The Daily Mail's Test Lab conducted a blind taste test of ten popular coffee machines, ranging from under £100 to over £1,200, to determine which offers the best value and taste. The results showed that a budget-friendly pod machine, the Dualit Pod Machine, secured second place, outperforming several high-end models, including two from Sage.
Testing Methodology
To ensure a fair comparison, the testers used a consistent blend of coffee from Curious Roo Coffee Roasters and supermarket mineral water. Coffee expert Peter Renyard, head of training at the Artisan Coffee School in London, participated in the blind taste test. He was blindfolded, wore earmuffs, and left the room while each coffee was prepared to avoid any auditory or visual cues. Machines were scored on criteria including price, aesthetics, ease of use, water tank size, noise, drink temperature, and milk-frothing capabilities. The cost per cup was also calculated, based on drinking two cups a day over five years.
Champion Machines
The top honor went to the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Series, which impressed with its ability to produce café-quality coffee. Despite its sleek, modern appearance and user-friendly features, its steam wand was noted as flimsy, and milk frothing resulted in a flat foam. However, its overall performance and the quality of the espresso earned high praise, with Renyard noting its potential for excellence after calibration.
The Dualit Pod Machine, a compact and affordable option, surprised testers by coming in second. While it lacks printed instructions, relying on a QR code for a digital manual, its ease of setup and operation were highlighted. The stiff pod lever and occasional temperature variations were noted drawbacks, but the depth of flavor in the espresso earned it a third-place ranking in the blind taste test, surpassing more expensive machines.
Other Notable Machines
Among the other machines tested, the Nespresso L'Or Barista Absolu, a high-end pod machine, was praised for its appearance and ease of use, with an automatic steam wand producing perfect milk. However, its taste test verdict was merely 'OK,' with a long aftertaste and a touch of bitterness. The Sage Barista Touch Impress was noted for its aesthetic appeal and intelligent interface, learning user preferences over time. While it produced café-quality coffee and had efficient milk frothing, a detected chemical smell during testing lowered its taste score.
The KitchenAid Coffee Machine, despite its imposing size, was found to be easy to set up and offered 13 preset recipes. However, its frother was deemed fiddly and ineffective, and the machine's appearance was described as disappointing for its price.
The De'Longhi Magnifico Evo, a popular bean-to-cup machine, was criticized for its poor instructions and bulky design. Despite these issues, it delivered hot, frothy coffee, with its cappuccino being described as excellent. Cleaning was also straightforward.