The best coffee machines for every home and budget in 2026, tested by our expert

10 February 2026 at 05:00

From capsule to bean-to-cup, espresso to filter, these are the coffee makers our aficionado rates the highest from his test of 29

• The best espresso machines to release your inner barista

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 the past year 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.)

Best budget manual coffee machine:
De’Longhi Stilosa EC230

Best budget bean-to-cup coffee machine:
De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Start