I've tried all of the best coffee machines out there — these are the 9 I'd recommend for a barista-worthy brew

The true best coffee machine for you depends on a lot of factors, which can be confusing for anyone getting into coffee for the first time. From what you'd prefer to use to get your cup filled (beans/ground/pods) to how much you want to spend, there's almost too much choice out there.

That's why, as Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, I've curated this list of my top 9 recommendations to demystify the process after testing a range of machines at our dedicated test centre. That means regardless of your budget or level of expertise, this list will have a machine that improves your everyday coffee experience at home.

If you're one step ahead and already know you want one of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines or the best pod coffee machines, our dedicated lists might be a bigger help. If not, this list is kitted out with recommendations of all types, with the recently-released Ninja Luxe Café sitting at the very top, which is a machine I'd recommend to anyone thanks to its easy-to-use features.

Without further ado, here are my favourite 9 machines, which I've tested alongside Ideal Home's resident coffee expert Helen McCue.

Best coffee machines

Best coffee machine overall

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Now that I've tested the Ninja Luxe Café, recommending a coffee machine to friends/family/colleagues is easy. Whether they're a beginner or an espresso machine lover, I know this machine is bound to impress.

After trying it for several months, it's clear the brand has taken its winning formula from the best Ninja air fryers and applied it to this great-looking coffee machine. It's got it all, from a user-friendly interface to high-quality touchpoints, all bundled up in a machine that has a surprisingly affordable price point, all things considered.

One of my highlights is the 'Barista Assist Technology' which is an interface on the machine that recommends a grind size for you depending on the beans you've just emptied into the hopper. And while this machine doesn't have a built-in tamping mechanism like the Sage Barista Express (at #8) the included tools you get for manually tamping are ultra-high quality - including the portafilter and a grinding funnel to prevent mess.

My favourite element of this machine by far is the automatic milk frother which has such a brilliant array of foam settings and the capability to adjust the temperature for using plant-milk too.

All in all, this is without a doubt the most impressive coffee machine I've tried for the price-tag and I come back to it time and time again. It is missing a pressure gauge for those who are used to a more old-school espresso machine and isn't as customisable as something like the De'Longhi Opera Specialista, but for most people it'll be at-home coffee perfection.

My Ninja Luxe Café review has the full details.

Best affordable coffee machine

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If you want to make a start with enjoying coffee at home, you'll feel safe starting with pods. This machine has an RRP of £109.99, but with the opportunity to find this machine on sale for much, much less, I would whole heartedly recommend the L'OR Barista Sublime as a good place to start.

This machine uses the OG Nespresso style pods or XXL capsules which will dispense two coffees at a time for you. That means you can buy them in bulk from your local supermarket and enjoy a cup for as little as 30p per coffee.

All in all, I think this machine is not only excellent value, but is also easy to use and extremely convenient. The quality of the coffee can't be overlooked either with cups that aren't too strong but not bitter either, and with a decent amount of crema. All in all, it's a certified bargain for starting out with.

Our Phillips L'OR Barista Sublime review has the full details.

Best coffee machine for lattes

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While the Ninja at #1 is a semi-automatic machine (you have to grind and tamp beans yourself), the Rivelia is automatic. That means after you've made any necessary tweaks to your profile on the machine, you can extract a huge menu of drinks from it with one-touch.

After testing a huge variation of coffee machines for Ideal Home, the Rivelia was the one that our expert reviewer Helen McCue was most impressed by, though she usually swears by her manual espresso machine. Helen loved using the colour touch screen which walks you through every step of set-up and use as well as the two interchangeable bean hoppers, which allow you to chop and change the type of coffee you're drinking at will.

As with the Ninja Luxe Café, another one of the highlights of this machine is technology that helps you to find the right grind size for your beans without having to do all of the tweaking yourself. And once it's done, you can have the machine remember those settings on your profile so that your next coffee turns out perfectly with no further input.

The menu of drinks with the Rivelia is huge (with 16 options), though if you want even more choice then the fantastic Eletta Explore at #? is even more kitted out, especially for cold drinks.

The only downside to this machine is the price, and though Helen didn't have an issue with it, I always find plastic milk carafes to be a bit tricky to clean properly by hand.

Helen's De'Longhi Rivelia review has the full details.

Best coffee machine under £500

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When I first saw the price of this gorgeous machine from ProCook, I wondered what the catch would be. But after trying it at our test centre and finding that the performance was as impressive as the stainless steel exterior, I knew it needed a place on this list.

Sure, the portafilter and tamp of this machine do give away its more affordable status but if you can look past that, then is a great espresso machine for everyday use that looks far, far more expensive than it is. My highlights were using the intuitive control panel, complete with LCD screen, as well as the high-quality milk wand which felt similar to the one I've used with the Sage Barista Express Impress (which sits at number #6 on this list).

The espressos from this machine tasted great and the grinder is easy to use and quiet. There are 30 grind settings for you to play around with, though real coffee enthusiasts may be disappointed that there isn't more to customise.

