The best budget coffee machines are the answer to bringing coffee shop-quality hot drinks to our homes – at a fraction of the price. The world goes bananas for it, and with good reason - coffee machines are brilliant. With a budget coffee machine, you can still make lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, hot chocolate, espresso – the lot, for even less.
When it comes to how to choose a coffee machine for your needs comes down to overall quality and, of course, the cost. If you want your coffee machine to make different types of coffee, it's good practice to look at how much the extra ingredients like coffee pods, beans or a coffee subscription service may cost you – and see if you can find compatible (and cheaper) alternatives.
Best Budget Coffee Machines At A Glance:
• Best budget coffee machine for pod flavours: Tassimo by Bosch Suny 'Special Edition' TAS3102GB Coffee Machine – View on Amazon UK
• Best budget coffee machine compatible with budget pods: DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Infinissima Pod Coffee Machine – View on Amazon UK
• Best budget coffee machine for on-the-go: Salter EK2732 Digital Coffee Maker To Go Travel Mug – View on Amazon UK
If you're a coffee fanatic but looking to cut back on your morning coffee shop trips to get your fix, or you're not keen on instant any longer, then consider investing in a coffee machine. Just because you love a latte doesn't mean you have to fork out for an expensive and unaffordable machine. There are some good options if you're a coffee connoisseur on a budget.
Best Budget Coffee Machines
Best budget coffee machine for pod flavours
With one easy button operation, this coffee machine is a great choice. Compact, it looks great on any worktop with its stylish design. Tassimo has over 70 pods to choose from, including Cadbury's hot chocolate. This coffee machine has an auto-clean function between each drink, so you know every cup tastes good. Also, you can personalise your drink's temperature, volume and intensity, with up to four 'profiles' that can be stored in the machine's memory function. Cleaning your machine is a breeze, too, as Tassimo product descaling tablets.
Customer review: "Absolutely fabulous coffee machine, the best Bosch Tassimo yet by a country mile! Not only does it look elegant, but it is also whisper quiet and brews a good cup of coffee, not far off a barista brewed coffee. Fabulous – you can choose up to four memory coffees."
Pros
- Intelligent brewing
- Compact
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Only takes Tassimo pods
Best budget coffee machine compatible with budget pods
Available in three colours, this slim machine wouldn't look out of place in any kitchen. Simply slide your chosen pod, and with one easy manoeuvre, this machine will make the perfect beverage of your choice. Nescafe's Dolce Gusto range is easy to use and easy to clean. With a high-pressure system, your creamy coffee-shop-quality coffee will be ready in no time.
Customer review: "I saw a lot of bad or mediocre reviews on it but honestly it is amazing, you can personalise your drinks, it looks so good in our kitchen, the coffee is great and creamy, and I like the design because it is easier to clean than other machines I've had in the past. Also, I recommend you use a jug to pour water in, but other than that, amazing value for the price. Also, it shipped so quickly."
Pros
- Comes with descaling tools
- Drinks are customisable
Cons
- Use a jug to pour water in
Best budget coffee machine for on-the-go
If you're always on the go, whether it's for work or the school run, a quick coffee fix with a 430ml stainless-steel travel mug may just be the answer to your problems. Ready in three to four minutes, this stylish machine effortlessly prepares a tasty cup of coffee and is compatible with ground coffee as well as coffee pads. Featuring an LCD display, a 24-hour programmable timer, a reusable coffee filter and three water-level markings, this coffee machine is well-priced, easy to use and no hassle. Salter offers comprehensive instructions, including this descaling guide.
Customer review: "Absolutely love this, my daughter bought as a gift for me. I've been using it every day. Nice and simple to use and programme mode also very easy; makes perfect coffee every time. I use the thermal mug when I go out, but for indoors, she also bought me a latte cup - so always ready to go."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great for one cup
- Compact
Cons
- Inconsistent brewing amount
Best budget coffee machine for small kitchens
Lavazzawww.lavazza.co.uk
Enjoy delicious coffee at home with this coffee machine from Lavazza, which is compatible with A Modo Mio capsules, including their new eco pod range. This Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco Coffee Machine model has a powerful 1450-watt output and heats up fast. So, your coffee is ready within minutes. With a handy removable drip tray, you can avoid spillages, and your kitchen can remain spotless.
Customer review: "Great product with simple controls. Has a single pod tray so loads a single pod. You control the volume of water had has no cut-off automatically. No issues with that for me cause can vary the water to my taste. Sufficient water reservoir for several cups. Great range of pods available. Very small footprint if you have limited space."
