The Best Cheap Coffee Machines (Tom’s Top 6)
Here’s the thing, cheap coffee machines don’t necessarily correlate to low quality.
If you can compromise on a couple of elements that you may not need or use, you may be able to save a little on price.
In a perfect world, we’d all have all-singing, all-dancing coffee machines.
Which talk to us and tell us that today is going to be a great day all whilst delivering a cup of coffee blessed by the Gods.
Unfortunately though most of us don’t have a spare £20,000 sitting around for the luxury.
On the bright side, we might have £200 which we can put to good use on a shiny new coffee machine which will give us a great cup of Joe and a decent return on investment.
Hold on tight and I’ll give you some tips on what cheap coffee machines I’d buy if I were you.
Why trust me? I’m Tom and I’ve been working in the coffee industry for over 10 years. I’m the founder of Batch Coffee Club (a UK coffee subscription) but I also write about coffee beans and equipment. I’ve tried and tested many coffee machines over the last few years (both cheap and expensive). Checkout what I think is the best cheap coffee machine out there.
| Brand/Model | Catagory |
|---|---|
| De'Longhi - Dedica | Best Cheap Espresso Machine |
| De'Longhi - Filter Machine | Best Cheap Filter Coffee |
| Swan - Retro Pump | Swan - Retro Pump |
| Most Compact | Morphy Richards - Pour Over |
How To Choose a Cheap Coffee Machine?
If you’re looking for the best cheap coffee machine, there are a few things to consider.
It needs to deliver great-tasting coffee every time.
It needs to be easy to use.
It needs to be convenient.
It needs to be affordable.
If you can find a coffee machine that checks all of these boxes, then you’ve probably found your ideal coffee machine. There are plenty of different types of coffee machines on the market today, so it can be tricky to decide which one is best for you.
Here are some key features to look for:
Machine Quality
Generally speaking, as with any product the higher the quality the better the end result. Not all quality coffee machines are expensive but it’s important to realise usually you get what you pay for.
Type of Coffee
It’s important to have a coffee machine that can accommodate your personal preferences when it comes to the type of coffee you drink.
Some people like their coffee long and black while others prefer milk based coffees.
Ease of use
The ease of use should also be taken into consideration when choosing a coffee machine because it will ultimately determine how enjoyable your experience will be.
Categories of Cheap Coffee Machines
There arguably 14 different types of coffee machines. That’s already sounding confusing, isn’t it?
Filter coffee machines, coffee capsule (or pod) machines, traditional espresso machines, bean-to-cup (Grind and Brew) machines, drip machines, pour over coffee machines, French presses, AeroPresses, Cold Brews, Stovetops, Turkish coffee makers (Ibrik), Vietnamese Coffee Makers (Phin), Siphon Coffee Makers and finally Percolators. Phew.
However, I don’t think people are clicking on this article looking for a cheap cafetiere so I’m just going to cover cheap espresso machines, bean to cups and filter coffee makers.
6 Best Cheap Coffee Machines
As always, I may have missed a machine that you believe is top of the cheap coffee machine pile - If so, please leave a comment at the bottom and I’ll check it out.
De’Longhi - Dedica
Best Cheap Espresso Machine
Type: Espresso Machine
Value: ★★★★★★★★★☆
Pros: ✅ Well made machine and can make great cappuccinos.
Cons: ❌ The machine can take a while to get used to and it can also be quite slow.
It’s compact, It produces a great shot and it’s really great value in my opinion for an espresso machine - you can’t really get cheaper than this.
With the Dedica you can produce top draw espresso with a rich aroma. You can froth milk with the Adjustable Cappuccino System or steam milk with the professional barista technology to make frothy cappuccinos, macchiatos, or caffè lattes.
Every step of the Coffee-making process can be controlled, from tamping your ground Coffee to setting the temperature and length of the shot with the professional barista technology, from customising espresso to having home comfort.
The machine is just 15 cm wide, making it one of the slimmest espresso machines on the market while also offering big features.
Cleaning is a breeze because the manual descaling system keeps your machine running smoothly.
2. De’Longhi - Magnifica S
Best Cheap Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Type: Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Value: ★★★★★★★★★☆
Pros: ✅ One Touch Coffee, Milk Frother, Easy Cleaning
Cons: ❌ Doesn’t have the flashing lights and functionality of others but great value for money.
In my opinion, the De’longhi Magnifica S Smart is the top of the class for cheap bean-to-cup coffee machines.
