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As High Street coffee prices continue to climb — Starbucks now charges £4.94 for a cappuccino — sales of home coffee machines are booming.
Yet choosing the right model can be bewildering. Is a sophisticated barista-style machine such as the Sage Barista Touch Impress worth the investment, or would your money be better spent on a straightforward pod machine like the popular L’Or Barista Absolu?
To find out, we tested ten of the most popular coffee machines currently available, ranging from less than £100 in the sales to more than £1,000, putting each one through its paces in the Our News Outlet Test Lab. We considered best-sellers from Amazon, John Lewis and Currys, along with models attracting attention on social media.
Perhaps you assume the Sage machines would sweep the board, or that pod machines would be exposed in a blind tasting? The results were not quite so predictable. Read on to discover which machines made the best coffee — and which ones may be better left on the shelf…
The results in full
How we tested coffee machines
We tested ten popular models, from basic pod machines to fully automatic bean-to-cup systems, using a series of practical and taste tests to see how they performed side by side.
As a coffee drinker searching for the best value, I wanted to find a machine capable of producing a café-quality drink at home without an eye-watering price tag or the specialist skills that most of us — myself included — do not possess.
Our main considerations were value for money, ease of use and, above all, the quality of the coffee.
For the definitive flavour test, we invited coffee expert Peter Renyard, head of training at London’s Artisan Coffee School, to take part in a blind tasting and identify which machine delivered the best cup.
Peter, who trains professional baristas, sampled ten drinks without being told which machine had made each one. We filmed the tasting to capture his reactions.
I am not an espresso expert, but nor is the typical home user. Peter assessed every drink on its own merits, while I scored each machine from the perspective of someone who simply enjoys good coffee.
For consistency, every machine used the same blend from Curious Roo Coffee Roasters (curiousroo.com) and supermarket mineral water. Peter sat behind a screen and was blindfolded to prevent any visual clues. He also wore earmuffs and left the room while each drink was prepared, ensuring he could not identify a machine by its sound.
Each machine received scores out of five for factors including price, appearance, ease of operation, water-tank capacity, noise, drink temperature and the availability of milk-frothing accessories. Read more on how we work out Test Lab scores.
To give readers a clearer idea of long-term value, we also calculated the approximate cost per cup. This assumed two cups a day over five years, the average working life of a coffee machine.
No manufacturer paid for coverage or had any influence over our results. Read more on why you can trust Daily Mail Test Lab’s verdicts. We tell you how it REALLY is!
Write to Daily Mail Test Lab at [email protected] with YOUR product review wish list.
Our two champion machines
The clear winner was the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Series, which pushed the two expensive Sage models into third and fourth place. The other major surprise was the affordable Dualit Pod Machine, which secured second place.
Peter placed it third in his blind tasting. Combined with its performance in the wider assessment and its attractive price, that was enough to put it ahead of both Sage machines as our best buy.
Full review: If a professional coffee-shop machine had been shrunk in the wash, it might look a lot like this. Its black-and-chrome finish is sleek, contemporary and certain to attract admiring glances from visitors.
The box contains a mixture of printed guidance and QR codes. The instructions are somewhat fiddly, but I eventually managed to get everything working.
A Currys best seller, the machine took a while to calibrate. After adding the beans, I selected the grind setting, a process that involves plenty of experimentation. The grounds are compressed with a tamper into the portafilter — the long handle containing the metal brewing basket. Four coffee programmes are available, with adjustable strength settings.
The manual steam wand feels flimsy and needs to be moved around while in use. It produced hot milk, although the froth was flatter than I had hoped, and the wand delivered an unexpected steam facial along the way.
Bean-to-cup machines inevitably create more cleaning work once portafilters, funnels and tampers enter the picture. However, given the quality of the finished drink, I was happy to do the washing-up. I would gladly pay £5 for a coffee this good in a café. Better known until recently for its air fryers, Ninja is now challenging Smeg and Sage with premium kitchen appliances that justify their price. Amazon users award it an impressive 4.8 out of five, and our testing made that enthusiasm easy to understand.
The Ninja Luxe Café Mini is a newer, more compact version of the original full-size Ninja Luxe Café Premier. Its smaller footprint and lower price make it the more practical choice for many kitchens. It is our champion coffee machine.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘The dark brown crema looks really good, with a lovely velvety texture and some marbling. There’s plenty of body and I’m detecting caramel and chocolate notes. It may lack a little acidity, but some calibration to improve the coffee-to-water ratio could make this excellent — very close to a professional barista coffee.’
Full review: This compact, attractive machine can be stored in a cupboard, although its appearance is good enough to leave on display.
There are no printed instructions, only a QR code leading to an online manual. A leaflet would have been welcome, but the initial set-up is simple: fill the tank, insert a pod and start brewing. The pod lever is stiff and requires considerable force, which raises concerns about long-term durability. The machine also seemed to prefer aluminium pods over the plastic capsules used in our test. Drink temperatures varied slightly between cups.
