed the black version, there are other colours to choose from, including red and white, and you can often find discounts, making it one of the best bargain machines.
Size: H27.6 x W13.6 x D26.6cm, Weight: 2.1kg, Pod compatibility: Dolce Gusto pods only
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4. Lavazza A Modo Mio Deśea
Lavazza A Modo Mio Deśea
£249.99
Pros: Revolutionary milk-frothing technology, stunning Italian design, impressive range of milk-based specialties
Cons: Premium price point, limited to Lavazza’s capsule ecosystem
Rating: 4/5
There’s little not to like about the Lavazza Deśea.
It looks great and adds a certain level of elegance to your work surfaces.
It’s also extremely easy to use, quick to clean, and makes great-tasting coffee.
While it’s inconvenient that the Deśea is limited to capsules from Lavazza’s own-brand range, the A Modo Mio (“my way”) capsules made are reasonably priced, have a good range of intensity levels and are compostable.
The standout feature of the Deśea (which means “wish” in Spanish) is its ability to make milk-based coffees such as cappuccinos and lattes.
This feature, which uses technology patented by Lavazza, sets it apart from other coffee machines and will be a big selling point to people who want foamy coffees without the fuss of a separate milk frother.
Size: H28 x W14.5 x D38cm, Weight: 4.5kg, Pod compatibility: A Modo Mio capsules only
5. Beem Espresso Perfect Portafilter
Beem Espresso Perfect Portafilter
£179.99
Pros: Professional-quality steam wand, multiple brewing methods, authentic espresso taste and crema
Cons: Steeper learning curve than one-button pod machines, requires more counter space than compact options
Rating: 4/5
A great option for wannabe baristas, this seems more like a traditional espresso machine.
It has a steam nozzle to froth milk and uses pods, pads or ground espresso.
I made a tasty flat white with fresh milk, which was less synthetic than pods.
It’s pricier than other pod machines. However, you can also use it with ground coffee, and it’s a worthy investment that produces high-quality coffees at ease.
One happy customer commented: ‘So far, I’m very impressed and would recommend.’
It’s currently out of stock, but you can sign up to be informed of when it’s restocked by BEEM.
Size: H29.5 x W28.5 x L20.5cm, Weight: 4.33kg, Coffee compatibility: Ground coffee, ESE pods and coffee pads
6. Wilfa Performance Coffee Machine
Wilfa Performance Coffee Machine
£299.99
Pros: Precision temperature control for perfect brewing, sleek Scandinavian design, consistent café-quality results
Cons: No wake-up timer function, occasional drip-stop hiccups
Rating: 4/5
The Wilfa Performance Coffee machine looks super sleek and stylish on my kitchen counter and doesn’t take up too much space, which is a bonus.
If you like filter coffee, this machine produces consistently delicious results.
The machine heats the water to what experts say is the optimal coffee brewing temperature, and you can decide on the amount of coffee and water you use and the speed of the drip.
Once I’d figured out what quantities and speed I most preferred, I was able to recreate my perfect brew time and time again.
The hot plate keeps the coffee at a drinkable temperature, but it shuts off after 40 minutes, so you have to reactivate it if you’re taking longer to drink it than that, though it doesn’t often last that long in my house.
At around £300, you’d expect all of the functions to work perfectly. However, I find that occasionally, the drip stop function doesn’t work, and I still end up with drips of coffee sizzling on the hot plate.
I also wish the machine had a timer so that I could set it the night before and wake up to freshly brewed coffee.
Overall, I really love the coffee the Wilfa makes and, therefore, can overlook some of its flaws.
Size: H30 x W17 x D36cm, Weight: 3.5kg, Coffee compatibility: Ground coffee only
7. Tassimo by Bosch Happy
Tassimo by Bosch Happy
£40
Pros: Lightning-fast heating system, clever Intellibrew technology, amazing value for money
Cons: Limited to Tassimo ecosystem, lacks the smart features of pricier models
Rating: 4/5
It’s hard to fault this compact, light and easy-to-use machine.
The water tank is built into the side, making it easy to manoeuvre around a countertop, and it also takes up very little space.
The coffee maker feels super-sturdy, heats up quickly, and, like the other Tassimo machines, can produce a huge range of drinks.
Its Intellibrew system means it automatically calculates the right brewing time for your cuppa.
I’m not the only one who loves it; a whopping 96% of Argos shoppers say they would recommend it to a friend, with most rating its performance and ease of use as its best features.
Size: H26.5 x W17.5 x D30.5cm, Weight: 1.5kg, Pod compatibility: Tassimo T Discs only
8. De’Longhi Dolce Gusto
De’Longhi Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine
£35
Pros: Impressive high-pressure brewing system, incredibly wallet-friendly price point, massive variety of pod flavours
Cons: Occasional pod-piercing problems, lacks the smart features of pricier models
Rating: 4/5
The De’Longhi Coffee Machine is decent value for money.
It’s chic and features a high-pressure system – meaning you can enjoy velvety and frothy coffees at your leisure.
