Our barista tested over 150 coffee machines - these are the best (and only) 9 that she recommends

The best coffee machines come in all shapes and sizes: espresso machines will make you feel like a barist;  pod machines offer easy, speedy coffee; and cafetieres and drip machines offer simple, delicious brews. Whichever one you choose, I've found the perfect one for you.

As a former barista, I have high standards for what a good coffee machine should look like. Over the last two years, I've tested over 150 coffee machines so that I could narrow them down to the best nine. 

The ones in the list below are all easy and intuitive to use (even if you're a beginner), durably built, and they make delicious coffee. The best ones will have a little extra something, such as milk frother, coffee grinder, and smart technology to help you make the best brew possible. Below, you have my barista's guarantee.

The quick list

The best coffee machines of 2024, tested and approved by a qualified barista

Best coffee machine overall

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The run of the best coffee machines looks pretty good for Sage. This isn't sponsored by them: all my reviews are completely independent, but as a barista, I really respect Sage's quality coffee machines.

The Oracle Jet is my favourite luxury coffee machine, because it balances the manual features of an espresso machine, such as adjustable grind size and temperature control, with automatic adjustments for milk type, bean variety, and coffee order. A barista will get to tinker until their heart is content, but a beginner will also be able to make a cafe-quality brew under the careful guidance of the Oracle Jet.

I was very reluctant to take this off my counter, even after a couple of weeks of using it. The stately machine looks impressive on the counter, brews a technically perfect espresso in twenty seconds, and will do all the special, smart adjustments that you'd expect from a state of the art machine: it'll pre-infuse the coffee with water (to remove any acidic CO2); automatically adjust the grind and extraction pressure; and use a PID temperature to control water that passes through your espresso.

Perhaps the most impressive and advanced feature on the Oracle Jet is the milk texturing. The machine lets you choose what kind of milk your using (dairy, almond, oat, soy) as well as the temperature and texture that you want. Then, it'll steam it all, hands-free, so you can focus on your latte art. 

Sounds too good to be true? It's not, but the price tag and footprint are both on the large side. I think it's worth clearing some space for this, if you want the luxury coffee experience, but make sure to shop around for the best price.

Read more in my full Sage Oracle Jet Coffee machine review

Best coffee machine for beginners

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You might be surprised to see Sage's most affordable espresso machine near the top of the list, but if you ask any expert, they'll tell you that this really is the best coffee machine on the market. It hits the sweet spot for every criteria that I look for: this is incredible value, it makes delicious, cafe-style coffee, the controls are beginner-friendly, and it doesn't take up much room on the counter.

I see lots of people talk about this as an entry-level espresso machine, but it's also the one that all the baristas I know own. Sage has given the Bambino Plus all the smart technology that they put in their more expensive machines, so it pre-infuses your shot with water (this removes excess carbon dioxide to make it taste smoother and sweeter); it has a ThermoJet heating system (rather than a boiler, so it warms up in three seconds); and it extracts coffee at the optimal 9 bars of pressure using water at 93°C. There are buttons that will help beginners to automatically steam milk and extract shots without needing to know all the details behind what makes a good coffee, but there's enough scope to get coffee connoisseurs buzzing (and that's before they taste the coffee). 

All that will be music to any geek's ears. Both Emily (one of our other experts) and I love this machine, because we've found that it makes delicious coffee. Neither of us can fault it technically and, the small footprint means that it sits really neatly on the countertop, rather than dominating the space like lots of other machines do.

The greatest downside of this machine is what it lacks, which is a bean grinder. Adding your grounds to your portafilter by hand can be messy, but you can also invest in a separate coffee grinder down the line if your coffee obsession deepens. The one thing you should really think about before buying this is whether you need the automatic steam wand. Whilst this is helpful for beginners, you could save £100 by investing in Bambino (not the Bambino Plus) if you can steam milk by hand.

Read more in my full review of the Sage Bambino Plus

Best espresso machine

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Having tested over 150 coffee machines in the last two years, the one that I ended up buying was this. You might wonder why it's not at the very top of the list and my answer is: coffee is very personal. Whilst this is certainly one of the best coffee machines on the market and it is the one that I chose for myself, I'm well aware that espresso machines aren't for everyone. This, however, certainly suits a lot of people.

