Best coffee machines: I've tested over 50 models, so you don't have to - here are my top choices that make a great Christmas gift

• READ MORE: We reveal everything you need to know before you buy a coffee machine - from budgets to must-have features
•  SHOP: The best pod machines for a seriously quick cuppa

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Coffees from proper coffee shops are getting too expensive, which is why investing in a good manual coffee machine, bean-to-cup coffee machine, pod machine or even a cafetiere, has never made more sense.

Whether you’re trying to be thrifty by bringing your own travel mug to work, don't want to pay the sky high prices of Starbucks or are just fed up with the same old coffee from a tin, a coffee machine can help with that.

I’ve been reviewing coffee machines for 7 years and have tested dozens upon dozens, from beefy fully automated machines and manuals to simple drip makers, all to be able to find the very best models across a range of styles and budgets. 

And if you're looking for a decent coffee mug for your drinks or the best flask for home and work, we've got you covered there too.

Those who care about good espresso and are looking for an easy life should consider our automated top picks; there’s something here for both beginners and seasoned machine users.

We’ve also tested a handful of french presses and capsule machines for total convenience, as well as intermediate manual espresso machines to ensure our list covers a variety of needs.

If you want to know even more able the art of choosing a good machine, be sure to read our guide on how to choose a coffee machine, with expert commentary from Lizzy Blackwell, Barista Trainer at Cafédirect - the award-winning social enterprise and Fairtrade coffee company 

Here, we've reviewed coffee legends like Sage, De'Longhi and Nespresso, as well as brands who are moving into the coffee market for the first time, like cult favourites Ninja.

Best coffee machines at a glance 

• Best allrounder: De'Longhi Magnifica Evo at De’Longhi
• Best coffee pod machine: L’OR Barista Sublime at Amazon
• Best manual espresso coffee machine: Sage Bambino Plus at John Lewis
• Best for beginners: Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier at Ninja
• Best Nespresso machine: Nespresso Vertuo Next
• Best manual coffee maker: AeroPress Clear XL
• Prestige pick: Sage the Oracle Jet at John Lewis

How we test

When testing kitchen appliances, we try them out for at least a week, often longer. In the case of coffee machines we make several coffees a day and testing the full range of functions. From weighing espresso for consistency to evaluating how good the milk steaming is, our tests are designed to ensure every product on this list is worth your money.

As well as looking at how well a coffee machine performs its basic duties, we also take into consideration things like design, ease of use and value for money, so that our reviews tell the full story.

You can read more about our testing methodologies across all product categories. 

We then collate and compare how well each product performs so you can choose the best coffee machine for your home.

Why trust us

Our expert team has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of lifestyle products.  This includes everything from coffee machines to vacuum cleaners.

Danielle’s reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing. She takes into consideration all budgets and lifestyles when reviewing products to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.

Best coffee machines 2025 

 1. Best for most people: De'Longhi Magnifica Evo

 Read our full De'Longhi Magnifca Evo review for more info 

2. Best pod machine: L’OR Barista Sublime 

 3. Best for beginners: Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier

 Read our full Ninja Cafe Luxe Premier coffee machine review

 4. Best manual espresso coffee machine: Sage Bambino Plus

 

 5.  Best Nespresso machine: Nespresso Vertuo Next

Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee machine review for more information

6. Best manual coffee maker: AeroPress Clear XL

7. Our prestige pick: Sage the Oracle Jet

 Read our full Sage The Oracle Jet coffee machine review

Our verdict

If I were to buy any machine on this list, it would be the Oracle Jet. Although it’s the most expensive, it also offers the most in terms of versatility and sheer wow factor. Not just a pretty face, the Jet also outperforms other semi automatic bean-to-cups in almost every area. It’s the must-have choice for the discerning coffee aficionado who doesn’t want to spend the time figuring out a manual machine.

I’d also highly recommend the Ninja Luxe Cafe for beginners who are keen to try out lots of different coffee styles and have a go at 'playing barista' by tamping their own coffee. It won’t make the best coffee on this list but it does have bundles of really great features and offers plenty of help through its barista assist function.

FAQs

How do I know what coffee machine to buy?

This depends entirely on your personal needs.

Manual or semi-automatic:

If you have a decent amount of time to spend making your coffee in the morning and want the best quality espresso and milk-based drinks, a manual espresso or semi-automatic, bean-to-cup machine that can be used with fresh, whole beans is a great choice.

Fully automatic:

If you’re set on using whole beans, a fully automatic like the De’Longhi Magnifica reviewed above, is a great choice, as it gives you fairly good espresso at the touch of a button. The main downside of this is that there are usually fewer options to really tweak and customise your espresso.

Pod machines:

Finally, if you’re really short on time and you’re just looking for a quick fix that’s better than instant coffee, a pod machine is the way to go. Another benefit of a pod machine, aside from their speed, is that you can often buy a lot of different blends and flavour options - this is particularly true of Nespresso pods.

The most obvious downside of a capsule coffee machine is that the coffee isn’t particularly fresh, so you’ll lose the depth of flavour you get from whole beans. Most don’t come with professional milk steamers either, which might be a deal breaker. You should also take into consideration the lifetime cost of a Nespresso machine to see if it's the right choice for you.

Which pod machine is best in the UK?

The L’OR Barista Sublime, reviewed above, is one of the best pod machines you can buy when it comes to ease of use and value for money. It’s often on offer for £60 or less and is compatible with all Nespresso classic capsules, third party Nespresso pods, as well as L’ORs own. A stylish and compact machine, it’s a great all-rounder.

Do I need to spend a lot on a coffee machine?

You don’t have to spend thousands on a coffee machine but you often get what you pay for. A decent entry-level manual espresso machine could set you back anywhere between £150-£300, while a good budget bean-to-cup is around the £500-£1000 mark.

If you want something ultra-premium looking with all the bells and whistles, you should set aside £1,000+ for the best of the best.