I found the machine to be intuitive, and it’s also easy to clean as all the coffee grounds stay in the pod.
The machine has over forty different varieties in its coffee pod range, so you can find something that will fit your needs or explore new tastes.
The only downside I found using this machine was that sometimes a pod would not be pierced correctly, resulting in a small leak down the back of the cup stand.
But it didn’t happen often enough to properly concern us, and we still rate it one of the best coffee machines available.
Plus, if you’re looking for something that will produce delicious coffee on a budget, the De’Longhi Coffee Machine might be the perfect choice.
Size: H37 x W17.6 x D21.5cm, Weight: 2.6kg, Pod compatibility: Dolce Gusto pods only
9. Philips L’Or Barista Sublime
Philips L’Or Barista Sublime
£109.99
Pros: Takes both L’Or AND Nespresso pods, delivers coffee at perfect temperature, gorgeous premium design with gold accents
Cons: Noisier than most competitors, doesn’t support newer pod formats
Rating: 3.5/5
The slimline, compact design doesn’t hog counter space, and as well as taking single and double L’Or espresso pods, it’s also compatible with Nespresso.
It’s a little bit noisy but very quick and serves drinks with a creamy head at the ideal temperature. The gold accents give it a classy feel.
Coffee lovers are delighted with the machine.
One reviewer said: ‘Best purchase I have made. Great machine for creating great coffee.
While another stated: ‘This machine is not only beautiful to behold but functions perfectly. Coffee is very hot, quietly delivered and tastes sublime. Great bit of kit!’
Size: H27.6 x W15.7 x D40.2cm, Weight: 3.35kg, Pod compatibility: L’Or classic espresso and double espresso capsules, Nespresso Original compatible capsules
10. Salter Retro Espresso Machine
Salter Retro Espresso Machine
£99.99
Pros: Eye-catching vintage design that’s Instagram-worthy, simple one-touch operation, part of a matching kitchen set for style lovers
Cons: Occasional operational hiccups that require patience, milk frother needs practice to master properly
Rating: 3.5/5
The Salter Retro Espresso Machine acts as a great addition of colour to any kitchen and fits sleekly and snuggly onto a countertop.
The set-up itself is very simple, and the machine is easy to clean, with all of the compartments slotting out and in with ease.
My only gripes with the machine are that it does take a while to heat up, and every few uses, I find it glitches and won’t let me press the button to produce a shot, so it definitely takes some learning and getting used to.
The same can be said for the milk frother, but once you find the right angle, it produces lovely, velvety milk, which can also be used in hot chocolates.
Overall, the Salter model (which is available in two colourways, grey and pink) would make a perfect gift for any retro fan, and the matching kettle and toaster available would make a perfect colourful addition to a countertop.
Size: H28 x W18 x D25cm, Weight: 3.2kg, Coffee compatibility: Ground coffee only
11. Nespresso Vertuo Pop
Nespresso Vertuo Pop
£99
Pros: Gorgeous design in six eye-catching colours, effortless one-touch brewing with Bluetooth smarts, incredibly versatile with five different cup sizes
Cons: Locked into Nespresso’s premium-priced pod ecosystem, lacks some advanced features found in pricier models
Rating: 3/5
The machine that smoothie George Clooney plugs is sexy and sleek, with a single button and Bluetooth connectivity.
But it only uses Nespresso Vertuo capsules, which are a bit pricey.
Even so, you get a lovely creamy coffee top, which tastes delicious.
You can also specify five different cup sizes: espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug and alto to suit your mood and need for caffeine.
This coffee machine also comes in a variety of colours, so you can select one to match with or complement your décor.
Choose from liquorice black, aqua mint, Pacific blue, spicy red, mango yellow or coconut white.
Size: H25 x W13.6 x D42.6cm, Weight: 3.5kg, Pod compatibility: Vertuo capsules only
12. Bosch Tassimo Finesse
Bosch Tassimo Finesse
£119.99
Pros: Eye-catching design in vibrant colours, impressive 70+ drink variety, lightning-quick heating system
Cons: No internal pod storage, plasticky build quality compared to premium models
Rating: 3/5
I love the vibrant red colour – though it does look a bit plastic.
The used pods aren’t held in the machine, so you must dispose of them each time, making it a bit annoying as it means you have to empty the bins frequently.
But it can use Tassimo discs, with more than 70 types of drinks on offer, including hot chocolate and other non-caffeinated beverages.
If you fancy the odd coffee or want to try a seasonal drink, then this would be a good machine for you.
Tassimo shoppers are also loving this compact coffee machine. One wrote: ‘Gorgeous colour and doesn’t take up much space.’
While another said: ‘Perfect for my kitchen as I don’t have loads of room, pods are lovely.’
Size: H36.6 x W15.7 x D26.5cm, Weight: 2.1kg, Pod compatibility: Tassimo Discs/pods only
13. Bosch Tassimo My Way 2
Bosch Tassimo My Way 2
£75
Pros: Impressive touch screen customisation options, clever memory function for multiple users, comes with £20 worth of coffee vouchers
Cons: Ongoing filter replacement costs add up over time, bulkier design takes up precious counter space
Rating: 3/5
This takes up more space than the other Tassimos and has a built-in water filter, which needs regular replacing, adding to the cost.