La Specialista Maestro is a lot like the Sage Oracle Jet in that both brands chose to combine the best parts of manual brewing with some automated aids, so that baristas could brandish some special skills, whilst beginners could still make a good cup of coffee without breaking a sweat. 

If you're wondering just what you get help with, I'll give you a mini summary. You can choose the type of coffee you want, as well as the grind settings by twisting some of the geeky-looking dials. Then, the machine will grind, automatically help you to tamp, and then brew your coffee. You get to texture milk yourself (so get practicing) and this does a lot of the hard work. 

It makes flawless coffee: my espressos, Americanos, long blacks, and cappuccinos have all been spot-on flavour wise. Even when I tested out some cheaper beans, this made a delicious cup of coffee. There's even a speed cold brew setting that saves you the 24-hour wait time. You can enjoy smooth flavours in just five minutes and, quite honestly, they're still really faultless.

My only reservations are that this is big on the counter and possibly a little overly complex if you're just looking for a simple espresso machine. That's why this is pipped to the post as the best espresso machine for beginners by the Sage Bambino Plus. For half the size and price, you can enjoy equally delicious coffee.

Read more in my full review of the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro

Best pod coffee machine

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I'll admit it. When I was looking for the best pod machine, I was 99% sure it would end up being a Nespresso. They're best known for their capsule coffee and they undoubtedly deserve their shining reputation. I have included a Nespresso on this list (it's the best coffee machine under £100), but the Lavazza is better as a pod machine for a whole host of reasons.

The main factor that this got top spot as the best pod machine is that it makes such delicious coffee. All of the capsules are eco-friendly, you get a choice of a whole host of different roasts (all guaranteed to be cafe-quality, because they come from the Italian experts, Lavazza) and they brew with some incredibly nuanced, balanced flavour profiles.

You can see on some of my pictures that there are tonnes of different buttons. That's because this robust, beautiful machine can brew plenty of different styles of coffee (from espresso and Americano) to the size and style that you desire. 

Another reason it pipped Nespresso to the post is the integrated milk frother. This works with hot and cold milk, totally hands free. All you have to do is plug the carafe into the machine and it will spin, froth, and texture your milk. The buttons let you choose how thick and hot you want yours and I found that it even handled my plant-based milks well. I have seen some people struggle by overheating oat milk, but this is easily fixed by texturing it for less time. My only qualm is that this is a little more expensive for other models (like Nespressos). Other than that, the Deséa is a delight.

Read more in my full Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa Coffee Machine review

Best coffee machine under £100

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As promised, Nespresso makes its appearance. The Vertuo Pop is one of the cheapest models that they make and yet, even by my snobby barista standards, I think it's one of the best. So, if you're shopping for a budget coffee machine, this is the one. 

The Vertuo Pop covers a lot of bases. Nespresso makes the Pop in a range of bright, as well as tonal, colours, so you could sit this on the counter in just about any kitchen and feel like it's a good fit. It's tiny (just 5.5 inches wide) and is crafted from 45% recycled plastic, making it one of the smallest, least demanding models on the market.

The Pop can brew five sizes of black coffee. Depending on which Vertio pop you pop in, you can make an espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, coffee, and alto, plus, a new carafe size. You'll spot a delicious crema on top and some gorgeous colour that's unlike any other pod machine out there, even the Lavazza. That's because all the Vertuo machines brew through Centrifusion, a unique process that rotates the Vertuo capsules 7,000 times in a minute to extract the best brew. Each capsule also has a barcode that the machine reads and automatically adjusts according to the ideal temperature, cup size, brew speed, and more.

I had itching hands just watching the coffee brew, because the process is so simple, it renders any kind of coffee skills completely redundant. All you have to do is open the machine, place it in the slot, and simply press the center button. It self-disposes the pod in a separate tank that you won't have to bother with until the bin is full. 

The coffee it brews is delicious, especially for pod coffee, but there are a couple of downsides. All Nespresso machines are only compatible with the proprietary pods, so you get stuck in a subscription to Vertuo pods either through their site or on Amazon. The pods, whilst fully recyclable, have to be dropped at special points or mailed back to Nespresso. It's relatively easy, but a touch more hassle than just popping them in the compost, for example. And, the reson this hasn't usurped the Lavazza as the best pod machine is that you need to buy Nespresso's Aeroccino milk frother (about £78 at Amazon)to make any kind of milky coffee, which is extra clobber for your countertops.  Aside from that, it's a bargain. If you choose to get one, it'll be the best £99 you spend all year.

