Best coffee machine, tried and tested for barista-quality cups

As a coffee snob, only the best appliances earn a spot in my kitchenNicky Rampley-Clarke/The Standard I admit it: I’m a coffee snob. In fact, both my husband and I are – he even more so, in fact – so we demand quite a lot from a machine that makes it at home. It was timely, then, that I was commissioned to review the best coffee machines just as our trusty old Nespresso – a pod model – gave up the ghost. After a decade of producing coffees that got us through the best (and worst) of times (hangovers and deadlines included), I was curious how coffee machines had moved on since our last investment, and what innovations they now boast.Luckily, Isabella Forgione, small appliance expert at AO.com, was on-hand to remind me of the basics – and talk me through the advances. “Coffee machines are designed to brew coffee quickly and conveniently at home,” she explains. “Many modern machines range from simple pod-based models through to advanced bean-to-cup machines that grind fresh beans and create barista-style drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites.”Best coffee machines at a glance Best overall – Sage the barista express impress espresso coffee machine: £599, Sage.comBest affordable buy – Nespresso vertuo up coffee machine: £179, Nespresso.comBest easy-to-use machine – KitchenAid fully automatic espresso machine KF4: £898, Tesco.comBest value for money machine – De’Longhi la specialista arte truestart edition: £399, Delonghi.comBest compact machine – Ninja luxe café mini plus espresso machine: £499, Sharkninja.co.ukPod vs Beans-to-cup“Pod machines are often considered the most convenient option, using pre-portioned capsules to create coffee with minimal effort and mess,” she continues. While the machines themselves can be affordable, buyers should also consider the ongoing cost of replacement capsules. Alternatively, bean-to-cup machines grind whole coffee beans for every drink, helping maximise freshness and flavour. More advanced models also allow users to customise settings like strength and temperature. Then there are espresso machines, which are popular among coffee enthusiasts who enjoy greater control over brewing, extraction and milk frothing, although they typically require more hands-on involvement than other types.”What to consider when choosing a coffee machine“When choosing a coffee machine, it’s important to consider how you like your coffee and the effort you’re willing to put into making it,” Isabella adds. “Coffee-lovers who value convenience may prefer a pod machine, whereas those looking for maximum freshness and greater customisation may find a bean-to-cup model better. Buyers should also think about other factors such as drink variety, milk-frothing capabilities, ease of cleaning and water capacity. Storage is another important element – pod machines take up much less space than high-end espresso machines. Ongoing costs are also worth keeping in mind. Coffee pods and beans require regular purchasing, alongside general machine maintenance.”How I testedPod machines like Nespresso’s are easy but have limited functions, while bean-to-cup models allow for more flavour Nicky Rampley Clarke/The Standard I tested every coffee machine using three considerations: how they look, the experience of making a coffee, and ease-of-use (plug-and-play VS need-a-degree, for example). For consistency, I used the same Union hand-roasted beans (£17.50, Sainsburys.co.uk) for bean-to-cup models. Sage The Barista Express Impress Espresso Coffee MachineNicky Rampley Clarke/The Standard ★★★★★Best: Overall coffee machine What we love: Beautifully made and reassuringly solid with the best espresso crema of those tested. I love the built-in dosing dock and the tamping lever that delivers minimal mess and great consistency. The adjustable dosing and grind size allow for tailored extraction, and the steam wand is hyper mobile for ease of use. The machine also looks the business from the front and side-on, which is important if you’ll be looking at it from two angles in the kitchen. Take note: Guidance on extraction is a bit daunting, but once you’ve settled on your beans, there isn’t much fiddling needed.It’s no wonder Sage is the go-to brand for restaurants the world over. Their machines are as sleek as they are smart, with all the cutting-edge tech you’d expect from the coffee titan. The Barista Express Impress (see what they did there?) turns your whole beans into a café-worthy espresso in under a minute, while its stainless-steel exterior comes with serious bragging rights on your kitchen countertop. There’s a smart dosing system that works out the exact amount needed based on your previous grind and 25 settings so you can tailor your cup to the precise strength needed on the day (it’s different, right?). Other impressive bells and whistles come in the form of assisted temping (for the even compression of coffee), seven-degree barista twist (for fine-tuning your grind), 15-bar pressure pump (richer flavours, baby!) and a powerful steam wand for silky, foamy cups. Latte art, anyone?Bar pressure: 15Coffee capacity: 250 grams (coffee beans)Cup capacity: 2Extras: Hot water, milk frotherGrind settings: 25 Water capacity: 2 litresNespresso vertuo up coffee machineNicky Rampley Clarke/The Standard ★★★★★Best: Affordable coffee machine What we love: The simplest machine to operate by a country mile. It looks great, and while a bit bigger than other pod-based machines tested, you won’t begrudge giving it space on your countertop.Take note: No coffee machines are quiet, but this one does have a unique brewing soundtrack, especially