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Best affordable coffee machines, including Amazon Spring Sale 2024 deals

Rival your local barista and pour the perfect at-home brew.

By , Claire Dodd
smiling woman drinking cup of coffee
Westend61//Getty Images

Going out for coffee is great – who doesn't want to spend their life like the Friends cast, propping up their local coffee house? But there are also times when you just want to kick back with a cuppa at home. The solution: one of our best affordable coffee machines.

Whether you're flailing around the kitchen, zombie style, in search of a quickfire espresso, or a certified coffee bean aficionado on the hunt for caffeinated perfection, these at-home marvels can deliver delicious espressos, cappuccinos and so much more.

Not to be all Chandler Bing about it, but there is one teeny tiny snag. With so many options on the market, finding the right one for you (at the right price) can be a challenge. Enter our expert coffee machine guide. We've cut through the noise and tested the best-value machines on the market to bring you our top picks.

Our round-up also features stickers on items which are on sale at Amazon as part of its Spring Deal Days sale event – our last price check was conducted on March 20, 2024 and Amazon's spring sale activity is running until next Monday (

The best affordable coffee machines to buy now

What types of coffee machines are there?

We focused our testing on three of the most popular types of at-home coffee machine: pod, espresso and bean-to-cup. Each one has pros and cons, and finding the right type for you will depend on your beverage of choice, budget, knowledge, time constraints and personal preferences.

Here's a quick overview of each model's strengths and weaknesses.

Pod: These machines are the kings of convenience, perfect for whipping up a quick ad break cuppa. They make single-serve drinks from a predetermined quantity of coffee grounds, sealed in a pod.

All you have to do is place a pod in the designated slot and shut the lid of the machine, piercing the capsule. Press go and water will be pushed through the coffee grounds, extracting the flavour. An espresso is made from the resulting mixture in a matter of minutes. You won’t have too much control over your coffee, but if it's ease and convenience you're after, look no further.

Espresso: If you know your ristretto from your lungo, this is the machine for you. You'll need skill and knowledge to get the most out of an espresso machine, but the personalised results are well worth the extra effort.

Similarly to pod machines, they draw flavour from coffee grounds. However, this time around they're loose, so you'll need to measure the correct amount out then tamp them down with the appropriate pressure to make your ideal beverage. This process takes a little longer than pod machines, but gives you a more authentic coffee-making experience. Most also come with a steam wand, a handy tool if you favour milk-based drinks or fancy perfecting your latte art.

Bean-to-cup: As the name suggests, these machines can turn coffee beans into a steaming cup of espresso faster than you can say 'Miss Chanandler Bong' (well, almost).

Their greatest strength is the fact they have an in-built grinder for reducing beans to coffee grounds. They're also surprisingly simple to use, and will carry out most elements of the brewing process autonomously; grinding, extracting and pouring. You'll have plenty of control over variables such as drink size, coffee strength and extraction time, too, so you can adjust each one to make your perfect drink.

Best coffee machine discounts and deals for Black Friday 2023

There are a fair few in our round-up of tried and tested coffee machines that can be snapped up for a discount this Black Friday – you'll see stickers on the reviewed coffee machines that are on sale – but we've also seen a number of other impressive deals that we wanted to share with you.

Sage the Bambino Espresso Machine with Milk Frother – Amazon RRP £329.95, now £229, SAVE 31%

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Capsule Machine by Philips – Was £109.99, now £59.99, SAVE 45%

Sage The Barista Express coffee machine – Amazon RRP £649.99, now £449 SAVE 29%

How we test coffee machines

Much like Ross, Rachel and co, our dedicated tester made their way through hundreds of cups of coffee. But, instead of just having a quick catch-up, they set out to find which machines gave the best results.

The top models provided consistency and efficiency, able to deliver different drinks with the desired flavour profile time and time again. If they had an automatic milk frother or steam wand, we also made sure these were able to create the sought-after, velvety texture that cappuccinos depend on, with both milk and dairy-free alternatives.

Best pod coffee machines

best affordable coffee machines
Best all-round pod coffee machine

Opal One coffee pod machine

Opal One coffee pod machine
Best all-round pod coffee machine

Opal One coffee pod machine

Credit: Opal

If the idea of measuring and tamping your coffee grounds every time you fancy a brew sounds like a bit of a faff, you're better off sticking with a pod machine. This was our pick of the bunch when it came to getting maximum flavour from every capsule, and it also proved a dab hand at handling speciality pods, too.It looks great, is easy to use and gives you the ability to change the brewing temperature to suit different drinks, which testers enjoyed.

There's no adjustable cup stand, and the coffee-making process slowed considerably when we tried to brew a third espresso on the trot, but those were the only complaints we could muster for a near-perfect coffee experience.