If you've been dreaming of a swish manual Sage machine but you have £500 or less to spend, then this machine is a great place to start instead. And you'll walk away with £100 change thanks to this product's truly fantastic price point.

My ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine review has the full details.

Best filter coffee machine

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The Moccamaster coffee maker is perfect for those who rely on caffeine to see them through their WFH days. Ideal for a home office, its capable of making up to ten cups of coffee at one time and can also keep your brew warm on a hot plate for when you finish the first mug off. Divine!

The design is also a show-stopper, with a retro feel that will complete the look of any kitchen and bring instant style. There's a sustainable edge to the Moccamaster too; it's made from recyclable materials and you chuck the filter bags from your brew straight into the compost at the end of the day, rather than the faff you have to go through with pods.

Our expert reviewer Helen found the taste of the coffee she brewed with the Moccamaster to be unparalleled in the realm of drip machines, saying it was flawlessly smooth and well-rounded.

During testing, Helen also found that it is lovely and quiet when brewing. The ability to make four large mugs of coffee at one time was a winner for our too, and the fact that the brewing process and set up is so straightforward. There's almost nothing we don't like about this machine.

Helen's Moccamaster KBG review has the full details.

Best Sage coffee machine

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The caveat that we have to get out of the way with the Sage Barista Impress is that it's a serious spend. Like with most Sage machines, this isn't a product that you could put in the affordable bracket, but it is incredibly good for making high-quality coffee.

The USP of this particular machine is the in-built grinder to give you elevated control over your cup of coffee. The one-armed bandit is also a tactile addition that goes a long way to assisting the user to get the perfect puck for pulling an espresso every time.

For coffee lovers, this machine will streamline the process of getting your brew to exactly how you like it, with a lot less mess at the same time. It's a neatly packaged, ultra-stylish machine and by making the tweaks you want, you'll end up with a simply phenomenal-tasting cup of coffee.

This machine sat at the #1 spot on this list for years. It's been shifted down slightly to make space for the Ninja at #1, which offers similar features and more for a lesser price tag. I still think the Sage Barista Express Impress is a super star machine, but value-wise, I think there are now choices above it.

Our Sage Barista Express Impress review has the full details.

Best espresso machine

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Home baristas will love the Sage Bambino, which is Sage's most budget-friendly machine. It's not cheap (of course, it's Sage) but it is decent value-for-money, with pre-infusion which very effectively extracts creamy and smooth crema for a luscious layer on top of your espresso.

The preheat is only three seconds, which is very impressive, and the milk steaming wand also preheats very fast. It gives out 130-degree steam which was very effective during testing for creating steamed milk in a jiffy.

When extracting I did find that the Sage Bambino rattles slightly, so it's not the quietest coffee machine on the market. Cleaning is easy though, with a drip tray that simply pulls out for a rinse, and an easily flushed steam wand.

It also gives that classic Sage look, but in a machine that's narrow without losing any features. It comes with the same cup holder on top, the sturdy backlit buttons and a removable water tank that makes it easy to fill up despite the smaller size. It's a winner in our books.

Our Sage Bambino coffee machine review has the full details.

Best affordable espresso coffee machine

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The Breville Bijou Espresso Machine boasts a high-quality steam wand which is perfect for texturising milk, and there are two filters to choose from, which is great for having single or double shots of espresso.

You need to wait for this machine to heat up before twisting the dial to the left, which will continuously extract hot coffee until you switch it back. This will be good for some, and not so good for others. Some will prefer an exact espresso measurement, whereas others will just want a long coffee to fill up their favourite mug.

Using grounds, you can easily tamp and twist to secure your filter with the included scoop and tamper. There is no jug included, but it will be easy to buy one for cheap online. Just press the steam milk button and wait for it to stop flashing before twisting the dial to the right and clearing out the wand. Then, it's easy to create that high-pressure whirlpool to achieve that perfectly hot milk with a creamy latte finish.

If we have a complaint with this budget espresso machine it's that the filter hangs quite low and can get in the way of some taller mugs. We did have to fill up a smaller mug and then pour into a longer latte mug to make some drinks. For the money though, this is a brilliant bargain espresso machine.

Our Breville Bijou Espresso Machine review has the full details.

Best pod coffee machine

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If you're in the market for a pod coffee machine and you're looking to splash some cash, this is my standout first choice.

It looks the part, makes excellent-tasting coffee and actually has more adjustability than you might think, especially thanks to the numerous milk frothing settings. If you like coffee but you're always in a rush, or you're just looking for something that's basically hands-free, you can't go wrong here.

The downside is that you're limited to Nespresso Vertuo pods, which might mean budgeting your coffee addiction is a little tricky, as you're tied into Nespresso prices.

This is also a big amount of money to spend, about the same that you could splurge on our first choice, the Sage Express Impress which allows you to enjoy freshly ground coffee every day. The choice all comes down to how convenient you want your coffee making process to be. If your heart is set on pods, this is the best looking way to achieve your at-home coffee dreams.

Our Nespresso Vertuo Creatista Coffee Machine by Sage review has the full details.

