A cheap coffee machine is an entry-level appliance that makes a decent cup at home without a cafe-style price tag, and the right type depends on how you like your coffee. The main trade-off is that a lower machine price often means more effort or higher running costs later.
There are three main types. Drip filter machines brew a pot of coffee from ground beans and are the cheapest to run. Manual espresso machines make proper espresso and froth milk with a steam wand, but you need ground coffee and some technique. Capsule machines are the easiest, with one-touch brewing, but each system accepts only certain capsules and you pay more per cup.
The most important number in this category is the cost of running a capsule machine. The Australian consumer group Choice found that capsules can cost several times more per kilo than ground coffee, so a cheap machine can become an expensive habit. Check which capsule system a machine uses before buying.
This guide compares ten cheap coffee machines available in New Zealand across drip filter, manual espresso and capsule types.
Cheap coffee machine comparison
| Product | Best for | Type | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braun KF1100BK | Best Cheap Basic Drip Machine | Drip filter | Auto shut-off after 40 minutes |
| Kenmore 12 Cup Drip | Best Reviewed Drip Machine | Drip filter | Digital timer, 1 to 4 cup mode |
| Breville Aroma Style | Best Programmable Drip Machine from a Known Brand | Drip filter | 24-hour delay brew |
| Sunbeam PC7900 | Best for Programmable Auto Brew | Drip filter | LCD clock and auto-brew timer |
| De’Longhi Stilosa EC230 | Best Entry Espresso Machine | Manual espresso | 15-bar pump and steam wand |
| Beko CaffeExperto CEP5302B | Best Espresso Machine with Touch Display | Manual espresso | Colour touch display |
| Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie EVO | Best Compact Capsule Machine | Capsule | Heats up in about 35 seconds |
| De’Longhi Nespresso Vertuo Pop | Best One-Touch Capsule Machine | Capsule | Four cup sizes |
| Nespresso Essenza Mini | Best Small Nespresso Original Machine | Capsule | 19-bar pump, 25-second heat-up |
| Philips L’OR Barista Sublime | Best Capsule Machine for Double Shots | Capsule | Dual spout |
1. Braun Essentials Breakfast1 KF1100BK – Best Cheap Basic Drip Machine
This is the plainest machine in the guide, and that is the point. It is a 10-cup drip filter machine from a well-known German appliance brand, with a glass carafe, a pivoting filter basket and no timer or clock to set.
Retailer listings give it 1000W of power, a drip-stop so you can pour mid-brew, a water level indicator and dishwasher-safe parts. It switches itself off after 40 minutes, so a forgotten pot is not left on the heat.
It is rated 4.2 stars from only about 60 reviews. The filter type and keep-warm details were not confirmed, so check the manual before buying filters.
Pros
- Simple one-switch drip brewing
- Auto shut-off after 40 minutes
- Drip-stop and water level indicator
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- No timer or programmable brew
- Small review base, at 4.2 stars from about 60 reviews
- Warranty is listed as 12 months on AU and Pacific listings
Key specs: Drip filter machine. 10 cups. 1000W. Glass carafe. Drip-stop. Water level indicator. Auto shut-off after 40 minutes. No timer.
2. Kenmore 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker – Best Reviewed Drip Machine
Kenmore is a long-running US appliance brand, and this 12-cup programmable drip machine is the best-reviewed machine in this guide, at 4.6 stars from more than 1,000 reviews.
It has a 1.8-litre capacity with a 1 to 4 cup mode for small brews, a digital timer, a non-stick warming plate, a reusable gold-tone cone filter and a charcoal water filter. It also has a pause-and-pour feature of about 20 seconds, according to a retailer description.
Australian retailers list a two-year warranty, though the importer was not named on the pages we checked and we found no NZ retailer. Check the warranty arrangements for an NZ order.
