Melitta just added a new accessory for its line-up of coffee machines, and it might be its most impressive yet. The new Melitta Linea coffee grinder is a great addition to your at-home coffee set-up, especially for those who love espresso, filter and French Press coffee.

I’ve tested many coffee machines for T3, and have become somewhat of a coffee snob. If budget wasn’t an issue, I’d have a full café-level coffee station in my house, complete with an individual coffee grinder, main coffee machine, tampers, milk frothers and more.

Grinding your own beans is an easy way to level up your coffee-making process, and the Melitta Linea coffee grinder is a new model that’s designed to make freshly ground coffee in an easy and cleaner way. It doesn’t look like your traditional grinder, but it has a more modern design, including a hopper to hold the beans and a container to store the grounds.

At the top of the Melitta Linea is an LCD touch display where you can adjust the 13 grind settings to different fineness and strength levels. To keep everything as fresh as possible, the Melitta Linea has an AromaSafe lid that ensures freshness and scents of your beans and grounds.

As a stainless steel conical grinder, the Melitta Linea uses Ionizer technology to grind your beans while preventing static charging from causing your grinds to fly around when in action. This ensures the grinding process is clean and tidy, so you have minimal clean-up to worry about.

To achieve the perfect grind, the Melitta Linea draws coffee beans from above and grinds them between an inner conical burr and outer burred wall. Once ground, the coffee container holds the power and has a precise dosing spout for adding to your coffee machine or cafetiere. It can also be used to make between 1-10 cups of filter coffee which you can select on the grinder.

The Melitta Linea grinder is available to buy for £74.99 at Melitta. Having covered coffee machines and accessories for a while now, I was surprised to see this price from a luxury brand like Melitta.

Is £75 a bit pricey for a coffee grinder? For some, yes, but this is actually one of the more affordable models you’ll find on the market – and for espresso lovers, it’s a no-brainer.

Panasonic has expanded its air fryer microwave range with the new NN-CD58RS Slimline 4-in-1 Combination Microwave, bringing air frying, microwaving, grilling and convection cooking together in one appliance. It's designed to provide the versatility of several kitchen appliances without sacrificing worktop space.

Sitting at the top of Panasonic's new Slimline lineup, the NN-CD58RS has a full stainless-steel exterior that gives it a more premium finish than the other models. Inside, there's a 27-litre capacity and an easy-clean stainless-steel interior, putting it up there with the best microwaves available today.

It's priced at £269.99 and is available from Panasonic's online store, Argos, Currys and Amazon, making it considerably cheaper than larger models such as the Panasonic NN-CD88. You also get a grill rack, enamel tray and air fry basket, all of which are dishwasher-safe.

The microwave features a powerful fan positioned at the top that circulates hot air around food to create a crispy finish. The included basket can hold up to 800g of frozen chips, so despite the more compact design, there's still plenty of room for family-sized portions.

However, users can also combine cooking functions to speed things up even further. Pairing Air Fry with microwave power can cook jacket potatoes up to 40% quicker and a whole chicken up to 36% faster than using Air Fry alone, according to Panasonic's internal testing. Panasonic also claims that combining convection, grill or air fry with microwave power can cut cooking times by up to 70% and energy use by up to 50% compared to conventional ovens.

The NN-CD58RS has a 1000W microwave with seven power levels, a 1300W Quartz Grill and convection cooking up to 220°C. Air frying can be set between 180°C and 220°C, and there are 19 automatic programmes to choose from as well.

Tefal has launched its first-ever stacked air fryer, joining the likes of Ninja, Philips and Salter. The new Tefal Ingenio Dual Stack Air Fryer has a generous 10-litre capacity alongside six preset programmes, including settings for fries, chicken, dough proving and desserts.

Despite its capacity, the Ingenio is 40% smaller than Tefal's Dual Easy Fry & Grill, making it a much better fit for kitchens with limited worktop space. However, one of the features that caught my attention most is its detachable front panels, which can be removed to make the baskets easier to fit inside the dishwasher. It's the first time Tefal has introduced the feature on one of its best air fryers, so it's particularly interesting to see it debut on the brand's first stacked model.

The Tefal Ingenio Dual Stack Air Fryer is available in black or grey with an RRP of £229.99, and can be purchased from Tefal's online store, Amazon and John Lewis.

Tefal's EvenFry technology uses a top heating element to circulate hot air and deliver evenly cooked and crispy results. The Ingenio also offers up to four cooking zones across two drawers and two racks, so you can prepare different parts of a meal at the same time.

The air fryer also comes included with two storage lids, so leftovers can be covered and stored directly in the fridge.

A stand mixer has always been a brilliant kitchen tool for anyone who bakes regularly, especially when it comes to achieving consistent batters and mixes. However, for those who'd rather steer clear of cakes and focus on dough, there hasn't always been something quite as purpose-built. That was until Ooni launched its Halo Pro Spiral Mixer.

First launched last year, the Ooni Halo Pro quickly stood out for its ability to tackle pizza, flatbread and bread dough, whilst still handling more traditional stand mixer jobs. Fast-forward to 2026 and the Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer has arrived as a smaller and lighter alternative. Importantly, though, it keeps the professional-style spiral mixing technology that made the original so interesting.

I've been putting it to the test with plenty of dough-based experiments, and you'll find all my thoughts below.

Price and availability

The Ooni Halo Core is priced at £499/$599 and is available from Ooni's online store, Amazon and John Lewis. For comparison, the Ooni Halo Pro is priced at £699/$799.

The Halo Core comes in black or white, and there are a number of optional accessories available too, including the Ooni Dough Tool Set and Dual Platform Digital Scales.

Design and features

The Halo Core is 25% smaller and 30% lighter than the Halo Pro, making it much easier to keep permanently on a kitchen worktop or move around when needed. Despite shrinking things down, Ooni has retained the recognisable Halo design as well as its tilt-head mechanism. This lets you lift the top of the mixer to remove the bowl and easily switch between attachments.

It features a removable 4.5-litre stainless-steel bowl, down from the Halo Pro's 7-litre capacity. It's smaller, but is still capable of handling up to 2.5kg of dough in a single batch. According to Ooni, that's enough for around ten 12-inch pizzas or three large sourdough loaves – but we'll get onto this later.

Unlike a conventional stand mixer, where an attachment moves around a stationary bowl, the Core combines a rotating bowl with a rotating Spiral Dough Hook and stationary removable breaker bar.

Together, these create what Ooni calls a dual-kneading action. Dough is continuously stretched and worked between the hook, bowl and breaker bar, helping to develop a stronger gluten network without generating excessive heat. This makes it particularly well suited to pizza, bread and sourdough, especially recipes that require longer kneading times. The breaker bar also helps stop dough climbing and bunching around the hook, but it can be removed when you want to use the mixer for more conventional baking jobs.

There are 20 speed settings, reaching up to 300 RPM. That's considerably fewer than the Halo Pro's 58, but still gives you plenty of control for different recipes and dough types. There's also built-in motor protection, which can automatically adjust the speed when necessary to help prevent overheating during tougher mixing sessions.

Like its predecessor, dual LED lights illuminate the mixture whilst the machine is running, making it easier to keep an eye on dough consistency and gluten development. There's also a separate LED indicator which clearly displays your selected speed.

One feature you don't get from the Halo Pro is its set-and-forget auto-stop timer, so the Core does require slightly more supervision.

Attachments

You get three main attachments, giving it much more versatility than a traditional commercial spiral mixer.

Alongside the Spiral Dough Hook and removable breaker bar, there's a Dual-Geared Whisk for whipping and lighter mixtures, as well as an Angled Silicone-Edge Beater for batters and everyday baking. This means you can still turn to it for cakes, creams and other recipes when you're not making dough.

The included clear splash guard also has a pouring spout, so you can add ingredients whilst mixing without sending flour across the kitchen.

There's an airtight silicone lid for the bowl too, allowing you to leave dough to prove inside rather than transferring it to another container. A pop-out vent can be opened when airflow is needed, and all of the attachments are removable and dishwasher-safe.

Performance

The first thing that stood out during testing was just how premium the Ooni Halo Core feels, and despite testing plenty of stand mixers before, very few have felt quite as high-quality as this. Everything from the finish and weight to the illuminated controls felt deluxe, and it looked fantastic left out on the kitchen counter.

The attachments are equally as impressive and, whilst £499 is undeniably a lot of money, you do get plenty for it. Each attachment is easy to fit, remove and swap, and cleaning couldn't be simpler either. Mine came out of the dishwasher spotless, even after dealing with sticky dough and batter.

I also particularly loved the rotating bowl and LED illumination, which are exactly the kind of premium details that set the Halo Core apart from your average stand mixer.

For my first test, I deliberately used an M&S pizza base mix that I've struggled with when kneading by hand in the past. Using the Spiral Dough Hook and breaker bar, the dough came together in around six minutes with very little intervention from me. Most impressively, it didn't climb up the hook or sides of the bowl, with the breaker bar keeping everything moving nicely.

Once it was ready, I simply removed the attachments, popped the included silicone lid over the bowl and left the dough to prove for around an hour. Being able to mix and prove in the same bowl made the whole process noticeably easier, not to mention cutting down on the clean up afterwards.

I also wanted to see whether the Halo Core could take the place of a more conventional stand mixer, so I used it to make banana bread batter a few days later. The whisk worked brilliantly, combining everything quickly and evenly, and switching between attachments was effortless. Dough may be its speciality, but it's certainly not all the Halo Core can do.

That said, there are a few small things to be aware of. Ooni says the 4.5-litre bowl can handle enough dough for around ten 12-inch pizzas or three large sourdough loaves, but once proved, my dough for just three pizzas was already nearly at the top. Of course, mixing and proving capacities aren't quite the same thing, but it did make me wonder how comfortably the mixer would handle enough dough for ten pizzas at once, and whether everything would knead as evenly. If you're planning on making large batches, I'd recommend starting smaller and transferring the dough to another container for proving if needed.

My other small issue the speed dial. There are 20 settings to choose from, but there aren't 20 individual markings or numbers around the control, so selecting a precise speed can feel like a bit of a guessing game at first. That said, the illuminated dial looks fantastic and fits perfectly with the Halo Core's premium design, so it's certainly not something that would put me off buying it.

Verdict

The Ooni Halo Core may be designed with dough in mind, but it's far more versatile than that suggests. It made light work of pizza dough, handled cake batter just as confidently and felt incredibly premium throughout testing. The smaller 4.5-litre bowl and slightly unclear speed dial leave room for improvement, but neither took away from the overall experience. It's certainly an investment, but the excellent build quality, range of attachments and incredible results make it a fantastic option for anyone who regularly bakes at home.

Alternatives to consider

The Ooni Halo Pro is the obvious alternative, particularly if you think you'll benefit from its larger 7-litre bowl, 58 speed settings and automatic timer. However, I personally think the Halo Core offers more than enough capacity and control for the average household, especially if kitchen space is limited.

If you want something even more compact and geared towards general baking, the Kenwood Go Stand Mixer is another great option. It doesn't have the specialist spiral dough-mixing setup found on the Ooni range, but its smaller design and versatility make it particularly well suited to compact kitchens.

If you’re looking to take your latte art skills to the next level, the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer could be the product to help you do just that. As an electric standalone milk steaming wand, the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer is a great addition to your coffee machine set-up, especially if yours doesn’t have a milk frother attachment – but it’ll set you back £250.

Flair is known for its manual espresso machine which uses a lever to extract and ‘pull’ rich shots of coffee. The brand also has a range of milk steamers, including its Wizard Stovetop Milk Steamer that heats milk using dry steam while sitting on your gas, induction or coil stoves.

But its latest Flair eWizard Milk Steamer removes this stovetop action as it uses a 110V electric power to froth your milk instead. Featuring a cool-touch wand, two nozzles and an electric base, tank and lid with gauge, the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer quickly and expertly heats up your milk to make expert-level microfoam.

The design of the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer is quite unusual, but that’s what Flair is best known for. When I first saw it, I thought it looked like a miniature Tardis from Doctor Who! But while it might look a little complicated, Flair states that it’s the perfect milk frothing accessory for both beginners and baristas.

To use the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer, you simply turn it on via its power cord, and it heats up in roughly five minutes. Using dry steam via its steam wand which gets up to 270°, its pressure management system keeps it at the right temperature to create froth for cappuccinos, lattes and more.

The Flair eWizard Milk Steamer comes with two nozzles – a one hole and a three hole. Beginners are encouraged to use the one hole nozzle as it gives easier control over the steam. Once you get the hang of it, the three hole nozzle is for more manual and customisable steaming that makes you feel like you’re a barista in a café.

The Flair eWizard Milk Steamer is available to buy for £248 at Flair Espresso. It doesn’t come with a milk jug which you’ll need to use the steamer, but you can buy the Flair Milk Steaming Pitcher separately for £23.

Is the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer the cheapest option on the market? No, and you’ll likely want a coffee machine that comes with a milk frothing wand integrated into the design to save money and space on your countertop.

But I can see the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer being something baristas and coffee enthusiasts will want to incorporate into their coffee set-up to take their skills to the next level.

I think I just found my new favourite coffee machine. The Terra Kaffe TK Demi, which launched in late 2025, is the brand’s most intuitive, fully automatic espresso machine that will surely turn you into a barista-level espresso expert – if you have $800 spare, that is.

For homes with small kitchens, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi is described as ‘mini but mighty’ by the brand. Weighing just 17 pounds and measuring 12.8 inches in height, 7.5 inches in width and 15.7 inches in diameter, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi takes up minimal room yet its design is so eye-catching that you wouldn’t mind if it did.

The Terra Kaffe TK Demi is available in four earth-inspired colours, including slate, forest, dune and cloud. It has a bean hopper at the top so the machine grinds beans fresh, and a stainless steel analog dial on the side which allows you to adjust temperature, strength and volume of your drinks.

As an espresso machine, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi makes espresso-based drinks, including Americanos, lungos and drip coffee. My favourite part of the machine is when you select your drink, the name of it flashes up in pixel-like dots at the front, making the minimalist design look smarter and more premium.

While it might look a little intimidating at first, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi is completely automatic, so while you can customise your drink, the machine takes care of everything for you. The stainless steel spout handle of the Terra Kaffe TK Demi can also be adjusted to fit different mug sizes, and the waste bin and drip tray is easy to clean and empty.

There are many things to like about the Terra Kaffe TK Demi, although I do wish it came with a milk frothing attachment. As someone who loves lattes and cappuccinos, this is a feature I think the Terra Kaffe TK Demi is missing out on, although Terra Kaffe does offer the TK-02 which comes with a milk carafe.

The Terra Kaffe TK Demi is available to buy for $795 at Terra Kaffe. I’ll be honest, when I saw the price, I was incredibly surprised, despite most bean to cup coffee makers coming with this sort of expensive price tag.