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Best pod coffee machine with Alexa

Lavazza A Modo Mio Voicy Coffee Machine

On Sale
Lavazza A Modo Mio Voicy Coffee Machine
Best pod coffee machine with Alexa

Lavazza A Modo Mio Voicy Coffee Machine

That's right, this is the first coffee machine to boast built-in Alexa, so if you fancy pumping out some tunes and shopping on Amazon while making your brew, this one's for you. It will even tell you if it's going to rain or shine (probably the former, let's face it, but keep the faith).

It lights up in neon as it heats up, adding even more techy fun, and our tester found it easy to program their coffee preferences. It poured bang-on shots to boot.

Key specs

Water tank capacity1.1 litres
Milk frotherNone
Pod typeLavazza A Modo Mio
ProgramEspresso, espresso lungo
Best small pod coffee machine

illy Y3.3 Espresso & Coffee Machine

illy Y3.3 Espresso & Coffee Machine
Best small pod coffee machine

illy Y3.3 Espresso & Coffee Machine

Credit: illy

Kitchen appliances can be a bit snore colour-wise, so we like that this neat model comes in pastel blue and jolly red, as well as the ubiquitous black and white. It's also compact enough to fit into the most, ahem, 'bijou' of kitchens, so if you haven't got acres of counter space, snap it up in the sale.

Programming custom drinks volumes is a breeze and the espresso stand folds up when life calls for a bigger cup of joe. Sure, it takes nearly a minute to heat up, but it pours good coffee at a bargain price, so waiting's no biggie.

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Most stylish coffee pod machine

Smeg Lavazza Modo A Mio Coffee Machine

On Sale
Smeg Lavazza Modo A Mio Coffee Machine
Most stylish coffee pod machine

Smeg Lavazza Modo A Mio Coffee Machine

Now 42% Off
Credit: Smeg/Lavazza

This Smeg machine's retro design casts back to the '50s… and we love it. You'll need a sizeable space on your kitchen counter to house it though, as the body is particularly deep.

If you prefer a darker roast, the Lavazza pods give a great ashy flavour, and the machine has the ability to pull multiple shots at once, making it a solid option if you often find yourself hosting guests. It also comes with a few eco pods to try, which is a nice touch, and means you can get brewing straight away.

Key specs

Water tank capacity900ml
Milk frotherNone
Pod typeLavazza A Modo Mio
ProgramsEspresso, espresso lungo
Quickest pod coffee machine

Lakeland Coffee Pod Machine

Lakeland Coffee Pod Machine
Quickest pod coffee machine

Lakeland Coffee Pod Machine

If patience is a virtue you very much don't possess when it comes to making your morning coffee, you need this super speedy whizkid in your life. Our tester was sipping their shot a rapid 41 seconds after powering it up, and they found it as simple as it possibly could be to use.

Just one word of warning, because alas, nothing this reasonably priced is perfect: you can't adjust the two drinks sizes, and the double espresso preset pours nearly 50ml more volume than it says it will. So, you'd better be thirsty before you press that button.

Key specs

Water tank capacity700ml
Milk frotherNone
Pod typeNespresso
ProgramsEspresso, espresso lungo
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Best bean-to-cup coffee machines

best affordable coffee machines
Best all-round bean-to-cup coffee machine

Breville Barista Max + VCF153

On Sale
Breville Barista Max + VCF153
Best all-round bean-to-cup coffee machine

Breville Barista Max + VCF153

Now 14% Off

Invite your friends round. No, not for a brew – just to stand back and take a look at this thing of beauty. Worthy of any coffee shop counter, this bean-to-cup machine has an integrated grinder with over 30 settings. That’s right, 30. There are other useful features too, such as a compartment under the drip tray for storing accessories, and it's quick to heat up and brew.

If you like your coffee milky, you're also in luck. The steam wand proved agile, giving milk a velvety, smooth texture. There's even a useful guide to help you get it right. However, the grinder was a little trickier, with the dosage proving inaccurate and the pre-set espresso volume a little high. Changing the brew temperature was a little difficult too.

It's a sad fact of life for coffee enthusiasts everywhere that bean-to-cup models tend to be quite expensive. But, although, yes, this machine is pricier, you are getting expert performance and a winning cuppa.

Key specs

Water tank capacity2.9 litres
Pressure15 bars
Milk frotherYes - steam wand
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Best value bean-to-cup coffee machine

Beko CEG5311 Bean To Cup

On Sale
Beko CEG5311 Bean To Cup
Best value bean-to-cup coffee machine

Beko CEG5311 Bean To Cup

Purist (read: fussy) coffee drinkers step forward. This affordable bean-to-cup machine features an incredible 19 different grind settings, so you can get your brew just right. And the steaming wand means you can create your own flat whites, lattes or cappuccinos too. Lovely.

However, changing the volume of coffee was a bit of a faff, and the milk frother was a little erratic, with sporadic bursts of steam. But you'll also be relieved to know that thanks to the auto-rinse function, keeping it clean is a doddle. All in all, an excellent value machine.

