The best coffee machines for your home: your morning brew made easy, according to our expert

When it comes to something as earth-shatteringly important as coffee, everyone has an opinion. Some crave a single perfect shot of espresso, while others seek the milkiest latte; some love Starbucks and others, well, don’t. This is why the idea of there being a single best coffee machine is fanciful – everyone’s idea of the perfect coffee couldn’t be more different.

As a selfless service to coffee drinkers everywhere, I’ve spent months researching and trialling coffee machines to produce a shortlist of tried-and-tested recommendations. The list spans all the main types of coffee maker: manual espresso, filter, bean-to-cup and capsule (not sure what all of this means? Read our dedicated guide to the different types of coffee machine).

I’ve aimed this guide at everyday coffee lovers who want to up their game without spending a fortune or losing hours to perfecting their craft. Ease of use, simplicity and relative affordability play just as important a role as the quality of the coffee. If you love coffee and need help choosing, then read on – you’ll brew better coffee with one of these machines on your worktop.

At a glance

• Best budget manual machine:
  De’Longhi Stilosa EC230
  _{£89.99 at De’Longhi}

• Best low-effort coffee machine:
  De’Longhi Magnifica Evo One Touch
  _{£449 at Amazon}

• Best for capsules:
  L’or Barista Sublime
  _{£104 at John Lewis}

• Best manual machine:
  Lelit Anna PL41TEM
  _{£509.95 at 200° Coffee}

• Best manual machine for beginners:
  Sage Bambino Plus
  _{£399 at Amazon}

• Best premium low-effort coffee machine:
  Jura C8
  _{£672 at Appliance City}

• Best Nespresso machine:
  Nespresso Vertuo Plus
  _{£199 at Nespresso}

Why you should trust me

Having spent more than seven years as the resident coffee bore at an expert product testing publication, I’ve wiled away countless hours in the search for better-tasting coffee. I’ve tested every type of machine from capsule, filter and fully automated bean-to-cup models all the way through to fully manual espresso machines.

Sadly, though, I have had to accept defeat in my pursuit of latte art mastery – despite the occasional happy accident, most of my attempts resemble indecent cave drawings. I apologise in advance for any incriminating photo evidence.

How I tested

The coffee machines were tested across criteria such as taste and usability. Photograph: Sasha Muller

I tested (or retested) 18 machines, several of which I’ve reviewed previously and three of which have a permanent place on my kitchen worktop. I’ve also pored over user reviews and forums, and consulted the recommendations of trusted coffee experts online and on YouTube, in the search for other models to test.

Every machine has been run alongside either my own go-to machines or a curated selection of rivals for side-by-side taste and usability testing. Several kilos of fresh coffee beans and a pile of Nespresso-compatible pods have been sourced direct from my go-to roaster, Craft House Coffee. I’ve used the manufacturers’ official pods where applicable, too.

For the filter and espresso machines that don’t have an integrated coffee grinder, I’ve used my own: a Baratza Vario W+ and a Kingrinder K6 hand grinder. I consumed so much coffee during the testing process that my blood type is now skinny macchiato.

After testing, any coffee machines sourced for this article are either being returned to their sources or donated to Well Wishers, the official charity of the Walsall healthcare NHS trust.

The best coffee machines in 2025

‘A beginner’s dream’: the Sage Bambino Plus. Photograph: Sasha Muller

Best budget manual machine:
De’Longhi Stilosa EC230

_{£89.99 at De’Longhi
£104 at AO}

No, it’s not a typo or a limited-time offer: the Stilosa EC230 really is that affordable. With some takeaway coffees commanding £4 a pop, you could forgo just one month of paper cups of coffee and save enough to buy your own espresso machine. And boy, does the Stilosa make a great espresso.

Why we love it
The price is obviously a big part – after all, we love a bargain – but it would be a false economy if it didn’t deliver the espresso-based goods. Connoisseurs may want more features and control, but they’ll probably be pretty surprised, too. Feed the Stilosa with great-quality, well-ground beans from a good grinder, and it’ll serve stunning coffee.

I got great results from the medium-light roast beans I had to hand, and pairing the Stilosa with my Kingrinder K6 grinder was a match made in heaven. Espresso was flavourful and well balanced. Although the steam wand lacks oomph, it serves up silky hot milk with a dense microfoam with a bit of practice. The result? Great espresso, wonderful flat whites, moreish cappuccinos.