Having said that, the TK Demi’s design and automatic features make it one of the most stylish and advanced models I’ve ever seen. I like that the TK Demi can be used by both beginners and baristas (although the price does take it out of many people’s budgets) but if you’re an espresso fan, it's definitely something you’ll want to save up for – myself included.

Forget air fryers – Ninja has just made the countertop oven more exciting with its new Double Oven Pro Countertop Oven and Air Fryer. As a 12-in-1 appliance, the Ninja Double Oven Pro can replace almost every cooking gadget in your kitchen, and gives you two ovens for the price and space of one.

Air fryers have almost completely replaced ovens, mainly due to their smaller sizes and reduced costs. But sometimes, the best option for cooking quickly and intensely is an oven, so if you want my advice, I wouldn’t look at getting rid of your oven just yet.

However, the new Ninja Double Oven Pro Countertop Oven and Air Fryer could be a game changer as it combines two ovens in an air fryer-sized design, much like traditional toaster ovens. Measuring 21.42 inches in length, 19.76 inches in width and 15.94 inches in height, the Ninja Double Oven Pro is surprisingly compact and can comfortably fit on any countertop in your kitchen.

Like most of Ninja’s air fryers, the Ninja Double Oven Pro has two cooking zones which you can use independently or simultaneously. The top and bottom ovens use DualZone technology so you can cook two different meals in two different ways at the same time.

Both ovens can be customised by function, time and temperature. With SmartFinish, the Ninja Double Oven Pro can also finish cooking meals at the same time for quicker results.

Inside, the Ninja Double Oven Pro has a huge capacity which can fit a 4.5 pound chicken, and it has 12 cooking functions to choose from, including air fry, bake, roast, grill, broil, toast, pizza, reheat and more. It can effectively replace your air fryer, oven, toaster and grill which is especially handy if you have limited kitchen space.

The Ninja Double Oven Pro looks like a cross between a microwave and toaster oven, and it has individual button and dial controls for both the top and bottom ovens. Its handles pull down like a normal oven, and there are clear viewing windows at the front so you can check on your cooking’s progress without having to open the doors.

Available in a stylish silver colour, the Ninja Double Oven Pro comes with two sheet pans, two wire racks, an air fryer basket, thermometer and a crumb tray. It’s priced at $429.99 and available to buy at SharkNinja. As of writing, it’s been discounted to $349.99 and it’s not yet available in the UK or Europe.

Considering this style of air fryer-oven is typically more US-centric, I have my doubts over whether the Ninja Double Oven Pro Cook Countertop Oven and Air Fryer will come to the UK. But if it does, I think it’ll definitely appeal to big families and those who want one appliance to do everything.

Around six months ago, I got my hands on an electric pizza oven (the Pizzaiolo, from Sage), and it's been a thrilling game-changer in terms of how I've made pizza at home. The only real downside to getting one of the very few pizza ovens that can work indoors is that it still takes up a massive chunk of storage in my not particularly huge top-floor London flat.

So, it's been with some trepidation that I've also been looking out for a stand mixer, a notoriously sizeable part of any chef's lineup of appliances, to help upgrade my dough-making. After graduating past store-bought dough a while ago, my hands were getting tired of self-kneading everything.

It was this storage issue that made the Morphy Richards MixStar so attractive, and after my first batch of dough-making, I'm really pleased with how it's slotted into my cooking and my cupboards.

This stand mixer doesn't look like many others on the market. Rather than a bowl with a large arm over it, Morphy Richards has put the mixing circulator into the bowl itself, more like the inside of a food processor.

Crucially, it's also designed so that when you're not using it, all the attachments and parts nest within that bowl, giving you a far less bulky overall device to hide away in your cupboards. It's hard to convey how much of a boon that is, but as someone whose kitchen can only accommodate an under-counter fridge, for instance, it's quite a major point.

The MixStar comes with attachments for whisking, frothing and more, but I've so far only used the dough mixer, and it's performed ably – although I did immediately run up against an obvious limitation. The instructions are quite clear that my standard batch of dough, enough for four pizzas, would overload the advised weight limits for the bowl.

So, I did two batches instead, and that hardly added much time to my process. Still, it's possibly a reminder that this compact design does come with some compromises compared to something weightier like a KitchenAid Artisan, which has a way higher maximum weight for dough.

That said, a KitchenAid Artisan is also about twice as expensive, way heavier and more awkward to store, so the comparison doesn't bear too much weight. If I had a bigger kitchen, I'd probably pine after a higher-capacity mixer, but in my situation the MixStar is quite clearly a sensible option.

The other thing I was interested to assess was whether its lighter weight and interesting design made the MixStar more liable to move around in use. Suction cups underneath the main body have seen to it that it's stable enough in my experience, but I might be cheeky and overload it at some point to see how it fares on both the mixing and moving front.

The last check from my end was cleaning up after my mixing, something that's a big part of why I wanted a mixer in the first place. Scraping lost dough bits and flour off my kitchen surface got old quickly, whereas the MixStar was easy to scrub thanks to its stainless steel bowl.

I'm thoroughly impressed, basically, and looking forward to seeing what other baking options it's going to unlock. Pizza might have been the reason I needed it, but who knows what creations I'll be baking up in the months to come?

It was back in June that Ninja launched a smaller version of its bestselling coffee machine, the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus. Despite being 30% more compact than the original, it still includes many of the same features, including a built-in grinder, precision scale, assisted tamper and steam wand.

Naturally, that raises the question of what has actually changed apart from the size and the £50 price difference. More importantly, are the extra features on the original worth paying for, or is the Mini Plus the smarter buy?

To find out, I compared the Ninja Luxe Café Premier and the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus. These are the two middle models in Ninja's Luxe Café lineup, sitting between the entry-level Luxe Café Mini and the flagship Luxe Café Pro, making them the closest rivals in terms of features and price

1. Drinks choice

When it comes to drink options, it's probably no surprise that the Luxe Café Premier is the more versatile of the two. It offers 19 drink presets, including Espresso, Americano, Cold Pressed Espresso, Classic Coffee, Rich Coffee, Over Ice Coffee and Cold Brew.

The Mini Plus drops the Cold Brew and Cold Pressed Espresso functions, instead focusing on Espresso, Classic Coffee, Rich Coffee and Over Ice Coffee. If you're someone who regularly enjoys cold brew or chilled espresso drinks, the Premier is the clear winner.

2. Milk frothing

The same applies to milk frothing. Thankfully, both machines include Ninja's excellent assisted milk frothing system, but the Mini Plus comes with fewer presets. The Premier offers Steamed Milk, Thin Froth, Thick Froth and Cold Froth, whereas the Mini Plus misses out on the Cold Froth setting.

It's not a huge omission, but it does make the Premier more versatile if you prefer iced coffees.

3. Brewing capacity

Another difference is brewing capacity, as the Mini Plus is aimed more at solo coffee drinkers, brewing single and double espressos alongside smaller coffee servings.

The Premier can also brew larger filter coffees and travel mug-sized drinks, making it a better fit for busy households or anyone who gets through several coffees a day.

What are the similarities?

That said, the similarities between the two machines are what really stand out. Both machines include a built-in conical burr grinder, Barista Assist Technology, automatic grind recommendations, an assisted tamper and an integrated precision scale. They also both use the same 1650W heating system, so the core coffee-making performance should be very similar.

Which one should you choose?

Personally, I'd still lean towards the Luxe Café Premier, especially if you have the space on your worktop. The extra £50 feels like money well spent for the additional drink presets, larger serving sizes and extra milk frothing options, particularly if you enjoy cold coffee.

However, if you're tight on space and don't think you'll miss cold brew or cold foam, the Mini Plus remains an excellent alternative.

Nespresso has launched a deal that gives customers 50 free coffee pods and a travel mug when buying a qualifying machine. The offer applies to a selection of Vertuo models, including the recently launched Vertuo Up.

Nespresso is known for running generous promotions, but this is certainly one of the better offers I've seen from the brand in a while. It's also available directly via Nespresso, so you'll have access to the usual benefits of buying from the brand, including its membership portal, warranty support and other services.

The offer is valid until 1st September, so there's still around four weeks to take advantage of it.

The free pods include a choice of Mild or Intense coffee assortments, with the available options shown below. All you need to do is select your qualifying machine on the Nespresso website, add it to your basket and choose which pod assortment you'd like.

You'll also receive the usual 12 Vertuo Pod Discovery Box at checkout, meaning you're actually getting 62 pods for free in total. Depending on the selection, that's potentially around £40 worth of coffee in total.

The only part of the offer you don't get to choose is the travel mug, as the model and colour will vary depending on availability and stock levels. It also won't necessarily appear during checkout, so don't worry if you don't see it listed alongside your other freebies. Nespresso says the mug will be shipped with your order, subject to availability.

This week, I jumped on the train to London to attend a Panasonic Cooking Masterclass. It was the perfect event for a hot summer’s day – thankfully, the AC was blasting – and I got to see Panasonic’s new line-up of kitchen appliances and try them out for myself.

Before I put on my apron and started cooking, I got to have a tour of the new range from Panasonic, which included air fryers, multi-cookers, breadmakers and more. The product that caught my eye the most was its new air fryer microwave hybrid which has a traditional microwave design with air fryer-inspired settings.

Many brands are combining air fryers and microwaves together to add both appliance’s functions in one space-saving design. Brands like Smeg and Ninja have had success with this style of product, and since Panasonic invented the microwave, it only seems right that it would introduce its own model.

The Panasonic NN-CT55RW is a 4-in-1 appliance that has air fry, convection oven, inverter microwave and quartz grill functionalities. With 19 auto programmes to choose from, it’s easy to use both manually and automatically, and it gets up to an impressively high heat.

As a microwave, the Panasonic NN-CT55RW uses 1000W with seven power levels, and it has the same traditional microwave design that we all know and have in our kitchens. Inside, it has a 34cm turntable and 27 litres of space, and can reach temperatures between 30°C to 220°C.

The air fryer setting on the Panasonic NN-CT55RW is the most exciting part. Unlike a traditional microwave which has a fan at the back, the Panasonic NN-CT55RW has a top fan which circulates hot air around the appliance, just like how an air fryer works.

Instead of using a drawer, the Panasonic NN-CT55RW comes with its own version of an air fryer basket and an enamel tray which slots into the microwave on top of the turntable. The basket measures 31.6cm wide and can hold up to 800g of fries, or in my case when I tested it, a surprising amount of chicken!

During the cooking class, we made crispy chicken – a recipe I’ll definitely be trying again – as well as cheesecake bars. I was most impressed by the chicken as after coating them in crushed up cornflakes, I popped them in the Panasonic NN-CT55RW and set it to the Microwave Combi 5 setting.

To my surprise, the chef running the demonstration said it should only take six minutes to cook the chicken. Even though I cook all the time, I always get nervous about cooking chicken so I didn’t believe this timing one bit.

But I was proven wrong as the Panasonic NN-CT55RW cooked the chicken in just six minutes, and it came out fully cooked and really crispy.

I’m a very recent air fryer convert – despite having tested many and being T3’s resident air fryer expert – but I think the Panasonic NN-CT55RW has convinced me to get an air fryer microwave hybrid. I use both my air fryer and microwave on a daily basis, so having one appliance to take care of everything is a game changer.

Cuisinart has expanded its kitchen appliance range with the new 10-in-1 Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Arriving just a few months after the Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer, the new model is designed to combine multiple appliances into one countertop unit.

The new air fryer offers six core cooking functions – Air Fry, Roast, Toast, Bake, Broil and Keep Warm – alongside four presets for fries, wings, vegetables and nuggets, all with no preheating required.

For now, it's exclusive to the US, where it's available for $249.95 from Amazon and Cuisinart's website. However, given that many of Cuisinart's best air fryers launch in the UK too, we'd expect this one to follow in the near future.

The air fryer can fit a whole chicken, six slices of toast or a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, making it suitable for large families. Other features include a touchscreen control panel, a stainless steel interior, a hidden handle, an integrated cooking guide and a large viewing window with an interior light.

Commenting on the launch, Spencer Helmrich, Product Marketing Manager at Cuisinart, said: "The 10-in-1 Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven expands our lineup with a versatile combination of capacity, functionality and modern design, giving consumers even more ways to enjoy the performance and reliability they expect from Cuisinart."

An essential part of the coffee-making process which is often overlooked is a good coffee grinder. Whether you have one built into your bean to cup coffee machine or you prefer to buy pre-ground coffee, not many people think they need a coffee grinder – but I’m here to tell you why that’s wrong.

Grinding your own coffee enhances the flavour as whole beans tend to hold onto their natural aroma and oils for longer than pre-ground. As you’re grinding them fresh, these grounds will tend to last longer, and you also have more control over the grind size so you can customise each cup of joe that you make.

But which coffee grinder should you buy? I’ve listed five of our favourite coffee grinders that should be part of your set-up to turn you from a beginner to a barista.

Best coffee grinder overall

1. Smeg Coffee Grinder

Starting off strong, the Smeg Coffee Grinder has 15 grind levels and three precision settings to choose from, to cater to all types of coffees. Using conical burrs crafted from stainless steel, the Smeg Coffee Grinder delivers a consistent grind size throughout the entire process.

While it can be used to grind any coffee bean you like, the Smeg Coffee Grinder is best suited for espresso and even cold brew. At £199.95, it’s on the higher end of the price spectrum, but it’s from a good quality, reliable brand so you know you’re getting something good. Plus, the Smeg Coffee Grinder comes in multiple retro-inspired colours to suit any kitchen style.

Best premium coffee grinder

2. Baratza Encore ESP Pro

Baratza’s Encore collection is full of premium at-home coffee grinders, and the newest Baratza Encore ESP Pro offers its most precise grind yet. Using Baratza’s M2 precision steel burrs, the Baratza Encore ESP Pro comes with a stepless grind adjustment mechanism which gives you more consistent control over your grind style.

The Baratza Encore ESP Pro looks the part and has a hopper at the top so you can store beans before you grind them. It has a dial and display on the front which shows your grind’s fine or coarseness, setting, time and dose method. It’s our premium pick so unsurprisingly, it’s not cheap at £249.95 / $299.95.

Best budget coffee grinder

3. Bosch Coffee Grinder

Coffee grinders don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and the Bosch Coffee Grinder proves that. At just £29.99, the Bosch Coffee Grinder doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it does a great job and it’s exceedingly easy to use.

The Bosch Coffee Grinder uses a powerful motor and stainless steel chopping blades to blend fine and coarse coffee beans. It’s best used for espresso or filter coffee, and it has a one-touch operation so you can’t really go wrong with it.

