With coffee becoming more popular than tea in the UK and two billion cups consumed globally each day, a quality home coffee machine is a worthwhile investment. Whether you’re after a no-fuss drip brewer, a pod machine for convenience, or a barista-style espresso maker, 2025 offers exceptional options across budgets and skill levels. This guide compiles the best home coffee machines, tested and reviewed by experts, to help you find the perfect fit for your kitchen and caffeine needs.
Types of Coffee Machines
Broadly speaking, there are three types of coffee machines: bean-to-cup, espresso, and coffee pod machines. Bean-to-cup designs grind the beans, brew your coffee, and typically have a function to steam milk. This is often considered the ultimate type of coffee machine. Espresso machines employ the same tamp-and-pack method you see in cafés and coffee shops, using a portafilter to produce a condensed espresso with a crema top. Pod or capsule machines are the most popular type, suiting those looking for a quick and easy way to make coffee at home. They’re compact, cheap to buy (some cost as little as £40), and deliver consistent results with little clean-up.
Top 10 Home Coffee Machines of 2025
1. OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker
For people who want pour-over-quality coffee as well as the convenience of an automated machine, we recommend a good drip coffee maker. Of all the methods we’ve tested, a drip brewer offers the best ratio of flavor to effort. This stylish brewer makes consistently good coffee and has an effective thermal carafe. The Oxo has precise, temperature-controlled brewing—it keeps the water between 197.6°–204.8°F—and had about a 5-minute brewing time for a full pot of coffee. At the end of brewing, the Oxo had evenly distributed hot water over the coffee grounds. Its double-wall carafe keeps coffee warm for hours.
Pros: Customizable brewing, SCA Golden Cup certified, compact and stylish.
Cons: Carafe opening too narrow for hand cleaning, requires a bottle brush.
2. Nespresso Essenza Mini
Nespresso machines can make good espresso quickly and conveniently. We recommend the Essenza Mini because it’s compact, efficient, and easy to use. It’s a no-frills workhorse that brews coffee and espresso at the touch of a button and has an adjustable water tank to fit any kitchen space. Some users have reported that the machine doesn’t play nicely with all Nespresso-compatible capsules, but L’or and Nespresso’s standard aluminium capsules can be sent back for recycling.
Pros: Compact design, quick brewing, recyclable capsules.
Cons: Limited capsule compatibility, noisy operation.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
With a built-in grinder, an automatic coffee portioning system, and an assisted tamping lever, the Barista Express Impress streamlines the shot-pulling process so anyone can make great espresso. Its steam wand is ready in seconds, and we love the smiley face that illuminates to let you know the grinds level is correct. This espresso machine will especially appeal to beginners. The integrated grinder features Baratza burrs with 25 settings, allowing you to experiment with grind sizes.
Pros: Built-in grinder, beginner-friendly, excellent espresso quality.
Cons: Grinder can clog with oily beans, pricey for entry-level.
4. Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE251
Among the budget drip models we tested, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE251 made the most balanced and the hottest cup of coffee. It has convenient, simple-to-use features, like different settings for a classic or richer taste, and its removable water tank is easy to read and fill. This model was also intuitive enough to program, so it’s suitable for shared kitchens. The Ninja has easy-to-read buttons for customizing and preprogramming a pot of coffee.
Pros: Affordable, hot and balanced brew, easy-to-use features.
Cons: Plastic build feels less durable, no thermal carafe.
5. Profitec Go
The Profitec Go can pull deep, flavorful, and consistent shots, combining the capability of higher-priced machines with a basic interface. It’s simple for beginners to learn but has a build and power that will appeal to home espresso pros. It heats up quickly after turning on and pulls consistent, flavorful shots. This coffee grinder has the finer, more precise settings needed to make the best espresso.
Pros: Professional-grade shots, quick heat-up, sleek design.
Cons: No built-in grinder, steep learning curve for novices.
6. De’Longhi La Specialista Touch
If your kitchen is as small as mine, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch is one of the best espresso machines you can buy. It not only brews exceptional espresso and foams milk to perfection, it also creates the best cold brew of any machine I’ve tested, using high-pressure pulses of water to create an authentically smooth, well-rounded flavor profile. The bright touchscreen guides you through the process of dialing in your espresso and steaming your milk, so even beginners don’t feel overwhelmed.
Pros: Compact, versatile (espresso and cold brew), touchscreen interface.
Cons: Expensive, milk frothing can be inconsistent.
7. Fellow Aiden
When we first tried the Fellow Aiden in our test kitchen, we were impressed. It offered the ability to tweak every single brewing parameter to adjust the flavor of your pot of coffee just like you would a carafe of pour-over coffee. We could turn the dial and adjust the water temperature anywhere from 122℉ (for cold brew) to 210℉. We could change the bloom time, which helps release carbon dioxide and eliminate off flavors. We tasted coffee from the Aiden side by side with Chemexes full of pour-over coffee, and the automated brew from the Aiden offered the same sorts of fruity and caramel notes.