Make sure you check the model number before buying, though. The EC235 and EC260 look almost identical, but swap the manual steam wand for an automatic steam wand and pressurised coffee baskets. That means easier but inferior milk frothing and middling espresso – if you’re planning to feed the Stilosa good, freshly ground coffee, then buy the EC230.

It’s a shame that … you don’t get everything you need in the box. The water tank feels cheap, and there’s no option to fit a water filter – although that can be fixed by buying a separate water filter jug.

It comes with a piece of plastic that resembles a plastic tamper and coffee scoop, but it’s useless at the former and merely OK at the latter. My advice? Buy a proper metal tamper for about a tenner. It tends to drip from the spouts as there’s no pressure valve, so have a cloth handy. Maybe an apron, too.

Machine type: manual espresso
Dimensions: 21 x 34 x 29cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 1min 30secs
Makes milk-based drinks? Yes
Peak noise level: 80dB (61dB average)
Warranty: 1 year repair or replace

Best low-effort coffee machine:
De’Longhi Magnifica Evo One Touch

_{£579 at John Lewis
£449 at Amazon}

I’ve tested several De’Longhi bean-to-cup machines over the years, all the way up to its range-topping £2,299.99 Maestosa, but the Magnifica Evo One Touch is the best-value pick by a margin. It serves up tasty espressos, americanos and lattes with minimum fuss.

Why we love it
The machine is fairly compact by bean-to-cup standards, although you’ll need to leave a little room around and above the machine. Bright, illuminated icons along the top edge evoke the glow of touchscreens on pricier models, but these are simple press buttons. You can choose from seven different drinks, and the built-in milk carafe allows it to craft cappuccinos and creamy lattes with zero hassle.

The quality of the drinks isn’t as immaculate as the pricier Jura C8, but it’s not far off. Espresso is rich and flavourful, hitting about 68C, and cappuccinos and latte macchiatos are topped with a pleasingly dense layer of creamy foam. The MyLatte drink option will prove popular: fill the carafe with the right amount of milk for your preferred coffee cup, and the machine will drain the carafe and add a shot of coffee.

It’s a shame that … it’s not quiet. The grinder’s whines peak at 75dB, and the average noise level of 60dB is markedly louder than the Jura. The lack of a dedicated hot milk function feels like an oversight.

Machine type: bean to cup
Dimensions: 24 x 44 x 36cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 35 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? Yes
Peak noise level: 75dB (average 60dB)
Warranty: 2 years repair or replace at De’Longhi’s discretion

Best for capsules:
L’or Barista Sublime

_{£104 at John Lewis
£69.99 at Amazon}

Built by Philips, this L’or-branded machine makes a huge range of coffees thanks to its compatibility with official Nespresso, Nespresso-compatible and L’or’s own range of pods. It doesn’t support the latest Vertuo pods, but this machine looks great and works well.

Why we love it
The compact dimensions are a big plus, and the design is (mostly) sensible. There’s a removable 0.8l water tank at the rear, and the drip tray and pod bin slide out together.

It’s easy to use, too. Simply lift the large curved handle on top, pop in a capsule and close the lid. You can also pour two normal-size cups simultaneously.

I wasn’t a fan of some of the more potent XXL L’or espresso pods – although the high-street chain flavour may be to some tastes – but there are more than 100 other options from which to choose.

It’s a shame that … the drip tray, lid and pod bin separate with minimal encouragement, so it’s easy to send their contents scattering across your kitchen floor if you’re not paying attention. Nor is it the quietest machine, although it’s unlikely to wake up the household.

Some users have reported that the machine doesn’t play nicely with all Nespresso-compatible capsules. I had no such problems during my testing, but it’s worth buying a handful of capsules to test before buying in bulk.

Best manual machine:
Lelit Anna PL41EM

_{£509.95 at 200° Coffee
£607 at Amazon}

If you want to get serious about espresso, then the Anna PL41TEM deserves a place on your shortlist. The stainless-steel build is reminiscent of the Gaggia Classic, but the big upgrade is the adjustable PID temperature controller that puts you in charge of both the brewing and steaming temperatures.

