Which coffee machine should I buy?

Picking the perfect coffee machine is all about finding something that matches up with how you like your coffee. Are you someone who just wants to make a quick morning cup before you rush out the door? Or maybe you’re a weekend coffee warrior and you’re after that full barista experience at home?

You should also think about how much space you have on your worktop for your coffee machine, and whether you’re into coffee pods or only fresh ground beans will do.

Check out our short guide below to get you on the path to home coffee heaven!

The grab and goers

In a nutshell: Your mornings are chaotic, and you want a coffee that can roll with your hectic lifestyle – simple, speedy and tasty.

Mornings are the busiest time in your house. Maybe you’ve got kids to wrangle, work shirts to iron or just housekeys to find…again. And if you’ve got to make the 08:02 train, you don’t have time to grind beans or wait for coffee to brew. And that’s why great about pod coffee machines.

You’ll get served up with a quality cup of coffee in seconds. Just pop a capsule in your coffee machine, press down the lid and push the button. That’s all there is to it.

Pods let you pick from loads of different types of coffees – from espresso to caramel latte, macchiato to Americano. So, you can find a fave or mix it up every morning. And because it’s all automatic, it means that there’s minimal mess or spillage.

Any suggestions?

The NESPRESSO by Magimix CitiZ & Milk Coffee Machine lets you make ristrettos, espressos and lungos just the way you like them. It'll turn itself off when you're not using and its water tank is easy to take off and clean.

The coffee connoisseurs

In a nutshell: You’re happy to take time over your coffee and want that authentic barista experience at home.

There was a time in the UK where coffee culture only went as far as the Gold Blend couple. But in the last few decades, we’ve seen a coffee revolution.

Coffee lovers have become serious about the stuff they drink: single origin coffee, artisan independent coffee roasters and fresh beans ground at home. Youtubers like World Barista Champion James Hoffman are watched by millions.

If you’re looking to bring the total barista experience home, there’s only one thing for it: you need an espresso machine.

How do they work? Hot water is forced through a puck of ground coffee at pressure and this creates thick, concentrated espresso. Either you can go fully manual (think barista in full flow) or far more automatic. So how much you want to work for your cup of joe is up to you.

Any suggestions?

Want that barista experience without having to go on a coffee course? The DELONGHI Dedica coffee machine lets you have the best of both worlds. Its frothing novel makes you make amazing coffee creations at home, while pre-sets means you can select your drink at the touch of a button and let the machine do the rest.

Coffee and cake gossipers

In a nutshell: You love going for a coffee and a good chat-up with your pals. You want to recreate the same experience at home without the mess.

You’ve long spent lazy afternoons in your favourite cosy-corner coffee shop with your friends, sipping caramel lattes and discussing the week’s events over a selection of tasty cakes.

Over the years, it’s become a ritual. But what about recreating the same vibes at home? With as little hassle and faff as possible? Go for a bean-to-cup machine.

Pour whole coffee beans into your machine and then it’ll grind as much as it needs for each cup. Bean-to-cup machines are easy to use so you can create your favourite coffee at just the push of a button.

Pick a machine with an automatic frother for cappuccinos and lattes.

Any suggestions?

Philips LatteGo Coffee Machines are packed with features that help you create your perfect cup every time. Go for the top machine in the range and you'll be able to create profiles that make everybody's perfect cup every time. Great for when you have friends over!

Cold brew lovers

In a nutshell: You want a coffee machine that gives you options suited for all weathers.

Thought that you could only get an iced coffee from a coffee shop? Think again. New pod coffee machines are adaptable beasts that can create the piping hot creations you desire, or delicious cool drinks that go down great in hot weather.

Just pick a cold brew creation to get it going. The hard part might be deciding which you want to go for.

Any suggestions?

The DOLCE GUSTO by KRUPS Piccolo XS KP1A0840 Coffee Machine is a cinch to use and will let you pick your fave from 40 different coffees – including cold brew pods.