Buyer’s guide

Satisfy those cappuccino cravings with our hot list of the best coffee machines around

Add a coffee machine to your collection of kitchen appliances and become your very own barista

Gone are the days of a spoonful of instant coffee and waiting for the kettle to boil. Now, there’s a wide range of machines that can whip up a coffee in moments. If you’re looking to invest in getting your caffeine hit the way you like it, you’ve come to the right place.

Most coffee machines make an espresso-style coffee, which forms the base of an Americano, cappuccino, latte, flat white and more. There are three main types of machine for this style: capsule or pod; bean-to-cup; and ground coffee. Capsule coffee machines use pre-prepared pods for a quick, mess-free brew. Each brand usually has its own capsule, so it’s worth checking the price of these, the range of pods available and if they’re recyclable or compostable.

Bean-to-cup machines include a grinder to grind whole beans from scratch for the freshest coffee. Some machines come with grounds storage, so you won’t have to wait for the grinder every time you want a brew. Ground coffee machines are the ones you’ll recognise from your local café. Become a barista in your own home with the milk wand, shots of espresso and control over the strength and size of your drink. There’ll be more prep and clean-up, though.

Espresso machines will list the pump pressure. Measured in bars, this refers to the pressure at which the water is pushed through the coffee grounds or pod. Most machines come with a range between seven and 15; if you like a strong brew then choose a machine above 10, as the pressure will drop as the water goes through the coffee and the machine ages. ‘Pump pressure helps the coffee machine to extract the crema for the coffee being served. This gives a nice foamy layer on top, creating a more flavoursome and aromatic drink,’ explains Tomas Aldaya, Senior Brand Manager at Nescafé Dolce Gusto.

For those who like a constant flow of coffee through their mornings, there are filter coffee machines, which make a longer black coffee by slowly dripping hot water through ground coffee into a jug instead of the pressure of an espresso machine. So whether you take your coffee strong and black or with milk and two sugars, one thing’s for sure: the day doesn’t start until you’ve had your caffeine fix!

With a sleek silver finish and retro design, this coffee machine will take pride of place on your kitchen worktop. You can use both ground coffee and Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) pods to produce your chosen brew, while a built-in cup warmer will keep your mug feeling toasty.

• 15-bar pump pressure • Dual-cup dispenser makes two cups at once

• Compatible with ground coffee and ESE pods • Steam wand • Cup warmer

• Removable drip tray • 1.1L water tank