MORE and more of us are waking up and smelling the coffee – literally – as we opt to brew at home.
The cost of popular takeaway drinks has shot up 22 per cent in a year, according to coffee supplier UCC.
The Sun’s Hayley Richardson tests seven pod coffee machines and rates each out of 15[/caption]
For those who want a cheaper option to perk themselves up in the morning, pod coffee machines are a winner – and there are some fantastic Cyber Monday deals to be had.
But which are worth coff-ing up for?
Hayley Richardson tests seven and rates each out of 15 for design, value and taste.
PHILIPS L’OR BARISTA SUBLIME
(Was £104.99 – now £59.99)
THE slimline, compact design doesn’t hog counter space, and as well as taking single and double L’Or espresso pods it’s also compatible with Nespresso.
It’s noisy but very quick, and serves drinks with a creamy head at the ideal temperature.
Overall score: 12
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BEEM ESPRESSO PERFECT ESPRESSO PORTAFILTER
(Was £179.99 – now £125.99)
A GREAT option for wannabe baristas, this seems more like a traditional espresso machine.
It has a steam nozzle to froth milk, and uses pods, pads or ground espresso.
I made a tasty flat white with fresh milk which was less synthetic than pods.
Overall: 13
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NESPRESSO VERTUO POP
(£99)
THE machine that smoothie George Clooney plugs is sexy and sleek, with a single button and Bluetooth connectivity.
But it only uses Nespresso Vertuo capsules, which are a bit pricey.
Even so, you get a lovely creamy coffee top, which tastes delicious.
Overall: 11
TASSIMO BY BOSCH HAPPY
(Was £106, now £29 at ao.com)
IT’S hard to fault this compact, light and easy-to-use machine.
The water tank is built into the side, making it easy to manoeuvre round a counter top, and it takes up little space.
It feels super-sturdy, heats up quickly and, like the other Tassimo machines, can produce a huge range of drinks.
Its Intellibrew system means it automatically calculates the right brewing time for your cuppa.
At this price it’s a total steal.
Overall: 14
BOSCH TASSIMO FINESSE
(Was £119.99 – now £39.99)
I LOVE the vibrant red colour – though it does look a bit plastic.
The used pods aren’t held in the machine, so you must dispose of them each time.
But it can use Tassimo discs, with more than 70 types of drinks on offer.
Overall: 11
DE’LONGHI NESCAFE DOLCE GUSTO PICCOLO XS
(Was £79.99 – now £29.99)
PERFECT for smaller kitchens, this dinky machine is very user-friendly and has a manual lever, so you can control the size of your drink exactly.
It’s very quick to heat up and can produce a range of Dolce Gusto hot drinks as well as Starbucks-branded ones.
Overall: 14
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BOSCH TASSIMO MY WAY 2
(Was £139.99 – now £69.99)
THIS takes up more space than the other Tassimos and has a built-in water filter, which needs regular replacing, adding to the cost.
It has a pricier feel thanks to the touch screen and extra functions – you can choose your drink’s temperature, size and strength.
Overall: 11