Read more in my full Nespresso Vertuo Pop review.

Best filter coffee machine

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Traditionally, lots of people think of drip and filter coffee as quite an American way to caffeinate. However, over the last few years I've seen more and more of these machines creeping into our homes. They're convenient, quick, and an easy way to batch brew light cups of coffee for the whole family. 

If that doesn't sound appealing enough, take a look at the Technivorm Moccamaster. Not only is this programmed to make technically perfect coffee (it's set to meet the Golden Cup STandard set by the Speciality Coffee Association), it's one of the most stylish models that I've ever seen. When I had it in my house, it garnered more compliments than any of the vases, pictures, mirrors, and other decorations that I have around my house. I would have been annoyed, but this is such a good coffee maker, it's hard to do anything but love it.

If you're not struck by the bright coloured orange machine in the picture above, don't worry. There are over twenty different shades on offer, from bright red to metallic black and silver, so there will be at least three shades that'll suit your kitchen. 

The simple settings will let you brew either a half or a full carafe of coffee. It's fuss-free, easy, and the coffee that it makes is light, delicious, and drinkable. The hot plate can keep up to ten cups of coffee warm for an hour after brewing, but it won't keep heating after that. If this is a disappointment, just remember that any machine that hears for longer than that is doing so to the detriment of your flavours.

So, what makes the Moccamaster KBGV Select worthy of its hefty price tag? For one, it's assembled by hand in the Netherlands, making for a sleek and unique design. It also features first-rate materials, such as a copper-heating element. It also has one of the longest warranties around, with five years. But the real beauty of a Moccamaster is that you should still be able to use it a decade from now, maybe more. And if a part does wear down, such as the plastic brew basket or the glass carafe, these items are easily replaceable or repairable, which in turn prevents perfectly good machines from being discarded into landfills. 

Read more in my full Technivorm Moccamaster review.

Best luxury coffee machine

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I don't think I've ever but 'good value' and '£750 coffee machine' in the same sentence without being sarcastic before, but believe me when I say that this is worth saving up your coffee beans for. The De'Longhi Rivelia is one of the smartest bean-to-cup machines on the market. It combines a sleek exterior (available in a range of lovely neutrals) with an incredibly intelligent operating system that learns your individual coffee preferences and adapts between users. 

The 3.5" full-touch colour display is smoothly animated with high-colour and interactivity, but it's not intimidating. The Rivelia can be as smart as you want it to be, brewing coffee to nuanced strengths, to the ml, °C, and second. You could be super fussy with one of those embarrassing to say out loud coffee orders (mine's a decaf, 2/3 shot, iced cold brew with almond milk - I never order it because I sound high maintenance) and the De'Longhi will deliver this in seconds, without a blink. Even better, it will save your preference to your user profile, remember the kind of drinks that you like at specific times of the day, and suggest them to you. Long gone are the days of actually deliberating over what coffee you want.

Aside from the four, customisable user-profiles, the Rivelia comes with two 250g interchangeable hoppers that you can easily swap out between drinks, which is perfect for those who like to swap between caffeinated to decaffeinated drinks throughout the day. I didn't realise that I needed this in my life until the Rivelia delivered it. Now, all other machines seem simplistic in comparison. 

I actually don't have criticism for this machine. Yes, it's expensive compared to a Nespresso, but you get the quality coffee back from it. Some people might miss the grinding, tamping, and steaming manual features of other espresso machines, but I really don't. This is the luxury lifestyle and I think you're going to love it.

Read more in my full De'Longhi Rivelia Coffee Machine review.

Best cafetiere

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If you don't like flashing screens and whirring machines before you've had your morning cup of coffee, I can't recommend a cafetiere more. These range from £10 - 200 and my favourite is, as you've already guessed, the Bodum Chambord.

This classic glass carafe and stainless steel sleeve was first designed in the 1970s and the silhouette hasn't changed since. Why mess with a winning formula? With a single filter and simple pour and plunge mechanism, the Bodum Chambord will deliver classic rich, slightly acidic coffee in just ten minutes. You'll obviously need good beans and a decent grinder (or a good local where you can buy coarsely ground coffee), but aside from that, Bodum hands you the recipe for success.

There are better insulated models out there, which will keep your coffee warmer form longer (I wouldn't give the Bodum more than 20 minutes) as well as cafetieres which can double-filter your coffee, so that stray grounds don't sneak through, but these will often cost three of four times the price, which I don't think are worth the splurge.