Why we love it
It’s the Anna’s mixture of talents that makes it so appealing. Value is foremost: the price is only a little higher than the Gaggia Classic, without even considering an aftermarket PID, which would add £300+ on top. The two-year warranty is welcome, too – and Lelit is also confident enough to warranty it for a full year of commercial (ab)use.

Once you’ve primed the boiler (note: read the instructions carefully), you can get brewing in about three minutes. The Anna PL41TEM lets you adjust the brew and steam temperatures from 80C to 130C. Set to the specific brew temperature recommended for your coffee, or just start with the default 95C.

The control is invaluable: I remedied a slight bitterness to my first shots by dropping the brew temperature down a single degree. If, like me, you love globe-trotting one far-flung coffee plantation at a time, this adjustability ekes out amazing results from exotic light roasts through to classic Italian espresso.

It’s a shame that … getting started may be daunting for beginners. The text-only, bullet-point instructions are unwelcoming; YouTube videos are a friendlier place to start. The manual fill boiler requires a little care, so it’s essential to get the hang of.

The solid, basic design is reassuring for longevity, but refined it is not. The water tank just clunks into place with rubber pipes feeding from the top, and the top cover and drip tray are rattly. What’s more, the 57mm portafilter is a non-standard size, so upgrades to the portafilter, basket and various accessories are slightly harder to come by.

One final very minor moan from my long-term testing: the plastic window is just a tad too opaque, so it’s not very clear how much water is remaining.

Machine type: manual espresso
Dimensions: 23 x 38 x 34cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 3 minutes
Makes milk-based drinks? Yes
Peak noise level: 79dB (64dB average)
Warranty: 2-year repair or replace at Lelit’s discretion

Best manual machine for beginners:
Sage Bambino Plus

_{£399.99 at Currys
£399 at Amazon}

The Bambino Plus’s balance of coffee-brewing talent and beginner-friendly features can’t be beaten for the money. It welcomes even complete newcomers with its friendly, informative user manual and helpful YouTube tutorials, and it’s capable of brewing brilliant coffee.

Why we love it
It’s a neat little machine, and the modest dimensions mean it will slot unobtrusively on to most kitchen worktops. Sage supplies almost everything you need in the box, too. I say almost everything: you’ll also need some good fresh coffee beans and something to grind them with.

The quality of the coffee seals the deal here, however. In something of a rarity at this price, the Bambino Plus has a temperature controller, ensuring the brewing water hits the coffee grounds at a consistent temperature. Combine that with a decent-quality coffee bean and a capable grinder, and you’ve got a recipe for routinely good espresso with a bare minimum of faff.

Factor in the automatic milk texturing, which serves up wonderfully hot, silky, frothed milk at the press of a button, and it’s invigoratingly easy to whip up superb flat whites and cappuccinos. It’s a beginner’s dream.

It’s a shame that … the manual mode doesn’t feel quite right without a proper physical dial, so budding baristas may hanker for a fully manual espresso machine. As you can’t adjust the brew temperature, you’re better off sticking with medium- to dark-roast coffee beans (lighter roasts require higher brew temperatures, so they may taste a little sour).

Machine type: assisted manual espresso
Dimensions: 19 x 36 x 30cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 6 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? Yes
Peak noise level: 63dB (50dB average)
Warranty: 2 years repair, replace or refund at Sage’s discretion

Read our full Sage Bambino Plus review

Best premium low-effort coffee machine:
Jura C8

_{£672 at Appliance City
£899 at John Lewis}

Jura describes its C8 as its first entry into the “premium economy segment”, which gives you a good idea of how expensive the rest of its machines are. The C8 is, however, an example of trickle-down technology done right. It makes only four types of coffee, but makes them well. The design is astute, and it’s easy to use. A class act.

Why we love it
There’s only so lovely you can make a large black cuboid, but Jura’s done well here. It’s all plastic, but it doesn’t feel unsubstantial, and unlike rival machines, there’s precious little in the way of lumps and protrusions.

One of my favourite features is the milk system: the milk carafe itself is rather elegant, or you can choose to drop the rubber tube into a milk bottle or jug straight from the fridge.

Espresso is among the best from any bean-to-cup machine I’ve tested in this price range, and the Jura produces a smoother, more balanced shot than cheaper machines. The black coffee is good, and although the cappuccino is similarly tasty, the latte macchiato was my favourite – the combination of a nice dense milk foam and well-extracted coffee is dangerously moreish.