Best smart coffee grinder

4. Sage Smart Grinder Pro

Smart technology has been added to almost anything in the kitchen, so why not a coffee grinder?! The Sage Smart Grinder Pro has 60 settings to choose from and has an LCD display which lets you choose different cup and shot sizes for espresso, filter, french press and more.

What makes the Sage Smart Grinder Pro smart is its Dosing IQ technology which automatically adjusts the grind time when you change your cup or grind size amount in 0.2 second increments. This gives you total control over your coffee, while also giving you some additional help so there’s no guesswork involved.

Best travel coffee grinder

5. AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder

If you’re off on a trip and want to make coffee on the go, you can now get a travel coffee grinder in the form of the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder. Designed to go with its AeroPress portable coffee makers, the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder is a 3-in-1 coffee press with 60 adjustable settings and a portable, lightweight design.

The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder has an Easy-Grind magnetic handle with dual bearings that turn the internal conic burrs to grind your coffee beans. It acts like a hand crank and comes with a Power Drill Adapter for quicker grinding times. It comes with a medium-fine grind pre-set for your first use, and is best for drip, pour-over, French Press and cold brew coffees.

If you’re headed to do your weekly shop in your local Lidl, the global supermarket chain has just added its own version of the Ninja Crispi air fryer to its stores. The Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer has four pre-set programmes, two glass containers, and an affordable price tag of just £59.99.

Glass air fryers have taken the kitchen by storm since Ninja debuted its Crispi air fryer in 2025. Having a glass cooking and storage container instead of a ‘normal’ air fryer compartment means you can see your food’s progress without having to open the drawer and disturb your cooking.

Since the Ninja Crispi launch, many brands have made their own versions including Cuisinart, Dreame and Salter. Now, Lidl is trying its hand with this air fryer style with the Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer that just arrived in stores. It looks almost identical to the Ninja crispi with its ‘pod’ cooking system that clips on to the glass containers.

With 1500W of power, the Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer heats up quickly and cooks from 60°C to 200°C. The controls are on the top of the ‘pod’ and includes a dial and buttons for quick and easy operation. Users can choose between air fry, roast, keep warm and re-fry pre-sets for even quicker use that’s ideal for air fryer beginners.

The Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer uses little to no oil when cooking, and Lidl states that it’s also handy for baking and grilling. It comes with two heat-resistant glass containers, including a small one with a two litre capacity, and larger one with a four litre capacity.

The glass containers can be used for cooking as well as storage. They come with cool-touch handles and leak-proof lids so you can take the containers with you on-the-go. The Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer also comes with a trivet which is dishwasher safe, just like the lids and containers.

The Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer is available to buy in select stores for £59.99. If you’re a Lidl Plus member, you can get it for £49.99. Compared to the original Ninja Crispi which is priced at £149.99, the Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer is 60% cheaper so if you’re on a budget, it looks like a good choice for your kitchen.

I’ve tested many coffee machines in my time as T3’s Home Editor, but I’ve never seen an espresso maker like this before. The Flair Classic was originally launched in 2016, but as of late 2025, Flair has updated it with a pressure gauge, a stainless brew cylinder, and two portafilters.

Dubbed the first lever espresso maker, the Flair Classic works in a similar way to an Aeropress but on a larger scale. Unlike the Aeropress which has a small, cylindrical design, the Flair Classic looks like something out of a DT classroom, with a simple yet innovative lever system that requires a little bit of elbow grease.

Made from cast aluminium and stainless steel, the Flair Classic espresso machine makes barista-style espresso using a manual lever system – no electronics required. To ‘pull’ a shot of espresso, you simply add ground coffee to a portafilter before adding it to the brew base. Next, you add the brew cylinder on top and pour in boiling water.

Now for my favourite part – and the reason why I’m desperate to try the Flair Classic – you insert the piston and pressure gauge before pushing down the lever to extract your coffee. This should make a 40ml shot of espresso with crema. All the parts are removable from the main brewing head or base, so it’s easy to use and clean afterwards.

One of the main updates to the upgraded Flair Classic is its portafilters. It now comes with a bottomless 2-in-1 portafilter and a flow control portafilter to offer users more control over their coffee. The former comes in black and is designed for advanced baristas, and the latter is red and is for use with pre-ground coffee, making it better suited for beginners.

As I said before, I’ve tested my fair share of coffee machines, including bean-to-cup, pod, drip and more, and the Flair Classic is the most intriguing espresso maker I’ve ever seen. While it might look a bit too high tech at first, the Flair Classic is easy to get on with, and is a fun change from all the automatic and semi-automatic machines on the market.

The upgraded Flair Classic is available to buy for £169 / $159 at Flair.

I've tested plenty of Philips air fryers over the years, from compact stacked basket models to dual-zone designs, but this latest one takes things in a different direction. The Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket is the brand's largest air fryer yet, combining a huge 10-litre capacity with a flexible design that can be used as one large basket or split into two.

With 3-in-1 cooking functionality and enough space to tackle much bigger meals, I was keen to see whether the Megabasket could offer something different.

Price and availability

The Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket has an RRP of £259.99 and is available to buy from Amazon.

For comparison, the original 5000 Series Dual Basket launched at the same RRP, although it's now available at a reduced price from a number of retailers, having been on the market for more than a year.

Design and features

As mentioned, the Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket comes with a generous 10-litre cooking capacity that can be used as one large Megabasket or divided into two separate 3-litre and 6-litre zones. This gives you the flexibility of a dual-basket air fryer when you're cooking different foods, whilst allowing you to combine the two compartments when you need more space for a larger meal.

That said, it measures around 44.4 x 38.3 x 35.5cm and weighs approximately 8.75kg, so you'll probably want to give it a permanent home on your kitchen worktop rather than moving it in and out of a cupboard.

The Megabasket features a 3-in-1 cooking system, combining traditional air frying with steaming and SteamFry. The standard air-frying function uses hot air to cook and crisp food, whilst the steam function introduces moisture during cooking. The more interesting option is SteamFry, which combines hot air and steam to help keep food moist on the inside whilst still achieving a crisp finish on the outside.

The air fryer also uses Philips' RapidAir Plus technology, which we've seen across many of the brand's more recent air fryers. This circulates hot air around the food to promote more even cooking, with the aim of delivering that crispy texture you'd normally associate with deep frying.

You can also adjust the cooking temperature between 40°C and 200°C, giving you plenty of flexibility depending on what you're making.

The Megabasket has a digital touchscreen display on the top front, giving you control over the cooking settings and access to 12 ingredient presets. However, as mentioned, you can still manually adjust the temperature and cooking time when needed.

One of my favourite features is Automatic SteamClean, which uses steam to loosen cooking residue inside the cooking chamber. Whilst you'll still need to give it a wipe down, it makes the entire process so much easier.

Performance

During testing, the 5000 Series Megabasket delivered the kind of cooking results I'd expect from Philips, and they were very similar to what I'd previously experienced with the 5000 Series Dual Basket. Food cooked evenly and the results felt really consistent with each meal I made. After trying the 4000 Series Stacked Basket Air Fryer, which I found a little more unpredictable with its cooking, it was nice to return to something that felt more reliable.

The whole experience also felt very familiar if you've used a Philips air fryer before. The controls are intuitive, and the cooking process doesn't take long to get used to it. I also quickly remembered how much I love the SteamFry function, particularly for roasting vegetables, which come out beautifully cooked without drying out.

One of my favourite things about the Megabasket has to be its size. It's big enough to cook larger joints of meat, which is something I couldn't always say about my previous air fryers. Pork belly roast is a firm favourite in my house, but I've always cooked it in the oven because of its size. Having the Megabasket means I can now cook it in the air fryer instead, which has drastically improved the meal altogether.

The Automatic SteamClean function is also worth a strong mention, and I don't think I'd want an air fryer without it now. It's particularly good at loosening hardened fats and burnt bits, which usually take a lot of scrubbing to remove. Instead of putting all removable parts in the dishwasher, now all I need to do is give everything a quick wipe, rinse it in the sink and leave it to dry. Considering the size of the Megabasket, this is a huge advantage.

Speaking of, one thing to be aware of is just how big the Megabasket really is. It has an unusual handle design that sticks out from the side of the main body, which I'm not sure is necessary, as a more conventional front-facing handle could have kept things more compact. I therefore recommend measuring up before you buy, as this is one air fryer you won't want to underestimate the size of.

Verdict

The Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket is a brilliant choice if you want an air fryer that's big enough for larger meals without sacrificing flexibility. Its 10-litre capacity and excellent cooking make it a pleasure to use, whilst the Automatic SteamClean is a game-changer for cleaning. It's certainly not the smallest appliance and smaller households may find it excessive, but if you've got the room, this is one of my favourite Philips air fryers yet.

Alternatives to consider

The closest alternative to the Megabasket is probably the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer. Not only are the two similarly priced, but the Ninja also features a large 10.4-litre removable drawer, alongside a divider and two crisper plates, making the overall concept very similar.

If you'd rather stick with Philips, you also can't go wrong with the original 5000 Series Dual Basket. The cooking results are similarly impressive, and its more traditional dual-basket design makes it a more suitable option for smaller families.

De'Longhi has launched a new bean-to-cup coffee machine, combining three dedicated brewing methods – espresso, drip coffee and cold brew – with a menu of 20 different recipes.

The Magnifica Duo arrives just a few days after the Rivelia Start, a more compact and affordable version of De'Longhi's original Rivelia, which first launched in 2024. It seems the brand is contributing to a growing demand for coffee machines that are easier to fit into smaller kitchens, whilst also coming in at a slightly more accessible price.

The De'Longhi Magnifica Duo is available to buy now from the brand's website, priced at £699.99 in the UK and $999.95 in the US.

The Magnifica Duo uses different brewing methods depending on the type of coffee you're making. For espresso, high-pressure brewing with pre-infusion is designed to create a bold and intense flavour. For drip coffee, lower pressure and no pre-infusion allow the coffee grounds to bloom. The cold brew setting takes a different approach again, using ambient-temperature water and very low pressure to steep the grounds for longer, resulting in what De'Longhi describes as a smooth, sweet and refreshing flavour.

It also features De'Longhi's popular dishwasher-safe LatteCrema Hot and LatteCrema Cool technologies, giving you the option to create both hot and cold milk-based drinks with adjustable foam levels.

For households with multiple coffee drinkers, the Magnifica Duo offers three dedicated user profiles, allowing everyone to customise and save their favourite drink settings. Through the intuitive 2.4-inch digital display, you can choose from five drink sizes, four intensity levels and three temperature settings, making it easy to adjust your coffee exactly how you like it.

Expanding its E line-up, JURA has just launched a new version of its E10 bean to cup coffee machine. This upgraded model comes with 36 drink options, as well as hot, cold and light brew and sweet foam functions – but as a luxury brand, the JURA E10 will set you back.

The original E10 debuted back in 2004, but 22 years later, the new and improved JURA E10 is finally here, and it combines four coffee modes in one premium appliance. JURA is one of the main coffee machine brands that have jumped on the cold brew bandwagon, and the JURA E10 is no exception.

As a 4-in-1 coffee machine, the JURA E10 can make hot brew, cold brew, light brew and sweet foam drinks at the touch of a button. It uses JURA’s Cold Extraction process which it’s introduced to many of its other coffee makers, including the Z10 which we gave five stars in our JURA Z10 review.

Using freshly ground coffee beans, the JURA E10 makes rich cold brews by pulsing cold water at a high pressure to extract the right flavours without any dilution. Its light brew is a new addition to JURA’s coffee machines, which brews drinks at a 60°C temperature for smoother and lighter coffees that are ready to drink straight away.

Sweet Foam is for milk-based drinks which – you guessed it – froths milk foam and gives it a subtly sweet taste. This, as well as its hot, cold and light brew functions, can be used on all its 36 drink options, which include latte, cappuccino, cortado, espresso and flat white to name a few.

Another new and impressive feature of the JURA E10 is its Coffee Timer, which allows you to schedule your coffee ahead of time. Available via the touchscreen, you can select what coffee you want and when you want it made, and the JURA E10 will have it ready for you when you want it – an incredibly handy feature for busy mornings.

The JURA E10 is almost identical to its other E coffee machines, although it only measures 27cm wide so it's much slimmer. Available in an onyx black colour, the JURA E10 has a 3-5-inch colour touchscreen display with side buttons for easy controls.

While it might look intimidating at first, the JURA E10 is an automatic bean to cup coffee machine, making it ideal for beginners as the machine does all the work for you. The JURA E10 is available to buy now for £1,425 at JURA.

Ninja has finally launched its Double Stack XL Air Fryer in its popular Stone Gold colourway. The shade first became a huge hit when it launched on the Foodi MAX Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer, with people loving its neutral tones.

The Double Stack XL Air Fryer launched back in 2024 and quickly earned an impressive four-star review from us. Since then, we've seen other brands take inspiration from the same vertical approach, with the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer being one example.

The good news is that the Double Stack XL in Stone Gold is already reduced on Amazon, taking the price from £289.99 down to £249.99. It's not a huge saving, but if you've already got your eye on one, it's definitely worth grabbing at a lower price.

That said, if you think you'd prefer the Foodi MAX, the good news is that it's still reduced too, with the price dropping from £229.99 to £178. That's an even bigger saving, so it could be the better deal if you don't need the Double Stack XL's more compact footprint.

When you're looking for one of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, it's easy to get carried away by the premium models. The most expensive machines often promise more features, smarter technology and a longer list of drinks, but do you really need to spend that much to get a great cup of coffee at home? Not necessarily.

As a result, I've been looking at some of the more affordable options from big-name brands and found that you can get an impressive coffee experience without paying top prices. I've already covered the three affordable De'Longhi coffee machines I'd buy, and now it's time to look at Sage.

Why don't you always need to buy the most expensive coffee machine?

Sage is a brand that really leans into premium coffee machines, with more advanced features and added convenience the further up the range you go. That's why two of the three more affordable options in my list above don't come with built-in grinders. However, that doesn't mean you can't get a really high-quality coffee machine from Sage without spending a fortune.

One thing I also want to mention is that not everyone realises Sage and Breville are essentially the same brand. Sage products are sold under the Sage name in the UK and Europe, whilst Breville is the name used in other markets. As a result, you'll often find very similar machines and technology across both brands, although product names and specific features can vary depending on the region.

So, if the Sage options above are still outside your budget, I'd recommend taking a look at Breville models available in your market. They could be a great alternative if you're after a similar coffee-making experience without the premium price tag.

When it comes to the best air fryers, one brand name always stands out amongst the rest – Ninja. Ninja has become well known for its wide range of kitchen appliances, but its air fryers are some of the best you can buy, due to their impressive technology and unique designs.

