Countertop Coffee Machines
They stand on the worktop, need no fitting, and grind fresh beans for each cup.
The main choice is how much you'd like the machine to do: everything at one touch, or a hands-on espresso shot. After that, compare milk systems, tank sizes and drinks. Our guide below the products explains each type.
No products match those filters. Try removing one.
Types of countertop machine
- Fully automatic bean-to-cup: grinds, brews and froths from a single press, with drinks chosen on a screen or dial.
- Semi-automatic espresso with grinder: grinds straight into the portafilter; you fit it and pull the shot.
- Espresso, filter and cold brew: makes espresso-style drinks or a full mug of filter coffee, all from the same beans.
- Capsule and filter: one side takes espresso capsules, the other brews filter coffee from pre-ground, and there's no grinder to clean.
Rather keep the worktop clear? See built-in coffee machines.
Machines compared
| Type | Suits | Worth checking |
|---|---|---|
| Fully automatic | Rushed mornings, and homes where everyone wants something different. | The milk system and its cleaning, user profiles, and how big the tank and bean hopper are. |
| Semi-automatic espresso | People who like the craft of making espresso. | How milk is frothed, and how much help the machine gives. |
| Espresso and filter | Households split between espresso drinkers and mug-of-coffee drinkers. | Which drinks it brews from beans, and how much worktop it uses. |
| Capsule and filter | Fast, consistent espresso without grinding. | Which capsules it accepts; the filter side takes ground coffee. |
Making the choice
Bean-to-cup machines all grind beans fresh for each drink. They differ in three ways: how they handle milk, how big their tanks are, and how much of the job they take on.
One touch or hands-on?
Fully automatic machines turn out an identical cup every time and need no skill at all. Semi-automatic machines leave the portafilter and the shot to you. There's a learning curve, but you have far more control over the result. Some models sit between the two, with a grinder, scale and tamper built in to guide you.
Espresso only, or filter as well?
If somebody at home prefers a big mug of filter coffee, consider a machine that does both. You avoid finding worktop space for a second coffee maker.
Milk
Most of these machines froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes automatically. Check where the milk is kept and how the machine rinses its milk parts afterwards.
Tanks, hopper and profiles
Bigger water tanks and bean hoppers mean fewer refills in a busy house. Some machines store each person's favourite drink, and larger models often have a colour touchscreen and a longer menu. Many connect to an app for choosing drinks or checking when cleaning is due.
Cleaning
Automatic rinse and descale programmes keep maintenance simple. In a hard-water area, a filter cuts down how often you need to descale.
Before you order
- Measure under your wall cupboards, adding room to lift the lid and pour in beans.
- Find a socket. You'll want a power point close by.
- Think about corners. Find out how you reach the water tank, the bean hopper and the drip tray. If they lift out upwards or slide out sideways rather than from the front, the machine may need space around it, which matters in a corner.
The brands we sell
Our countertop coffee machines come from .
Buying a coffee machine from KDH Electrical
Each machine has the full UK manufacturer's guarantee. Delivery is free when you spend over £600, normally within 3–7 working days.
Found it for less at another UK retailer? Our price match means we'll try to match it. Call 01622 541312 with questions, or visit our showroom in Rochester; call before you travel to check what's on display.
Countertop Coffee Machines: your questions answered
Does a countertop machine need installing?
No. It plugs into an ordinary socket and runs from a water tank that you fill.
Will it fit under my wall cupboards?
Compare its height with the gap, then allow a little more so the lid can open for filling the bean hopper.
Can it make milky coffees?
Most of these machines froth milk automatically, so cappuccinos and lattes take one touch. Each product page lists the drinks.
Is semi-automatic espresso difficult?
Getting the grind and the shot right takes a bit of practice. Having the grinder built in makes it easier, and certain models do the weighing and tamping while you learn.
Can one machine make espresso and filter coffee?
Some can, brewing espresso-based drinks as well as filter coffee by the mug or jug. Check the drinks list for each model.
Will a bean-to-cup machine take pre-ground coffee?
Many have a separate chute for pre-ground coffee, which is useful for decaf. Check the product page first.