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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

Although bean-to-cup machines can be hugely expensive, the Melitta Avanza Series 600 bucks the trend, and is one of the cheapest machines that can also automatically froth milk.

There’s a single bean hopper on top, and simple buttons on the front to select the type of drink that you want (or even two if you want to make two drinks or a double espresso). Espresso quality is excellent, with a thick and rich crema, and a decent shot of the black stuff all with very little effort.

For milk, you can just dunk the provided house into a bottle or jug, and the Series 600 will do the job of steaming milk automatically. Results aren’t perfect and there’s little control over the final result, so all drinks tend to come out with a similar head of milk, rather than, say, a frothier head for cappuccino and a finer texture for a flat white. If you like your fancier milk drinks, a manual machine or a more expensive bean-to-cup machine may make more sense, but the Avanza Series 600 is great for espresso lovers and more occasional milk use.

Full review: Melitta Avanza Series 600 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

If you don’t have much counter space and want a manual espresso machine, the Sage The Bambino Plus is an excellent choice. This relatively compact machine is extremely well made and can still deliver an excellent shot of coffee.

This model doesn’t have a coffee grinder, so you’ll need to buy a burr grinder that can grind espresso for you. Sage ships this machine with single- and double-walled filters (the former is for high-quality grinders, the latter is more forgiving of a coarser grind from a cheaper grinder). That means you’ll need to experiment a little get the right results.
It’s worth persevering as you can get an almost-perfect shot of espresso: a smooth and oily crema, with a dark shot of coffee underneath. Taste is, perhaps, a little off from the pro-end of the market, but we’re talking subtle differences here.

Steaming milk is an art form unto itself, so it’s nice to see that you can use the Bambino in automatic mode, steaming directly into the jug, or you can pull the wand out and do the job yourself. This gives you options and lets you get steamed milk the easy way until you practice enough to do the job manually. If you want a compact espresso machine and still want good results, this is the machine to buy.

Full review: Sage The Bambino Plus review
Reviewer: David Ludlow

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

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

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