Speaking of, Ninja launched its Crispi glass air fryer in 2025. It went viral on social media, as it was the first glass air fryer to hit the market. The Ninja Crispi is made up of a PowerPod which houses the air fryer’s controls and heating element. When clipped onto a glass ‘basket’, it cooks or reheats your food before you can then take that container with you on-the-go – see our Ninja Crispi review for more details.

The Ninja Crispi quickly became popular due to its weird and whacky design, and portability – it’s compact enough that you could even take the entire air fryer with you to the office if you wanted to. Since its launch, Ninja has launched a Pro version and its latest dual zone model, proving that glass air fryers are here to stay.

Other appliance brands have caught onto this clever design and have made their own Ninja Crispi dupes. Personally, I’d encourage you to buy the Ninja Crispi as it’s the blueprint for this style of air fryer. However, at its full price, the Ninja Crispi is £179.99 / $159.99 which could be too expensive for some.

If you’re looking for a glass air fryer like the Ninja Crispi but for a more budget-friendly price, then check out these three dupes.

1. Cuisinart ClearView Glass 3.8L Air Fryer

Cuisinart is one of my favourite appliance brands, and it’s really stepped up its game in the past few years, especially in the air fryer department. The brand’s take on the Ninja Crispi is the Cuisinart ClearView Glass 3.8L Air Fryer which comes with six pre-sets, a sleek design, and is priced at £99.99.

Where the Cuisinart ClearView Glass 3.8L Air Fryer differs from the Ninja Crispi is it has more viewing windows. While the main cooking container is completely glass so you can see your food’s cooking progress, the Cuisinart ClearView Glass 3.8L Air Fryer has top and front windows so you can watch your food from multiple angles.

2. Dreame Tasti 5-in-1 Portable Air Fryer

Dreame debuted in the UK market in 2024, so it’s still a relatively new appliance brand. Having said that, Dreame hasn’t done anything by halves as its launched products in almost every small and large appliance category you can think of, including the (not so) humble air fryer.

Dreame’s version of the Ninja Crispi is the Dreame Tasti – see what they did there? Another portable, glass air fryer, the Dreame Tasti uses 3D hot air technology to cook your food, and comes with two container sizes. Compared to the others on this list, the Dreame Tasti looks almost identical to the Crispi but is the pricier option at £119 / $119.

3. Salter Crisp & Go Portable Air Fryer

Salter is another budget-friendly brand that is well known for its appliance dupes. The Salter Crisp & Go came out earlier this year, and at the cheap price of £89.99, so it’s the most affordable glass air fryer option you’ll find on the market.

The Salter Crispi has the same glass container and cooking pod as the Crispi, but where it differs is its controls are on the front of the pod rather than at the top like Ninja’s. It also comes with four presets, and a 360° viewing window for maximum visibility while you’re cooking.

When you spend good money on one of the best kettles or best coffee machines, you want every cup to taste as good as possible. That means staying on top of cleaning and descaling, but it also means storing your coffee beans properly when they're not in the machine – something many of us are getting wrong without even realising.

According to Luke Dalton, coffee expert at Contact Coffee Co, one of the biggest mistakes coffee drinkers make is storing their beans next to the kettle, toaster or even the coffee machine itself.

It might seem like the most convenient place, but the heat and steam from these appliances can cause your coffee to lose its freshness much more quickly.

Luke explains: "The space beside the kettle is probably one of the most convenient places to keep coffee, but it can also be one of the worst. Every time the kettle boils, or the toaster heats up, the coffee may be exposed to changes in temperature and moisture. Over time, that can affect the oils and aromatic compounds responsible for much of its flavour."

As a result, even a premium bag of speciality coffee can start tasting flat, stale or unexpectedly bitter long before you've finished it.

Instead, Luke recommends storing your coffee in a cool, dry and dark cupboard that's away from appliances that regularly produce heat. Avoid cupboards directly above the oven, hob or dishwasher too, as these areas are also exposed to changing temperatures and humidity.

"The goal isn't to make the coffee cold," Luke adds. "It's to protect it from repeated changes in heat, light and moisture."

It's also worth paying attention to how you store the bag itself. If your coffee comes in a resealable bag with a one-way valve, keep using it. Before sealing it back up, gently press out any excess air without crushing the beans, then make sure the seal is fully closed. These small steps can make a surprising difference to how long your coffee stays fresh.

Ninja has just debuted its first-ever microwave, and it claims to be better than its popular Crispi glass air fryer. Using FusionCrisp technology, the Ninja Crispi Microwave combines the power of an air fryer with the speed of a microwave, making it 50% faster than a traditional oven.

Despite being the go-to name for air fryers, the Ninja Crispi Microwave is the first time that Ninja has ever developed a microwave. But in true Ninja style, it hasn’t completely ventured away from its air fryer roots, as the new Ninja Crispi Microwave can also be used as an air fryer.

Expanding its Ninja Crispi line-up, the Ninja Crispi Microwave has an internal glass cooking surface, and comes with a 5.5-quart glass container that fits inside the microwave. It can also fit a 9” x 11” baking dish, and can cook for up to 10 people at a time.

At the base of the Ninja Crispi Microwave is an XL flatbed, which not only delivers more usable cooking space but also replaces the traditional turntable action that you get from other microwaves. Measuring 14.08 inches in height, 16 inches in length and 19.65 in width, the Ninja Crispi Microwave is fairly compact, too, and can fit nicely in your kitchen.

The Ninja Crispi Microwave comes with FusionCrisp technology, which combines the speed of a 1000W microwave with the superheated rapid air power of the Crispi air fryer. When cooking meals, the Ninja Crispi Microwave starts with microwaving before automatically switching to air fryer mode to make your meals crispier.

While it looks and acts like a microwave, the Ninja Crispi Microwave has lots of settings to choose from, and is technically a 14-in-1 appliance. It comes with eight microwave pre-sets including soup, potato, popcorn, beverage, defrost, soften butter, frozen dinner and frozen vegetables, and it can reach up to 450°F.

As an air fryer, the Ninja Crispi Microwave has five air fryer pre-sets – crisp, max crisp air bake, air roast and air broil. Microwaves have somewhat lost their appeal over the years but having this type of functionality can definitely bring them back.

Available in black or silver, the Ninja Crispi Microwave is available to buy for $449 at SharkNinja. As of writing, it’s not yet available in the UK but I expect it to arrive in the UK and Europe later in the year.

Lavazza has unveiled its latest milk frother, the MilkEasy Plus, and it's been approved by Alpro for use with both dairy and plant-based milk. With non-dairy alternatives more popular than ever, it's set to be a popular choice for anyone who wants to enjoy oat, almond or soya milk without sacrificing foam quality.

The MilkEasy Plus offers four drink settings – hot cappuccino foam, cold cappuccino foam, milk foam and hot silky milk – giving you more options than many other milk frothers, which typically stick to just two or three modes.

The Lavazza MilkEasy Plus is available now from Lavazza's website, Amazon, Argos and Lakeland for £79.

The frother features a single removable whisk, much like the Smeg Mini Milk Frother and Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser. A redesigned backlit control button lets users switch easily between the four drink settings, whilst all of the removable components are dishwasher safe for hassle-free maintenance.

With a 90ml minimum and 180ml maximum capacity, it's also ideal for preparing one or two drinks at a time.

Commenting on the launch, Beanie Watson, Marketing Manager of In-Home at Lavazza UK, said: "At-home coffee rituals are becoming more personalised and creative than ever before, and the MilkEasy Plus is designed to support the endless new wave of coffee trends. We wanted to create a frother that offers versatility and inspires creativity, whether it's an iced oat cappuccino in the morning or a silky decaf latte in the afternoon."

De'Longhi has expanded its popular Rivelia range with the launch of the new Rivelia Start. Arriving as a smaller and more affordable alternative to the original Rivelia, which launched in 2024, the new model keeps many of the popular features whilst reducing both its size and price.

Despite the lower price tag, the Rivelia Start still offers an impressive menu of 10 one-touch hot and cold drinks, including Cappuccino and Flat White. It also retains De'Longhi's Cold Brew function, allowing you to enjoy in as little as five minutes.

The De'Longhi Rivelia Start is available now from De'Longhi's online store for £599.99, compared to the original Rivelia's £749.99 launch price. It's available in Brown and Jade Green, with the latter proving especially popular on the original model.

Having reviewed the original Rivelia when it first launched, it's been interesting to see what De'Longhi has changed this time around. One of the biggest differences is that the LatteCrema Cool carafe is now optional rather than included in the box. If you enjoy iced milk drinks, you'll need to purchase it separately for £99.99, so it's worth factoring that into the overall cost.

That said, I was pleased to see the return of the Bean Switch System, which lets you swap between two different coffee beans without emptying the hopper. There are two interchangeable 250g bean hoppers included, making it easy to switch between different blends.

The Rivelia Start is also designed to be as user-friendly as possible. Instead of relying on a touchscreen, it uses a clear control panel with buttons that's easy to navigate, making it a great option for anyone new to the best bean-to-cup coffee machines.

We'll be getting the De'Longhi Rivelia Start in for review soon, so stay tuned for our full verdict.

De'Longhi is responsible for some of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines on the market, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune to enjoy great coffee at home. Whilst its high-end models are packed with impressive features, including the recently reviewed Eletta Ultra, many of the brand's more affordable machines deliver a similar experience for hundreds of pounds less.

Whether you're looking for a manual espresso machine or a fully automatic bean-to-cup model, there's guaranteed to be a budget-friendly De'Longhi to suit you. Take a look below and see if it's included in this list...

Why don't you always need to buy the most expensive coffee machine?

It's easy to assume that the most expensive model in a brand's lineup is automatically the best choice, but that's not always the case. Premium machines often come with extra features, larger displays or more drink options that many people simply won't use every day. If all you're after is consistently great coffee, you'll often find that a mid-range or entry-level model delivers a similar result for less money.

Manufacturers like De'Longhi tend to use the same brewing technology, grinders and core coffee systems across multiple models, with the biggest differences coming down to convenience features and design.

It's recommend to do your own research of course, but by choosing a model that suits your needs rather than one with a long feature list, you can save hundreds of pounds.

Panasonic has unveiled a new indoor pizza oven that's capable of cooking a 12-inch pizza in as little as three minutes. The new FlashXpress Indoor Pizza Oven Plus NB-G300 reaches temperatures of up to 400°C, allowing it to bake Neapolitan-style pizzas whilst also doubling as an air fryer, baker, roaster, broiler and grill.

The launch comes just a few weeks after Panasonic introduced its new Countertop Microwave NN-SF57RM, with both appliances showcasing the brand's signature blend of Japanese engineering and thoughtful design.

The FlashXpress Indoor Pizza Oven Plus is available now in the US for $449.99 from Panasonic's online store and Amazon. There's currently no word on a UK or European launch, but we'll keep you updated if that changes.

Designed to accommodate pizzas up to 12 inches in diameter, the oven supports a wide range of styles, including Neapolitan, New York-style, thin crust, deep dish and frozen pizzas. Dedicated cooking presets also automatically adjust the temperature and cooking performance for each style.

There's also a dedicated Steak Mode, paired with the included cast iron grill pan, making it a great option when the weather isn't suitable for firing up one of the best barbecues.

Panasonic also includes seven accessories in the box, including a pizza stone, pizza peel, air fry basket, wire rack, cast iron grill pan, grill pan handles and a removable crumb tray. The interior features a PFAS-free enamel coating that's designed to resist grease and food residue, helping make cleanup as easy as the cooking itself.

Watch out, AeroPress! Following its success in the US, the OXO Brew has finally landed in the UK. With a similar look and functionality to the iconic AeroPress, the OXO Rapid Brewer makes both hot and cold coffees in as little as five minutes.

For fans of drip coffee, the OXO Rapid Brewer immerses, brews and dispenses your coffee directly into your cup. Measuring just 26.67cm in height, 7.62cm in width and diameter, the OXO Rapid Brewer features a water chamber and carafe, and a stainless steel filter.

Within its construction – which also happens to be made from 50% recycled materials, the OXO Rapid Brewer has a built-in tamper and Rainmaker showerhead. The showerhead spreads water evenly through the coffee grounds to extract flavour in a more even way.

Typically with these types of coffee makers, they’re used to make hot coffee. But the OXO Rapid Brewer can make hot coffee in two minutes and cold brew in five minutes, the latter of which can be diluted to your tastes. It also makes up to three servings at a time.

Thanks to its compact size, the OXO Rapid Brewer is lightweight and travel-friendly. You can take it with you to the office and even on your next camping trip. Unlike traditional filter coffee machines, the filter in the OXO Rapid Brewer is reusable so it’s easy to clean and less wasteful.

I’m a big fan of the AeroPress and gave the Clear version five stars. As an AeroPress dupe – although it’s only £10 cheaper – the OXO Rapid Brewer is a more versatile coffee maker, and its cold brew functionality makes it ideal for summer iced coffees.

The OXO Rapid Brewer is available to buy for £45 / $44.99 at OXO Brew and select retailers, like Amazon and Lakeland.

Forget Instant Pot – IKEA has just launched its very own multi-cooker as part of its TILLREDA collection. Available online and in stores, the new IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker has 14 pre-set programmes, and acts as a rice, slow and multi-cooker all in one device.

Over the years, IKEA has emerged as so much more than just a retailer – although we did recently name it as Retailer of the Year in the T3 Awards 2026. For example, IKEA has quickly become a popular name for smart home devices, offering easy and budget-friendly smart bulbs, plugs, switches and sensors.

If you’ve ever been to an IKEA store, you’ll know it has full kitchen, dining and living room layouts that you can get installed in your home. While the brand offers large appliances like ovens and washing machines, IKEA isn’t as well known for its smaller kitchen gadgets, but I think the IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker is a good sign that that could be changing.

Expanding its TILLREDA collection, which currently features portable induction hobs and microwaves, the IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker is designed by Emile Jones, and offers plenty of programmes and cooking capacity. It comes with a two litre inner pot with measurement markings, a detachable lid, silicone feet and a steamer.

Like models from Instant Pot and Ninja, the IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker has 14 pre-set programmes to choose from. These include slow cook, bake, boil, rice, soup, stew, fry/saute, steam, bread rise, yoghurt, porridge, oatmeal, keep warm and manual mode.

Essentially, you can cook almost any meal using the IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker, whether you’re a multi-cooker expert or beginner. Its manual mode allows you to adjust the time and temperature to your preferences via the LED display and button controls.

Measuring 21.6cm in height and 25cm diameter, the IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker is quite small, so will take up very little space in your kitchen. Despite being small, it can make up to two litres of food at a time. If you’re on a tight budget and want a do-it-all kitchen gadget, the IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker looks like it’ll fit the bill.

The IKEA TILLREDA multi-cooker is available to buy for £85 at IKEA.

