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Buying a coffee machine starts with one question: how much effort do you want to put in each morning? There are three main types, and we’ve picked one good-value, well-reviewed machine of each.
The three types, simply explained
- Pod machine: put in a capsule, press a button. Easiest and cheapest to buy, but the most expensive per cup.
- Manual espresso machine: you fill the basket with ground coffee and froth milk with a steam wand. Café-style coffee and cheap per cup, but it takes practice.
- Bean-to-cup: grinds fresh beans and makes the coffee at the touch of a button. The most expensive to buy, but cheap per cup and very convenient.
Our quick picks
| # | Product | Best for | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Philips 2200 Series Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine | First bean-to-cup | See today’s price | Get deal |
| 2 |  De’Longhi Stilosa EC260 Manual Espresso Machine | Espresso beginners | See today’s price | Get deal |
| 3 |  Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS Pod Coffee Machine (De’Longhi) | Easy gift | See today’s price | Get deal |
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Philips 2200 Series Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine
Best for: First bean-to-cup
An easy, good-value way into bean-to-cup coffee: freshly ground beans, simple one-touch buttons and a steam wand for milk. Coffee fans may find the espresso a little light, but for everyday coffee it’s a big step up from pods.
What we like
- Fresh-ground coffee at one touch
- Ceramic grinder with 12 settings
- Easy to clean: removable brew group
- Hot espresso compared with rivals
Watch out for
- Mostly plastic build
- Manual milk wand takes practice
- Pump is loud
See today’s price - 27.8
De’Longhi Stilosa EC260 Manual Espresso Machine
Best for: Espresso beginners
A great first espresso machine if you want to find out whether home espresso is for you. It’s forgiving and compact, but coffee enthusiasts will outgrow it.
What we like
- Real 15-bar pump espresso for little money
- Forgiving baskets make crema easy
- Steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos
- Compact and simple to use
Watch out for
- Steaming milk is slow and takes practice
- Temperature can drift after steaming
- Mostly plastic build
See today’s price - 37.6
Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS Pod Coffee Machine (De’Longhi)
Best for: Easy gift
Cheap, tiny and very easy to use. Pods cost more per cup than ground coffee, but for a simple gift or a small kitchen it’s hard to beat at this price.
What we like
- Very compact
- Simple one-lever operation
- Hot and cold drinks, wide pod choice
- No mess, easy to clean
Watch out for
- Pods cost more than ground coffee
- Manual lever: you stop the flow yourself
- Noisy while brewing
See today’s price
Which one should you buy?
- Easiest, smallest, or a gift: Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS.
- You want to learn to make proper espresso and lattes: De’Longhi Stilosa.
- You drink two or more coffees a day and want fresh beans without the fuss: Philips 2200 Series.
Cost per cup
Pods typically cost several times more per cup than coffee beans or ground coffee. If you drink a lot of coffee, a bean-to-cup or espresso machine can pay back its higher price over time. If you only have the odd cup, a pod machine is the simplest choice.
Tips
- Ireland has hard water in many areas, so descale regularly. A water filter helps on the Philips.
- For espresso machines, buy beans or ground coffee labelled for espresso.
- Check that pods for your machine are easy to buy locally: Dolce Gusto pods are widely sold in Irish supermarkets.
Prices on Amazon.ie change often, so each pick links to today’s price. We haven’t tested these products ourselves: our picks are based on independent reviews and feedback from buyers, and we link to our sources on each product page.