Best Nespresso machine:
Nespresso Vertuo Plus

_{£199 at Nespresso}

The Vertuo Plus uses Nespresso’s larger, pricier Vertuo capsules, allowing it to make everything from surprisingly refined espresso to half-litre carafes.

Why we love it
If you’re looking for the most compact machine possible, then the Vertuo Plus isn’t it. Standing almost 33cm tall, the Plus’s curved body and offset water tank are an imposing sight next to the smaller capsule machines on my kitchen counter.

Crucially, though, the Vertuo Plus makes a mean coffee. You can use any of the Vertuo capsules, and the machine did a great job with all those I tested. It’s quieter than the Vertuo Lattissima, too, and while the noise levels reach 54dB when the capsules spin up, it’s a much less annoying thrum than its stablemate.

One word of warning: lungos come out at a steaming hot 78C, perfect for adding milk, but tongue-searingly hot without. Espresso shots tend to pour into the cup at about 70C, so they are drinkable right away.

It’s a shame that … the retail price is high. However, it’s regularly discounted. The same machine is made by several different manufacturers, though, so you’ll see versions with slightly different styling.

Machine type: capsule
Dimensions: 22 x 35 x 33cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 27 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? No
Peak noise level: 54.5dB (average 50.5dB)
Warranty: 2 years repair or replace at Nespresso’s discretion

The best of the rest

‘Makes consistently enjoyable coffee’: the Lavazza Jolie Evo. Photograph: Sasha Muller

Ninja Cafe Luxe ES601UK

_{£549 at John Lewis
£499.99 at Amazon}

Best for: sublime espresso and milk-based coffees without the effort – or the expense

Imagine a manual espresso machine that does all the hard work for you – that’s the Cafe Luxe in a nutshell. Pour coffee beans into the hopper on top, and it’ll grind, measure and adapt the settings automatically to produce the perfect espresso, long black and beyond.

Indeed, espresso is just the beginning. Press a button on the shiny fascia and it’ll whip milk into a hot, silken froth perfect for a cappuccino or flat white. But what if you fancy something more akin to a filter coffee? Or a cold brew coffee, for that matter? Not a problem: cold or hot, milk or coffee, the Cafe Luxe will brew, steam or froth it to perfection. Take a little time to decipher the busy control panel, and a whole world of coffee lies at your fingertips.

If you’re wondering why you’d pick this over a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine, then the answer is the coffee quality. As this is a portafilter machine, the Ninja draws out a depth of flavour and complexity from good coffee beans that fully automatic machines can only dream of. The downside is more effort, but if you want manual espresso quality without the faff, this is as good as it gets for about £500 – Sage’s superior assisted machines cost twice as much.

It didn’t make the final cut because … if you have £500 to spend but don’t want a fully manual machine, the question is whether this will be automatic enough for you. If you’d prefer to simply press a button and get on with the washing-up, then a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine such as the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo One Touch will be a better pick.

Machine type: assisted; dimensions: 37 x 33 x 37cm (WDH); time to heat up: 35 seconds; makes milk-based drinks? Yes; peak noise level: 66dB (average 57dB); warranty: two years

Moccamaster KBG Select

_{£193.54 at Amazon
£218 at AO}

Best for: simple filter coffee

Spending more than £200 on a filter coffee machine may seem extravagant, but the KBG Select is anything but ordinary. Built to last a lifetime, it’s one of a few select machines to earn an accreditation from the Specialty Coffee Association and the European Coffee Brewing Centre for its brewing prowess.

That the machine is designed and handbuilt in the Netherlands goes some way towards explaining the high price. As does the five-year warranty and the promise of lifelong repairability. It certainly doesn’t hurt that you can pick from more than 20 kitchen-matching colours.

It couldn’t be simpler to use: pop in a paper filter, add the ground coffee to the filter and wait patiently. You can brew anything between four and 10 125ml cups of coffee – admittedly closer to five normal-size mugs – and a full jug takes a consistent six minutes to brew.

If you’re making fewer cups, you can flick the half-jug switch to slow the brewing process and eke every last drop of flavour from smaller doses of coffee. However much you brew, the hotplate then stays on for 40 minutes, keeping coffee warm without stewing it.