It has a pricier feel thanks to the touch screen and extra functions – you can choose your drink’s temperature, size and strength.
There’s also a memory function so you can save up to four different settings for your favourite drinks, including intensity and temperature.
When you purchase and register it, you can get two £10 vouchers to spend on coffee, which is a nice bonus.
One happy shopper also added: ‘The coffee all has a great flavour with a huge range to choose from. Simple controls, so anyone can use it with ease.’
Size: H31 x W40 x D26.5cm, Weight: 3.2kg, Pod compatibility: Tassimo pods only
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Best coffee machines FAQs
What are the best coffee machines in the UK?
The best coffee machine will depend on your needs and how you like your coffee.
For a beginner or someone who prefers speed and ease a pod machine will be best, they are easy to operate and great value for money.
Some of the best pod machines are featured in our roundup and include the budget-friendly Tassimo by Bosch Happy, Nespresso Vertuo Next Pod Coffee Machine by Krups and the premium Lavazza A Modo Mio Deśea Coffee Machine.
If you want something a bit fancier, in the guise of a bean-to-cup machine the Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup is a great option our tester loved.
Most shoppers can find a coffee machine to suit their needs either online or on the high street.
Major retailers like Amazon, Argos and John Lewis offer a huge range of machines, at all price points.
You can also pick up machines directly from brand websites including Lavazza, Nespresso and L’Or.
How much do coffee machines cost?
There are coffee machines to suit a variety of price points, from cheap to the eye-wateringly expensive.
Price also depends on the type of coffee machine and functionality it offers, so for example, a filter coffee machine is generally on par price-wise with a pod machine and both are going to cost less than a bean-to-cup machine.
Features will also affect the price, so a coffee maker with an integral milk frother is going to cost you more than one without.
The coffee machines we’ve featured here range in price from £34.99 up to £199.
How to choose the best coffee machine?
Choosing the best coffee machine for you is important, so we’ve rounded up some of the pros and cons of the various types below.
The pod coffee maker is probably the machine you’ll see most in kitchens around the UK.
On the one hand, capsule/pod machines are quick and easy to use and you don’t have to have trained as a barista to get a consistent cup.
However, purists won’t like that you can’t tailor your brew to your taste like you can with a traditional coffee machine.
If you’re a traditionalist, only a ground coffee machine will do.
Unlike the pod and bean-to-cup coffee makers, you’ll have to have a bit of practice to use one of these machines properly.
But once you do, you’ll be able to create coffees perfectly tailored to your tastes.
On the plus side for ground coffee machines, you can create expert-level brews with beans of your own choice (provided they’re ground to the right consistency of course).
Many of these machines will have their steam wand, so you can froth milk to your preferred consistency.
Your daily brew will be cheaper than a pod coffee machine too, as ground coffee is less expensive than pods.
On the downside, these machines are a bit more work day-to-day, they require practice to use properly and will also require a bit more elbow grease to keep them clean.
Bean-to-cup machines offer freshly ground coffee at the press of a button.
High-end models will let you choose from a variety of coffees, whether you prefer an Americano in the morning, or you like to kick start your day with a cappuccino.
These machines let you use a variety of beans depending on your preference, and will quickly prepare your preferred drink.
Many of them will include automatic milk frothing settings to offer impressive brews with little input from you.
Take note though, that bean-to-cup makers tend to be larger, more expensive and noisier.
They also require regular cleaning to ensure the mechanism doesn’t get clogged up with the dregs of coffee past.
Is it worth getting a pod coffee machine?
Pod coffee machines are the easiest to use on the market, providing a simple push of a button perfectly made drink without any effort.
They use small pods of pre-ground beans to create your drink and are usually the cheapest type of coffee machine you can buy as they have the fewest components.
The biggest draw of a coffee pod machine is the ease of use and general availability.
The smaller classic pods are available from several brands and many supermarket own-brands nowadays.
However, Nespresso and a few other coffee machine makers also have unique pods that either need to be bought directly from the manufacturer or and less compatible with a wide range of machines.
Another downside is that coffee machine pods usually won’t work between rival brands, so once you’ve got your machine you’re locked into buying one brand or type of pods indefinitely.
Which pod coffee machine is best in the UK?
Nespresso, De’Longhi and Tassimo make some of the best pod coffee machines in the UK.
Nespresso is one of the frontrunners for pod machines, covering a range of price points from the entry-level Vertuo Pop design to the mid-range Vertuo Next and premium Lattissima models.
Most Nespresso machines are manufactured by De’Longhi, Krups or Breville.
Tassimo is another popular brand for pod coffee machines in the UK, with many of their models including the Finesse Friendly Pod Coffee Machine and are available to buy under £100, making them a budget-friendly investment.
De’Longhi is also another brand well-known for its pod coffee machines, including the De’Longhi Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine in this roundup.
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