Black Friday is one of the most popular days to buy a new coffee machine so we thought we'd help you in your decision for which one to buy!
Below we will outline different types of coffee machines with our views on each one. At the end of this blog post we will also outline what's available to you if you are on a strict budget. We aren't going to list exact prices because we expect prices to fluctuate with sales happening in the coming days.
We have no association with any coffee machine manufacturers and do not sell any ourselves. This is a complete unbiased opinion which isn't influenced by any one manufacturer.
For all of our recommendations please also remember to use freshly roasted coffee from a local supplier to ensure you're using the best beans for your machine. Why spend hundreds of pounds on an expensive coffee machine to only fill it with supermarket coffee?
Pod Machines - Are they worth it?
Pod machines, such as Nespresso, may seem very appealing at their price point however you also need to factor in the cost of buying pods instead of freshly roasted coffee and also the environmental impacts.
Most pods also use very cheap coffee with flavour enhancers to boost the flavour. Have you ever wondered why your 5 gram pod of coffee tastes 'stronger' than a cup of fresh coffee using 15 grams?
Pods are very bad for the environment and if you switch to a reusable pod then you'll notice a drop in the 'strong' taste because fresh coffee doesn't have artificial flavour enhancers.
In short, are pod machines worth it? We don't think so. If you move to one of these machines then you'll most likely upgrade to something else within 12 months. The coffee doesn't taste as good as the other methods outlined below and it has a very bad environmental impact.
Bean to Cup Machines - Are they worth it?
Bean to cup machines are perfect for a hassle free cup of coffee in the morning. No need for a grinder, filter paper, pods, or anything like that. Add the beans and the water, press a button and you'll have a lovely cup of coffee.
Bean to cup machines may seem expensive at first glance but the convenience you get certainly justifies the price.
You won't have the same level of control on a bean to cup machine as you will in an espresso machine where you can alter the grind, dial everything in perfectly, and get an exceptional cup of coffee but a bean to cup is very easy to use and intended for the coffee drinker that wants minimal fuss but a great tasting cup of coffee.
In short, are bean to cup machines worth it? Yes! Personally I use a bean to cup machine for when I want a quick cup of coffee in the morning. We recommend keeping an eye on De'Longhi machines. They are built to last and if one component every fails, there is an online community which should be able to help troubleshoot the problem.
Don't be afraid to get one second hand either.
Filter Coffee Machines - Are they worth it?
Filter coffee machines are good for people who want to brew multiple cups of coffee at once. They tend to have a much higher capacity than other coffee brewing methods. One major benefit of a filter coffee machine is that you can grind your coffee before bed, put it in the machine, and set it to turn on and start brewing for when your alarm goes off.
For a filter coffee machine you have two options for grinding your coffee. Let us do it for you and select 'Filter' as your grind when purchasing coffee or buy a grinder and do it yourself at home. It is recommended to grind your coffee around 30 seconds before brewing because once you grind your coffee it starts to lose it's aroma. A coffee that was ground 2 weeks ago compared to 30 seconds ago will differ in taste dramatically.
Filter coffee machines come in at many price points and you'll be able to find one to fit your budget however I'd recommend looking for one that 'blooms' the coffee. Filter coffee allows a more complex flavour profile to shine in the cup so it has many advantages over espresso machines.
In short, are filter coffee machines worth it? Yes! Personally I purchased a filter coffee machine in this year's sales which you'll see below. The Sage Precision Brewer is well known to be the king of filter coffee machines. With an RRP of £250 you can find this currently for around £160 on ebay.
Espresso Machines - Are they worth it?
Now we're moving into the type of machines which will require a lot of time and effort to extract a coffee from your machine.
First things first, with the exception of Sage's coffee machine range which has a built in grinder, you will want to buy yourself a good coffee grinder. If you want a £200 espresso machine, look to also get a £200 grinder. To make a good espresso you must have your own grinder so that you can dial in your coffee. The difference between 1 notch on a grinder can completely alter the taste of your espresso. See the next section for grinder recommendations however if you are buying an espresso machine like the Rancilio Silva, it is usually recommended to also buy the accompanying grinder which would be the Rancilio Rocky.
Don't be afraid to buy a grinder second hand as most good grinders are built to last. The same goes for espresso machines, most are built to last so a second hand machine doesn't mean it is poor quality.