Pros
- Rated 4.6 stars from more than 1,000 reviews
- Digital timer and a 1 to 4 cup small-batch mode
- Reusable filter and charcoal water filter
- Two-year warranty listed by Australian retailers
Cons
- No NZ retailer found, so warranty handling is unclear
- Power rating and auto shut-off were not listed
- Large 12-cup carafe is more than a single drinker needs
Key specs: Drip filter machine. 12 cups, 1.8 litres. Digital timer. Warming plate. Reusable gold-tone cone filter and charcoal water filter. Pause-and-pour.
3. Breville The Aroma Style – Best Programmable Drip Machine from a Known Brand
Breville is a familiar name in NZ kitchens, and the Aroma Style is its straightforward programmable drip machine. It makes up to 12 cups from a 1.5-litre capacity and has a removable stainless steel mesh filter basket, so you do not need paper filters.
A delay-brew timer lets you set it up to 24 hours ahead, and there is a strength control and a thermostatically controlled hotplate. JB Hi-Fi NZ states that a full 12 cups takes about 10 minutes at regular strength.
Breville gives a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. It is rated 4.3 stars from more than 300 reviews. Stock at NZ retailers varied when we checked, so confirm availability.
Pros
- Delay-brew timer up to 24 hours ahead
- Permanent stainless steel mesh filter basket
- Strength control and warming hotplate
- Brand with NZ retail presence
Cons
- One-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Body is mainly plastic with stainless steel trims
- Stock varies at NZ retailers
Key specs: Drip filter machine. 12 cups, 1.5 litres. Delay brew within 24 hours. Strength control. Thermostatic hotplate. Removable stainless steel mesh filter basket. One-year warranty.
4. Sunbeam PC7900 Auto Brew – Best for Programmable Auto Brew
Sunbeam is another brand that is familiar in NZ and Australia, and the PC7900 is a 12-cup drip machine with an LCD clock and auto-brew timer, so it can have coffee ready when you wake up.
It has a permanent mesh filter, a strength selector dial and a non-stick warming plate that one retailer says holds heat for up to two hours. Retailers list a one-year warranty.
Reviews are mixed between sites. It is rated 4.4 stars from about 250 reviews, but one retailer’s owner reviews average 3.0 stars with several failures reported after about 15 to 18 months, from a small sample.
Pros
- LCD clock and auto-brew timer
- Permanent mesh filter, no paper needed
- Strength selector dial
- Rated 4.4 stars from about 250 reviews
Cons
- Owner reviews on another retailer report failures after about 15 to 18 months
- One-year warranty
- Dimensions and power were inconsistent between listings
Key specs: Drip filter machine. 12 cups, 1.5 litres. LCD clock with auto-brew timer. Permanent mesh filter. Strength selector. Non-stick warming plate.
5. De’Longhi Stilosa EC230.BK – Best Entry Espresso Machine
The Stilosa is De’Longhi’s entry-level manual espresso machine, and it is the pick if you want real espresso and a steam wand rather than filter coffee. You grind and tamp the coffee yourself, which takes a little practice.
It has a 15-bar pump, a 1-litre removable water tank, a manual steam wand for frothing milk, and room for cups up to 110mm tall. It makes two cups at once and is rated at 1100W.
It is the lowest-rated machine in this guide, at 3.7 stars from more than 700 reviews. That is worth knowing: it rewards patience, and beginners can find it fiddly.
Pros
- 15-bar pump with a manual steam wand
- 1-litre removable water tank
- Compact footprint
- More than 700 reviews
Cons
- Lowest rating in this guide at 3.7 stars
- You need a grinder or pre-ground coffee, and some technique
- Brewing and steaming cannot be done at the same time on thermoblock machines
Key specs: Manual espresso machine. 15-bar pump. 1-litre removable tank. Manual steam wand. 1100W. Maximum cup height 110mm. Dual-cup.
6. Beko CaffeExperto CEP5302B – Best Espresso Machine with a Touch Display
Beko is a European brand that is better known for laundry and fridge freezers, and this is its manual espresso machine. It has a 15-bar pump, a 1.1-litre removable tank and a steam wand for milk.