Despite being a staple in almost every kitchen in the world, the humble oven is being slowly phased out in favour of smaller yet speedier appliances, like the air fryer. But now, air fryers might need to step aside too, as the Tovala Smart Oven has just taken smart kitchen appliances to the next level.

For those new to Tovala, it’s a fresh meal delivery service, designed to help you save time in the kitchen while still eating healthy. But alongside this service, Tovala has also created its own Smart Oven and Smart Oven Pro, its countertop smart oven which expertly cooks Tovala’s chef-curated meals.

How the Tovala Smart Oven works is it scans your meal’s QR code – yes, really – and its smart technology automatically calculates how long the meal takes to cook. It doesn’t necessarily have to be used with Tovala’s meal service as you can also scan barcodes on other food packaging and the Tovala Smart Oven should calculate the right cooking instructions for you.

Like an air fryer, the Tovala Smart Oven has five modes to choose from – air fry, bake, broil, toast and reheat. It should select these options for you when used alongside Tovala meals, but alternatively, you can manually select the mode, and use the Tovala Smart Oven as a normal air fryer or oven to make your own meals.

The design of the Tovala Smart Oven is toaster oven-like, and reminds me of the Our Place Wonder Oven. As a countertop appliance, it takes up minimal room in your kitchen, or at least no more than your air fryer or microwave should do.

While I understand the premise, I think the Tovala Smart Oven is a step too far for me – I can’t see myself adding a barcode scanning oven to my kitchen anytime soon! However, for those who rely on meal delivery services, the Tovala Smart Oven seems like a great fit, and it takes out the guesswork for your meals. Being able to use it manually too is also a bonus.

The Tovala Smart Oven is available to buy for $299 while the Smart Oven Pro is priced at $349. There are plenty of introductory offers available with the smart ovens, so it’s unlikely you’ll pay full price. As of writing, Tovala and its smart ovens aren’t available in the UK.

Smeg has unveiled its stylish new colourway that's perfectly aligned with the growing trend for neutral kitchen appliances. The Moonlight collection features a soft matte off-white that feels understated, yet easy to style with almost any kitchen aesthetic.

The new colour is debuting across Smeg's breakfast collection, including its kettle, two-slice toaster and drip filter coffee machine. There's no word yet on whether Moonlight will make its way to the rest of the range – including the recently launched Mini Milk Frother – but if the new finish proves popular, I'd be surprised if it didn't.

You can browse the new Moonlight collection on Smeg's website or buy it in-store from today.

The launch is also in line with Pantone's Colour of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer, which reflects the growing appetite for soft neutrals throughout the home.

Ninja has also leaned into warmer neutral tones with its Stone and Gold finish, which is available on appliances including the Ninja Foodi MAX Air Fryer and the recently launched Crispi DualZone Air Fryer.

Philips has launched its biggest air fryer yet – the new Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket. It features a huge 10-litre basket and 3-in-1 cooking functionality, but can still be split into two separate zones so multiple dishes can be prepared at the same time.

As the inventor of the air fryer, Philips already has an impressive lineup of models, including the 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer, which only launched back in January. The new 5000 Series Megabasket also bears a strong resemblance to the Philips 5000 Air Fryer & Steamer, but as mentioned, swaps its two side-by-side baskets for one large basket.

The Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket is available to buy now from Amazon for £258.99, and it should be arriving at other retailers soon.

Alongside traditional air frying, the 5000 Series Megabasket features steam cooking and Philips' signature SteamFry technology, which combines steam and hot air to deliver food that's simultaneously crispy and tender. It's also the first Philips air fryer to include an automatic SteamClean function, making the post-dinner clean-up a lot easier.

The original Philips 5000 Air Fryer & Steamer was one of my favourite air fryers released last year, so it came as no surprise when it won Best Air Fryer at the T3 Awards 2025. I'm looking forward to testing the new 5000 Series Megabasket too, so stay tuned for my full review and thoughts.

Founded in 2015, Dreame has really hit its stride in recent years. It’s become a go-to brand name for vacuums, air fryers, and other kitchen appliances – and it’s even reportedly working on a rocket-powered EV car! It’s safe to say that Dreame has quite extensive expertise, but its coffee machines are what you should be most excited about.

For example, if you’ve been putting off buying a bean to cup coffee machine because you have minimal room in your kitchen, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim Fully Automatic Espresso Machine could be the solution. With a width of just 18cm, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is incredibly compact and with its cream colourway and touchscreen display, it looks the part, too.

But looks aside, how does the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim perform? I spent a few weeks using it to find out.

Dreame Ecceluxe Slim review: price and availability

The Dreame Ecceluxe Slim Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is available to buy for £499 / $799 at Dreame. It comes with a 2-year warranty, and in a cream colourway. Compared to other bean to cup coffee machines, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is on the lower end of the price spectrum.

Dreame Ecceluxe Slim review: unboxing and setup

The Dreame Ecceluxe Slim arrived in a cardboard box with the main espresso machine unit, water tank, milk reservoir and base, milk tube, a power cord and cleaning tools. Most of it was wrapped in plastic but some items like the milk reservoir base were hidden inside the machine, so make sure to check that before you start using it.

Setting up the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim took no time at all. Once I’d taken it out of its box, all I had to do was remove the plastic wrapping and tape. From there, I added coffee beans to the bean hopper, filled the water tank and plugged the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim into an outlet.

The Dreame Ecceluxe Slim self-cleans automatically when you turn it on and shut it down. It also comes with descaling and deep clean modes.

Dreame Ecceluxe Slim review: design and features

Starting with the design, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim lives up to its ‘slim’ name as it measures 18cm in width, 40.25cm in length and 31.5cm in height. It only weighs 8kg and coupled with its dimensions, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is easy to move around and slot into small spaces in your kitchen.

The Dreame Ecceluxe Slim has a 1.5-litre water tank which is located at the back of the machine. It’s easy to remove and refill via its handle that folds away within the lid. At the top of the machine is a 150g bean hopper and grinder which has nine grind levels to choose from to suit multiple bean types.

At the front of the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is its touchscreen control panel. The display is relatively simple as it shows your five drink options. It’s worth noting that because the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is fully automatic, you can’t change or customise your drink other than adjusting the bean grind within the hopper. The drinks available – which are shown via colour icons – are espresso, lungo, flat white, cappuccino and latte macchiato.

Also at the front of the machine is the dispenser where the coffee and milk comes out. This can be adjusted to suit different mug heights. A drip tray sits at the bottom, and you can open the lower half of the machine to find a container which catches your used coffee grounds.

For milk-based drinks, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim attaches to a 240ml milk reservoir via a milk tube. Promising ‘golden silky smooth extraction’, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim has 19 bar pressure which when combined with precise water temperatures and micro-pressure technology, makes delicious coffees with a smooth texture.

Dreame Ecceluxe Slim review: performance

I loved the look of the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim, and felt it made my kitchen look more stylish and professional. Its cream colour might be basic for some, but the sleek lines on the main body and colour touchscreen controls look great in any kitchen aesthetic.

Dreame boasts about its 18cm width, and rightfully so. The Dreame Ecceluxe Slim took up hardly any room on my countertop, and while it’s mainly made of plastic, it felt high quality, especially the control panel, water tank, bean hopper and grinder. What felt a bit lacking was the milk reservoir, as it felt like more of an afterthought. It’s not built-in but instead connects on the side which I wasn’t a huge fan of.

As a fully automatic coffee machine, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim was very easy to use. I found it made rich espresso but was surprised to find it made quite small amounts of coffee. It made single and double shots well, but it felt more like a trickle of coffee than full shots, compared to other coffee machines I've tested. I tended to have half a mug of coffee when making a latte or cappuccino rather than a full one.

The Dreame Ecceluxe Slim frothed and heated milk first before dispensing coffee which was something I wasn’t used to. I’ve tested many coffee machines, and the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is the first machine I’ve tried that makes coffee this way round.

Due to this, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim didn’t make a huge amount of foam for my cappuccino or latte macchiato drinks, so if you like your latte art, you won’t get it with this machine. However, the coffee tasted amazing, and I found the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim to heat both dairy and plant-based milk exceptionally well.

Everything was well packed away and designed with the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim. The drip tray and coffee puck container is built-in to keep everything tidy, and I enjoyed how you could raise the coffee dispenser up and down to suit different mug sizes. I was also surprised by how quiet the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim was, even when grinding beans.

Dreame Ecceluxe Slim review: verdict

For those with smaller kitchens who don’t want to faff around customising their own coffees, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is a brilliant choice. It’s compact, stylish and fits in any space, plus everything is packed away tidily to save even more space and minimise kitchen clutter.

In terms of performance, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim made delicious tasting coffee, but at very small amounts. I’d say it works best for espresso, and despite its cheap-feeling milk reservoir, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim can also heat both dairy and plant-based milks to perfection – you just won’t get a huge coffee, nor very foamy milk.

At £499, the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim is in the mid-range of bean to cup coffee machines. I’d recommend it to espresso lovers and small kitchen owners, as well as those who want something easy to use and quick coffees from a single touch.

Dreame Ecceluxe Slim review: alternatives to consider

One of our favourite automatic coffee machines is the KitchenAid KF8. It’s exceedingly more expensive than the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim at £1,899, but it has an easy touchscreen interface, and a wide variety of espresso options. It’s also the most hygienic coffee machine we’ve ever used as it’s always constantly self-cleaning!

For something more versatile, the Ninja Luxe Cafe makes espresso, filter coffee and cold brew. It has an attractive black and stainless steel design, and simple touch, button and dial controls. It’s not as simple to set up as the Dreame Ecceluxe Slim, but it’s great value for money once you get started.

Ninja is no stranger to the world of coffee machines, having launched several models over the past few years. However, what's been particularly interesting is how the brand has approached coffee from multiple angles. We've seen traditional coffee makers, bean-to-cup machines and hybrid systems that attempt to do a bit of everything. Now, Ninja is taking another step forward with the new AutoBarista Pro, a machine that puts a much bigger emphasis on automation than ever before.

Like some of its predecessors, the Ninja AutoBarista Pro combines multiple brewing methods into a single appliance. This time, however, it's bringing together bean-to-cup espresso, filter coffee and rapid cold brew functionality, creating what is arguably Ninja's most ambitious coffee machine to date.

I'm a big fan of both Ninja as a brand and the coffee machines it's released so far, so I couldn't wait to put the AutoBarista Pro to the test.

Price and availability

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro is priced at £899.99 in the UK, making it the brand's most premium coffee machine yet. It's available directly from SharkNinja, as well as retailers including Currys, John Lewis and Argos. In the US, it retails for $949.99.

At launch, the machine is available in a stainless steel finish, although Ninja's website also lists several alternative colours currently marked as sold out, including Midnight Blue, Oat Milk, Mocha and Vista Green. That suggests a wider range of finishes could become available in the near future.

Unboxing and set up

As with most Ninja machines, but somewhat surprisingly compared to other bean-to-cup coffee machines, the AutoBarista Pro is incredibly easy to set up. The whole process mainly involves removing the seemingly endless amount of packaging stickers (something Ninja is very thorough with), attaching the cup rack, and filling both the bean hopper and water tank.

You're also prompted to install the included water filter, which I'd highly recommend if you live in a hard water area like I do. The process is straightforward, and requires soaking the filter for a few minutes, inserting it into the holder, and setting the reminder dial to the month you installed it. Once that's done, it clips into the bottom of the water tank and stays securely in place. After everything is filled and ready to go, you can switch the machine on and start getting familiar with the controls.

At this stage, I did find it slightly disappointing that the water tank isn't accessible from the front, requiring you to pull the machine forward to remove and refill it. Plenty of manufacturers have started addressing this issue on newer models, so it feels like a missed opportunity here.

GrindIQ

Now, the main step to focus on between physically setting the machine up and pouring your first shot is the GrindIQ process. You'll want to run this before you start brewing and again whenever you switch to a different bag of beans. During the sequence, the machine pulls 2-3 shots whilst automatically calibrating the grinder.

GrindIQ works by pulling a shot and monitoring the flow rate and pressure. If either is off, it'll tweak the grind for the next shot, repeating the process until it's happy. That said, if you prefer your espresso a little finer (or coarser), you can still manually offset the grinder by up to two steps either way.

When I ran the calibration, it used around 200g of beans, which felt like quite a lot for the process. It's definitely worth doing to get the best results, but it's something to bear in mind. Personally, it'd make me think twice about using an expensive specialty coffee for calibration, and I'd probably reach for a more affordable bean that I still enjoy instead.

Design and features

Despite featuring 3-in-1 functionality, the AutoBarista Pro is an incredible looking machine. The integrated grinder, central control panel and automatic milk frothing system are all neatly incorporated into the unit, and it all feels very premium indeed. However, there's no getting around the fact that it's a fairly substantial appliance that will demand a decent amount of countertop space.

At the front, you'll find an intuitive control interface that provides access to 13 one-touch drinks, including Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Flat White, Cold Brew and filter coffee. The machine features the brand's new AutoBarista Technology, which removes much of the trial and error traditionally associated with home espresso machines.

It automatically adjusts key brewing variables depending on the drink selected, including Grind iQ Technology, which calibrates the grind size to suit the beans being used, helping to maximise flavour extraction without requiring manual adjustment. Alongside this sits Calibrated Brewing Technology, which optimises water temperature and pressure to ensure each drink is brewed consistently.

The AutoBarista Pro also allows users to create and save up to two custom profiles, storing preferences such as drink strength, size, temperature and froth style. For households with multiple coffee drinkers, this means favourite drinks can be recreated with a single tap rather than having to manually adjust settings each time.

Milk-based drinks are handled by Ninja's FrothPerfect Technology, and it's a significant step up from the simpler frothing system found on the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System. The automatic wand works with both dairy and plant-based milk and offers five froth settings – steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, extra-thick froth and cold foam.

Ninja has also included two interchangeable 340g bean hoppers, making it easy to switch between different coffee beans without emptying the grinder. This is particularly useful if you like to alternate between regular and decaf coffee or experiment with different roasts.

A dual-shot brewing function is also included, allowing two espresso shots to be prepared simultaneously for faster drink preparation.

Performance

Once I'd finished admiring the AutoBarista Pro, it was time to see how it actually performed. If you've read my reviews before, you'll know that a cappuccino is always my starting point, so that's exactly where I began.

The first thing that caught me off guard was that this isn't the quickest automatic bean-to-cup machine I've tested. After selecting my drink, there was around two to three minutes of grinding, whirring and preparation before anything actually started pouring. That's not necessarily a problem if you're not in a rush, but compared to many rivals, it does feel a little slow.

You're also prompted to pour milk into the jug before the drink starts. Like the Ninja Luxe Café, the jug features clear measuring markers so you know exactly how much milk to add. I particularly liked its larger size, which seemed to help heat the milk more evenly during the frothing process.

