From digital espresso machines and precision grinders to coconut iced coffee and boiling water taps, the home coffee ritual is getting a rethink.
The first coffee of the day is serious business. Some of us want a strong espresso before we speak to anyone. Others are happier with a leisurely filter coffee, preferably in a favourite mug and with absolutely no conversation required.
Whatever your preference, making coffee at home has become an increasingly well-equipped affair. There are grinders to fine-tune, milk frothers to master and machines promising to take some of the guesswork out of the process. Even the kitchen tap is getting involved.
The good news is that you don’t need to turn your kitchen into a professional coffee shop to enjoy a better brew. A few well-chosen pieces of equipment can make a noticeable difference to your routine, whether you’re experimenting with freshly ground beans or simply trying to get out of the door with a decent caffeine fix.
Here’s a look at some of the machines, accessories and ideas catching our attention.
Swan’s digital approach to espresso
Swan Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine | £99.99
There is a certain satisfaction in making your own espresso, particularly when you don’t have to queue for it. Swan’s Pump Espresso Digital Coffee Machine is designed to make the process more accessible, with a smart touch display and a selection of presets covering the usual favourites.
Choose from Espresso, Double Espresso, Americano and Espresso Cool, or use the Milk/Steam function when the occasion calls for something a little more indulgent.
The machine’s 20-bar pressure system is a key feature, with Swan claiming it delivers 33% higher pressure than standard coffee machines. A built-in milk frother offers variable steam settings for preparing milk for lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolates.
There’s room for a practical side to the morning ritual, too. The 1.5-litre water tank is said to make up to 25 large espresso shots per fill, and the machine can prepare two shots at once. A cup-storage plate sits on top, while a measuring spoon and tamper are included to help with preparing the coffee grounds.
At £99.99, it offers a straightforward way to explore espresso-based drinks at home, with digital controls doing some of the legwork.
Get yours from Swan
A better grind starts here
Melitta Calibra grinder | £89.99
Ask a coffee enthusiast about their brewing routine and there’s a good chance the conversation will turn to the beans. Then the grind. Then, possibly, the water temperature. It’s a rabbit hole, but at least it’s an enjoyable one.
The Melitta Calibra is aimed at people who want a little more control over that process. Designed to complement an espresso maker, it has a built-in scale to help measure coffee and a capacity of up to 375g of beans.
A simple dial lets you choose between coarse, medium and fine settings, with an LCD display showing the selection. That makes it easier to keep track of your chosen grind rather than relying entirely on guesswork.
The dishwasher-safe components should also make cleaning less of a production. After all, the point of a coffee ritual is to enjoy the coffee, not spend half the morning scrubbing equipment.
Priced at £89.99, the Calibra is worth a look for anyone keen to make freshly ground coffee part of their everyday routine.
Get yours from Melitta
Getting the milk right
Melitta Cremio milk frother | £70
A cappuccino can be a disappointing affair when the milk doesn’t quite cooperate. The Melitta Cremio is designed to take some of the fiddliness out of frothing, producing milk froth at the touch of a button.
Its integrated heating device is designed to heat milk evenly and help prevent burning. The container has a non-stick coating, while the CoolTouch exterior and ergonomic grip are intended to make handling easier.
The Cremio is cordless, sitting on a 360-degree base station, and includes a Lift Switch-off function that turns it off when removed from the base. Three attachments cater to different coffee specialities, and the appliance can be used with soya, lactose-free and skimmed milk.
Available in black or stainless steel, it costs £70.
It’s a relatively simple addition to the coffee station, but one that could appeal to anyone who likes their morning latte without wanting to learn the finer points of milk steaming.
Get yours from Melitta
Filter coffee, with a little Italian flair
Smeg Drip Filter Coffee Machine | £199.95
Not everyone needs an espresso machine. Sometimes, a pot of filter coffee is exactly what the day requires, particularly when there’s more than one person waiting for their first cup.
Smeg’s DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine brings the brand’s familiar retro styling to the kitchen, with curved edges and a design inspired by Italian coffee culture.
The colour options are a big part of the appeal. Red, white, black, cream, pastel green, pastel blue and stainless steel give buyers plenty of choice, whether the kitchen is all clean lines or a little more colourful.
At £199.95, it’s a design-conscious option for those who prefer filter coffee and want their appliances to earn their place on the worktop.
Get yours from SMEG
Coconut in your coffee? Why not.
