Browse coffee machines by type
- Built-in coffee machines: installed in a tall unit in the same way as a compact oven, keeping the worktop clear and matching the appliances around it.
- Countertop coffee machines: free-standing machines that need no fitting and move house with you, covering bean-to-cup and espresso styles.
Built-in or countertop?
| Type | Suits | Worth checking |
| Built-in | A new kitchen, and a column of appliances that match. | The size of the housing, and whether it runs from a tank or the mains water. |
| Countertop | A kitchen that's already fitted, a rented home, or anyone who wants to plug in today. | Free worktop space and the clearance below your wall cupboards. |
Making the choice
Where will it live?
When a kitchen is still at the planning stage, building a machine in gives a seamless finish and frees the worktop. When the kitchen is already in, a countertop machine makes the same coffee without any joinery.
One touch or hands-on?
Most bean-to-cup machines are fully automatic. Press a button and they grind, tamp, brew and froth, giving you the same result every time. Some worktop models are semi-automatic espresso machines instead: the beans are ground into a portafilter, and the rest is up to you. That takes some practice, and appeals to people who enjoy the process as much as the cup.
Milky drinks
Most machines can make a latte or cappuccino at one touch. Look at where the milk comes from (a jug, a dedicated container, or a tube dipped into a carton or bottle) and how the machine cleans that part afterwards.
Taste and cup size
Bean-to-cup machines let you fine-tune the coffee. Compare how many strength settings there are, whether the grind can be adjusted, and the gap beneath the spout. Tall glasses for lattes need more of that gap than an espresso cup, so measure before you choose.
Several drinkers?
Look at the drinks menu, and whether each person can store their own favourites. Some machines also dispense hot water, handy for tea or an Americano without boiling the kettle. Many link to an app for extra recipes and reminders.
Upkeep
Automatic rinsing, descaling and milk cleaning programmes take the chore out of maintenance. If your water is hard, a filter means descaling comes round less often.
Size and finish
Built-in machines are designed to line up with the same brand's ovens, in finishes ranging from stainless steel and grey glass to gloss and matt black. Countertop machines differ more in footprint, so check their width and depth against your space.
Before you order
- Built-in. Compare the housing with the installation sizes on the product page, and find out whether you'll want water piped to the unit.
- Countertop. Measure the gap beneath your wall cupboards, allowing space to lift the lid and add beans.
- Power. You'll need a socket within reach; the product page gives each machine's requirement.
- A matching column. Building in several appliances? Pick the coffee machine from the same brand and range as its neighbours so glass, handles and controls agree.
The brands we sell
Our coffee machines come from Ninja.
Buying a coffee machine from KDH Electrical
Every machine comes with the full UK manufacturer's guarantee. Orders over £600 go free, normally arriving within 3–7 working days. For built-in models, installation in our installation area is offered in the basket with its price, alongside recycling of an old appliance.
If another UK retailer sells it for less, our price match means we'll try to match it. Questions? Call 01622 541312, or visit our showroom in Rochester; please call before you travel to check what's on display.
Coffee: your questions answered
What does bean-to-cup mean?
The machine grinds whole beans just before brewing each cup. Most also froth milk automatically, so lattes and cappuccinos take one touch.
Built-in or countertop: which should I choose?
Go built-in if you're fitting a new kitchen and want a clear worktop and a seamless look. Go countertop if the kitchen is already finished, as there's nothing to install.
Will I need to plumb in a coffee machine?
Countertop machines run from a water tank, as do most built-in ones; a few built-in models can connect to the mains water instead. The product page tells you.
How much cleaning do coffee machines need?
Less than you'd think. Most rinse themselves and prompt you when descaling or a milk clean is due. A water filter cuts descaling in hard-water areas.
How is a semi-automatic espresso machine different?
Bean-to-cup handles every step for you. A semi-automatic one grinds into a portafilter, then you fit it and pull the shot, which gives you more control over the result.
Can I make tea with a coffee machine?
Some machines here also pour hot water, which works for tea or a long black. The drinks list on the product page will say.
Do smart coffee machines need an app to work?
No. Every drink can be made from the machine itself. Where there's an app, it's a bonus, adding saved favourites and cleaning prompts.