Once the brewing process began, the milk was frothed first. Initially, I was concerned that it might cool down before the espresso was ready, but that wasn't an issue and the temperature remained excellent throughout.

I also loved the small lights positioned above both the milk and coffee dispensing areas. It's such a minor detail, but it's something I haven't seen on many machines before. When the milk starts frothing, one light illuminates, and when the espresso begins pouring, another switches on above the coffee outlet. It makes the machine feel more premium and I can imagine it being particularly useful on dark winter mornings.

That said, my first cappuccino was a little disappointing. Despite running the GrindIQ sequence in advance, the espresso shot felt quite watery and lacked the rich crema I'd been expecting. Given it was the machine's first brew, I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. On the plus side, the milk texture was excellent and produced a silky finish.

The next day, I decided to try some different beans to see if the results changed. I therefore ran the GrindIQ sequence and brewed a straight espresso, which definitely helped. There was more crema this time and the shot seemed thicker, so I'd strongly recommend changing coffee beans and running the sequence again if your experience is similar to mine.

Performance then seemed to improve slightly after several drinks, and the machine became quicker once it had settled in. That said, it's still not the fastest bean-to-cup machine I've tested. I'll pop a TikTok below, but please be aware I've cut it down for timing purposes and it features the first cappuccino I made before switching beans.

Where the AutoBarista Pro really shines is customisation. The large display is excellent, making it easy to adjust drink strength, add an extra shot, alter milk texture and tweak brewing temperatures. Everything is clearly laid out and straightforward to navigate.

One feature I particularly appreciated was the dual bean hopper system, which is something you typically see more often on manual bean-to-cup machines than fully automatic models. Whilst I probably won't switch between hoppers every day, I love the fact that they're removable for cleaning.

I've lost count of the number of times I've had to tip a machine upside down to remove leftover coffee beans before returning it to a brand, so being able to lift the hopper off entirely will make maintenance far easier.

Verdict

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro is an incredibly user-friendly automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine. Setup is simple, the interface is intuitive, and the sheer amount of drink customisation on offer makes it easy to tailor drinks to your exact preferences. Features such as the dual bean hoppers, automatic milk frothing system and user profiles also help justify its premium positioning.

That said, it isn't perfect. Brewing can feel slower than some rivals, and a high espresso quality can involve multiple GrindIQ sequences, which uses up a lot of beans. However, if convenience, versatility and ease of use are your priorities, the AutoBarista Pro is a highly capable all-in-one coffee machine that you will immensely enjoy.

Alternatives to consider

If you'd prefer to stay with Ninja but don't necessarily need the AutoBarista Pro's fully automatic approach, the Ninja Luxe Café remains an excellent alternative. It's a little more hands-on and requires more user input, but it rewards that effort with fantastic coffee and remains one of the brand's strongest machines.

Another impressive alternative is the De'Longhi Eletta Ultra. It's one of the newest premium bean-to-cup machines on the market and offers an enormous drinks menu alongside excellent personalisation features. It is more expensive than the AutoBarista Pro, however, so you'll need to decide whether those extra features justify the additional outlay.

Ninja’s done it again! The brand known for designing and manufacturing the best air fryers has just launched the Crispi DualZone Air Fryer, an upgraded version of its glass air fryer – but there’s a catch for those who live in the UK.

When Ninja debuted its Crispi air fryer back in 2025, many people were surprised by its looks. Ninja is no stranger to weird and whacky designs, but a glass air fryer came as a shock to many. But while it might look odd, having a glass ‘basket’ allows you to see your cooking progress without having to open the air fryer.

Since then, Ninja has launched a Pro version of the Crispi, but it’s the new Ninja Crispi DualZone Air Fryer that I’m most excited about. As the name suggests, the Ninja Crispi DualZone now comes with two glass ‘baskets’ or containers that slot into the main air fryer’s pod.

Ninja is arguably best known for its dual zone technology, and this is now available on the Ninja Crispi DualZone, making it the first glass air fryer to use this type of tech. This means you can now cook two different meals in either zone at different temperatures, timings and settings at the same time.

Each ‘basket’ can be used independently or simultaneously, and the Ninja Crispi DualZone comes with SmartFinish, so both meals finish cooking at the same time. It also comes with the MatchCook feature which mirrors the settings across both zones so you can make more food than before.

The way the Ninja Crispi DualZone works is the ‘pod’ clicks on to the glass container, so I was curious to find out how it would attach to two containers instead of one. But according to Ninja, the ‘baskets’ slide in from the front and lock into place which seems safer and easier than how it would attach before.

Like all Ninja air fryers, the Ninja Crispi DualZone comes with six functions, including air fry, bake, roast, max crisp, recrisp and dehydrate. Powered by 1785 watts, the Ninja Crispi DualZone offers an eight-quart capacity combined, with four quarts in each container. Alongside the two containers, the air fryer also comes with storage lids and crisper plates.

The Ninja Crispi DualZone Air Fryer is available to buy for $349.99 at Ninja in bone, cyberspace, rose quartz and vista green colours. As of writing, it’s not yet available in the UK which is the slight catch with this product.

Typically with Ninja, products are launched in the US first before arriving in the UK but this can take a while – and I’m impatient! But I hope to see the Ninja Crispi Dual Zone arrive later in the year.

As T3’s Home Editor, I’ve tested many different kitchen appliances over the years, but one that I try to avoid testing if I can is the (not so) humble air fryer. Before you all collectively gasp at your screens, I’m not the problem here – it’s my husband. He loathes air fryers, so as soon as I’ve tested an air fryer, I tend to give them away to a friend or family member who will use and appreciate them more.

But sadly for him, the day has come that I won’t be parting with an appliance, and we’re officially an air fryer household now. The air fryer that won me over? It’s the Tower AIRX AI air fryer.

A new launch from Tower, the Tower AIRX AI air fryer came out in late 2025, and as you can see by its product name, it uses AI technology and sensors to cook your food. Now, for me, the jury is still out over whether an air fryer needs AI but I loved using the Tower AIRX AI air fryer, and it’s now my go-to appliance for quick and easy cooking – here’s why.

Tower AIRX AI air fryer review: price and availability

The Tower AIRX AI air fryer is available to buy for £99.99 at Tower and select retailers, like Amazon, Boots and Dunelm. It comes in one colour, and with a removable grill plate. If you buy it at Tower, you can get a three year warranty on the Tower AIRX AI air fryer.

Tower AIRX AI air fryer review: design and features

The Tower AIRX AI air fryer is a single basket air fryer and has a streamlined design so it takes up minimal space in your kitchen. Despite being a single air fryer, the Tower AIRX AI air fryer has a generous capacity of eight litres, and the accompanying grill plate can divide up the drawer so you can cook in extra layers.

Tower uses Vortx technology for its air fryers, and the Tower AIRX AI air fryer is no exception. Powered by an 1500W motor, the Tower AIRX AI air fryer rapidly circulates hot air around food to cook up to 30% faster than an oven and reaches up to 200°C. It also cooks using little to no oil to make healthier meals.

Speaking of technology, the Tower AIRX AI air fryer is the first model from the brand to use AI technology. Inside the air fryer is a sensor that analyses the volume and heat of food within the basket, and calculates the right cooking time and temperature for your meal.

The Tower AIRX AI air fryer can be used both manually and automatically. It has six pre-sets to choose from – fries, steak, wings, prawns, fish and cupcake. All of this can be selected and customised via the HD TFT touchscreen display that sits at the top of the air fryer.

Tower AIRX AI air fryer review: performance

Visually, the Tower AIRX AI air fryer is great to look at. I don’t have a huge amount of countertop space in my kitchen, but the Tower AIRX AI air fryer took up hardly any room. The touchscreen is definitely a winner, as it’s organised neatly for each pre-set, and its manual controls are easy to use. It’s extremely clear and responsive, although at times, I had to press down hard to adjust the temperature.

I was slightly confused by the pre-sets on offer. I know that people tend to cook everything in their air fryer nowadays, but having cupcake and wings pre-sets over chicken and vegetables was surprising to me, as these are the most common foods to be cooked in an air fryer. I’d never normally cook steak in an air fryer either, but the steak pre-set worked nicely. It cooked well on the outside and gave it that nice char texture, and the inside was less cooked to retain that moisture and rawness, which I found impressive.

Other foods I used the Tower AIRX AI air fryer to cook were chicken, meatballs, bacon and vegetables. I really liked how the Tower AIRX AI air fryer cooked meat. For chicken, it didn’t dry it out and gave it a nice crust on the outside. I felt that it could make food a bit crispier but the results were still tasty and texturally pleasing.

I found the Tower AIRX AI air fryer to work exceptionally well without any oil. I’ve found with other air fryers a little oil is needed to avoid sticking but the Tower AIRX AI air fryer didn’t have an issue with this at all. It also handled marinated or saucy foods well, and while some sauces did stick to the bottom, the Tower AIRX AI air fryer was quick and easy to clean without any scrubbing or soaking involved.

My main issue with the Tower AIRX AI air fryer was its noise. While it cooked, it made hardly any noise but the beeping when it finished was incredibly loud and annoying. I also found that a shake reminder wasn’t available unless you’d selected a pre-set and I would have liked to have had that for the manual controls.

Tower AIRX AI air fryer review: verdict

For ease, speed and delicious results, I couldn’t recommend the Tower AIRX AI air fryer more. As dual baskets have taken over the air fryer space, the Tower AIRX AI air fryer shows that a single air fryer can be just as good, if not better, plus its eight litre capacity and additional grill plate makes more than enough food for everyone.

The design of the Tower AIRX AI air fryer is attractive and versatile, and is compact enough to sit in any sized kitchen. I can’t fault the cooking results either, and the clean-up was simple. At £99.99, I can ignore the beeping and the strange pre-sets, as the Tower AIRX AI air fryer is excellent value for money.

My verdict on whether you need AI in an air fryer is that I honestly don’t know. I didn’t really notice a difference between an AI air fryer and a non-AI air fryer, so I couldn’t tell you if it was needed.

Tower AIRX AI air fryer review: alternatives to consider

If it’s a single air fryer you’re after, the Instant Vortex Air Fryer is similar to the Tower AIRX AI air fryer in terms of looks and features. It’s easy to use, cooks food fast and has one-touch controls and a dial for easy customisation. It’s also got the same price as the Tower AIRX AI air fryer at £99.99.

Another great Philips single basket model is the Philips Air Fryer XXL. It might be a single basket but it’s a big’un with 1.4kg capacity which can feed up to six people. If it’s a larger capacity you want though, I’d actually recommend the Philips 4000 Series which is the brand’s stacked dual basket air fryer option. It might have two big baskets on top of each other, but it’s slim enough to fit comfortably in your kitchen.

Ninja has just launched its new StaySharp Knife Set, and it features the smartest sharpener I’ve ever seen. The Ninja StaySharp KnifeSet comes with 13 knives and scissors, a storage block, and a built-in ceramic wheel sharpener which is designed to… well, make sure your knives stay sharp.

If there’s one thing to know about Ninja – and Shark as the two brands are owned by the same company – is that it pulls out all the stops with its names. From Foodi and Tasti to Creami and Slushi, Ninja’s product names tend to tell you exactly what they do, just like its new knife and sharpener set.

The aptly named Ninja StaySharp 13-Piece Knife Block and Removable Sharpener does exactly what it says on the tin. It comes with multiple knives, a block and removable sharpener, the latter of which can sit on the back of the block or be stored separately.

The sharpener is easily the most impressive part of the StaySharp Knife Set. It has a built-in ceramic wheel which is activated by the lever on the side. When you slot the knife into the sharpener, it sharpens at the right angles to restore your blades. Compared to other sharpeners, it’s a much safer way to bring your knives back to life.

The knives in question are German stainless steel knives. They’re rust-resistant and have an ergonomic handle with riveted grips so they’re comfortable to hold and handle. Within the set, you get 20cm chef and bread knives, 13cm Santoku knife, 9cm paring knife, six 11cm steak knives, and kitchen/herb scissors.

A lot of people overlook Ninja’s kitchenware in favour of its air fryers, but they really shouldn’t. I have a pots and pans set from Ninja that I’ve used for a couple of years now, and I’ve never been let down by them. Durable, induction hob-friendly and easy to clean, I really couldn’t fault them, and I imagine Ninja’s knife sets are just as impressive.

Available in black, cyberspace and stone gold colours, the Ninja StaySharp Knife Set is priced at £299.99. In the US, you can get a similar 10-piece set called the Ninja NeverDull Knife Set which costs $249.99.

Recent statistics have shown that Brits are trying to cook almost everything in their air fryer. But after seeing the results, there’s one food in the list which really shouldn’t go anywhere near your air fryer – here’s what it is and why.

I recently got an air fryer, which might come as a surprise to some as T3’s Home Editor. I’ve tested many over the years, but my husband has an aversion to air fryers so I tend to give them away to friends and family once I’m done testing. But the Tower air fryer that I’m currently using – review coming soon – has definitely converted me to the air fryer lifestyle.

I tend to cook most meat, like chicken and meatballs, in my air fryer now instead of the oven, as well as vegetables and potatoes. But after covering appliances for years, there are some foods I draw the line at cooking in an air fryer – see the 7 foods you should never cook in an air fryer for more details.

But it turns out I might be the only one who won’t use their air fryer to cook everything, as recent statistics have found that Brits are air frying almost anything they possibly can. Sourced by kitchen experts at Prestige, Brits are Google searching which foods you can cook in the air fryer – and the results are surprising.

According to Prestige, ‘can you air fry bacon’ is most commonly searched with 1,900 searches per month. Sausages are a close second at 1,200 monthly searches, with halloumi, steak and burgers following. Other foods like broccoli, corn on the cob and mushrooms also made the list, as well as pizza and garlic bread.

But the search that surprised me the most was ‘can you cook eggs in the air fryer’ which totalled to 600 monthly searches. If I can give you any advice as an air fryer reviewer, it’s that eggs should be the absolute last food you should cook in an air fryer.

Before I start getting a ton of angry emails, let me say this – eggs can be cooked in an air fryer. It just depends on the type of eggs you’re cooking. For example, fried eggs and omelettes are great in the air fryer, as they take minimal time and offer consistent results – cooked white and runny yolk for the former, and fluffy textures for the latter.

But there are three types of eggs I would never cook in an air fryer. The first is a boiled egg. Again, yes, you can cook a soft or hard boiled egg in an air fryer but if you ask me, it’s not worth the risk. I’ve seen far too many videos of people taking boiled eggs out of the air fryer and then the egg exploding.

Boiled eggs tend to explode like this in air fryers and microwaves due to the quick heating and high temperatures creating steam inside the egg that can’t easily escape. This trapped heat and pressure builds up and causes the egg’s shell and contents to explode which can seriously burn you if you’re in the blast zone.

