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Best budget coffee machines: Get a great coffee without breaking the bank

 (Amazon)
(Amazon)

A coffee machine doesn’t have to set you back a fortune. And, when you’ve calculated exactly how much your daily Pret fix is costing you (something we wouldn’t recommend doing), you’ll probably realise that investing in your own machine could actually be cheaper.

That’s not to say that all coffee machines are cheap. A quick scroll and you’ll find machines costing into the thousands. But the best budget coffee machines don’t have to set you back more than £200, regardless of whether you’re looking for a pod-based machine or a bean to cup option.

Admittedly, it’s a gamble. Invest in your own coffee machine and you’ll likely find yourself buying up espresso cups, unique bean blends, differing strength pods and all of the other now-deemed-necessary accessories. But there are worse things to be addicted to.

If it’s time to break away from your favourite barista and to quit the daily strolls to your coffee shop of choice, read on.

Here are all of the best budget coffee machines of 2022.

De'Longhi EC230 Espresso Coffee Machine

The De'Longhi EC230 Espresso Coffee Machine isn't just a coffee machine: it also comes with a "milk steaming wand" - something you'll probably have lived life without up until now but, once implemented into your daily routine, quickly threatens to become a necessity.

Producing accessibly priced coffee at professional coffee-loving levels, this machine offers espressos, cappuccinos and lattes and works with ground beans. It's dishwasher safe, includes a cup warmer and fits mugs of all sizes: drinking coffee literally couldn't be more effortless. It's the next best thing to having your own barista.

Buy now £89.00, Argos

Nespresso Vertuo Next

The Nespresso Vertuo Next has pretty much all of the features you could desire from a coffee maker and a few of the extras that you may not have anticipated - namely WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. While neither of those will actively make your coffee tastier, they do help to create a seamless experience around brewing your next mug.

This budget-friendly coffee machine is quick and easy to use, promising a zero-fuss experience that allows you to have a coffee in hand in less than a minute. Despite its tiny size, it's a well-packed machine, capable of brewing up to 18 oz. of pour-over coffee. Bonus: it also comes in a range of colours.

Buy now £80.00, Amazon

Salter EK3131 Espressimo Barista Style Coffee Maker

This Salter coffee machine looks far more expensive than it actually is, with seemingly never ending mechanisms to twist and turn. In reality, it's actually less than £50, which means you'll definitely make back the money quickly from your daily coffee habit.

Creating authentic barista flavours, this coffee maker has five bar pressure and can produce up to four shots of espresso at a time. With its built-in milk frother function and high quality stainless steel finish, you'll kick yourself for not investing in this coffee machine sooner.

Buy now £38.94, Amazon

Tassimo by Bosch Suny Pod Coffee Machine

The Tassimo Suny Pod Coffee Machine doesn't take up much room on the counter - something you'll point out approvingly each time your guests compliment your coffee. As one of the most versatile coffee machines in the industry, it's well equipped to handle plenty of different pods including popular brands like Costa, Cadburys and Twinings.

Your coffee options include: espresso, cappuccino, latte, ristretto, and latte macchiato or you're free to branch out with pretty much any other drink that could feasibly be served hot. It takes the stress away from the more technical machines by handily pre-selecting the optimum temperature, amount of water and brewing time required for each drink.

Buy now £110.00, Argos

Swan Cream Retro Coffee Machine

With its retro-esque design and cream finish, this budget-friendly coffee machine deserves an equally as stylish backdrop to display it on. A coffee machine for those who value looks just as much as performance, it's beautiful aesthetically and produces top notch coffee at the same time. It's marketed as an espresso maker but also has the ability to produce americanos, cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites and mochas. As far as coffee machines go, it's definitely the full package.

Buy now £68.00, TK Maxx

Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

You'll often find great deals on Lavazza machines and they're definitely deals to snap up as and when they do appear. Our favourite of the bunch, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie, is almost as pleasing to look at as it is to use.

Renowned not only for its ease of use but also its blending power, flavour and price tag, it's an essential piece of equipment for any self-respecting coffee lover. The Jolie is also the smallest and quietest Lavazza A Modo Mio mode: perfect if you're usually the first one up in the morning.

Buy now £49.00, Amazon

Hotel Chocolat The Podster

Heard of the Velvetiser but more of a coffee drinker yourself? Hotel Chocolat's The Podster is the caffeinated version of its perpetually popular drinks maker, incorporating the brand's stylish design into a barista-grade machine with just as impressive pods. While this coffee machine is designed to be used with Hotel Chocolat's own Rabot Estate coffee pods, it's also compatible with popular options like Nespresso.

Just pop your pod of choice in the loader, press the button and enjoy the aroma of freshly brewed espresso while you wait. The experts among us will froth their milk in the Velvetiser before adding its cloud like contents to the top of a freshly brewed mug.

Buy now £149.00, Hotel Chocolat

Melitta Filter Coffee Machine

Melitta's coffee machine may just be the most budget friendly around, costing less than £30. If you're someone who pops into a coffee shop at least once a day, you could feasibly make your money back in a single week.

Known and loved for producing smooth, rich coffee for up to 10 cups at a time, it's one of the best options around for ticking off all of the essentials. Just swap out the filters each time and you're free to make and pour as much drip coffee as your heart desires.

Buy now £28.50, Amazon

illy 60417 Coffee Maker Machine Y3.3

Brew up Illy's staple coffee from your own home with this vibrant red machine. Designed to work with Illy's capsules, it promises to create full-bodied espresso with a rich aromatic aroma that you'll fall in love with first thing in the morning.

It's fair to say that Illy, being a household coffee name, is one of the best in the business when it comes to coffee machines and this cheerfully priced option promises to keep you happy on the daily. Available in four bright colours - all you have to do is choose your favourite.

Buy now £110.00, Amazon

KitchenAid 5KCM1209BAC Drip Filter Coffee Maker

We'll get one thing out the way: you may struggle to reel off this KitchenAid model's number if requested (especially before you’ve had a coffee) but it's worth remembering for the deliciousness that follows. This sleek coffee machine steps things up a notch with a fresh, almond colour scheme and a slightly retro design to match.

One of the most impressive parts of this machine? Its permanent filter, which provides a cheaper, fuss-free option than changing filters every time you fancy another cuppa. Even more impressively, it makes up to 12 cups in one go. But maybe reserve that challenge for the most stressful of stressful days.

Buy now £139.00, Argos

Morphy Richards Accent Filter Coffee Machine

You could feasibly run to Morphy Richards for almost all of your homeware needs and the brand’s Accent coffee maker is no exception to its top-quality reel of products. With capacity to produce up to 12 cups of coffee per refill, it’s one designed for the heavy drinker or to be used by the whole family.

It’s also incredibly straightforward to use and comes with a programmable timer - the cherry on top of the cake. Available in black, red or white, it produces authentic flavours and works seamlessly with all kinds of ground coffee.

Buy now £54.99, Amazon

Verdict

The best budget coffee machine for ease of use, delicious taste and a few little extras has to be De'Longhi's EC230 Espresso Coffee Machine. Treat yourself to this coffee machine and you'll never look back.