when preparing the longer-format ‘mug’ variants. The Vertuo capsules are double the price of the original, but you need fewer of them to brew a coffee, and when compared to speciality whole beans at £10-£15 per 250g, they start to represent good value.A design-led take on its classic machine, Nespresso have just launched the Vertuo Up as part of its namesake range, each high-performance machine featuring its iconic lever (so satisfying to flick up and down, it has to be said), ultra-fast three-second heat-up and a dedicated button for creating your favourite hot or iced recipes at a touch. For those who are tech-inclined, there’s even smart app functionality, while everything comes in a sleek new look in a choice of four shades – including pearly-white. It gets extra points for the space-saving design, which is always a plus, no matter how expansive your kitchen. Bar pressure: N/A Coffee capacity: Pod capsule system (no bean hopper)Cup capacity: 1Extras: Milk frother, how water, app connectivityGrind settings: N/AWater capacity: 1.4 litres Lavazza A Modo Mio DeséaNicky Rampley Clarke/The Standard ★★★☆☆Best: Versatile coffee machine What we love: Very compact and fits neatly into even the smallest of kitchens. It looks good from all angles and has a decent water tank. The coffee produced is good with a nice crema, but as with all pod-based machines, the intensity of the coffee depends on the pod rather than the machine.Take note: Lacks the beautiful simplicity of the Nespresso equivalent. While versatility is sometimes a bonus, this was trying to be all things to everyone, falling just short of being a great espresso machine. Think Ferrari steering wheel (all knobs and buttons) versus that of a Bentley (wood and leather). It just overcomplicates something simple.Available in a brown, white or black colourway – my pick is the latter – the Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa is fuelled by its namesake capsules and comes with an interactive interface that allows you to pick and choose from five milk-based recipes in four different coffee sizes. It’s surprisingly quiet when making your morning cuppa and gives you the option of adding more foam or increasing the temperature, both at the touch of a button. The refined glass mug means it’s always good to go, too.Bar pressure: 9-10 bars Coffee capacity: Pod capsule systemCup capacity: 1Extras: Milk frother, hot and cold milk foamGrind settings: N/AWater capacity: 1.1 litres KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF4Nicky Rampley Clarke/The Standard ★★★☆☆Best: Easy-to-use coffee machine What we love: The large touchscreen is clear and easy to use, and the espresso quality is very good – the best of the automated machines tested. As an automated machine, this sits between the pod-based push button and the barista-style espresso machines, meaning it requires minimal effort and skill. Take note: Large and offers little in visual appeal from the side, which makes it ideal for those lucky to have a pantry or coffee cupboard where it can be tucked away. While a very good machine that offers you a huge variety of different coffees, if you’re looking for barista-quality espresso, then you need a manual machine like the Sage. There’s nothing brilliant about this, but equally there’s nothing wrong with it – you just don’t get excited about using it, which you should for the price.Ah, KitchenAid – is there a more covetable brand when it comes to tasteful kit? The KF4 Fully Automatic espresso machine comes with 24 pre-set recipes for both hot and iced coffee at the tap of the touchscreen display, alongside the ability to programme your favourites, plus a built-in grinder that adapts to different bean types and roast levels. There’s also a milk system that serves up smooth and creamy toppings as well as a large bean hopper that can store enough for up to 20 coffees (enough to get you through a Monday, perhaps?). Bar pressure: 15 Coffee capacity: 270 grams (coffee beans)Cup capacity: 2Extras: Hot water, milk frotherGrind settings: 5Water capacity: 1.8 litres Melitta Barista SE Bean to Cup MachineNicky Rampley Clarke/The Standard ★★★☆☆Best: For quiet operationWhat we love: Probably the quietest machine tested. Attention has been given to how it looks from the side. Easy to use and operate without needing to refer to the user manual.Take note: Espresso quality was middle-of-the-range – it can’t generate that rich and lasting crema that signals top-quality extraction. The dual bean hopper is nice, but what it offers in choice, it lacks in capacity. You have to refill every four to five drinks.The Barista SE from Melitta comes pre-programmed with an impressive 18 popular coffee serves – espresso, latte macchiato and cappuccino included – while you have the option to add 14 additional variations such as Americano, flat white and ristretto. They’re all created according to the ‘Italian preparation process’, when ingredients are combined in the ‘correct’ order using an original recipe, adding a nice sense of authenticity to your morning or evening routine. There’s a dual chamber to choose between different bean varieties and a function enabling you to adjust strength and milk preferences. The silent grinder means your Teams calls can continue as usual even when it’s hard at work in the background (a dream!). Other bells and whistles come in an easy-to-use colour display, height-adjustable spout for accommodating different-sized glasses and cups, plus easy-steam cleaning because life’s short. Bar pressure: 15 Coffee capacity: 270 grams (coffee beans)Cup capacity: 2Extras: Hot water, milk frotherGrind settings: 5Water