The Philips 5400 Series is a true all-rounder, offering 12 barista-style drinks at the touch of a button. Its LatteGo milk system is incredibly easy to clean, and the built-in ceramic grinder produces rich, smooth coffee every time. Great for households that love variety without effort.
12 One-Touch Drinks: Espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato & more
LatteGo Milk System: No tubes, dishwasher-safe, super easy to clean
A compact powerhouse, the Magnifica delivers rich espresso and smooth milk froth without the high price. The manual steam wand gives flexibility, and its grinding and extraction quality beats most machines in this price range.
Manual Steam Wand: Froth milk your way
13-Setting Grinder: Adjust from fine espresso to coarser blends
Easy Cleaning: Automatic rinse and descaling program
Double Shot Ready: Brew two espressos at once
Thermoblock Heating: Consistent temperature every time
Best For: Anyone wanting a great-quality bean-to-cup machine at an affordable price.
The Philips Barista Brew blends the control of a manual espresso machine with the convenience of automation. Perfect for beginners who want to learn espresso crafting while still getting consistent results.
Pre-Infusion Brew: Enhances extraction and flavour
Simple Controls: Ideal entry point for barista-style brewing
Stainless Steel Steam Wand: Silky microfoam for latte art
Dual Temperature System: Optimised for espresso and steam
Compact Design: Fits small kitchens with ease
Best For: People wanting to experiment with real espresso-making without spending a fortune.
With an enhanced automated milk system and sleek touchscreen controls, the Evo Next produces outstanding lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso with almost no effort. It’s a big upgrade from the classic Magnifica line while still sitting at a great mid-range price.
The Ninja Luxe Premier is ideal for households that enjoy variety. It brews beans, ground coffee, and pods — all in one machine. With multiple brew sizes and rich flavour extraction, it’s perfect for families with different tastes.
3-in-1 Brewing: Beans, pods, and ground coffee
Thermal Flavour Extraction: Richer taste with balanced strength
9 Brew Sizes: From a single cup to a carafe
EasyClean Parts: Dishwasher-safe components
Hot & Iced Coffee: Brew either with one touch
Best For: Homes where everyone likes something different — espresso, pods, filter coffee, or iced drinks.
If you only drink coffee occasionally — or prefer simpler maintenance — a manual espresso machine or pod/filter machine might be easier.
Check Size: Water Tank & Bean Hopper Capacity
Water tank — for convenience, bigger is better. If you make multiple cups daily or have a family, choose 1.5 L or above so you’re not refilling constantly.
Bean hopper — larger hoppers (250–300 g or more) mean fewer refills and less bean wastage.
If you drink only 1–2 cups a day, a smaller capacity machine can be sufficient — but always check these specs.
Check the Grinder: Burr vs Blade — And Its Quality
Always pick a machine with a burr grinder (flat or conical) — they produce a consistent, even grind, which is essential for good espresso extraction.
Avoid blade-style grinders — uneven grind leads to weak or bitter coffee.
Some machines let you adjust grind coarseness — handy if you like more control over strength and flavour.
Milk Frother / Milk System — Consider What Drinks You Make
If you drink black coffee only (espresso / Americano) → frother is optional
If you enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites → make sure the machine has a built-in milk frother or milk system
Automatic milk systems are convenient but need frequent cleaning to avoid blockages & milk residue buildup.
A manual steam wand gives more control (and maintenance is easier) but needs some skill.
Cleaning, Maintenance & Descaling — Don’t Underestimate This
Daily: empty drip tray and used grounds container, rinse milk frother if used
Weekly: clean the brew unit or any removable parts, wipe surfaces, check water tank & bean hopper for old grounds
Every 2–4 months: descale the machine (especially in hard water areas) — prevents limescale, ensures proper pressure & temperature, and keeps flavour consistent.
Use filtered or softened water where possible — this reduces scale buildup and protects internal components.
Size, Counter Space & Noise Considerations
Bean-to-cup machines tend to be large and bulky — check your kitchen counter size before buying.
Grinding beans + brewing = noise — if you’re sensitive, check for models with quieter grinders.
Also make sure there’s ventilation space around the machine (especially rear clearance) as many need airflow for reheating/steam.
Customization & Flexibility — Choose Based on Your Needs
Consider if you want:
Multiple drink options (espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, etc.)
Adjustable settings: strength, cup size, temperature — good if you like fine-tuning your coffee.
Capability for milk drinks — especially if you enjoy variety
Programmability or profiles (some machines let you save favourite settings) — handy if multiple people use the machine
Budget – What to Expect at Each Level
£200 – £400 (Entry / Budget Bean-to-Cup)
Basic grinder and grinder settings
Small water tank
Fewer drink options — good for 1–2 cups/day
Simple espresso or black coffee
£400 – £600 (Mid-Range)
Larger water tank & bean hopper
Adjustable settings
Milk frother (basic or manual)
Better build — good balance of convenience and value
£600 – £900 (Upper Mid-Range)
Automated milk frother
More drink options
Programmable profiles
Larger capacity — great for couples/families or frequent coffee drinkers
£900+ (Premium / All-Rounder)
Full customisation
Strong build
Automatic cleaning cycles
Possibly app support or advanced grinder — closest to café quality at home