Another type of egg you shouldn’t cook in an air fryer is poached eggs. While I’ve seen some people do it successfully, I think it’s much more hassle than it’s worth, as you need to prepare ramekins and add pre-boiled water to them before you crack the egg in and then place them in the air fryer. It’s easier and requires less equipment if you just do it the traditional way.

Finally, the third egg I wouldn’t recommend cooking in an air fryer is scrambled eggs. Scrambling eggs takes time and a lot of movement. Opening your air fryer to stir the eggs continuously stops and starts the cooking process which leads to inconsistent results. Making them on the hob gives you much more control.

Fellow's one of those brands that has really only just made a name for itself in the last few years. It's a brand based out of the US that's designing some of the most cutting-edge coffee tech we've seen in the industry to date, and the Espresso Series 1, is its first debut on a fully fledged coffee bar, and I'll tell you right now, for the price, it is outstandingly good.

The Fellow Espresso Series 1 coffee machine has been designed in part with ex-barista champions and all manner of technical experts and delivers extraordinary espresso, through and through. It's a difficult product to review because there are so few negatives to be said about it. That's not to say it's perfect; there is the odd hiccup here and there, but overall, what you're getting for the price, it's well worth living with and it's easily one of the best espresso machines money can buy.

Fellow Espresso Series 1 review: Price and availability

As of June 2026, you can pick up an Espresso Series 1 in the US for around $1,499 from Fellow directly. Alternatively, you can also grab one on pre-order in the UK for about the same price from Origin as well. Although availability is still limited at this time.

There's all manner of different finishes as well. You can pick up the Cherry Red & Walnut version we have here, but Fellow will also sell you a black version, along with malted chocolate & maple, a woodland green and walnut, sesame white and maple, a marine blue and walnut.

Fellow Espresso Series 1 review: Design and build

I'm going to sound like a broken record for much of this, but the overall build is exemplary. The unboxing experience isn't anything too special, but once you get the Series 1 out of its packaging, that's when you really get to appreciate it. The chrome-plated group head, the walnut handle, the bold fellow logo lovingly etched into everything. Even the steam wand looks good. The finish, too, with that gloss metal body, is just lush.

The group handle itself is a hefty wooden unit, with a naked bottomless portafilter, meaning your espresso prep needs to be on point to avoid any mess (perhaps my only gripe is that they don't include a full metal dual-spout portafilter as well). The basket is the industry standard 58mm design, but the group handle itself is bespoke to the Series 1, so if you want to swap it out, you'll need to get one that's compatible with the group head design.

Fellow also included a full water hardness kit, used during the first setup (the machine asks you to test your water before proceeding to fill it so it can set its own descaling cycle, with a handy digital indicator and PH test stick). Alongside that, there's also a small milk pitcher included, as well as a wooden tamp as well. The tamp is a little light, but that's mostly an aesthetic grievance (as realistically you're going to be using your body weight, not the tamp, to compact your coffee puck).

Other things to point out. Steam wand? Fully articulating, with a built-in temperature probe. It's got a 2L water reservoir on the right side that's fully removable, and a fairly sizable drip tray too. Oh, and of course, you get a full circular display and control dial, plus three simple buttons on top for quick use as well. Although more on that in a bit.

Fellow Espresso Series 1 review: Performance

It's the display of the Fellow Espresso Series 1 that's half the fun here as well. Once you've finished your setup and you've got the tank full (don't worry, it'll let you know if it's running short, because of course it does), you can then run through all the settings, including the insane amount of espresso logic that's built in here.

You get a whole plethora of different shot profiles as standard, modern-arc, classic, turbo shots, and tonnes more, all fully customizable. You can control pre-infusion times, shot duration, water ratio, temperature to within 0.1 of a degree (thanks to a digital PID), ramp curves, the lot. It's properly deep, and there's even more nerdy settings (in a menu literally called settings for nerds).

Shot analysis too is top tier, with a very simple display that shows you pressure, shot completion percentage, and total time all in a handy little circular panel. It's perfect for dialling in quick too. Switch to steaming milk after you've pulled that perfect shot, and that too is all visible on the display, where you can set what temperature you want, hit go, and then it'll auto-shut off once it reaches that point.

There's just so much going on here, it's radical. It's commercial-grade tech in a machine that costs half as much as it probably should. Combined with a pump that's honestly as silent as the grave. Compared to Gaggia's Classic UP (itself a more than capable machine) I could barely hear it at all, when it was pulling a double.

Fellow Espresso Series 1 review: Verdict

I can't express enough just how impressed I've been with my time with the Espresso Series 1. I've been using it for about two weeks now at the roastery, and it's by far my favourite bar to use in place.

Is it perfect? Well, there's a few things that frustrate me a little. But they're very minor. It's still not quite as heavy as I'd like. That's particularly annoying when you're trying to lock the group handle into position with a fresh puck prepped in it, and the steam wand is very low to the drip tray as well. Which is great if you're ghosting milk (the act of just leaving the steam wand in the jug while it steams and not controlling the pitcher), but less useful if you want to actually control your texturing.

The pucks, too, are a little on the wet side. From my research, this seems to be a result of the solenoid design in the Series 1. But again, it's mostly cosmetic and doesn't impact flavour at all, just the clean-up.

And yet still, if someone came to me, looking to build the ultimate home espresso setup, without breaking the bank, I'd recommend this over practically every other machine out there. Particularly if you've got the budget. Pair it with something like a Niche Zero single-shot zero-retention grinder, and you'll never need to visit a coffee shop ever again.

Fellow Espresso Series 1 review: Alternatives to consider

At this point, there's no use denying just how phenomenal the Espresso Series 1 is, but if you're not keen on all the manual faff involved with pulling your own shots and steaming your milk, but are still looking for a solid alternative, I'd highly recommend you check out Sage's Oracle Dual Boiler. It's a brilliant automatic machine, ideal for those too tired to worry about what the pressure profile is on their latest batch of Ethiopian Gesha.

Alternatively (and to be honest, it's quite a bit cheaper) the Gaggia Classic UP is a redesigned icon that refuses to go down without a fight. At £800, the UP refresh finally brings dual PID to the legendary line-up, and the handy display gives you a good chance of getting the perfect shot dialled in. Is the steam wand as good as the Series 1? No, but it's pretty close, particularly at near half the cost.

Making coffee has always relied on one simple ingredient: heat. That means cost. But it's about to change.

Now researchers in Australia – UNSW Sydney – have found a radically different approach. Instead of using heat, the system uses ultrasonic sound waves to extract flavour, oils and caffeine from coffee at room temperature.

The technique creates microscopic bubbles that rapidly collapse, generating tiny shockwaves that break into the coffee grounds and release the compounds normally extracted by hot water.

The result is an espresso-strength coffee produced in just a few minutes without the energy demands of heating water.

In blind taste tests involving regular coffee drinkers, participants reportedly struggled to tell the difference between conventional espresso and the ultrasonic version. Researchers say the process used around a quarter of the energy required by a traditional espresso machine.

The technology is still in the research stage right now. Espresso machines are some of the most energy-hungry appliances in many kitchens because they spend much of their time heating and maintaining water temperature.

If ultrasonic brewing can be commercialised, future machines could start instantly, consume far less electricity and potentially offer more consistent results.

For now, your morning flat white isn't about to become a speaker-powered science experiment. But if this technology reaches mass production, the next revolution in coffee could come from sound rather than steam.

If you're a die-hard Americano or cold brew fan, you might want to look away now, because for me, nothing beats a frothy coffee. Sure, a trip to your local café is a great way to satisfy that craving, but there's something especially satisfying about recreating that same experience at home.

That's exactly where the Smeg Mini Milk Frother comes in. Designed as a smaller and more affordable alternative to Smeg's larger Multi Milk Frother, it promises three kinds of foam in a compact package that looks every bit as stylish as you'd expect from the Italian brand.

After several weeks of putting it to the test, here's how it performed.

Price and availability

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother is priced at £99.99/$199.95 and comes in a wide range of colours, including black, white, cream, red, pastel blue and pastel green. There are also matte black and matte white versions available.

It joins the previously launched Smeg Multi Milk Frother (£179.99/$299.95), which sits higher up the range and offers six preset programmes alongside a manual mode for greater control.

Design and features

As the name suggests, the Smeg Mini Milk Frother has been designed as a smaller, more affordable alternative to its larger sibling. Measuring just 200 x 93 x 93mm, it has a slim cylindrical design that pairs particularly nicely with Smeg coffee machines, kettles and toasters.

The frother itself consists of a ceramic-coated non-stick carafe, transparent lid, removable magnetic whisk and induction-powered base. In terms of how it works, it's actually quite similar to the Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser, which many people will already be familiar with.

There's a single button on the front that controls everything – one press selects hot milk foam, two presses heats milk without frothing, and three presses activates cold foam mode. Once you've made your selection, the Mini Milk Frother gets straight to work without needing any further input.

It can heat up to 180ml of milk or froth up to 120ml, making it ideal for one person and perhaps enough for two smaller drinks. The 500W motor heats milk to around 60°C, which is generally considered the sweet spot for coffee drinks.

Inside the jug you'll find handy fill indicators for both heating and frothing, whilst the ceramic-coated interior helps prevent milk from sticking. The whisk and lid are also removable for easier cleaning, although I'll come back to that shortly.

The motor operates at around 40dB, making it noticeably quieter than most coffee machine steam wands. Once your milk is ready, the frother lets you know with a simple audible beep.

Performance

I've had a really positive experience with the Smeg Mini Milk Frother. Aside from looking perfectly at home next to my Smeg kettle and toaster, it's also performed exceptionally well. In fact, I've found myself using it alongside several bean-to-cup coffee machines I've been testing recently rather than relying on their built-in milk systems, which probably says a lot.

The first thing that stood out to me was just how thick and delicious the foam is. It's actually quite difficult to fully convey in writing, so I'll include my TikTok video below because it does a far better job of showing the results.

However, if you're someone who loves a frothy cappuccino or latte, you're going to be very happy here. I was also pleased to discover that the foam actually holds its structure once poured. Unlike many milk frothers where the foam disappears after a few sips, I found it remained thick right to the bottom of the cup.

The hot milk setting also worked well. Whilst I didn't use it as frequently as the hot foam mode, it came in handy when guests wanted a white Americano or a coffee without froth.

The cold foam setting was equally impressive and became particularly useful during the recent heatwave when iced coffees were about the only thing I could face drinking.

If I had one performance-related criticism, it's that I occasionally wished there was some level of temperature adjustment. That said, the default temperature is perfectly fine if you're planning to drink your coffee immediately. Just be aware that it won't stay piping hot for as long as milk heated directly via a steam wand.

Cleaning is probably the area where opinions will vary the most. As I mentioned earlier, if you've used the Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser before, you'll already know what to expect. Whilst the ceramic coating certainly helps, this isn't the kind of appliance you can simply rinse under the tap and forget about. I often found a thin layer of milk residue left behind on the bottom after use, so I quickly learned that giving it a proper wash with warm soapy water and a sponge immediately afterwards was the best approach.

I also discovered a useful shortcut for more stubborn residue. Filling the jug with a little warm water and washing-up liquid before running one of the programmes effectively cleans the interior for you. Thankfully I didn't need to do this very often, but it's a handy trick to know.

The one thing I did miss was dishwasher compatibility. Unlike the larger Smeg Multi Milk Frother, which has a removable dishwasher-safe stainless steel jug, the Mini Milk Frother requires manual cleaning. That's one of the trade-offs for its smaller size and lower price, and whilst I didn't find it overly frustrating, but it does require a little more maintenance than some rivals.

Verdict

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother creates impressively thick, café-quality foam, looks fantastic on the kitchen counter and is remarkably simple to use. Whilst the lack of temperature controls and dishwasher-safe components may frustrate some users, the excellent frothing performance makes it easy to forgive. If you're the only coffee drinker in your household or simply want a stylish way to elevate your daily coffee, the Smeg Mini Milk Frother is a charming little appliance that's hard not to love.

Alternatives to consider

When it comes to alternatives, the Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser is probably the closest comparison. Whilst it's marketed primarily as a hot chocolate maker, the internal design and milk-frothing results are remarkably similar.

However, if you want something more versatile, I'd point you towards Smeg's own Multi Milk Frother. As mentioned, its multifunction dial gives access to six automatic programmes and a manual mode, whilst the removable dishwasher-safe jug makes cleaning considerably easier. It's more expensive, but if you regularly make different milk-based drinks, the extra functionality may well be worth it.

Lavazza has just announced its new Tablì pod coffee machine and tabs in the US. The most revolutionary part of the new system is the tabs which are completely free of plastic and made entirely of 100% coffee.

Many people love pod coffee machines as they’re quick and easy to use, and they come with a wide variety of pod options to choose from, including espressos, lattes and even flavoured coffees. But as most pods are single-serve and made from plastic, they can be extremely wasteful.

Lavazza is addressing this problem with the US debut of its Tablì pod coffee maker and its accompanying coffee tabs. Instead of using plastic or other outer packaging, the Tablì tabs are made from 100% coffee, so there’s no capsule, wrapping or coating on them at all.

To make its Tablì ‘pods’, Lavazza compresses precisely ground and tamped coffee into a solid tab. The tabs are circular, and have a concave shape to let the coffee expand as it brews to get that full flavour and smooth crema. Not only do the Tablì tabs look cool, but they have completely removed any and all plastic to cut down on waste.

The Tablì tabs are compatible with the Tablì pod coffee maker, and act the same as traditional pods. Designed in Italy, the Lavazza Tablì machine is the first espresso machine to use these types of pods, and it comes with a simple bean-shaped sliding mechanism at the top where you can add your tabs.

The top of the Tablì houses the controls, including on/off, and single and double espresso options. The Tablì machine also comes with an adjustable coffee spout, and removable base and drip tray to cater to different cup sizes. It’s available in Sand White, Walnut Brown and Graphite Black colours.

The new Tablì tabs will launch with five blends available – Espresso, Double Espresso, Lungo, Super Crema and Decaf. The Lavazza Tablì bundle is available to pre-order now, which gives you a 60 variety collection of tabs, the Tablì machine, Tab Tweezer and a milk frother for $99.99.

It’s expected to officially launch in the US later this year, but no pricing or availability has been announced for the UK just yet.

While it might not look or feel like summer right now – the joys of UK weather – Grind is gearing up for the sunny season by launching its new summer coffee pod flavours. Perfect for your pod coffee machine, the limited edition collection features Honey Nut and Sweet Miso flavours that are specifically designed for your iced coffee fix.

The new summer coffee pods from Grind are inspired by seasonal flavours, and its customers’ favourite drinks served in Grind cafes. For example, you can now make Grind’s popular Honey Nut Shaken Latte from its cafes in the comfort of your home with its new Honey Nut pods.

