The Jura S8 Chrome Automatic Espresso Machine (£2,599) is the best overall coffee machine if you want café-quality espresso at home with zero manual effort. For most people, however, the Braun Multiserve Plus (£249.95) offers genuinely excellent value — it brews 10 cups of filter coffee, makes cold brew, and has seven customizable brew sizes without the premium price tag.
Choosing a coffee machine depends on three things: how much you’re willing to spend, whether you want filter coffee or espresso, and how much automation you need. We’ve tested and ranked machines across all three variables so you can find the right one for your kitchen.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Jura S8 Chrome Automatic Espresso Machine — £2,599
This is the best automatic espresso machine if budget isn’t a concern. It grinds beans on demand, steams milk automatically via its TFT display, and produces café-standard shots with zero intervention. The ceramic burr grinder and 15-bar pressure guarantee consistency. It’s overkill for casual coffee drinkers but unbeatable for espresso enthusiasts who value convenience.
Best Value: Braun Multiserve Plus 10-Cup Pod Free Drip Coffee Maker — £249.95
Best filter coffee machine under £250. The Braun Multiserve Plus brews full pots or single cups, offers seven brew strength settings, and includes cold brew and hot water functions for tea. No pods, no waste, no complicated features — just reliable, customizable coffee that tastes better than machines twice the price.
Best for Espresso Under £750: Philips 3300 Automatic Espresso Machine — £729.99
Best mid-range automatic espresso machine. The Philips 3300 grinds beans, tamps automatically, and froths milk without the Jura’s premium cost. You get espresso-to-milk-drink functionality in a machine that won’t dominate your countertop or drain your budget.
Best Premium All-in-One: Miele Cm6160 White Lotus — £2,499
Best combination coffee and espresso machine. If you can’t decide between filter and espresso, the Miele Cm6160 makes both exceptionally well. Its MilkPerfect system froths milk automatically, and the design is genuinely beautiful — one of the few premium machines worth displaying.
Best Budget: Smeg Drip Filter Coffee Machine — £175.95
Best coffee machine under £200. The Smeg is a no-nonsense drip brewer with the brand’s signature retro style. It won’t win awards for innovation, but at £175.95 it’s a reliable, compact choice for people who just want good filter coffee without faffing.
Best Feature-Rich: Siemens Ti923309gb Fully Automatic Coffee Machine — £599
Best fully automatic machine under £600. The Siemens grinds, brews, and froths automatically with a straightforward interface. It’s less flashy than the Jura but delivers professional results at roughly a quarter of the price.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Price | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jura S8 Chrome | £2,599 | Espresso perfectionists | Automatic milk frothing + TFT display |
| Braun Multiserve Plus | £249.95 | Filter coffee lovers | 7 brew sizes + cold brew function |
| Philips 3300 | £729.99 | Budget espresso drinkers | Automatic tamping at mid-range price |
| Smeg Drip Filter | £175.95 | Minimal budgets | Retro design + reliable brewing |
| Miele Cm6160 | £2,499 | Can’t-choose buyers | Dual espresso/filter capability |
How We Chose
- Price-to-feature ratio: We ranked machines by what you actually get at each price point. A £750 machine must do more than a £250 machine, not just look fancier.
- Automation level: We separated machines by how much manual work they require (burr grinding, tamping, milk frothing), since this dramatically affects daily usability.
- Brew method versatility: Machines that make multiple coffee styles (espresso, filter, cold brew) score higher because they reduce the need to buy separate devices.
- Build quality and longevity: We prioritized machines with metal components, ceramic burrs, and documented reliability records over cheap plastic models that degrade after 18 months.
The Bottom Line
If you want the best automatic espresso machine and budget allows, buy the Jura S8 Chrome at £2,599. For everyone else, the Braun Multiserve Plus at £249.95 delivers excellent filter coffee, customization, and reliability that justifies its cost. Between £600–£750, the Philips 3300 is the sweet spot for espresso lovers who don’t want to spend Jura money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best coffee machine under £250?
The Braun Multiserve Plus (£249.95) is the best sub-£250 option. It brews full pots or single cups, offers seven brew strengths, and includes cold brew functionality. For pure filter coffee reliability, it’s better than machines costing twice as much.
Which coffee machine makes the best espresso?
The Jura S8 Chrome (£2,599) makes the best espresso because its 15-bar pressure system, ceramic burr grinder, and automatic milk steaming deliver café-quality results consistently. If that’s above budget, the Philips 3300 (£729.99) makes genuinely good espresso at a quarter of the price.
What’s the difference between automatic and semi-automatic espresso machines?
Automatic machines (like the Jura S8 and Philips 3300) grind beans, tamp, brew, and often froth milk at the press of a button. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind, tamp, and control brew time manually. Automatic machines are more convenient; semi-automatic machines give you more control but require skill and practice.
Should I buy a machine that makes both filter coffee and espresso?
Only if you actually drink both regularly. The Miele Cm6160 (£2,499) makes both exceptionally well, but at that price, you’re paying a premium for versatility you might not use. Most people are better off buying a single machine that does one thing brilliantly (filter or espresso) rather than a jack-of-all-trades that excels at neither.
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