The quality of the coffee it makes, and the consistency with which it does so, is what sets the KBG Select apart. I’ve had surprisingly pleasant results from pre-ground supermarket coffee, but routinely enjoy wonderful cups from freshly ground beans. Feed the KBG Select with great coffee, and it quietly does the rest.

It didn’t make the cut because … the machine feels lightweight, and the glass carafe doesn’t feel especially solid. That said, my unit has been used daily for almost two years now, and nothing has broken. Yet.

One final word of caution for any coffee perfectionists: you may prefer a machine with more adjustability, such as Sage’s well-regarded Precision Brewer.

Machine type: filter
Dimensions: 32 x 17 x 36cm (WDH)
Time to heat up: 25 seconds
Makes milk-based drinks? No
Peak noise level: 59dB (average 44dB)
Warranty: 5 years (excluding carafe)

Lavazza Jolie Evo

_{£69 at Lavazza
£81.68 at Amazon}

Best for: hassle-free Italian espresso and tasty black coffee

There are cheaper capsule machines and there are far fancier ones, but the £99 Jolie Evo earns a recommendation by making consistently enjoyable coffee. Lavazza’s A Modo Mio capsule range is small, but each gives a pleasingly brash, nutty Italian espresso flavour with minimal hassle, and the machine is compact and uncomplicated.

The Jolie Evo is small, so it fits into tiny gaps on a kitchen worktop. The removable 0.6l water tank saves you from carrying jugs of water across the kitchen, and the little bin holds five caps.

The machine heats up in 30 to 35 seconds, then you drop a capsule in the slot, pull down the lever (which has a rather satisfying action) and press the button. The Jolie Evo will keep pouring until you press the button a second time, so you can have any amount of coffee from the shortest ristretto to a longer 160ml brew. It’s reasonably quiet, too: I measured a peak sound level of 45dB from a metre away.

It didn’t make the final cut because … the water tank can be fiddly to slot back into place. Also, the capsule drawer doesn’t always push back flush with the surround.
Machine type: capsule; dimensions: 12 x 33 x 21cm (WDH); time to heat up: 35 seconds; makes milk-based drinks? No; peak noise level: 45dB (average 35dB); warranty: 2 years repair or replace at Lavazza’s discretion

Sage Barista Touch Impress

_{£1,199.95 at Sage
£1,199 at Amazon}

Best for: manual espresso excellence without the effort

If it weren’t for the price, this would be in one of the top slots: it’s become my go-to for espresso, cappuccino and beyond. The combination of automatic grinding, dosing and brewing assistance and the excellent automatic milk texturing is a life-saver when I need to be juggling kids rather than coffee paraphernalia.

The Barista Touch Impress is truly lovely to use. The bright touchscreen guides you through the process of dialling in your espresso and steaming your milk, so even beginners don’t feel overwhelmed. What’s more, it optimises the grind size and amount of coffee to ensure that every shot extracts the optimal amount of flavour.

All the little details make for a great experience, such as the Baratza-manufactured burrs in the grinder, the adjustable brew temperature and the overall ease of use. And, although it’s assisted, the physical process of handling the portafilter and popping the milk jug under the wand makes you feel like you’re doing it all yourself.

This is barista cosplay for lazy and busy espresso fans – and I count myself as being in both camps simultaneously.

It didn’t make the final cut because … for the same kind of money, you could buy a very capable, fully manual machine, a quality grinder and still have enough cash for a few kilos of high-end coffee beans.

Machine type: assisted manual espresso; dimensions: 36 x 34 x 42cm (WDH); time to heat up: 6 seconds; makes milk-based drinks? Yes; peak noise level: 76dB (average 60dB); warranty: 2 years repair, replace or refund at Sage’s discretion

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima

_{£198.96 at John Lewis
£239 at Harrods}

Best for: sumptuous milk-based coffees with minimal effort and no mess

Built by De’Longhi, the Vertuo Lattissima is what you’d get if you crossed an automatic bean-to-cup with a Nespresso Vertuo machine. You get all the usual black coffee options, and the clip-on milk carafe means it also serves moreish cappuccinos, latte macchiatos and hot milk on demand.

