You want great coffee at home — but which machine should you buy? The Moka pot, the espresso machine, and the capsule machine are three of the most popular options, and each has genuine strengths. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, budget, and how much you enjoy the process of making coffee.

This guide breaks down each option honestly so you can make the right call for your kitchen.

The Moka Pot

The Moka pot is a stovetop brewer invented in Italy in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. It's been a fixture in Italian homes ever since — simple, durable, and capable of producing a rich, strong coffee that's closer to espresso than anything else you can make without a pump-driven machine.

How it works

Water in the bottom chamber is heated on the hob. As it boils, steam pressure forces the water up through a basket of ground coffee and into the upper chamber. The result is a concentrated, full-bodied brew with a bold flavour.

Pros

• Very affordable — a quality Moka pot costs a fraction of an espresso machine
• No electricity required — works on any hob (including gas and induction with the right model)
• Virtually indestructible — with basic care, a Moka pot lasts decades
• Produces a rich, intense coffee with real character
• No pods, no waste, no ongoing costs beyond coffee

Cons

• Requires attention — you need to watch it on the hob and remove it at the right moment
• No crema (the pressure isn't high enough)
• Less consistent than an espresso machine — results vary with heat level and grind size
• Only makes one serving at a time (unless you buy a larger pot)

Best for

People who enjoy the ritual of making coffee, want an affordable entry point to strong Italian-style coffee, or are happy without crema. Also ideal for camping, travel, or anyone who wants a machine-free option.

→ What you'll need: Ground Coffee or Coffee Beans ground to a medium-fine consistency. Try the Ground Coffee Riserva Club — a classic Italian blend suited to stovetop brewing.

The Espresso Machine

A pump-driven espresso machine forces hot water through finely ground coffee at 9 bars of pressure — the only way to produce true espresso with a thick, persistent crema. This is the professional standard, brought into the home.

How it works

You grind fresh beans, dose and tamp the coffee into a portafilter, lock it into the group head, and press a button (or lever). The machine heats water to the precise temperature and forces it through the coffee in 25–30 seconds.

Pros

• Produces genuine espresso — the real thing, with crema
• Full control over every variable: grind, dose, temperature, pressure, time
• Can make any espresso-based drink: cappuccino, flat white, latte, macchiato
• Deeply satisfying as a craft and daily ritual
• Best long-term value if you drink multiple coffees a day

Cons

• Higher upfront cost — a decent entry-level machine starts from around £200–300
• Requires a grinder (a good one adds to the cost)
• Takes time to learn — dialling in your grind and technique has a learning curve
• Needs regular cleaning and descaling

Best for

Coffee enthusiasts who enjoy the process, want the best possible espresso at home, drink multiple coffees a day, or want to make milk-based drinks properly.

→ What you'll need: Whole Bean Coffee (try Coffee Beans Deciso for a classic espresso roast), a burr grinder like the Wilfa Svart, and a Coffee Tamper.

The Capsule Machine

Capsule machines — including Nespresso-compatible machines — use pre-portioned, sealed pods to deliver a consistent espresso-style coffee at the touch of a button. They've become enormously popular for good reason: they're fast, clean, and remarkably easy to use.

How it works

You insert a capsule, press a button, and the machine punctures the pod and forces hot water through it under pressure. The result is ready in under 30 seconds, with no grinding, dosing, or tamping required.

Pros

• Extremely convenient — great coffee in under a minute with no skill required
• Consistent results every time — no variables to manage
• Easy to clean — just eject the capsule and rinse
• Compact machines that fit easily in small kitchens
• Wide variety of capsule options, including Italian-heritage blends and compostable pods

Cons

• Ongoing cost of capsules adds up over time
• Less control over the brewing process
• Environmental impact of single-use pods (mitigated by choosing compostable capsules)
• Flavour ceiling — even the best capsule can't quite match freshly ground beans in a well-dialled espresso machine

Best for

Busy households, people who want great coffee without the learning curve, offices, or anyone who values speed and convenience above all else.

→ What you'll need: The NEXT Coffee Machine for Nespresso-compatible capsules, paired with our Italian-heritage capsule range — including compostable options for a more sustainable choice.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Our Recommendation

There's no wrong answer — it depends entirely on what you value most:

• Want the best espresso and enjoy the craft? → Espresso machine
• Want strong Italian coffee on a budget with no fuss? → Moka pot
• Want great coffee fast with zero effort? → Capsule machine

Many coffee lovers own more than one. A capsule machine for weekday mornings, a Moka pot for weekends, and an espresso machine for when you really want to indulge — that's not unusual in an Italian household.

→ Explore: Coffee Machines | Coffee Beans | Capsules | Ground Coffee