Delonghi has expertly combined user-friendliness, coffee quality, and value in their latest Magnifica model.
It’s easy to extract great espressos - simply place your finest specialty coffee beans in the hopper on top of the machine and select your style.
While it may take some time to dial in your Delonghi bean-to-cup coffee machine, and occasional tweaking will be necessary, daily operation becomes incredibly straightforward once you find the perfect settings.
For latte lovers, the Magnifica Smart features a steam wand that expertly textures milk for any milk-based espresso drink.
Although this coffee maker lacks some of the flashy lights and LCD screens found on other models, its ease of use and coffee quality are outstanding.
It’s super easy to use and although there are cheaper bean to cup machines on the market you usually sacrifice quality with this guy the modest design means you'll pay significantly less compared to various other models and brands.
3. De’Longhi - Filter Coffee Machine
Best Cheap Filter Coffee Machine
Type: Filter Coffee Maker
Value: ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Pros: ✅ Great functions such as the standard drip function, flow controlled “pour over” function.
Cons: ❌ The filters appear to sink on themselves and can cause water to leak out the sides if not monitored properly. Some have found that the carafe is quite fragile and prone to breaking
The slick hourglass design of this Delonghi filter coffee machine.
Makes it one of the more appealing filter coffee makers when it comes to design and the unique shape enhances the pour-over coffee experience.
This coffee maker has two simple-to-use button controls for two brewing functions, making it super simple to brew an intensely flavoured cup of coffee.
It has an attractive design and makes 10 cups of coffee.
It runs at 50 to 60 hertz.
4. Nespresso - Vertuo Pop
Best Cheap Nespresso Machine
Type: Coffee Pod Machine
Value: ★★★★★★★★★☆
Pros: ✅ Compact, Convenient
Cons: ❌ Water tank is space consuming.
If you want to effortlessly make pod coffee at home, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop is perfect for you.
This innovative Nespresso machine uses only Nespresso Vertuo capsules, offering coffee pod enthusiasts a selection of over 30 different capsules.
Its standout features include a compact design and versatile brewing capabilities.
It boasts a 600ml water tank and can brew various coffee sizes. Additionally, it comes with a complimentary set of 12 capsules!
With one-touch brewing, it heats up in just 30 seconds.
It’s as cheap as they come and you get to pick from a number of colours to match your kitchen cabinets.
5. Swan - Retro Pump
Type: Espresso Machine
Value: ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Pros: ✅ It’s easy to use and and allows you to make great milk based espresso drinks at home
Cons: ❌ The pressure sometimes is too high and can result in a longer espresso shot.
Thanks to its high performance and self-priming system.
The machine has 15 bars of pressure and a self-priming system, so it's always ready to make delicious coffees in minutes.
There's plenty of coffee to go around with just one brewing, and whether you want to serve guests or yourself and your partner that morning coffee fix, it's a good choice.
The machine is compatible with ground coffee, making it possible to create professional barista style coffees at home.
The milk frother allows you to make that scrumptious drink quickly and precisely how you like it.
Make iced coffees too by adding ice to your drinks.
6. Morphy Richards - Pour Over
Type: Filter Coffee machine
Value: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Pros: ✅ It’s durable and looks great, capable of making great coffee.
Cons: ❌ The clock and timer is a little bit on the awkward side as the AM and PM can be hard to see on the smaller screen. The device also turns itself off after half an hour.
It will not only look fantastic in your kitchen but also produce some brilliant coffee.
Start the brew cycle and a small amount of water will drip over the coffee grounds, blooming the coffee. The rest of the water is then slowly released onto the bed of coffee resulting in an evenly extracted coffee.
There is a customary inbuilt timer, so you can program the filter coffee maker to activate first thing in the morning and easily adjust the quantity and strength of your brew.
A great small filter coffee machine, perfect for a kitchen work surface that doesn’t have a great deal of space
If you’re into stylish coffee equipment:
7. Gaggia - Gran
Type: Espresso Machine
Value: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Pros: ✅ Quick to heat up and can make incredible espressos and great frothed milk. It has a compact, chic design.
Cons: ❌ Some feel that the plastic body can feel cheap to use. There is a little bit of a learning curve to achieve more complicated coffees.
It is simple to use, requiring only water and a milk frothing jug to be filled with cold milk.
It takes less than 30 seconds from start to finish, thanks to its rapid heating system.