To avoid grinding the beans yourself we can grind them for you and you could use a pressurised portafilter for your espresso which allows more leeway when brewing. We do not recommend this approach for espresso machines.
Espresso machines are seen as a new hobby to really ensure you keep getting great tasting coffee. It takes time, effort and a lot of trial and error. Each bean you buy needs dialled in so before purchasing an espresso machine make sure you have the time and effort to spend on it.
Sage has tried to bridge the gap between a bean to cup machine and an espresso machine in their range. Their entry level bean to cup espresso machine is the Sage Barista Express. If you love espresso coffee but want something that's easier to manage, then the sage range is for you. The price of these machines usually drop quite significantly for Black Friday. I'd expect the Barista Express to drop to around £400.
In terms of other espresso machine's I'd recommend, the Rancilio Silva and the Gaggia classic are well known for being good machines. Youtube is your best friend when choosing a new espresso machine. Find reviews, comparisons, and find the machine that meets your needs and what you want out of an espresso machine.
Try to avoid cheap espresso machines with an RRP of £100 or less. They do not provide the quality of coffee you'd want out of an espresso machine and require a lot of modifications to bring it to an acceptable standard. A bean to cup machine may be you best option if you want to save money.
In short, are espresso machines worth it? If you are willing to put the time and effort in, then yes.
Coffee Grinder Recommendations
A coffee grinder is a coffee lovers companion. It is as important as the coffee machine and shouldn't be overlooked if you want the best tasting coffee that your machine can produce. How fine or coarse you grind your coffee can alter it's flavours. Using the incorrect grind size for your brewing method can cause the coffee to taste very bitter or acidic.
There are two types of grinders, Burr and Blade. Blade grinders are more like food processers where they chop beans instead of grinding them. The blade grinders can cause an uneven grind which is why most people choose Burr grinders.
Grinders range drastically in price, starting from £8 for a manual grinder to £000's for a high end espresso grinder. I have 3 recommendations below at various price points
Shardor Coffee Grinder - Usually around £20-30 and it is a blade grinder. The longer you grind, the finer the coffee will get. The trick with a blade grinder is to stop every 2 seconds and shake the coffee to move it around. If you are only brewing French Press or Filter coffee then this would be a good starting point
Bodum Bistro - Usually around £50-100 and it is a burr grinder. I'd recommend this grinder for anyone looking to grind coffee ranging from French press to a basic espresso machine. It gives a consistent grind each time and looks stylish enough to sit on a counter top.
Rancilio Rocky - Usually around £200-300 but you can pick one up cheaper second hand. This is a great grinder for espresso machines and can easily switch from grinding for espresso to grinding for French press. In the same level of capabilities is the Sage Smart Grinder Pro which RRPs for around £200 but much less in black friday sales.
Good Coffee on a Budget
Below are some ways to have great tasting coffee at home but at a much lower price point than anything outlined before.
French Press - A classic way of brewing coffee and relatively cheap to pick up from a supermarket. The more expensive you go with your French Press, the finer the coffee can be without passing through the filter.
Aeropress - The best piece of coffee equipment to have when travelling. It makes exceptional espresso and has a small footprint. You can get these for £20-30 and there's a smaller version, the Aeropress GO which comes with a carry mug.
Hario V60 - This is my go to coffee brewing method and you can buy the V60 for £5. Filter paper is another £5 so for £10 you have an amazing method of brewing coffee. You really get all the flavours out of the coffee by using the Hario V60.
Final Thoughts
Overall there are many different coffee brewing options and a vast array of machines. What you pay for is what you get and if you choose a more expensive machine, there tends to be a good justification in taste compared to it's cheaper alternatives.
What would I personally recommend? I have got to go with the range that Sage has to offer. It's easy to use, it'll last a long time, they give great cups of coffee and the online community is huge. I feel that the two machines below satisfy a lot of different consumers ranging from the 'no fuss wanted' customers to coffee geeks.
Sage Precision Brewer
Sage Barista Express
If you have any questions about a machine that you're going to buy please feel free to reach out and ask. I'll help out as much as I can.
Just remember to use freshly roasted coffee, like Red Squirrel Coffee, instead of supermarket coffee. You'll really notice a difference in flavours.