Under £150 buys you a genuinely decent coffee machine, but the three most sensible options in this price range work in completely different ways — manual espresso, capsule/pod, and filter with a built-in grinder. We compared the De'Longhi Stilosa, Russell Hobbs Chester Grind & Brew, and Nespresso Vertuo Pop to help you pick the right format for how you actually drink coffee, not just the cheapest box on the shelf.
Best Coffee Machines Under £150 Compared
At a Glance
| Model | Type | Price | Best For | Learn More | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Russell Hobbs Chester Grind & Brew | Filter, built-in grinder | ~£59.99 | Cheapest way to grind fresh beans daily | Amazon |
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De'Longhi Stilosa (EC260.BK) | Manual espresso | ~£89.99 | Proper espresso and milk texturing on a budget | Amazon |
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Nespresso Vertuo Pop | Pod / capsule | ~£99 | Fastest, most consistent single cups | Amazon |
Russell Hobbs Chester Grind & Brew — best for fresh-ground filter coffee
The only one of the three that grinds whole beans itself, right before brewing, which makes a genuine difference to flavour compared to pre-ground filter coffee. The 24-hour programmable timer means it can have a fresh pot ready before you're even out of bed.
Key features
- Built-in grinder with adjustable coarseness
- 24-hour programmable timer
- 4–12 cup glass carafe
What reviewers like: Noticeably fresher-tasting coffee than pre-ground filter machines at a similar price, and genuinely simple to use day to day.
Worth knowing: No espresso or milk-frothing capability — filter coffee only.
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De'Longhi Stilosa (EC260.BK) — best for proper espresso on a budget
A genuinely manual espresso machine at a price that usually only buys pod machines. It takes a bit more patience to learn than a pod machine, but the results — including a proper steam wand for texturing milk — are a step up in what's actually achievable at this price.
Key features
- 15-bar pump pressure
- Works with ESE pods or ground coffee
- Manual steam wand for milk frothing
What reviewers like: Genuine espresso and milk-frothing capability that's rare to find at this price point.
Worth knowing: There's a learning curve — it won't produce great espresso on the very first attempt the way a pod machine does.
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Nespresso Vertuo Pop — best for speed and consistency
The simplest of the three by a wide margin — drop in a capsule, press a button, done. The Vertuo system also handles larger mug-sized coffees as well as espresso shots, which the original Nespresso Original line couldn't do.
Key features
- Barcode-reading capsule system, automatic brew calibration
- Handles espresso through to larger mug sizes
- Compact footprint, quick heat-up time
What reviewers like: Consistently good results with zero skill required, and a genuinely compact design for small kitchens.
Worth knowing: Ongoing capsule costs add up over time, and you're locked into Nespresso's own capsule range.
View on Amazon
Quick Tips Before You Buy
- Do you drink more than 2–3 cups a day? Pod machines get expensive fast at that volume — a grind-and-brew filter machine works out cheaper long-term.
- Do you actually want espresso, or just "coffee"? If you don't drink milky espresso-based drinks, a filter machine is simpler and cheaper than either alternative here.
- How much counter space do you have? All three are reasonably compact, but the Nespresso Vertuo Pop has the smallest footprint of the three.
The Bottom Line
There isn't a single "best" here — it depends entirely on what you actually drink. Reach for the Russell Hobbs if you drink filter coffee daily and want it fresh-ground; the De'Longhi Stilosa if you want real espresso and don't mind a small learning curve; and the Nespresso Vertuo Pop if speed and zero effort matter more than anything else.
Sources
- BrewReady – Best Coffee Machines UK
- Expert Reviews UK – Best Coffee Machine 2026