It’s possible to make gorgeously long milk-based drinks with the Vertuo Lattissima – so much so that you’ll need to unclip the small drip tray completely. Pop in an 80ml espresso capsule, for instance, and the latte macchiato button will fill a 590ml cup.

The drinks are more than worthy substitutes for any high-street coffee – I could see this machine costing people a small fortune in capsules.

It didn’t make the final cut because … as tasty as the coffees are, the RRP of £379 is a lot of money. It’s rather noisy, too.

Machine type: capsule; dimensions: 19 x 41 x 31cm (WDH); time to heat up: 35 seconds; makes milk-based drinks? Yes; peak noise level: 60dB (average 53dB); warranty: 2 years repair or replace at Nespresso’s discretion

Gaggia Classic Evo Pro

_{£389 at Coffee Friend
£425 at Gaggia}

Best for: manual espresso tinkerers and secondhand bargain hunters

The Gaggia Classic lives up to its name. Despite a handful of redesigns since its release in the 1990s, this manual espresso machine has become a regular sight in the kitchens of coffee enthusiasts worldwide. It’s capable of making superb espresso, but its retro-facing looks go hand in hand with old-school engineering, and this means that getting consistently great coffee requires a fair bit of trial and error.

The decidedly unmodern construction is all part of the appeal here. The stainless steel body and chunky switches are reassuringly utilitarian, and while the drip tray just loosely slots home and the water tank is fiddly to remove, there’s a ramshackle charm to the whole thing.

It feels built to last, and it will – replacement parts are readily available. This DIY repairability opens the door to aftermarket upgrades that can radically improve its shot-pulling capabilities and also makes it a good buy on the secondhand market, as long as you budget for potential repair costs.

It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s perfectly possible to pull a great espresso, but it takes a little trial and error to get there. If you’re willing to learn its quirks, you’ll find the Classic a rewarding companion.

Machine type: fully manual espresso; dimensions: 23 x 24 x 38cm (WDH); time to heat up: 1 minute; makes milk-based drinks? Yes; peak noise level: 76dB (average 60dB); warranty: 3 years repair or replace

What you need to know

Daily cleaning is non-negotiable for machines with built-in milk-frothing systems. Photograph: Sasha Muller

Warranty

When things go wrong with your coffee machine, the first port of call is the manufacturer’s warranty. Most have a two-year repair or replace warranty as standard, but pricier models may increase that to three years or – in the rare case of Moccamaster – five years.

For the most part, these will be a repair or replace warranty, which means the machine will have to be shipped back to the manufacturer, sometimes at its expense but not always (as ever, it pays to read the small print). It will then be at the company’s discretion as to whether a repair or a replacement is the best course of action.

Before you buy, it’s advisable to shop around and check whether different retailers provide free extended cover or offer sensibly priced upgrades to the standard warranty – or alternatively you can consider third-party appliance insurance. This is unlikely to be cost-effective for cheaper machines, though: even a small monthly outlay will quickly add up to more than the price of a new machine.

Repairability

When you’re out of warranty, things can get tricky. Generally speaking, the cheaper the machine, the less likely it is that repairs will be economical. Some machines, such as capsule, filter and low-end espresso models, are just not designed to be easily serviceable. Screws and bolts are often replaced by plastic clips, which generally aren’t designed to be unclipped once fastened. Spare parts are hard to come by, too, if they exist at all. And a repair is unlikely to be worthwhile anyway: labour charges will be in the region of £40 an hour.

If you want to buy once – or like the popular Reddit community r/Buy It For Life – you’ll need to spend more upfront for a machine with a repairable design and a healthy supply of spare parts.

How often should you clean your coffee machine?

The oils in coffee are brilliant at creating sticky, hard-to-remove stains – and dried-on milk does a pretty good job, too. A quick wipe with a wet cloth and a rinse of the machine’s washable or removable parts after every use can save a lot of hassle later. Whatever you do, though, always consult the user manual. If a manufacturer advises against putting a particular part in the dishwasher or immersing it in soapy water, don’t ignore them.

You’ll also need to be mindful of long-term maintenance, such as descaling or deep cleaning internal parts. Each machine will require a specific approach, and while some clever units may remind you what’s needed when, or even have automatic cleaning cycles, others will need you to make a note in your calendar and remember to do it yourself.