Several Amazon reviewers mention similar problems, and the retailer says the model has been returned on a number of occasions, often because of the stiff lever. Even so, I was impressed by this slim budget machine, mainly because the coffee tasted much better than expected.
A single button produces an espresso almost immediately, and the flavour has surprising depth. It was no shock to see the machine finish third in Peter’s blind tasting, ahead of several much more expensive, feature-packed bean-to-cup models, including the Sage Barista Touch Impress.
If you mainly drink espresso or already own a milk frother, this is a strong buy for the money. There is no built-in milk-frothing option.
The machine is easy to dismantle and clean. It is basic, attractive and light enough to take away on holiday.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘There’s an inviting chocolate aroma and the crema looks promising. The texture is silky, and this is on its way to becoming a very good espresso.’
Best of the rest…
What of the remaining eight machines? Their scores varied, but every model offered something that could suit a particular type of coffee drinker. Here is how they performed.
Full review: Heavy, glossy and finished in stainless steel, this machine looks polished, expensive and professional. It is unsurprisingly a Currys best seller and is also popular on Amazon, where 2,700 reviewers have awarded it an average of 4.5 stars despite its premium price for a pod machine.
The instructions are detailed, although the digital display makes set-up so straightforward that you may barely need them.
The machine performs a quick rinse before brewing. Seven preset drinks are available, and each can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
Its integrated automatic steam wand offers adjustable temperature and froth settings. It produced an excellent flat white, while the sturdy wand worked quickly and purged itself after every use. A wipe with a damp cloth is all that is required to remove milk residue.
Cleaning is uncomplicated, and the machine alerts you when descaling is needed.
One important warning: Nespresso clearly expects users to stick with its own capsules. Other brands can be difficult to insert and may become stuck when ejected. Fortunately, a sample box of Nespresso pods is included.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘The body is fairly light, with a long finish and a touch of bitterness. It lacks some acidity and sweetness. The crema is acceptable, but overall it is only OK.’
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Full review: This is the supermodel of coffee machines — a genuinely beautiful appliance that would look at home on any kitchen worktop.
One of John Lewis’s best sellers, it is almost foolproof to set up: simply follow the onscreen instructions. The machine is not just attractive but clever, learning your preferences and asking questions to refine the drink. Was it too strong or too watery? Would you prefer a finer grind? It adjusts accordingly.
It was the loudest machine tested, but offers 14 recipes at the touch of a button, with plenty of scope for adjustment. Automatic milk frothing was efficient and produced the fine microfoam needed for a flat white. The machine also guides you through cleaning; most components need only a quick rinse, while the appliance indicates when a full descale is required.
It is undeniably expensive, but coffee enthusiasts who want a more hands-on experience may consider it worthwhile. At around 32p per cup over five years, it remains cheaper than buying coffee from a café.
I thought the result was café quality and felt like a genuine barista — I nearly wrote my name on the cup. Peter’s palate, however, picked up an unusual smell and gave the coffee a considerably lower taste score. The Test Lab is investigating whether this was caused by the machine being new or by another issue. Until then, we can only report what happened during testing. Combined with the price, Peter’s score pushed it down the table. Amazon customers also question its value, awarding it 4.2 stars. This is one for coffee purists.
Peter’s taste test verdict? The crema looks good, though it lacks marbling. It is silky, with acidity and balance and no obvious bitterness. However, a chemical smell is present and taints the coffee.
Full review: This was by far the slowest machine to set up, taking me an embarrassing two hours. It arrived without instructions and was anything but intuitive. A QR code led to a selection of videos, while the printed guidance was so small that it could not be enlarged.
I eventually had to watch several YouTube tutorials to work out how to fit the portafilter and slide it across after the grinder had dispensed the coffee. Once I understood the process, operation was simple — although by then I was tempted by gin rather than coffee. The espresso was ready within seconds and tasted reasonably good, but it was nowhere near hot enough.
For an expensive machine, it also looks disappointingly cheap.
Cleaning is straightforward: rinse the components and descale when prompted. The automated grinding and tamping creates very little mess. However, I noticed water collecting beneath the machine after just a couple of uses.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘There’s a good aroma with pleasant caramel notes. The body is light but balanced, and I can detect a chocolate aftertaste. The crema is decent and it is not far removed from a coffee-shop espresso.’
Full review: KitchenAid has built a reputation for stylish, colourful appliances, but this machine is a major departure. It is a large, unattractive block of white plastic that barely resembles a coffee maker and is too big for cupboard storage. On the positive side, set-up is easy. The hardest task was locating the power button, while the onscreen and printed instructions were both clear.