Pros
- Free pour
- Simple to use
- Compact
Cons
- Only Espresso
Best budget coffee machine for recycling
www.nespresso.com
This VertuoPlus coffee machine, though the most expensive on this list, is brilliant because it makes authentic and exciting Nespresso coffee. It heats the water for your coffee in 40 seconds with the touch of a button. For free, you can order a recycling bag and collection for your Nespresso pods. It even makes five cup sizes: Alto (414ml), Mug (230ml), Gran Lungo (150ml), Double Espresso (80ml), and Espresso (40ml). They guarantee perfect coffee every single time.
We recommend using a commercial descaler but make sure to check with Nespresso manufacturer information.
Customer review: "A lovely looking machine and easy to use. Takes about 5-10 minutes to set up as the machine cleans itself before you make a coffee. The Nespresso app is easy to navigate. It comes with a selection box that's like posh chocolate. Overall 9/10.”
Pros
- Easy to use
- Quick brewing
- High-quality coffee
Cons
- Can be noisy
Best budget coffee machine for iced coffee
Tried and Tested
www.currys.co.uk
Make an iced coffee at the flick of a switch with the Iced Coffee Machine from Breville. Fill it with water, scoop in your favourite ground coffee and pour your brew over ice. It also comes with an insulated 625ml tumbler, complete with a lid and straw - perfect for enjoying your iced coffee on the go. In technical terms, the concentrated hot coffee is cooled by the ice. Why not add milk and syrup to make a tasty iced coffee – just like you get in a coffee shop?
Customer review: "Its simplicity is great. Easy to use and definitely recommended for anyone who likes iced coffee."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Good for one cup
- Works quickly
Cons
- No ice dispenser
VERDICT: What is the best budget coffee machine?
A Modern Kitchen has chosen the DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Infinissima Pod Capsule Coffee Machine.
Why?
• Can Take Cheaper Pods
• Great Energy Rating
• Great Value with Superb Reviews
Dolce Gusto pods are cheap, widely available, and there's an enormous range of flavours to choose from. In addition, Starbucks and Costa Coffee-compatible pods are available from supermarkets. Best of all, Nestle chocolate brands are available as hot chocolate drinks - making a yummy treat at a great price. Also, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto is a Podback member, which makes recycling your pods a doddle.
Buyers Guide
Firstly, look at the general way it operates. Is it easy to use? Accessible? Is it compatible with any apps? If appearance is something you prioritise, go for it – but remember to read the instructions to understand how it works.
To keep your coffee costs down, research coffee pods. To cover all bases, we've included some cheap coffee pods that are compatible with the big brands. Also, are they recyclable? If not, and pods don't appeal, you could become a breakfast barista and get a machine that uses ground coffee instead.
Lastly, make sure you choose a coffee machine that is suitable for your area. In the UK, most of us live in a hard water area and have had to deal with limescale across our homes. Make sure to check reviews for different machines and invest in a water filter and limescale removers.
Not sure which is right for you? You might prefer a bean-to-cup model or perhaps a filter coffee machine, but here are a few examples to get you started.
FAQs: Best Budget Coffee Machine
What Is Ground Coffee?
Some of the coffee machines included above require ground coffee, not pods of instant coffee. Unlike instant, ground coffee is a crushed version of a coffee bean. It makes great coffee, but it's not designed to dissolve in hot water. So, it needs to be filtered. Filter coffee machines and cafetières do this job nicely, so we can enjoy a cup of morning coffee.
How Can I Descale A Coffee Machine?
In most cases, it's advised to run a cycle without a coffee pod and with a commercial descaler with the water instead. But, always read your instructions manual in case they say something different.
Are My Pods Recyclable?
This is something that several companies are working on right now to tackle the overwhelming one-use plastic crisis that is currently overwhelming our landfills. Some coffee pods are made from compostable plastic, which means that they will break down in either an industrial composting process or in a home compost, like the Lavazzo ones. Unfortunately, not all coffee pods are recyclable. There are a few different ways you can recycle coffee pods.
Podback can recycle Nespresso, Nescafe Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods at no cost.
What Pods Can Fit My Machine?
Always check online to see what the manufacturer recommends and what other shoppers have said. But typically, brands will ensure that dupes of their pods can't be made by using technology, which is a shame. However, there is a large range of coffee pods that can fit in Nespresso Original machines.
For more information about the difference between Original and Vertuo pods, read our article about the best Nespresso machines.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in cookware. When she's not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, Piper is re-watching a TV show or listening to a podcast.