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The best budget coffee machines for under £150, tested by experts
They may cost less, but they still deliver results that will please even the pickiest of coffee drinkers
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
Sitting back with a tasty cup of coffee is one of life’s great simple pleasures, but slick, at-home coffee machines can be expensive.
However, enjoying barista-style brews at home doesn’t have to come with the hefty price tag. Some of the best models tested at the Good Housekeeping Institute offer everything you need without breaking the bank.
We’ve sorted the good brewers from the bad to find the best budget coffee machines, all selected from our roundups of the best pod coffee machines, best espresso coffee machines and best bean-to-cup coffee machines. Tot up how much you spend on coffee on the go, and you’ll quickly make your money back with one of these more affordable picks.
Every machine in this list costs £150 or less. This limit excludes any bean-to-cup models, which tend to be for real coffee aficionados, as they allow you to customise your caffeine hit the most. Bean-to-cup machines with built-in grinders are always pricier, with many costing over £600 – the cheapest tried and tested model is Beko’s CaffeExperto Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, which costs £449.99 (currently £345).
But if you don’t fancy spending that much, you can still enjoy delicious results with one of our best budget coffee machines below.
For more on the different models out there, check out our detailed coffee machine buying guide and scroll on for the very best buys on the market.
How we test coffee machines
To find the best coffee machines, our coffee-loving expert made a series of drinks with each model to assess their consistency. They particularly focused on shots of espresso, looking for a smooth texture, chestnut crema and drinks at the optimal temperature of between 60 and 75C.
For machines with milk frothers, they tested the steam wands with both a dairy and vegan alternative milk, looking for stable yet velvety foam. Lastly, every machine is judged for its ease of use, efficiency and overall design.
These are the best models to buy on a budget.
Opal One Pod Machine
Score: 94/100
Enjoy great tasting coffee in seconds with this simple machine that’s easy to set up and adjust, so you can enjoy your brew exactly how you like it. It’s designed for speciality coffee pods and served consistently top-notch espressos.
It can accommodate taller mugs, but it's fairly noisy in use. Our expert also found the main lever for inserting capsules a little stiff, but these niggles aren’t dealbreakers, especially when it will deliver precise, speciality coffee day in, day out. One for the real coffee aficionados.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 800ml |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | None |
| Pod type | Nespresso, many speciality capsules |
| Programmes | Ristretto, espresso, lungo |
Score: 93/100
This Bosch pod machine ticked the boxes in testing for its fuss-free coffee-making skills. The machine features Intellibrew technology, which reads the unique barcode on each pod you put in, before adjusting the brewing time, temperature and volume of water to create your perfect cup of coffee.
Each brew was fantastic too; our espressos were consistently extracted throughout testing. We’d have liked an indicator to remind us about emptying the drip tray, but we can’t complain considering its affordability.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 1300ml |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | None |
| Pod type | Tassimo |
| Programmes | Espresso, cappuccino |
Score: 93/100
One minute stands between you and your morning coffee thanks to Dualit’s pod machine. It takes 33 seconds to preheat and 22 seconds to brew a double espresso, making it a fan favourite in the lab. We could also make three consistent espressos in a row without the need to reheat – a win for coffee-loving households.
If you’re having anything larger than an espresso though, you’ll need to hold your cup under the dispenser, as a normal mug didn’t sit comfortably on the platform.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 800ml |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | None |
| Pod type | Nespresso |
| Programmes | Espresso and lungo |
Nespresso Vertuo Pop Automatic Pod Coffee Machine
Score: 92/100
As the smallest coffee machine in the Nespresso range (just 25cm tall), this is a standout buy for bijou kitchens. Its miniature stature doesn’t mean you compromise on your coffee, though; our experts were impressed with its consistent espresso delivery, earning it a perfect score for that test.
Of course, due to its size, its water tank needs refilling regularly. But that shouldn't be an issue if you only make a few brews a day. It’s also intuitive to use and cleaning the drip tray proved fuss-free, too. A real treat for coffee-lovers.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 600ml |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | No (but can be purchased separately) |
| Pod type | Nespresso Vertuo |
| Programmes | Espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug |
Swan Swan Nordic Pump Espresso Coffee Machine
Score: 92/100
With its unique design, this espresso machine can take pride of place on your kitchen counter. But it wasn’t just the aesthetics that earned it high marks in testing; the machine is easy to use thanks to the simple control panel and heated up in a speedy 60 seconds.
The portafilter was stiff to slot in and remove but, once in place, helped produce consistent espressos with a rich crema on top. The milk frother achieved visible micro foam for our milky drinks too, but we would have liked some more recipes and tips in the manual.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 1.2L |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | Yes |
| Pressure | 15 |
Dualit Espresso Coffee Machine
Score: 86/100
Scoring full marks for its single espresso shots, this is an excellent choice for getting your caffeine fix first thing in the morning. The process is simple from start to finish, with a fast 60-second preheat time and a clear indicator light that lets you know when the machine is ready to extract your single shot.
Double shots were less consistent, varying in weight more than we’d have liked, and frothing milk delivered mixed results too. We managed to achieve micro foam for some, but not others. If you’re not a dedicated latte drinker though, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 1.4L |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | Yes |
| Pressure | 20 |
Score: 86/100
Another one for speedy delivery – this Philips machine pre-heated in 18 seconds and delivered an espresso in a rapid 40 seconds.
While each shot was consistent, the layer of crema lacked the thickness and richness that our testers have enjoyed with other pod coffee machines. Don’t let this be a dealbreaker though, as it’s an intuitive, affordable machine with plenty of pods available to suit your caffeine needs.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 800ml |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | None |
| Pod type | L'OR Barista, Nespresso |
| Programmes | Espresso, lungo, ristretto |
Illy Y3.3 Espresso & Coffee Machine
Score: 85/100
Compact and colourful, this bright red pod machine will bring some cheer to your countertop even if you’re tight on space. You can easily programme it to dispense the right volume of coffee for you, and you can fold away its espresso stand if you want a mug-full.
Our expert was surprised by how slowly it heats up (50 seconds on test) but the resulting coffees were worth the wait every time. That tank is fiddly to remove but it’s a stylish buy.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 750ml |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | None |
| Pod type | iperEspresso |
| Programmes | Espresso, espresso lungo |
Score: 79/100
With four, intuitive buttons allowing you control over your brew, plus a recipe booklet for all your favourite coffee drinks, this is a great pick for beginners.
It wasn’t the most consistent, delivering single and double shots with varying weights, but there was a nice layer of crema on each, so you won’t miss out on all the flavour. The milk frother didn’t deliver micro foam every time, but the milk combined well with the coffee, and you can always refer to the tips in the manual if you’re struggling.
Key specifications
| Water tank capacity | 1.1L |
|---|---|
| Milk frother | Yes |
| Pressure | 20 |
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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