When you need a good morning pick-me-up, instant coffee can do the job, but there’s truly no better smell to flood your home than freshly brewed coffee. Whether you’ve used instant up until now because you don’t have enough worktop space to dedicate to a machine, or perhaps it’s to do with budget, because a decent coffee maker is expensive. I’m here with the answer to your caffeine-related woes, and it’s the Lakeland Espresso 3-in-1 Coffee Machine, which I’ve spotted on sale for only £74.99.
Now with £50 shaved off its price tag, this Lakeland Espresso machine could be the best coffee machine for you. While we have yet to try this particular coffee machine, I’m already impressed by the product specs. It has a petite footprint, it is compatible with Nespresso pods and ground coffee, and it comes with a steam wand for frothing milk.
While we’re yet to test this Lakeland espresso maker, we can more than vouch for the quality of Lakeland appliances. The team at Ideal Home has tested many a Lakeland own-brand appliance, from kitchenware to clothes airers and pizza ovens. All of which have been highly rated, so this espresso maker shouldn’t be any different.
It’s also very similar to the Salter Professional Espirista Coffee Machine, which we’ve reviewed and rated 4/5 stars. The two machines look almost identical, and both can make single or double espressos. However, the Salter one is only compatible with ground coffee and has a slightly larger tank — at 1.4L vs 1.2L.
This Lakeland espresso maker is proof that good things can come in small packages, as not only is it intuitive, but it can also be used to make hot water only, for tea or other purposes.
Included in the box, you’ll also get a portafilter with stainless steel baskets and a tamping spoon. The manual explains how to brew pod coffee vs grounds, while it has a handy auto-shut off mode which activates after 25 minutes of inactivity — for those mornings you snooze your alarm a few too many times.
Price-wise, the Salter coffee maker is closer to £100, at £94.99 RRP from Amazon. Usually, the Lakeland model is £124.99, so it’s currently a bargain you won’t want to miss.
Alternatives
Here are several alternative best pod coffee machines we’ve tried and tested that deliver great value for money.
Philips
Philips L’OR Barista Sublime
This coffee machine can often be found on offer for around £60. It also allows you to make two drinks at once for the perfect at-home little coffee date. Our reviewer of the L’OR Barista Sublime found that it is on the noisy side, and you are tied into using L’OR pods. But they were impressed by the sleek and compact design.
This is more expensive but still a great value model at £249. This pod machine also has an automatic milk frother, while its footprint is much smaller. It’s intuitive and works fast, while it comes in 3 colourways. Its parts are also dishwasher-safe when it comes to cleaning.
Lavazza
Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
If you’re tight on space, this diddy little pod coffee machine takes up no space at all. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolio impressed our reviewer with its design and ability to make an impressive espresso. But you will need to invest in a milk frother seperately if you prefer lattes to black coffee.
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