Key specs

Water tank capacity1.6 litres
Pressure19 bars
Milk frotherYes - steam wand
Best customisable bean-to-cup coffee machine

De'Longhi Magnifica EVO Bean To Cup

De'Longhi Magnifica EVO Bean To Cup
Best customisable bean-to-cup coffee machine

De'Longhi Magnifica EVO Bean To Cup

Now 38% Off
Credit: De'Longhi

Not great first thing in the morning? Same. Luckily, this bean-to-cup beauty has a memory function, allowing you to save your favourite brews. There's also a built-in grinder – or you can use grounds, no big deal – adjustable coffee strength, a steam wand for frothing your milk, and seven pre-programmed drinks, including an espresso.

All-in-all, it's an affordable gadget for bean-to-cup purists, though you can expect your milk bill to go up a tad. As the wand is a little short, you’ll have to use a little more milk than you really need to get it all nice and frothy.

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Best espresso coffee machines

best affordable coffee machines
Best value espresso coffee machine

Beko CEP5152B Espresso Coffee Machine

Beko CEP5152B Espresso Coffee Machine
Best value espresso coffee machine

Beko CEP5152B Espresso Coffee Machine

Unless you've got a flourishing career as a "transponster", the idea of splashing thousands of pounds on a coffee machine is enough to raise an eyebrow or two. Fortunately, this Beko model delivers great drinks for less than £100. Granted, you don't get all the fancy features a four-figure investment might buy you, but it still makes technically great espressos.

The drinks were quick to pour, heated to the correct temperature and boasted a thick robust crema (the lighter, frothy, flavourful layer on the top of an espresso). Frothing milk was a doddle too, thanks to the steam wand, though it did drip a bit after use.

Key specs

Water tank capacity1.4 litres
Cup capacity2
Pressure15 bars
Milk frotherYes - steam wand
Milk jug includedNo
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Best espresso coffee machine for pods

De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685M Traditional Espresso Machine

On Sale
De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685M Traditional Espresso Machine
Best espresso coffee machine for pods

De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685M Traditional Espresso Machine

Now 17% Off

As with the Lattissima, the De'Longhi Dedica packs a flavoursome punch despite its compact design. It can craft drinks from ground coffee or turn Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods into tasty shots, if you're short on time. It can also fill two cups simultaneously, making it a great option for couples.

The Dedica steams milk well, though you can't do this at the same time as pulling an espresso shot, making the process take a little bit longer. But, if you're willing to wait, you'll be rewarded with a delicious milky brew.

Key specs

Water tank capacity1.1 litres
Cup capacity2
Pressure15 bars
Milk frotherYes - steam wand
Milk jug includedNo
Best looking espresso coffee machine

De'Longhi Scultura ECZ351 Traditional Barista Pump Espresso Machine

On Sale
De'Longhi Scultura ECZ351 Traditional Barista Pump Espresso Machine
Best looking espresso coffee machine

De'Longhi Scultura ECZ351 Traditional Barista Pump Espresso Machine

This metallic machine may look like a spare part for a Porsche, but under the hood, there are some snazzy features. It can take coffee grounds and ESE pods, is refreshingly easy to use and even has a cup-warming area – sure to be appreciated come winter.

The spout dripped considerably after we used it, and we would have liked a thicker crema on our espressos, but it's well-built with solid milk-steaming abilities.

Key specs

Water tank capacity1.4 litres
Cup capacity2
Pressure15 bars
Milk frotherYes - steam wand
Milk jug includedNo
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Best espresso coffee machine for versatility

Dualit Espresso-Auto Coffee and Tea Machine (84516)

Dualit Espresso-Auto Coffee and Tea Machine (84516)
Best espresso coffee machine for versatility

Dualit Espresso-Auto Coffee and Tea Machine (84516)

If deciding between an espresso and pod machine has left you more torn than Ross at the altar then never fear, because this versatile appliance can do it all. It moonlights as a pod machine, taking both Nespresso and ESE capsules, but can also operate as an espresso machine, drawing shots from grounds.

It froths milk well too, though the stiff steam wand is a tad awkward and it required a good degree of pivoting before we found a comfortable position for our cup.

Key specs

Water tank capacity1.5 litres
Cup capacity2
Pressure19 bars
Milk frotherYes - steam wand
Milk jug includedNo
Quickest espresso coffee machine

Krups XP320840 Opio Steam and Pump Coffee Machine

On Sale
Krups XP320840 Opio Steam and Pump Coffee Machine
Quickest espresso coffee machine

Krups XP320840 Opio Steam and Pump Coffee Machine

A fresh coffee can be a godsend on a groggy Monday morning, but you don't want to be waiting around for ages while it brews. We had no such problems with this Krups machine, which took just over a minute to heat up before delighting our testers with technically perfect espressos.

The steam wand was a little stubby and could have had more pressure, so steaming milk was a bit tricky. But when we found a good position, it was able to create the velvety texture we wanted. The Opio also went above and beyond with smart additional features like a storage compartment under the lid.

Key specs

Water tank capacity1.5 litres
Cup capacity2
Presure15 bars
Milk frotherYes - steam wand
Milk jug includedNo
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