Retailer listings describe a colour touch display, a cup warmer on top, a variable cup size of 30 to 100ml and automatic power shut-off. One UK retailer states a 55-second heat-up time.
It is rated 4.2 stars, but from only 17 reviews, and the retailer pages we found were UK and European, so the warranty for an NZ order is unclear.
Pros
- 15-bar pump with a steam wand
- Colour touch display and cup warmer
- Automatic shut-off
- 1.1-litre removable tank
Cons
- Only 17 reviews so far
- Retailer pages found were UK and European, so NZ warranty is unclear
- Listings disagree on which coffee formats it accepts, so check the manual
Key specs: Manual espresso machine. 15-bar pump. 1.1-litre removable tank. Steam wand. Colour touch display. Cup warmer. Automatic shut-off.
7. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie EVO – Best Compact Capsule Machine
The Jolie EVO is a compact capsule machine that uses Lavazza’s A Modo Mio capsules. Press a button and the coffee is made, with no grinding, tamping or cleaning of a portafilter.
Retailer listings give it a 0.6-litre removable tank, room for up to five used capsules, 1250W of power and a heat-up time of about 35 seconds. It switches itself off after about two minutes of inactivity.
It is rated 4.3 stars from more than 100 reviews. It only accepts A Modo Mio capsules, so check that you are happy to buy those before you commit.
Pros
- Very compact one-button capsule machine
- Heats up in about 35 seconds per retailer listings
- Auto-off after about two minutes
- Rated 4.3 stars from more than 100 reviews
Cons
- Only accepts Lavazza A Modo Mio capsules
- Specs come from retailer listings, not Lavazza
- Capsules cost more per cup than ground coffee
Key specs: Capsule machine. Lavazza A Modo Mio system. 0.6-litre tank. Holds up to 5 used capsules. 1250W. About 35-second heat-up per retailer listings.
8. De’Longhi Nespresso Vertuo Pop – Best One-Touch Capsule Machine
The Vertuo Pop is the entry-level machine in Nespresso’s Vertuo range, which makes bigger drinks than the original Nespresso machines. One touch brews espresso, double espresso, gran lungo or a full mug.
It has a 600ml tank, heats up in about 30 seconds and switches off after two minutes of inactivity. Australian retailers list a two-year warranty.
It only uses Nespresso Vertuo capsules, and Choice reported that these are sold only by Nespresso. It is rated 4.0 stars from about 90 reviews.
Pros
- One-touch espresso, double espresso, gran lungo and mug sizes
- Heats up in about 30 seconds
- Auto-off after two minutes
- Two-year warranty listed by Australian retailers
Cons
- Uses Vertuo capsules only, sold by Nespresso
- Power rating differs between retailer listings
- Capsules cost far more per kilo than ground coffee
Key specs: Capsule machine. Nespresso Vertuo system. 600ml tank. About 30-second heat-up. Espresso, double espresso, gran lungo and mug sizes. Auto-off after 2 minutes.
9. Nespresso Essenza Mini – Best Small Nespresso Original Machine
The Essenza Mini is one of the smallest Nespresso machines, and it uses the Original capsule system, which has the widest choice of compatible capsules from other brands as well as Nespresso itself.
De’Longhi’s spec sheet and retailer listings give it a 19-bar pump, a 0.6-litre tank, a heat-up time of about 25 seconds and two sizes: a 40ml espresso and a 110ml lungo. It holds six used capsules, and one retailer states it shuts off after nine minutes.
The listing has no rating displayed, so there is no review score to quote. Power ratings vary by variant, from about 1150W to 1260W.
Pros
- Very small footprint
- About 25-second heat-up
- Works with the Nespresso Original capsule range, including compatible pods
- Two simple cup sizes
Cons
- No review rating shown on this listing
- No milk frother
- Capsules cost more per cup than ground coffee
Key specs: Capsule machine. Nespresso Original system. 19-bar pump. 0.6-litre tank. About 25-second heat-up. Espresso 40ml and lungo 110ml. Holds 6 used capsules.