capacity: 1.8 litres De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Truestart EditionNicky Rampley Clarke/The Standard ★★★☆☆Best: Value-for-money coffee machine What we love: A more affordable barista-style machine that achieves good quality extraction and resulting crema. It’s designed to make espresso-based coffee, and it does that well. While the dosing mechanism is a bit clunky, I like the fact that the grinder is built-in, meaning there’s no need for a separate grinder. The stainless-steel control panel feels high-end and is analogue rather than digital, which I prefer. Take note: The grind size adjustment wheel feels very flimsy. It’s yellow, which some people may like, but I’d prefer the polished stainless-steel to wrap around the whole machine. The dosing dock is complicated and needs a separate collar/brace, but unlike the Sage, it requires manual tamping. This means additional bits and bobs to deal with every time you want a coffee – the same goes for the additional drip tray. A limited-edition collaboration between healthy coffee brand TrueStart and posh Italian maker De’Longhi, the La Specialista Art Truestart Edition has been designed as an entry-level machine for the at-home barista. With a bold yellow design, it certainly appeals to achingly young, hip coffee fans who want to recreate their favourite serves without forking out at an independent café, but it’s not all vintage clothes and beanie caps. Hipster vibes aside, the bean-to-cup espresso machine is a numbers game with eight grinder settings, three temperature profiles and 15-bar pump pressure, meaning it promises enough pressure to create the perfect espresso. Wannabe baristas may also be interested in the steam wand for creating all-important latte art for Instagram. Bar pressure: 15 Coffee capacity: 250 grams (coffee beans)Cup capacity: 2Extras: Hot water, manual steam wand (milk frother)Grind settings: 15Water capacity: 1.7 litres Ninja luxe café mini plus espresso machineDaisy Lester/The Standard ★★★★★Best: Compact coffee machine What we love: Easy to use once you’ve learnt the ropes; versatile for such a compact machine, with recommended grind adjustments that result in a wide range of barista-quality drinks, beyond just espressos.Take note: Takes practise, can be fiddly at first, it’s expensive, you need to clean the portafilter after each use, and the water tank needs refilling regularly when making Americanos or long blacks.The Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus proves that a compact coffee machine doesn’t have to compromise on capability. Around 30 per cent smaller than Ninja’s original Luxe Café, it’s designed for kitchens where worktop space is limited, while still delivering bean-to-cup espresso and filter coffee with impressive ease. Automatic grind recommendations, brew monitoring and intuitive presets remove much of the guesswork, making it particularly appealing for first-time espresso machine owners. Despite its beginner-friendly approach, the machine offers plenty of flexibility. It can produce espresso, Americanos, long blacks, filter coffee, iced coffee and milk-based drinks thanks to its integrated steam wand, with adjustable strength and temperature settings that help you tailor each cup. Coffee quality is consistently rich and barista-quality once you’ve mastered the workflow – which ends up being a mindful moment to breathe during a busy morning. With its stylish stainless-steel and black-plastic design, it's a sleek addition to any countertop. Bar pressure: 15 Coffee capacity: 250 grams (coffee beans)Cup capacity: 2Extras: Hot water, automatic/manual milk frotherGrind settings: 25Water capacity: 1.3 litres What is the best coffee machine?It’s a difficult choice, made harder by the fact there are three types of machine on trial, which, when all is said and done, simply mix hot water with ground coffee and potentially add milk – the difference is how involved you are in the process. Firstly, we have the plug-and-play pod-based machines, which offer ease and simplicity, but lack the enjoyment. Then there are the automated designs providing huge functionality, range and memory functions, but come with big price tags, occupy lots of space and aren’t brilliant at any single thing. Finally, there are the barista-style machines that require more user involvement but are pleasurable to use. With that in mind, my preference is the barista-style, and I’m won over from my decade-long reliance on a trusty Nespresso Lattissima. My top pick? The Sage. It’s a luxury bit of kit, but it’s worth every penny. It represents precision engineering, and I genuinely look forward to using it, while there’s no denying it looks jaw-droppingly beautiful. In my opinion, it also produces the best espresso from those tested. If you want to keep it super simple, you won’t be disappointed with the Nespresso – the cheapest machine tested. The coffee quality is great, and the technology delivers a lasting texturised crema (even if not through the traditional method of extraction), and I really like the Vertuo range as it can make a good cup of coffee, not just an espresso shot. Why trust me?As a freelance editor with bylines in Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, The Mail, Forbes, Livingetc, House Beautiful and, of course, The Standard, Nicky is an expert on things lifestyle. He also works with some of the biggest brands on the high street to advise and create content, so he understands products, what goes into making them and how they perform. In particular, he’s a coffee snob – so he demands a lot from the machine that helps him get a decent fix from the comfort of home.