Best coffee machine 2023: Espresso, bean-to-cup, filter and pod

The Melitta Barista TS Smart is a top bean-to-cup coffee machine, capable of producing high-quality drinks – from spot-on espresso to enticing cappuccinos and lattes – all at the touch of a button. This machine has 10 user profiles, so everyone in your house can customise their favourite recipes. The “smart” part of the name refers to the Bluetooth app, which makes it easy to program your favourite drinks using your phone.

This machine has dual bean hoppers on top, so you can have different varieties for different drinks, or give two people in your home their favourite beans. This is a feature that we’ve only seen replicated on much more expensive machines.

What’s really important is that this coffee machine can produce excellent espresso that’s pretty much as good as you can get from a manual espresso machine. And, it’s rather good at steaming milk, too, producing excellent cappuccinos and lattes. If you want a huge variety of drinks but you don’t really want to have to do the job yourself, this is the bean-to-cup machine for you.

Full review: Melitta Caffeo Barista TS Smart review
Reviewer: David Ludlow

Who says that bean-to-cup coffee machines have to be so expensive? The Beko Bean To Cup Coffee Machine with Steam Wand CEG5311 turns that idea on its head, with a well-priced coffee machine. Not only will it save your bank balance, but this coffee machine can save counter space as it’s barely any larger than an espresso machine.

Fill up the bean hopper on top, then tap a button and you’ve got fresh espresso waiting for you. It’s true that the level of this adjustment isn’t as good as on more expensive machines, and my test coffee lost a little of its subtlety, but for the price I’m not complaining.

If you do want milk, there’s a steam wand that you can use with a jug. It takes a bit of practice to properly froth the milk, but the effort is worth it. Besides, you have to spend a lot of money to find a bean-to-cup coffee machine that’s capable of dispensing automatic milk well.

If you’re a bit tight on budget but want an automated machine, this smart little budget coffee machine does the job for you.

Full review: Beko Bean To Cup Coffee Machine with Steam Wand CEG5311

Reviewer: David Ludlow

Cheaper than the Melitta Caffeo Barista TS Smart, the Latte Select offers similar features for less money. Here, the bean-to-cup machine has a dual hopper, so you can run it with two kinds of beans. However, there’s a manual selector here, where as the TS Smart has an automatic one. Provided you remember to select the right beans that shouldn’t be an issue, and the Latte Select offers more choice of coffee than a traditional bean-to-cup machine, which only takes one kind of bean.

A simple touch interface makes it simple to chose the type of drink you want, from cappuccino to espresso. With a 2X button, you can even make two drinks at once. Melitta lets you override the default settings, including coffee and milk volumes, so the Latte Select can be programmed to perfectly fit your cups. The interface, controlled via a rotary dial, is a little fiddly to navigate.

Espresso poured brilliantly with our home-roasted beans. A good crema with a nice oily finish was good to see, and the bold acidity of our test beans shone through. It’s hard to find a bean-to-cup machine that would do better.

Automatic milk frothing is good, too. Tightly packed foam in our test cappuccino was good to see. A manual machine gives you more control, but if you want convenience, you’ll be pleased with the results here.

If you want an excellent range of drinks at your fingertips, this machine provides them at a great price.

Full review: Melitta Latte Select review
Reviewer: David Ludlow

If you want to create the same kind of coffee that you get in a quality independent coffee shop, the WPM KD-270S is for you. This dual-boiler machine (well, twin thermoblock) heats up fast and can steam at the same time as it pours a shot of espresso.

Pouring a perfect shot of espresso, provided you pair it with a decent grinder, this is the best manual coffee machine that we’ve tested. Milk frothing is superb, too.

You get full control over infusion and temperature, although the controls are a little bit fiddly to use. Still, get the manual out and carefully make changes and you won’t have problems.

A machine for the more high-end user, this is a great choice if you want the absolutely best coffee.

Full review: WPM KD-270S review
Author: David Ludlow

The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great coffee machine, either as a first purchase for someone keen to make coffee the proper way, or as a step up from a pod or cheap espresso machine. It’s easy to use and capable of very good results, and has its own grinder built in.

The controls are simple to follow. There’s a dial that sets the machine to hot water or starts dispensing steam. In hot water mode, there are three buttons to choose from: manual control, single shot and double shot. The latter two are programmed at 30ml and 60ml dispense volumes by default, but you can press and hold the buttons for your desired volume.

The machine’s display shows a live count in seconds to help you pour the right amount of coffee. A 2.9-litre tank at the rear – which can accept a filter – ensures there will be plenty of water to make lots of coffee without having to refill it often. There’s also a wand for steaming milk.

It took us a few attempts to achieve the right grind and tamp for a double-shot of espresso, but that’s normal. With the right combination, the espresso poured well: like honey running through the group handle, finishing up with a thick, oily-looking crema on top that lasted a few minutes. The shot of espresso preserved the coffee’s acidity and hint of bitterness, while still being smooth. You have to spend a lot more to get better results.

Full review: Breville Barista Max+ review

Reviewer: David Ludlow

If you’re short on counter space but want the flexibility to make your own espresso manually (dare we say, properly), then the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine is the machine for you.

A stylish model, this is one of the smallest espresso machines that we have reviewed. As with the company’s mixers, the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine is available in five colours.