How we test the best coffee machines

As part of our commitment to you about how we test products at Ideal Home, every coffee machine on this list has either been tested by me, Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor or our expert reviewer and home economist Helen McCue.

That involves trying out each machine for several weeks (or months) to get the best possible understanding of how it works.

Molly Cleary

I'm Molly, and I've been testing a range of coffee machines for three years. That includes an extensive line-up of pod machines, many bean-to-cup products and filter machines in between. To compile this guide, I've also spoken to baristas and coffee experts for their insights into how to choose the right machine.

To get granular, the process begins when the machine arrives boxed up at our door. We judge the packaging on how sustainable it is and how easy the machine is to wrestle out of the box - including if that's a two-person job or not.

Setting up a coffee machine can be confusing, especially for a beginner, so our reviews also get into the detail of how straightforward set-up is and give a first impressions on the design of the machine once it's sitting on our worktop.

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Our experience of testing every coffee machine in this guide.

Helen and I have tried machines of all different varieties in this guide, so each review goes into how easy it is to brew a coffee either using a pod, beans or ground coffee.

We start with brewing an espresso on every machine, and then if a product can create long, milk-based drinks (lattes, cappuccinos) we move through the menu to show it off to you.

But the testing process doesn't end when we finish up the last coffee. We then zone in on how easy each machine is to clean, maintain and to keep on your worktop long-term.

The bottom line is that we would never recommend a coffee machine that hasn't been tested hands-on by one of our expert team members, or an experienced freelancer.

How to choose a coffee machine

Coffee machines are one of the trickiest appliances to buy, given just how many there are on the market and how many methods there are to make a brew. This is a guide on how to choose the right machine for you, if you're feeling a little lost in all the caffeinated options.

Should you buy a pod machine, a bean-to-cup machine, an espresso machine or a filter machine?

Pod coffee machines are by far the simplest type of coffee machine to operate. Most take the touch of one button in day-to-day life to operate, so if you're just getting started with coffee or want to avoid faff for life, a pod machine is the way to go.

Opting for a pod machine doesn't necessarily mean that you have to opt for a budget pick either - the Nespresso Creatista, which features on this list, is a high-end and low-stress option.

Bean-to-cup machines are typically the most expensive and advanced type of at-home coffee machine you can buy. That's because they deliver you the freshest coffee possible, straight from the bean thanks to a (usually) integrated grinder, which is also the element that makes these machines so pricey.

There are two main types: manual and automatic. A manual bean-to-cup machine, like the Sage Barista Express Impress, will involve you grinding and tamping your own beans to your liking, whilst an automatic machine does that work for you after you initially program it.

Coffee lovers will get along very well with a manual bean-to-cup machine, as most allow you to tweak the specifics of your brew down to a fine degree. Those who want the best taste without the fuss will likely prefer an automatic option.

Espresso machines require you to use pre-ground coffee. If you want the freshness of beans but need your purchase to be more affordable than a bean-to-cup machine, an espresso machine will work well for you when paired with a separate coffee grinder.

Alternatively, if you prefer using ground coffee altogether, an espresso machine will tick all your boxes. They look the part and generally produce espressos with a lovely crema.

Filter coffee machines don't tend to have much traction here in the UK, but they can yield excellent tasting results and are perfect for the many-cups-a-day drinker. These machines use ground coffee, which is then passed through a filter to get to your cup. Lots of filter machines can use a large amount of hot water to brew large quantities of coffee, which is then ready for the rest of your day. Our top-rated filter pick on this list, the Moccamaster, will then keep that coffee warm for 40 additional minutes.

FAQs

Is an expensive coffee machine worth it?

As with any home appliance, the truth is that you get what you pay for. Our top-rated choice, the Sage Barista Express Impress has a pretty eye-watering RRP but once it's in your home, you'll be able to make fresh coffee every day. It also has a built-in tamp and milk frother.

If you can afford to save or stretch to a pricier machine, and you're a real coffee enthusiast, we'd say it's worth it. But budget options are excellent for those who are less into their coffee, and are fine not being a connoisseur.

How much should you spend on a coffee machine?

The most affordable option on this list clocks in with an RRP of less than £100, whilst the most expensive is over £100. That gives you an idea of range when it comes to best coffee machines, with the central message being that how much you should spend depends on what you want out of your machine.

If you want a barista-style machine, then save up and splash out in order to get all of the features you need. Alternatively, if you just need a cup of coffee to function in the morning, then a pod machine for around £100 (or less if you wait for a good sale) will serve you well.

What pressure is good for a coffee machine?

When buying a coffee machine one term that will keep cropping up is the bar, or the pressure of the machine. Bar refers to the 'barometric pressure', basically how much pressure is being put on the coffee grounds or beans.

A rule of thumb, supported by George Warner, a barista at Jaunty Goat (who has 10 years worth of experience in specialty coffee) is that 9 bars of pressure are optimal.

'Having 9 bars of pressure is an industry standard. Most home machines are not automatically set to 9 bars but can easily be adjusted if they have an OPV Valve. This feature controls the amount of pressure being exerted through the machine for great flavour extraction, so it is highly recommended to look out for this.'