Coffee machinesCoffee machines and home brewing kit
The expensive end of making coffee at home. Machines and grinders compared on the specs that matter and on what owners say after a year, with the running cost of the coffee that goes through them.
Descaling a coffee machine: how often, and with whatWhat De'Longhi, Sage, Philips and Nespresso each tell you to use, exactly what they say about vinegar and your guarantee, and what a year of descaling costs.5 Oct 2026
The cleaning kit your coffee machine actually needsBackflush cleaner, brew group tablets, milk cleaner and a brush: which of them an espresso, bean-to-cup or pod machine needs, how often, and what a year of cleaning costs.5 Oct 2026- The right cup for every coffee, from espresso to latteHow big a cup each espresso drink needs, what porcelain and glass change, and the cups and glasses on Amazon UK that cover every size.5 Oct 2026
The travel mug that suits how you carry your coffeeA leak-proof steel mug for the bag, a glass cup for the café counter and an insulated cup in between, with what each saves at Pret and Starbucks.5 Oct 2026
Three bean-to-cup machines worth the counter spaceOne for a household that drinks different coffees, one for cappuccinos with the least cleaning, and one for black coffee on a budget. What each costs to run, and who should buy none of them.5 Oct 2026- Bean-to-cup or espresso machine: which one suits you?One makes coffee at a touch for anyone in the house; the other makes better espresso for whoever is willing to learn. What each costs over a year, set against a coffee-shop habit.5 Oct 2026
- Which pod coffee machine? Choose the capsules firstThree machines, three capsule systems that do not mix, and a difference in running costs of several hundred pounds a year. The machine is the cheap part.5 Oct 2026
Three coffee grinders under £250, and which can really do espressoBurr or blade, stepped or stepless, and the one question that decides it: can the grinder go fine enough for a real espresso basket, or only for a pressurised one?5 Oct 2026- Three filter coffee machines from £45 to £268, and what the extra buysA filter machine is the simplest way to make good coffee for more than one person. The difference between the cheap ones and the dear ones is mostly temperature, and how long the jug stays hot.5 Oct 2026
The best espresso machine for a beginner, at three budgetsThree manual espresso machines that independent reviewers and long-term owners recommend to people starting out, what each costs to run, and who should buy none of them.29 Sept 2026- Barista Express vs Bambino Plus: grinder in or grinder out?Two Sage machines that cost almost the same once you add a grinder to the smaller one. The difference is what you give up, and what you can upgrade later.29 Sept 2026