‘Coffee machines we actually use and love from a team who drinks multiple cups a day’

We all have a cup of coffee at least once a day – these are the espresso, latte and cappuccino machines we rate

A morning coffee is an essential for many, but regularly buying takeaway cups can be expensive. As a team of writers, we rely on our morning caffeine fix to wake us up each day, but sometimes a cup of instant just doesn’t cut it.

There’s no denying that buying a coffee machine to use at home is an investment, but for those who regularly drink iced or hot beverages, it can often end up costing less in the long run. Our team of coffee connoisseurs each have preferences when it comes to caffeinated drinks, with some preferring to warm up during this cold snap with a hot beverage and others opting for an iced option, whatever the weather.

We’ve tried and tested a variety of coffee machines, but which are worth the splurge? Here’s our round-up of some of the best options on the market, with prices starting from xx.

I tried the L’OR Barista Absolu, which usually retails for £119. Coffee lovers can use the machine to make both hot and iced drinks – yes, I will still have an iced latte in the depths of winter.

With 18 varieties of drinks to be made using the gadget, it’s a solid investment for a couple or family with differing tastes. For those who like a strong coffee, there’s also a one-touch Intensity Boost that unleashes a more intense, full-bodied taste.

I also rate this machine as it’s relatively compact but still delivers good quality drinks, making it great for those with minimal counter space or smaller kitchens. In my opinion, as someone who used to spend hundreds on barista drinks, the coffees made with the L’OR machine taste up to a professional standard.

Like any coffee machine, it requires regular cleaning, though now that I’m used to this, I wouldn’t say it’s especially high maintenance to complete. One other downside is that for those who like to use taller glasses or cups, the nozzles can get in the way.

Initial set-up could have been clearer, but once users get to grips with the machine, it’s relatively easy to use. It makes drinks in mere minutes, and my whole home smelled of fresh coffee after making just one drink, which I personally love.

It’s a huge upgrade from instant coffee, offering rich-tasting frothy drinks without the watery consistency from the kettle. It’s worth noting the pods are an investment, but compared to buying shop-bought drinks they could end up saving money over time.

There’s a variety of different pods available depending on taste, but currently shoppers can bag 100 L’OR Espresso Ristretto Coffee Pods capsules on offer at Amazon for £26.12, down from £39.95. Overall, I’m a big fan of this machine.

I’ve used this Breville machine at least twice a day for more than two years, and despite its huge initial cost it’s been the best addition to our home. As a couple who love coffee, we now hardly buy a takeaway coffee out, and have since ditched expensive takeaways for finding bags of quirky beans for the machine.

No matter the bean type, there are 30 different grind settings and a tap-and-go grinder. Once ground, it’s easy to place under the thermocoil group head, which is where the machine shows off its magic – and anyone can do it, barista or not.

The Barista Max steams the water instantly and filters the grounded coffee into the cup below, a much more efficient way than the old drip-style percolators. For us, the Barista Max has been worth the price, its high-end features and sleek look certainly take it above any other machine. The only thing I still think is missing is a temperature gauge.

I’ve recently become the proud owner of a L’OR Barista Sublime coffee machine, and I must admit that it’s changed my morning routine for the better. As a self-confessed coffee snob and former barista of many years, I never thought a pod machine could be as good as the fancier, more tech-heavy coffee machines. But this machine has proved me wrong.

The L’OR Barista machine offers three brewing options—Ristretto, Espresso, or Lungo—via simple buttons. Its advanced capsule recognition technology automatically adjusts the water volume based on the capsule size, ensuring consistent, barista-quality coffee with no fuss. The machine is compatible with a wide range of pods too (Nespresso, supermarket own-brand, etc.), although the included pods are pretty tasty, even the decaf ones.

Since the machine lacks a built-in milk frother – one of its only downsides – one must be bought separately for those who enjoy more milk-based drinks like lattes. Though this isn’t an issue for simple black coffees, which is my usual go-to.

My only minor complaint is that when brewing directly into a standard mug, the volume stops at the espresso shots generated. This means that when I want a longer coffee, I have to run a second hot water cycle after ejecting the pod. This obviously isn’t a real issue, but one that I’d appreciate.

For new users, a helpful diagram inside the capsule lid clarifies which button corresponds to Ristretto, Espresso, or Lungo. However, checking this after popping in the pod risks accidentally ejecting the unused pod, so guessing is sometimes the better option than wasting a capsule.

It’s currently on sale with its bundle deal, which has dropped from £153.89 to £79.99 with 100 free capsules.

For those who want a bit more of a fancy, frothy coffee, but can’t quite fork out hundreds of pounds on a bean-to-cup coffee machine, I’d say this gadget is certainly a great in-between.

I can attest that this coffee machine stands the test of time – I’ve had it for a solid six years, and it’s still running good as new. I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of money it’s also saved me in that time, with the average coffee costing at least £4.

I would argue this is my best kitchen purchase so far (on par with my Ninja air fryer). It delivers excellent coffee—Americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, and more—with incredibly fool-proof instructions and a reasonable price point.

This De’Longhi espresso machine keeps it simple with three buttons for running: single espresso, double espresso, and steam wand activation. This minimal design allows for quick brewing without all the faff of 101 complex options – although for those who like a range of choice, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine, £549.99, has three espresso-style coffee options and four drip coffees.

The De’Longhi model features a high 15 BAR pressure and thermoblock technology for optimal water temperature, ensuring a perfect espresso base. The removable water tank holds enough for at least three mugs. It’s also pretty easy to clean as it has a descaling system that runs itself once set up.

In a bid to ditch takeaway coffee, I tried the Ninja Cafe Luxe, and have used it multiple times a week in the year I’ve had it – if not everyday. Ninja says the Luxe Cafe is the ultimate coffee machine, allowing users to make barista-style coffee at home no matter their skill level, so I have used quite a few of its automatic settings to begin with.

So far, I’ve tried flat whites (some success), cappuccinos (lots of success), and lattes (success but no latte art…yet) using semi-skimmed milk, oat milk, almond milk, and soya milk. While black coffee will always be my preference, I’ve really enjoyed creating lattes with oat milk for my boyfriend and have even purchased some syrup to try vanilla lattes.

One thing which is fiddly with the machine, is changing the portafilter baskets, which does take some time to get used to.