L’OR Coconut Iced Espresso | £4.69 per 10 capsules
Coffee has always had its variations, but the iced coffee crowd has opened up plenty of room for a little experimentation. L’OR’s Coconut Iced Espresso is a seasonal capsule blend that brings a tropical note to the familiar coffee routine.
The flavour combines creamy coconut with darker notes of cacao and roasted nuts. It’s designed with iced drinks in mind, making it suitable for black iced coffee or an iced latte, although it can also be enjoyed hot.
The capsules are designed to work with the L’OR BARISTA Absolu, including its Enjoy Over Ice setting. The machine brews at a lower temperature in this mode, with the aim of extracting flavour while creating a layer of crema. The capsules are also compatible with L’OR BARISTA models and Nespresso Original coffee machines.
The supplied launch information lists a recommended price of £4.69 for 10 capsules, with availability through L’OR and a planned rollout to selected retailers.
For anyone whose usual coffee order is starting to feel a little predictable, coconut might be an appealing change of pace.
Get yours from L’OR
The kettle’s days may be numbered
Abode Persona and Arkitect boiling water taps
A coffee station doesn’t have to begin and end with the appliances on the worktop. Sometimes, the more interesting change is built into the kitchen itself.
Boiling water taps have been finding their place in modern kitchens, offering an alternative to the familiar kettle and helping keep worktops clear. For anyone making several hot drinks throughout the day, the attraction is obvious: less waiting around and hot water available when it’s needed.
Abode’s Persona and Arkitect ranges sit within this growing interest in kitchen fittings that combine practical features with design flexibility.
“Ditch the kettle, reclaim your worktop, and enjoy instant boiling water, on your terms with a boiling water tap in your kitchen,” says Paul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode.
Temperature is another consideration. Illingworth cites 88 to 98°C for black tea and 80 to 85°C for instant coffee, highlighting the potential to tailor water temperature to different drinks.
For those who enjoy having friends and family over, there’s a convenience factor, too. Preparing hot drinks becomes another part of the kitchen routine, without the familiar kettle queue.
Some systems also combine boiling and filtered cold water, making it possible to serve chilled water at the table as well as prepare hot drinks. And with a choice of finishes and designs, taps can be selected to complement the rest of the kitchen.
Illingworth says customers are increasingly motivated by “a freedom to choose”, with functionality, safety, ease of use and personalisation all playing a role.
It’s an interesting reminder that the perfect coffee setup isn’t necessarily about buying another gadget. Sometimes, it’s about making the kitchen work a little harder.
Get yours from Abode
The joy of discovering a new coffee
RISE Coffee Box | Subscriptions from £23.75
Even the most impressive coffee machine can only do so much with beans you’re not particularly keen on. That’s where a little exploration comes in.
RISE Coffee Box offers a subscription built around small-batch coffees from independent UK roasters. Founders Ben and Alice select two coffees each month following blind tastings, with the beans freshly roasted to order.
The idea is to make discovering new coffees part of the routine, rather than buying the same bag out of habit. It’s a nice option for anyone who enjoys trying something different but doesn’t necessarily know where to start.
Boxes are available in sizes of two, three or four bags, with each bag weighing between 200g and 250g. Customers can choose whole bean, cafetière, filter, espresso or decaf, and select a delivery frequency ranging from weekly to every eight weeks.
Subscriptions start at £23.75, with free tracked delivery and the option to pause, skip or cancel. RISE also offers to replace the first coffee if it doesn’t suit your taste.
The company says it is B Corp certified and supports education projects in coffee-growing regions through its Friendly Coffee Fund.
For a gift, or simply an excuse to get out of a coffee rut, it’s a subscription worth exploring.
Get yours from RISE
Making room for a better brew
The appeal of a home coffee setup isn’t that everyone needs the same collection of expensive kit. It’s that there are now so many ways to make the routine fit around you.
Some people will happily spend time adjusting their grind and perfecting an espresso. Others just want a reliable machine, a decent cup and a little less waiting around in the morning.
From Swan’s digital espresso controls and Melitta’s preparation accessories to Smeg’s retro filter machine, L’OR’s seasonal capsules and Abode’s integrated kitchen fittings, these products approach the ritual from different directions.
The trick is finding what genuinely makes your own coffee experience more enjoyable. And perhaps resisting the temptation to buy another gadget until you’ve finished the coffee you’ve already made.
The convergence of tech and brands 