When it comes to descaling, always use the correct type of descaler for the job. The metals used in some machines’ heating elements can be irreparably damaged by the types of acids in descaling agents. If in doubt, check the manual, look online or contact the manufacturer for advice before making a potentially costly mistake.

A top tip for filter coffee machines is to never use the coffee carafe to fill the machine with water: this coats the machine’s insides with hard-to-remove coffee residue. Some machines have built-in water filters that can pretty much banish the buildup of limescale, but you can get the same benefit by using an affordable water filter jug. If your kettle is caked in limescale, then you’d benefit from one – and it may even make your coffee taste better.

Daily cleaning is non-negotiable for machines with built-in milk-frothing systems. Spoiled milk will taint plastic parts permanently. If you’re not a huge fan of camembert cortados, a thorough wash in the sink after every use is required. Dedicated cleaning products, such as Urnex’s Rinza tablets, will do an even more thorough job if you can bear the expense, but they’re not essential.

How to recycle your old coffee machine

Repair shops can breathe new life into old coffee machines. Photograph: YakobchukOlena/Getty Images/iStockphoto

If you’re tempted to just sling your old coffee machine in the bin, hang on. There are sustainable options you can consider.

Repair: If you were happy with your coffee machine before it went kaput, the first option is to repair it. Have a look on Google to see if there are any coffee machine repair shops or technicians nearby. These experts may be able to give you some general advice about the viability and cost-effectiveness of a repair.

Donate: Another option is to offer it for free on Freecycle, Ecobees, Freegle or a similar service. If the machine doesn’t work, you can state that it’s supplied on a spares or repair basis. Someone may relish the challenge of bringing it back to life.

Refurbish: Some manufacturers provide the option to return your broken machine for repair, even if it’s out of warranty. In the event a repair isn’t possible or cost-effective, they may recycle or refurbish your machine for resale – and possibly offer you another refurbished machine for less. If in doubt, it’s always worth emailing or phoning your manufacturer.

Reuse: If you’re replacing your machine with another from the same manufacturer, some parts may be interchangeable, so it could be useful to keep it for spares. Many espresso machines have similarly sized portafilters and filter baskets, and the same goes for other types of coffee machines: many manufacturers use compatible parts across multiple models in their ranges.

Recycle: For the parts or machines you can’t reuse, most coffee machines – and most small appliances, for that matter – can be recycled. If you’re unsure about your nearest options, try the Recycling Locator on Recycle Your Electricals. Type in your postcode, the type of appliance and whether you want to recycle, donate or repair it, and you’ll find a list of your nearest options.

For my postcode, this gave me the location and contact details for my local recycling centre, in addition to branches of Argos, Tesco, Asda and Currys. It also gave a list of which products would be accepted at each location. This, however, is worth taking with a pinch of salt; I’d contact the location before turning up with a trolley full of old appliances.

For example, not all of those stores will provide free recycling for non-customers. Currys is a notable exception, accepting most small electrical items for free in-store recycling. Asda recycles goods only when customers are buying a replacement in-store. And although it said my local Tesco would accept coffee machines, the staff member I spoke to said that while they’d accept anything with a battery, they weren’t aware of an equivalent service for bigger items.

The best bet is your local recycling centre, as it will be more likely to accept appliances, especially bulkier ones. Some centres also have dedicated repair boxes where items that may be repairable can be left – in my local borough, these are then taken to prison repair programmes so they can be donated to charity or other good causes.

If you can’t get to your local centre, your council may collect smaller appliances alongside your bin collections. For reference, my council stipulates that the items be no larger than 35 x 40cm, fit in a carrier bag and don’t include any glass. Those dimensions cover most coffee machines, so the only challenge may be finding a carrier bag that’s big enough.

Sasha Muller is a freelance tech and consumer journalist, avid coffee drinker and craft beer enthusiast with more than two decades of experience in testing products and avoiding deadlines. If he’s not exploring the local woods with his kids, boring people talking about mountain bike tyres or spending ill-advised amounts on classic drum’n’bass vinyl, he’s probably to be found somewhere swearing at an inanimate object

This article was originally published on 21 November 2024. Reviews published in the Filter may be periodically updated to reflect new products and at the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most recent update can be found in the timestamp at the top of the page. This article was amended on 23 May 2025; three coffee machines were added after testing and prices were updated throughout.