While it heats up, the machine automatically switches on an internal fan that quickly pumps air into the milk base, creating friction that forces the hot water through the holes in the bottom of the pitcher and into the milk.
This results is the velvety textured milk one would usually find in a speciality coffee shop.
8. Meltta - Aroma Elegance
Type: Filter Coffee Machine
Value: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Pros: ✅ This robust and good looking machine is a dream when it comes to brewing.
Cons: ❌ Although the machine can keep coffee warm, the hotplate, like many other machines can lead to “cooking” the coffee and making it taste bitter if left too long.
Melitta has created a coffee machine that ensures that the perfect brew is produced every time.
Its dual-element design over-brewing so that your coffee is never burnt and can ensure its kept warm for you too.
It has a drip-stop filter that prevents spills, an easy-to-read calibrated water tank, a programmable timer, a reduced power mode for brewing up to 2-5 cups, a hygienic decalc programme, easy-to-clean components and surfaces, an energy-efficient LED light, an auto-off function, and a 3-year guarantee.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Cheap Coffee Machine.
When you buy a machine, there are a few things to look out for. When you have a machine, you’ll need to keep it clean and making sure you’ve got a design which is easy to clean is important.
You may also find that using standard tap water which has gone through a sewer system umpteen times might have various impurities which clog up your machine.
Getting a water filter may reduce some of these issues.
Also look out for whether or not your machine has a grinder built into it. You can pick up half decent grinders for less than £50.
How much is a good home espresso machine?
A good home espresso machine can range from around £200 to £1,000+.
It all depends on the features and specifications that you are looking for in your machine.
What is the best budget coffee maker?
For many people, the best coffee machine is one that makes decent coffee at a great price.
The key is knowing what to look for when buying a budget brewer. Here are a few things to consider:
The Price: The most important factor when choosing a budget coffee maker is the price.
You want a machine that will not only make good coffee, but also keep it affordable. Not all budget coffee makers are equal in quality and performance, so you need to do your research before settling on one model.
The Material: Most budget coffee makers are made with plastic and aluminum, which can affect the taste of your coffee over time.
If you choose a plastic-bodied machine, you should also look to get it wrapped in a metal sleeve or thermal carafe.
This can protect the machine from scratches and wear and help keep your coffee hotter longer.
The Size: When looking for a budget coffee maker, you have several options in terms of size.
You can opt for an automatic drip brew or single serve brewer, both of which will require different space requirements depending on whether you plan to brew one or two cups at a time.
If space is tight, consider looking for a small single serve coffee machine that can be tucked under your sink or next to your kitchen countertop.
Can a cheap coffee maker make good coffee?
Yes. It's a common misconception that the best coffee is always brewed using a high-end machine.
After all, why would you spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy machine if you could get by with a cheap one? The truth is that inexpensive machines can make excellent coffee, but you'll have to do some extra work to make sure it tastes as good as it can.
Coffee is a complicated drink that starts with good water and the best coffee beans, so making sure you have both of these is just as important as the machine itself.
What is the best affordable espresso machine?
There is no one “best” affordable espresso machine, as the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
However, some of the most affordable espresso machines on the market include the De’Longhi Dedica and the Sage Barista Pro.
Can you make good espresso with cheap machine?
Yes. Whilst higher end machines will produce higher quality coffee. There are plenty of people people who use cheaper machines and report that they are able to create satisfactory espresso with them.
If you are looking for a cheap espresso machine that will produce good espresso, consider purchasing one of the three above that we have reviewed.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive coffee makers?
There is a big difference between cheap and expensive coffee makers.
Cheap coffee makers tend to be lower quality and may not last as long. They can also be more difficult to use, making it difficult to get the best cup of coffee.
Expensive coffee makers, on the other hand, are typically more reliable and can make a better-quality cup of coffee. They can also be more difficult to use, but this is often worth the investment because they can make a great cup of coffee every time.
What should you look for when buying a coffee machine?
When looking to buy a coffee machine, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, you will need to decide what type of coffee you want to make.
There are traditional coffee machines that allow you to make black coffee or iced coffee and there are also machines that allow you to make espresso based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes.
Secondly, you will need to decide how much money you want to spend. Coffee machines range in price from around £50 to £15000, so it is important to find one that fits your budget.
Thirdly, think about the size of the machine - should it fit in an area you have available?
Lastly, you will need to decide what features you want the coffee machine to have. Some common features include coffee machines with milk frothers, a timer, and a water tank.