Filter coffee machines are mega simple, cost about a hundred quid or less and brew up a big pot of filter coffee in about three-to-four minutes. They usually come with a water reservoir, carafe and brew basket as standard.
This Morphy Richards gadget is cheap and easy to use, it has a max brew capacity of 1.5L and an auto-brew timer function, plus a permanent filter that will keep your coffee hot for hours.
Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham Filter Coffee Maker
Waking up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee is one of life’s little pleasures. With the Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham Filter Coffee Machine, you can have your favourite beverage ready to go when you get up in the morning or arrive home from work thanks to a handy 24-hour programmable timer.
The Buckingham is easy to use and maintain with simple controls and a removable filter holder. It has a generous 1.25 litre glass carafe that can hold up to 10 cups of coffee at a time, or it can be set to brew 2-4 cups for smaller households.
Advanced showerhead technology showers the ground coffee grains during the brewing process, so more of it is captured and dissolved for richer flavour. This is complemented by improved temperature control, which ensures the water reaches the optimum brewing temperature 50% faster for great-tasting coffee.
The Buckingham is also designed with a handy indicator light that illuminates during brewing and stays on during the 40-minute keep warm period. It’s important to clean the filter basket, permanent filter and filter paper holder regularly with mild soapy water to prevent build up.
Melitta Look V Filter Coffee Machine
The Melitta Look V Timer Filter Coffee Machine is one of the best filter coffee makers for those on a budget. It is simple to use via a panel of four buttons and has excellent buyer satisfaction ratings with over 7000 online reviews.
It is also easy to keep clean with a removable water tank and clearly comprehensible symbols. It has a timer function so you can set it to switch on before you wake up, and an AromaSelector that lets you enjoy your coffee mild or strong without changing the water quantity.
The design of this machine is very neat and compact, with the water reservoir fitting snugly around a funnel underneath which sits a glass jug. Cup measurements are marked on both the jug and the funnel, although these are a little hard to read in the dark. The lid of the jug snaps open and pulls away to allow you to add your ground coffee or ESE pods, making it easy to refill. The jug then sits on top of the filter coffee machine to be brewed, which takes up to an hour.
Melitta AromaFresh Grind and Brew
The Melitta AromaFresh Grind and Brew is a filter coffee maker with an integrated grinder, which allows you to choose between fine, medium and coarse grinding. Its upper grind head can also be removed, allowing you to clean it more easily than many other coffee makers.
This machine can make up to 10 cups of filter coffee and comes with a double-walled, stainless steel insulated jug. It can be programmed to start brewing at any time you want and has a timer function.
It has a convenient water level indicator and a non-drip valve that prevents drops of coffee from falling onto the jug lid or your counter. Its practical hinged filter holder makes it easy to insert your coffee filters.
The jug, lid and filter holder are all dishwasher safe. It also comes with a cleaning brush, making it easier to clean the machine’s grinder and chute. Regular descaling is important, and the machine has a 3-in-1 decalcification programme. It also has a handy water hardness indicator, as well as an automatic descaling cycle.
Aigostar Filter Coffee Machine
Designed to look retro but with all the modern functionality this filter coffee machine is really easy to use. Just fill the tank and add your ground coffee, a ratio of one scoop of ground coffee to a cup of water is recommended. Leave it alone for ten minutes and you will be presented with a steaming hot jug of coffee.
You can also program this filter coffee machine to brew at a specific time so you can have a fresh pot waiting for you when you wake up. It has a warming plate to keep your coffee nice and warm too.
You can choose whole bean or pre-ground coffee mode – the latter will have an indicator to let you know when it’s ready. It has a maximum brewing capacity of 1.25L which the makers claim will make 10 cups. If you want to make just a single mug of coffee then there is an option for this too, but it disables the heating plate. There is a handy child lock too, and the water tank comes with a permanent filter so you can save money on disposable ones.
Melitta Optima Timer Filter Coffee Machine
This machine is great if you don’t have much time, but still want to be able to make filter coffee. It is very simple, just put the ground beans in and pour water over them and it will brew in three to four minutes. It is also very inexpensive.
It does have a few features that are quite useful like a brew timer so you can set it up to be ready when you wake up, a permanent filter, anti drip function and keeping warm function. It has a pretty good max brew capacity too.
There are loads of reviews for this model and they are generally very positive. Lots of people say it is very easy to use, even for someone who is not a filter coffee maker expert. The fact that the water tank is removable is also a bonus as it means you can easily refill it. It is also much easier to clean than a lot of other filter coffee machines as it doesn’t have nooks and crannies where things can collect.
Geepas Filter Coffee Machine
This filter coffee machine is a great value option for those looking for a basic model without expensive bells and whistles. Its simple operation makes it easy to go from beans to brewed coffee with just a few button presses. The removable water tank and permanent filter saves money on buying costly paper filters. The programmable timer and keep warm function are useful conveniences, too.
The GEEPAS filter coffee maker has a modern design that will fit in nicely on your kitchen counter. The black plastic body and stainless steel accents give it a sleek, attractive look. Its minimalist silhouette and lack of extra features make it a good choice for those who prefer a pared-down aesthetic that won’t clash with other kitchen furnishings.
The Geepas coffee machine heats up quickly and brews at the ideal temperature to bring out the subtle flavors of your chosen beans. Its permanent filter also prevents over-extraction and bitterness. Its control knob is round with guide image indications that make it easy to use.
Melitta Easy Therm II 1023-06
Designed to be a very basic filter coffee machine, this is one of the best machines for the money in the UK. It uses a good quality burr grinder and has a number of features including programmable auto-brewing, keeping warm function, glass carafe (with plastic outer), permanent reusable filter and dishwasher safe water tank.
Unlike many of the budget models that use a plastic jug, this model has an insulated stainless steel jug and so can keep your coffee hot for longer. It also has a handy walk-through lid so you can easily control it with one hand, even while the coffee is brewing.
This model also has a transparent water tank, cup scale and a practical drip stop. This stops annoying dripping after removing the glass jug, so no more coffee drips on your worktop or sink! Its removable filter holder and dishwasher safe water tank also make cleaning a breeze. It has 3-in-1 calc protection, settings for water hardness and a practical automatic descaling programme. This ensures the machine continues to brew perfectly and gives you great tasting filter coffee for a long time.
Breville Flow Filter Coffee Machine
This Breville machine looks like a traditional coffee pot. It has a large dial and buttons with options on the screen. It also has a stainless steel water tank. This allows it to have a consistent water temperature, which should improve extraction of the flavors of your coffee beans. It uses a thermo-coil heater and a water pump to push the water through the system. This system makes a humming sound when it is working.
The machine has a variety of preset modes including Gold Cup, which adjusts the brewing parameters to meet Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards. It also allows you to customize the bloom time and flow rate to suit your preferences and the flavor of the coffee bean you are using.
This is a premium filter coffee machine that is well-reviewed by its users. It has a high max brew capacity and an easy single-cup function, and it is fairly simple to use. It comes with a permanent filter that you can replace when it gets dirty or full.