There are 13 preset hot drinks. The supplied frother, however, is fiddly and ineffective, warming milk only slightly. For anyone who enjoys a proper flat white, that is a serious drawback, even though the espresso itself tasted perfectly acceptable.
The onscreen cleaning instructions are easy to follow. Still, the machine looks surprisingly cheap for its price. Amazon customers appear broadly positive, particularly about its relatively compact size for a capable appliance, although only a small number of reviews have been posted so far.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘The crema is pale and quite thin. The flavour is light but reasonably balanced, and the extraction is sound. It is decent and rounded, but needs more body and aroma.’
Full review: Unable to choose between a filter coffee maker and a pod machine? This versatile model, one of Currys’ most popular, combines both systems. It is bulky and will need to remain on the worktop, but its striking appearance means you are unlikely to want to hide it beneath a tea towel.
Clear printed instructions made set-up simple, while a QR code provides access to a video guide for anyone who prefers visual help.
The touch controls are easy to use. A side-mounted whisk froths milk but does not heat it, meaning users must warm the milk in a microwave first — a solution that rather undermines the point of the attachment.
Both the water tank and capsule container are generously sized. Because it performs two jobs, however, there are more components to rinse after use. Half a jug of filter coffee, enough for four cups, took five and a half minutes to brew, while the pod system was virtually instant and offered four espresso styles. At a mid-range price, it provides useful flexibility. Amazon users agree, awarding it 4.5 stars and praising its versatility and value.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘There is a dry sensation on the tongue, and the bitterness appears quickly, suggesting the extraction was not quite right. Not great.’
Full review: If grinders, tampers and steam wands sound like too much effort, a simple filter machine could be the answer.
Launched with considerable fanfare thanks to its Smeg branding, this model brews a large jug of ground coffee — up to ten cups — and keeps it warm on a hotplate for as long as 40 minutes.
It has Smeg’s familiar retro styling, feels solid and looks good enough to stay on display. The instructions are detailed, though somewhat overcomplicated, particularly if you have no interest in features such as delayed start.
Once I skipped the functions I did not need, set-up was quick and simple. Fill the tank, add coffee to the permanent filter and the machine begins brewing quietly within seconds. My four-cup pot was ready in four minutes, and the strength settings allow users to adjust intensity. An hour after the first mug, the coffee was still warm, although unfortunately it tasted rather weak and watery.
Cleaning is effortless: rinse the filter and jug, then put them away. An indicator signals when descaling is required. Amazon customers are reasonably impressed, giving the machine 4.3 stars.
This is not the machine for anyone seeking a dozen different drinks, and the coffee lacks the intensity of a good espresso. However, it is refreshingly straightforward, looks smart and would be useful when serving breakfast to guests.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘There is very little body, no noticeable aroma and almost no flavour. Disappointing.’
Full review: This is one of the most heavily advertised coffee machines currently available and has been on offer for weeks. But does the hype match the performance? The good news is that it is exceptionally light and slim. The bad news is that the construction looks and feels distinctly inexpensive.
Instructions are included, although the machine is so simple that I did not need them. Fill the tank, insert a pod and press one button to dispense a hot or cold drink. The tank is a reasonable size for such a compact model, so frequent refilling should not be necessary. Amazon users give it 4.3 stars for value, although some criticise the build quality.
The espresso arrived quickly, piping hot and topped with a good crema. Cleaning is minimal beyond emptying the drip tray. There is no milk frother, but the box does contain ten espresso-strength pods. It is basic, but not a bad option.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘The crema is pale and lacks marbling, while the aroma is not particularly intense. A harsh bitterness comes through strongly and leaves the mouth feeling dry. It lacks the balance expected from a good espresso.’
Full review: This is another machine you are likely to encounter, thanks to extensive advertising and widespread online discussion of the Magnifico Evo. It is extremely heavy and bulky, taking up significant worktop space, and its appearance is unlikely to win design prizes.
It arrives with a thick bundle of paperwork, including an invitation to book a personal tutorial. After struggling with the printed instructions, I could see why. They consist largely of confusing diagrams and arrows, so I turned to YouTube and found the set-up unnecessarily frustrating.
Once assembled, the adjustable bean grinder and automatic drink programmes are convenient. The detachable milk frother resembles a baby bottle and took several attempts to operate; eventually, I had to restart the machine. More than 1,700 Amazon reviews produce an average four-star rating — respectable, but hardly a ringing endorsement at this price.
When it finally worked, the machine produced hot, frothy coffee with ease. My cappuccino, one of four hot drinks, was excellent. Cleaning is simple: press a button to flush the system, descale when prompted and rinse the remaining components. Its poor instructions remain difficult to forgive, even though it is a High Street best seller.
Peter’s taste test verdict? ‘There is too much water and only a small amount of pale crema. The aroma is weak, while the coffee tastes bland and lacks body. Nothing special.’
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