10. Philips L’OR Barista Sublime – Best Capsule Machine for Double Shots
This is the largest and best-reviewed capsule machine in this guide, at 4.4 stars from more than 2,000 reviews. It has two spouts, so it can make two espressos at once or a double shot.
It accepts L’OR Barista capsules, including the double-size ones, and also L’OR Espresso and Nespresso-compatible pods, according to TechRadar and Expert Reviews. UK listings give it a 19-bar pump, a 0.8-litre tank, and adjustable volume from 25ml to 270ml.
TechRadar praised it as easy to use with good results, but noted it has no milk frother. Ideal Home found it on the noisy side. Specs here come from the closely related LM9012 listings, so check the exact model you receive.
Pros
- Double-shot capability with two spouts
- Accepts L’OR Barista, L’OR Espresso and Nespresso-compatible pods
- Rated 4.4 stars from more than 2,000 reviews
- Independent UK reviews are positive
Cons
- No milk frother
- Reviewers describe it as noisy
- Specs come from related model listings
Key specs: Capsule machine. L’OR Barista and compatible pods. 19-bar pump. Dual spout. Volume 25ml to 270ml. About 0.8-litre tank. About 1450W per related listings.
How to choose a cheap coffee machine in NZ
Pick the type that fits your habits. Drip machines suit households that drink several cups a day, espresso machines suit people who want milk drinks and do not mind some technique, and capsule machines suit anyone who wants a quick cup with no cleanup.
Count the running costs. A cheap machine is only cheap if the coffee it uses is affordable. Choice found capsules can cost several times more per kilo than ground coffee. Our best coffee beans guide covers the alternative, and a coffee grinder is worth considering if you choose a manual espresso machine.
Check capsule compatibility. Nespresso Original, Nespresso Vertuo and Lavazza A Modo Mio capsules are not interchangeable. If you want a wide choice of capsules, our guide to the best pod coffee makers goes into more detail.
Look at warranty and availability. Several machines here are listed with one-year warranties on retailer pages, and some listings come from UK or European retailers. If an NZ warranty matters to you, ask the seller before you buy. For a broader choice, see our guide to the best coffee machines in NZ.
For the cheapest way to get a hot pot of coffee, the Braun KF1100BK is simple and low-fuss, while the Kenmore is the best-reviewed drip machine and the Breville Aroma Style is the safer pick if you want a known brand with a delay-brew timer. If you want real espresso, the De’Longhi Stilosa is the entry point, though its 3.7-star rating suggests it takes patience. For convenience, the Philips L’OR Barista Sublime has the strongest reviews of the capsule machines, and the Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest. Whatever you choose, factor in running costs, not just the price of the machine.
FAQs
What type of coffee machine is cheapest to run?
A drip filter machine is usually the cheapest to run, because it uses ground coffee. Choice found capsules can cost several times more per kilo than ground coffee, so capsule machines cost more per cup over time.
Is a cheap espresso machine worth it?
It can be, if you are willing to learn the technique. Manual machines like the De’Longhi Stilosa need ground coffee, tamping and practice, and the Stilosa has a lower rating than most machines here. A grinder helps, but adds cost.
Do capsule machines use the same capsules?
No. Nespresso Original, Nespresso Vertuo and Lavazza A Modo Mio capsules are different systems. The Philips L’OR Barista Sublime accepts L’OR and Nespresso-compatible capsules, while the Vertuo Pop only uses Nespresso Vertuo capsules.
What does a programmable coffee machine do?
A programmable machine has a timer, so it can start brewing at a set time, such as before you wake up. The Kenmore, Breville Aroma Style and Sunbeam PC7900 all have timers, while the Braun KF1100BK does not.
How much coffee does a 12-cup machine make?
The 12-cup machines in this guide have capacities of 1.5 to 1.8 litres. Cup sizes on drip machines are small, so 12 cups is often closer to six large mugs.
Do these machines come with an NZ warranty?
Not always. Several listings state one-year warranties from Australian or UK retailers, and for some products we could not confirm NZ warranty handling. Check the seller and warranty terms before buying.