Pros: Highly customizable, pour-over quality, excellent taste.
Cons: Expensive, complex for casual users.
8. Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima
For people who prefer espresso-based drinks, I have two top recommendations. If you’re looking for a single-serve, I’d suggest the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima, which is versatile and easy to use. It’s a sleek and user-friendly machine that brews coffee and espresso at the touch of a button and has an adjustable water tank so it can fit wherever you need it to. The automatic steam wand takes the fuss out of making lattes or cappuccinos.
Pros: Versatile drink options, automatic milk frothing, user-friendly.
Cons: Pods are costly, limited to Nespresso capsules.
9. Lelit Anna PL41TEM
Best manual espresso machine overall: Lelit Anna PL41TEM £509.95 at Amazon. Over the past couple of months, I’ve put a troop of espresso machines through a highly caffeinated bootcamp to find the best-value espresso machines money can buy. The Lelit Anna offers the same functionality as pricier models with a digital PID controller for precise temperature control. It’s a nicely styled machine with a sensible 1.7-litre water tank and unpressurised baskets for authentic espresso.
Pros: Precise temperature control, great value, compact.
Cons: Manual operation requires skill, no grinder included.
10. Miele CM 7750 Countertop Coffee Machine
Select which drink you want from the touchscreen – there are more than 50 to choose from – and it will then advise you how to set up the machine, how much milk to put in the canister and then get on with brewing your coffee. We were provided with amazingly good coffee within moments and felt confident we could create whatever drink anyone could ever ask for. There’s also a “to-go” function, which remembers what your favourite drink is and delivers it into your travel mug at the size you want. It’s also insanely easy to set up, and links via wifi to an app on your phone, from which you can switch on and control the appliance.
Pros: Extensive drink menu, app connectivity, easy setup.
Cons: Large footprint, very expensive.
Buying Guide
Choosing the right coffee machine depends on your coffee preferences, budget, and how hands-on you want to be. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Drip Coffee Makers: Ideal for bulk brewing with minimal effort. Best for those who drink multiple cups daily or host gatherings. Prices start at £50.
- Pod Machines: Perfect for speed and convenience. Compact and low-maintenance, but pods can be costly and less eco-friendly. Look for recyclable options.
- Espresso Machines: For serious coffee lovers who want café-quality drinks. Manual models offer control but require skill; semi-automatic or automatic machines are easier for beginners.
- Bean-to-Cup Machines: The ultimate convenience, grinding fresh beans for each cup. They’re pricier (starting at £300) and require regular cleaning.
Consider your kitchen space, as bean-to-cup and espresso machines often have larger footprints. Longevity matters too—opt for brands with reliable after-sales support, like Miele, which offers up to 10 years of app security updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a semi-automatic and a fully automatic espresso machine?
A semi-automatic espresso machine requires you to grind, tamp, and start/stop the brewing process manually, offering more control but needing some skill. A fully automatic machine handles these steps with the press of a button, making it easier for beginners but less customizable.
Are coffee pods environmentally friendly?
Many pods, especially plastic ones, are not recyclable and contribute to waste. However, brands like Nespresso and L’or offer aluminum capsules with free recycling programs. Look for compostable capsules if sustainability is a priority.
How often should I clean my coffee machine?
Drip and pod machines should be cleaned monthly to prevent buildup, using vinegar or descaling solutions. Espresso and bean-to-cup machines need daily rinsing of portafilters or milk systems and weekly deep cleaning to maintain performance and flavor.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in an espresso machine?
Yes, but freshly ground coffee yields better results. Pre-ground coffee can work in semi-automatic machines like the Ninja 12-Cup or Breville Barista Express, but ensure it’s finely ground for espresso to avoid weak shots.
Is a built-in grinder worth it?
A built-in grinder, as seen in the Breville Barista Express Impress, saves space and ensures fresh grounds. However, standalone grinders offer more precision for espresso enthusiasts. For casual users, integrated grinders are convenient and cost-effective.
Conclusion
The best home coffee machine for you in 2025 depends on your lifestyle and taste. For drip coffee lovers, the OXO Brew 9 Cup offers unmatched flavor and simplicity. Pod users will appreciate the Nespresso Essenza Mini’s compact efficiency, while espresso enthusiasts can’t go wrong with the Breville Barista Express Impress or Lelit Anna for hands-on brewing. With options across budgets, there’s a machine to elevate your daily brew.
Wirecutter: The 7 Best Coffee Makers of 2025
TechRadar: The best coffee makers 2025
The Guardian: The best espresso machines to unleash your inner barista