Better coffee at home, honestly compared

Straight advice on coffee machines, coffee and kit for UK kitchens, with dated UK prices, the downsides and who each pick isn't for.

Coffee machines.

Espresso, bean-to-cup, pod and filter machines, compared on published specs, owner reviews and independent tests. Every guide says who a machine suits, and who it doesn't.

Why these machines

These are the machines my guides rate best for a particular job, from the cheapest machine here to a bean-to-cup for black coffee, a compact espresso machine and one that textures the milk for you. Prices are from UK retailers, checked on the dates shown, and my picks come from published specs, owner reviews and, where they exist, independent tests. I don't test machines in person, and nobody pays for a place.

TypeBean-to-cupEspressoPod
Price
Sort

Illustration of the Philips Series 2200 EP2220/10 bean-to-cup machine in matte black, with its classic milk frotherIllustration: Hoppin Hopper

Bean-to-cup machines

Philips Series 2200 EP2220/10

£329.99at Currys, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026)

From Philips 2200 EP2220 review

Best for black coffee

Melitta Purista

£399.99at Melitta UK, in stock, checked 28 Sep 2026

From The best bean-to-cup coffee machines under £500 in the UK

Illustration of the Sage Bambino SES450 espresso machine in brushed stainless steel, front viewIllustration: Hoppin Hopper

Espresso machines

Sage the Bambino SES450

£329.95at Sage UK, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026)

From Sage Bambino review

Illustration of the Nespresso Vertuo Next by Krups X910N40 pod machine in black, front viewIllustration: Hoppin Hopper

Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso Vertuo Next by Krups X910N40

£69.99at Currys, checked 28 Sep 2026: a sale price (was £149.99) that may end

From Nespresso Vertuo Next review

Illustration of the Tassimo by Bosch Finesse pod machine in black, three-quarter viewIllustration: Hoppin Hopper

Cheapest here

Tassimo by Bosch Finesse TAS162EGB

£39.99at Currys, checked 28 Sep 2026: a sale price (was £118.99) that may end

From Tassimo Finesse review

Coffee.

Beans, ground, pods, instant and supermarket ranges, from Lavazza and illy to Kenco and Nescafé. I weigh up what independent tests and owners say, alongside UK prices with the date I checked them.

Accessories.

The kit around the machine: grinders, frothers, scales, kettles and a few espresso extras, each with the facts and a dated UK price.

Illustration of the Melitta Molino electric coffee grinder in black with its red grind-dial ringIllustration: Hoppin Hopper

Grinders

Melitta Molino

£40.00 at Melitta UK, in stock, checked 28 Sep 2026

From The best burr grinders under £100 in the UK

Illustration of the Krups Expert Burr Grinder GVX231 in black with a brushed stainless frontIllustration: Hoppin Hopper

Best electric for filter

Krups GVX231

£62.99 at Currys, in stock, checked 28 Sep 2026

From The best burr grinders under £100 in the UK

Best for latte art

Subminimal NanoFoamer Pro V2

£132.50 at Bella Barista, in stock, checked 28 Sep 2026

From The best milk frothers in the UK for café-style drinks at home

How we review.

We don't test kit in person. We compare published specs, dated UK prices, owner reviews and independent tests, and cite every source.

Picks get plain labels such as “Cheapest” or “Best for latte art”, plus a verdict. No stars, no scores.