Function hasn’t been replaced by style: there’s a cup warmer, a generous 1.4-litre tank of water, and just four buttons: one for toggling between coffee, steam and hot water; one for selecting one shot or two; one for descaling; and one to start the selected mode.

Single- and double-walled filter baskets are in the box. Single-walled are for coffee you’ve ground yourself; double-walled are for pre-ground coffee and help keep the right level of pressure. Both single- and double-espressos are catered for in both formats.

Coffee quality is excellent and we got a nice thick crema, with the coffee pouring like hot honey. We love the way that the amount of coffee can be programmed, so you get consistent results each time. Steaming milk is straight forward, although you will probably need some practice to get the best results.

If you want quality manual espresso at a great price, then the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine delivers that.

Full review: KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine review
Reviewer: Rachel Ogden

Pod machines are built for ease, not necessarily artistic ability. The Sage Nespresso Creatista Uno changes that, with a machine that gives you the ease that you’d expect from a pod machine, but the ability to free-pour milk to make your own creations like a professional barista. Taking a standard milk jug, the Creatista Uno can steam milk automatically; the pouring is up to you.

High-quality espresso comes at the touch of the button, with this model supporting Nespresso’s ristretto, espresso and lungo settings. Best of all, the coffee machine is excellent value and won’t take up much room on your worktop.

Full review: Sage Nespresso Creatista Uno review
Reviewer: David Ludlow

The Nespresso Vertuo system uses larger capsules capable of delivering a longer drink of coffee, right up to a mug full. The first machine was excellent, and now the Nespresso Vertuo Next refines the system. This new coffee machine is neater looking and better built, although you lose the old motorised lid and now have a manual lock instead: make sure it’s properly locked shut or the machine won’t work.

There’s a single button to operate: tap this and the barcode on the coffee pod is read to deliver the right volume of coffee (from 40ml espresso up to 440ml, although 230ml is the most common). There’s a huge choice of Vertuo pods to choose from, including single-origin coffee and flavoured ones.

Nespresso uses a centrifugal brewing system that creates a luxurious and thick crema, with a smooth drink of coffee. It’s quite incredible and has become one of our favourite styles of coffee. There’s no milk option here, but you can but a separate milk frother if you want one. For those that love quality coffee to fill a mug, this is the best way to get it.

Full review: Nespresso Vertuo Next review
Reviewer: David Ludlow

Gorgeous to look at and extremely powerful, the Melitta EPOS is an incredible bit of engineering and a brilliant filter machine for those that want the best quality coffee. The EPOS consists of two parts: the burr grinder on the left, which dispenses into the filter; and the automated pour-over that filters into the carafe.

Cleverly, the machine will grind the right amount of beans based on the number of cups you select to brew; however, you have to manually remember to fill the water to the right line manually, as the EPOS will empty the tank regardless of the setting you choose.

There’s a 1-litre water tank, which is a little small compared to many filter machines; however, what the EPOS lacks in quantity it makes up for in brew quality. There are three strength settings and a pre-brew option, letting you get the best out of any type of bean. The results were excellent, with the EPOS producing the best filter coffee of any machine that we’ve tested. If filter coffee is your drink of choice, this is the machine to get you the best-tasting coffee.

Full review: Melitta EPOS review
Author: Helen Harjak

Handmade, the Moccamaster KBGT is designed to do one job: deliver perfect filter coffee time and time again. It’s rather industrial looking, and the parts don’t have the shine that rivals have, but the KBGT is a quality filter coffee machine for several key reasons.

First, everything comes apart easily. The filter basket, shower head and water tank can all be removed easily for cleaning, so this machine is easy to keep in its best condition. Secondly, it’s stupidly easy to use: put coffee into the paper filter, fill the water tank and then turn the machine on: excellent filter coffee pours out into the thermal carafe, which will keep the coffee warm for around three hours.

This machine can make 10-cups (1.25-litres) of coffee maximum, which is enough for a dinner party or just coffee-hungry families that like a brew through the day.

There are filter machines with more features, such as timers and grinders, but if you’ve got a good coffee grinder and care more about the final product than extras and looks, the Moccamaster KBGT is a solid workhorse.

Full review: Moccamaster KBGT review

Reviewer: David Ludlow

Filter coffee machines are best when used with freshly ground coffee, and the Melitta AromaFresh Grind and Brew makes that easy by including a grinder. While you can set the machine to deliver the right amount of coffee you need (two to 10 cups worth), you have to manually fill the right water level.

Melitta has used paper filters for the AromaFresh Grind and Brew, which is a great choice – you get a fresh one each time you make coffee. Washable filters may seem more convenient, but they can become tainted with use. Coffee quality is excellent, with the AromaFresh delivering rich and smooth coffee in large amounts.

There’s a handy timer, too, so you can set the machine to ensure your coffee is ready in the morning. For convenience and quality, the Melitta AromaFresh Grind and Brew is an excellent choice.

Full review: Melitta AromaFresh Grind and Brew review

Reviewer: David Ludlow

Not strictly a coffee machine in its own right, the Nespresso Barista is an add-on for all types of espresso machines, not just Nespresso ones. Use the touch-screen interface to select a recipe, add the ingredients, which mostly include a shot of espresso, and off you go.

The Barista then makes everything automatically for you, including delicious cold Iced Nitro espresso drinks, hot chocolate and even frothed milk. If you’re a little more adventurous, this is a great way to make some stunning drinks.

Full review: Nespresso Barista review

Reviewer: David Ludlow