If you want simple, good coffee, you can't go wrong with the Bodum. Just make sure you don't drop it.

Read more in my full Bodum Chambord review

Best portable coffee maker

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The AeroPress slipped onto the scene as any start-up does, with a bang. It's designed to deliver all the delicious flavours that you get from all the best coffee machines on this list. However, instead of a pump and motor-generated pressure, this tube generates pressure through a vacuum. It makes no noise, doesn't need a plug, and is smaller than the average water bottle. It sounds close to magic and, in truth, the coffee the AeroPress makes is pretty unbelievable too.

If you've enjoyed French press or filter coffee, this is a blend between those two. Using a plunger and a filter (stainless steel or paper), you can brew a whole host of different coffees. Depending on the ratio, you can brew an intense shot of coffee, a classic black coffee, and, if you've got 18 hours, a cold brew concentrate. 

Whilst you might like to stick with a more traditional machine, if you have a long commute and you need to save money, or you're going on holiday, I would put this on a list of essentials. This is compact and will deliver on reliably good results. For the price and size, this is easily the best coffee maker on the market. 

Read more in my full AeroPress Clear Coffee Maker review.

How we tested the best coffee machines

We selected the following coffee machines in order to share products within a range of different prices, from budget to luxury options - and from well-known and more niche brands for a full representation of what's on the market.

To evaluate the best coffee machines we looked at:

• Price tag—and subsequent value-for-the-money.
• Ease of use—is brewing a cup intuitive or do you need to pour through the manual?
• Special functions—can you customize cup size? Adjust strength? Program?
• Design—coffee makers come in all shapes and sizes. Are you looking for something purely functional, or do you want something to match your personal interior taste?

Our Head of Shopping Millie Fender is a bona-fide coffee expert, with five years of reviewing the best machines in the market under her belt. Every product in this guide has been tried and loved by her, and she's made an effort to ensure that these machines have been tested for longer than just a few weeks by sharing machines among friends and colleagues for prolonged testing. If something goes wrong, she hears about it. Millie has been on trips to coffee machine factories with the likes of De'Longhi, and been to coveted coffee launches alongside brands like Sage and Lavazza.

Are expensive coffee machines worth it?

We all hold a certain pride in our fancy coffee machines and trying out the latest coffee trends, but before you jump on the most luxurious machine, consider how often you'll use it, the features you plan to take advantage of, and if you're up for the maintenance that often comes with keeping these machines in shape.

And while it just so happens that some of our favorite coffee machines fall on the expensive side, we have come across brewers that we like for under £50. We seek out special functions like the ability to control brewing parameters, the overall brewing process, or the presence of water filters as to what makes a high-quality machine. More expensive machines typically use more expensive materials such as stainless steel shells, or in the case of the Moccamaster, a copper-heating element.

Sometimes a cheap coffee machine is a quick fix in a bind, but they usually struggle to get to the perfect temperature, or the heating element begins to burn out. If you're reaching for a cup of coffee every day at home, why not invest in something that brews superior coffee? We also place a lot of expectations on our expensive machines with the intention that they will serve us for years. Note, it's not just the coffee machine that affects your coffee, but the beans, their size, and freshness level that can make or break your beverage.

What type of coffee machine is best?

We've covered a wide amount of the types of coffee machines you can bring into your home. Now, we'll break down all of the different types of coffee machines and why one might be better for you than the other.

• Filter coffee machines—this makes your standard pot of hot coffee. Water is heated before being sprinkled over coffee grounds that then drips down into a carafe. A cup is usually identified as 150ml., so when you see a 12-cup coffee maker, it really makes 1.7 litres of coffee.
• Pod coffee machines—loved for their convenience to brew just one cup of coffee at a time. They feature pods, which tend to cost more per cup than using a drip coffee maker, but they require little measuring or skill.
• Espresso machines—encompass a wide variety of machines and brewing styles, but the most common is referred to as including semi-automatic, automatic or super-automatic. Semi-automatic requires places the responsibility of measuring grind, tamping, and timing the shot on you. Automatic machines automatically stop the water flow when at completion, but the grinding and tamping is still part of the art while super-automatic machines do everything for you at the touch of a button, from grinding to brewing to dispensing. Espresso is a finely ground coffee that's brewed under pressure.