The Honey Nut pods might be my favourite from the range, as I love a sweet syrup in my morning latte. While the taste is definitely sweeter than standard coffees, the Honey Nut flavour combines rich coffee with golden honey and toasted nuts for a smooth, balanced flavour.

For those who prefer sweet and savoury tastes, the Sweet Miso pods is what you’ll want from Grind’s new summer range. It blends Grind’s specialty-grade coffee with caramelised and umami notes, so you should get a combination of sweetness and saltiness in each sip.

The new Grind summer pods can be used to make both hot and cold drinks, but the flavours really shine when served as iced coffees. As is the case with all Grind pods, the Honey Nut and Sweet Miso pods are Nespresso-compatible so you can use them with any Nespresso pod machine, including Grind’s very own Grind One machine.

What’s even better about Grind coffee pods is that they’re home-compostable, and made from plants to make them more ethically and easy to dispose of. The coffee they use is also ethically sourced, and you can create your own blends.

Grind’s new summer coffee pods are available to buy in 30, 60 or 100 pods. Prices start at £15.75 for a one-time purchase of 30 pods, or you can sign up for Grind pod subscription which is £13.95. For first-time delivery, you can get 25% off.

Ninja just shrunk its popular Luxe Café coffee machine, and I think I like it better than the original. Designed with smaller kitchens in mind, the Ninja Luxe Café MINI Plus makes espresso and drip coffee, grinds its own beans and expertly froths milk, all in a much smaller size.

Never one to do things by half, Ninja first entered the coffee machine in 2015, but it really made its mark within the space when it launched the original Ninja Luxe Café in 2024.

Since then, it’s launched Pro and Premier versions with more coffee and froth presets, and debuted even more machines, including the Prestige DualBrew System and the AutoBarista Pro.

Ninja’s coffee machine line-up has definitely taken a ‘bigger is better’ approach – until now, that is. Ninja’s newest espresso machine, the Ninja Luxe Café MINI Plus has gone in the opposite direction, and has been downsized to be 30% smaller than the Luxe Café Pro.

With a 1.3-litre water tank and 250g bean hopper, the Ninja Luxe Café MINI Plus measures 26.01cm in length, 30.91cm in width and 34.11cm in height. It takes up minimal space in your kitchen, but still looks the part with its luxurious black and silver colourway.

As a 2-in-1 coffee maker, the Ninja Luxe Café MINI Plus makes single and double espressos, and drip coffee. Its built-in grinder offers 60 grind sizes, and uses Barista Assist technology to automatically recommend specific grinds for your drink. It also monitors and adjusts brewing temperatures and pressures, so you get the best flavour and texture from your coffee.

The control panel is easy to use, and gives you a lot of freedom to personalise your drinks. Users can choose from single and double shots, three brewing strengths, three hot water settings, and three froth presets for dairy and plant-based milks. The panel also has a progress bar to guide you through the coffee-making process.

The Ninja Luxe Café MINI Plus comes with a precision scale, tamper, steam wand and milk jug. Ninja has really thought of everything, and it packs a lot of features into the smaller, compact design. We’ve tested a few Ninja coffee machines at T3, and have always been impressed, so I expect great things from the Ninja Luxe Café MINI Plus.

The Ninja Luxe Café MINI Plus Espresso Machine is available to buy now for £499.99 / $449.99 at SharkNinja.

Despite 2025 already feeling like a lifetime ago, it was only last November that Ninja unveiled its French Door Premier Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Toaster. As the brand's first-ever French door air fryer, it immediately caught the attention of air fryer enthusiasts everywhere, and it's easy to see why.

However, that excitement was short-lived when Ninja confirmed the appliance would be launching exclusively in the US with a $279.99 price tag. Whilst it still hasn’t officially launched in the UK, there is now a way to get your hands on one sooner rather than later.

The French Door Premier Air Fryer has appeared on Amazon UK, where it’s available to order for £310 with free delivery. However, it’s worth noting that import fees may apply at checkout, which could push the final price up slightly. So, whilst you can buy it now, you may want to wait a little longer for the full UK retail launch

As the name suggests, the appliance's standout feature is its French doors, which open out into one large cooking cavity. Whilst it looks more like a compact oven or microwave than a traditional air fryer, it's packed with features that make it far more versatile than either.

In fact, it comes with 10 cooking functions, including Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Whole Roast, Broil, Reheat, Dehydrate and Pizza. It can even replace your toaster thanks to dedicated Toast and Bagel settings, making it a very impressive all-in-one countertop appliance.

For those who like to cook in larger batches, the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Toaster also includes a 5.7-litre air fryer basket and a sheet pan. It uses 450°F air circulation technology to cook food quickly and evenly, and cyclonic airflow is designed to crisp food without the need to rotate trays or baskets halfway through cooking.

Salter has launched its very own Ninja Crispi dupe. The Salter Crisp & Go looks almost identical to the Ninja Crispi portable air fryer, but for those on a tight budget, the Salter Crisp & Go will fit the bill as it’s almost half the price of the original from Ninja.

When Ninja launched the Ninja Crispi back in 2025, I truly don’t think the brand thought it would be as revolutionary as it has been. Ninja has quickly become the king of air fryers, so unsurprisingly, that means we tend to see a lot of other brands getting inspiration from their iconic designs.

Case in point: Salter has just debuted the Salter Crisp & Go, and it looks pretty identical to the Ninja Crispi. It has the same glass container and cooking pod – Ninja calls theirs the PowerPod which Salter calls theirs the CrisperHub, although where Salter’s differs is the controls are on the front of the pod rather than at the top of it like Ninja’s.

Aside from that, the Salter Crisp & Go looks eerily similar, although it looks a bit bulkier as the CrisperHub is more square compared to the rounder shape that Ninja favoured. Its glass container offers four litres of cooking capacity, and it comes with smaller 1.5-litre containers for you to take your cooked food with you on-the-go.

Speaking of on-the-go, you could even go as far as to take the whole Salter Crisp & Go with you in your bag if you wanted to cook fresh from your desk – provided there’s a plug, of course. It has 1500W of cooking power, and can heat up to temperatures of 200°C for quick and even cooking.

As the Salter Crisp & Go is made of glass, it gives you 360° views so you can see how your food is progressing. There are also four presets to choose from, as well as manual controls so it’s pretty foolproof. The Salter Crisp & Go also comes with an additional tray so you can stack layers of food within the main container for meal prepping or cooking for multiple people.

The Salter Crisp & Go is available to buy now for £89.99 at Salter. This is around £60 cheaper than the Ninja Crispi which is priced at £149.99. If you want my advice, I’d pick the Ninja Crispi as it’s the blueprint for these types of air fryers. However, if you’re on a limited budget, the Salter Crisp & Go is a good alternative.

Summer is fast approaching which can mean only one thing – it’s iced coffee season! To celebrate, Nespresso has launched its new iced coffee range, featuring limited edition pods in unusual flavours, and the return of its popular travel tumblers.

Nespresso’s iced coffee collection for summer 2026 is all about the pods. Compatible with Nespresso Vertuo pod coffee machines, the standout from the new range is the Vanilla Yuzu flavour and fans of sweet coffees are sure to love it.

Vanilla Yuzu is a combination of sweet vanilla, bright citrus and pastries, alongside a light-roast Arabica blend. A zesty coffee does sound slightly strange to me, but as it’s meant to be served over ice or with a tonic, Vanilla Yuzu definitely sounds like a refreshing option for when the weather heats up.

While Vanilla Yuzu is the new launch for this iced coffee collection, Nespresso has also brought back some fan favourites. Coconut Vanilla is back, featuring a blend of – you guessed it – coconut and vanilla – and you can also find White Chocolate & Strawberry making a reappearance.

Another returning product is the Oatly Barista Edition pod. This collaboration between Nespresso and Oatly came out in 2025 and oat milk fans loved it, as the coffee perfectly compliments oat milk, and produces smooth, sweet drinks.

One of the hits from Nespresso’s spring pastel collection from last year was its colourful travel tumblers. They quickly went viral due to their stunning pink and yellow colours, with the Travel Tumbler in particular winning fans over with its straw and cap accessories.

Now for summer 2026, the Travel Tumbler is back in Bubblegum Pink, and I think I like it more than before. The Small Travel Mug is also returning in a bold Yuzu Yellow colour.

Prices on the Nespresso iced coffee collection start at 63p per pod or £6.30 a sleeve which comes with 10 pods. The tumblers start at £19. An affordable way to get your iced coffee fix? Sign me up!

If you’re looking for a new pod coffee machine, why not make it one from Ducati?! You read that right – Ducati, the Italian motorcycle brand, has collaborated with Swiss company Cuisine Barista on its very own (and very expensive) pod coffee machine.

The Barista M3 by Ducati is in celebration of Ducati’s 100 year anniversary of Italian engineering. While the coffee maker is definitely a fitting tribute to the Italian brand, it struck me as funny that it used a Swiss coffee manufacturer to make the machine but never mind about that – what’s the actual machine like, I hear you ask.

Firstly, the Barista M3 by Ducati is a pod coffee machine and uses Nespresso Original pods as Cuisine Barista is known to specialise in Nespresso machines. The design is undeniably attractive with carbon fibre panelling throughout the styling, and Ducati badges dotted around it. Made from stainless steel, it’s available in black, white or red with the latter being my favourite.

Speaking of carbon fibre, the Barista M3 by Ducati has been dubbed as the “only true carbon-fibre capsule coffee machine in the world.” While it’s a pod coffee machine and more suited for espressos, the Barista M3 by Ducati has a “world’s first in-cup milk frother” so you can make lattes, cappuccinos and other milk-based drinks.

The milk frother on the Barista M3 by Ducati is extremely clever. Users simply add their milk of choice in the steel cup, and put it in the cupholder for frothing. Using heat induction, the Barista M3 by Ducati froths milk expertly to your preferred temperature, and you can use it to make hot and cold foam.

The Barista M3 by Ducati is definitely advanced for a pod coffee machine, and gives you more control over your coffee making. It has a PID controller that maintains the right heat, which you can also adjust to your tastes. Users can select brewing temperature and flavour profile, too and the machine is quick to heat up in just seven seconds.

As you might expect, the Barista M3 by Ducati will cost you quite a bit. It’s on the higher end of the pod coffee machine budget, and will set you back 1,599 Swiss Francs which converts to around £1,500 / $2,000.

The Barista M3 by Ducati is available to pre-order now with an expected shipping date of October. It’s limited to just 1,926 machines as in keeping with Ducati’s 1926 origins.

Ninja has announced the launch of its new AutoBarista Pro in the UK, introducing an all-in-one coffee machine that combines espresso, filter coffee and rapid cold brew functionality into a single setup.

It follows the hugely successful Ninja Luxe Café and the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System. Whilst the DualBrew was still an impressive machine, its combination of pod functionality and filter coffee never quite landed in the same way. This time around, Ninja is leaning much more heavily into espresso and cold brew – two of the biggest coffee trends right now – which suggests the AutoBarista Pro will be more popular.

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro Coffee Machine is available to buy now for £899 directly from SharkNinja's website.

The machine offers 13 different drink options altogether, including cappuccino, latte, americano, espresso and cold brew, whilst Ninja’s new AutoBarista Technology automatically adjusts grind size, brew settings and milk frothing depending on the drink being made.

Users can also create up to two custom profiles to save preferred drink settings, including coffee strength, temperature, size and froth style. For households with multiple coffee drinkers, there are two interchangeable 340g bean hoppers included, making it easy to swap between different coffee beans depending on preference.

“For too long, coffee lovers have had to choose between the convenience of a quick brew or the quality of a barista-crafted drink at home,” said James Kitto, SVP EMEA Managing Director at SharkNinja.

“With the Ninja AutoBarista Pro, we’ve eliminated that trade-off. We’ve combined advanced brewing technology with intuitive design to deliver a truly effortless coffee experience that doesn't compromise on quality. Whether it’s a classic espresso or a refreshing cold brew, users can enjoy barista-style results every time, without the learning curve.”

Over the last few years, De’Longhi has become one of the biggest names in premium bean-to-cup coffee machines, producing models that demonstrate how good the brand is at combining convenience with impressive coffee results. Now, the company is back with its newest machine – the De'Longhi Eletta Ultra.

Launched earlier this year, the Eletta Ultra adds a quieter design, upgraded milk frothing, smarter drink recommendations and one of the largest automatic drinks menus I’ve seen on a coffee machine so far.

I’ve been using it for several weeks to see whether it really justifies its premium price tag, and whether it’s actually worth the upgrade.

Price and availability

The De'Longhi Eletta Ultra has an RRP of £1,149.99, making it one of the the brand’s most premium coffee machines yet. It comes in a stylish metallic finish and is available directly from De'Longhi as well as Amazon.

Unboxing and set up

Setting up the Eletta Ultra was very simple and fully guided through on-screen instructions, meaning you barely need to touch the paper manual if you don’t want to. The process involves attaching the water spout, filling the water tank and bean container, and running the initial rinse cycle. The machine then asks you to complete a water hardness test before inserting the filter into the tank, after which it runs through one final rinse and a quick walkthrough of the interface before you’re ready to start.

There are also fewer loose accessories and attachments to worry about compared to some other premium machines. For example, unlike the De'Longhi Eletta Explore, the Eletta Ultra doesn’t include the takeaway cup and ice cube tray. However, I actually preferred this approach because it makes the overall experience feel cleaner and simpler.

Design and features

Visually, the Eletta Ultra features a large glossy touchscreen display at the centre, framed by brushed metallic finishes and clean edges. Measuring 49 x 30 x 52cm, it’s fairly similar in size to the Eletta Explore, so you’ll still need a decent amount of counter space. De’Longhi also says its new Silent Technology makes the Eletta Ultra up to 65% quieter than previous models.

One of the biggest highlights is just how many drinks the Eletta Ultra can make automatically. It offers an enormous menu of both hot and cold drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, flat white, latte macchiato, iced coffee and cold brew-style drinks. De’Longhi has also leaned heavily into personalisation, allowing users to adjust coffee strength, milk texture, temperature and drink size before saving favourites to individual user profiles.

Another standout feature is the new Collections system, which suggests drinks depending on the time of day, your previous choices or even the kind of coffee mood you’re in. For example, the Intense and Energising collection focus on stronger espresso-based drinks, whilst Discover and Explore introduce recipes inspired by coffee styles from around the world.

The Eletta Ultra also uses De’Longhi’s updated LatteCrema milk frothing system, which automatically textures milk directly into your cup. It supports both dairy and plant-based milk settings and comes with redesigned carafes that are compact enough to fit neatly into a fridge door. Internally, the machine also features an integrated grinder with multiple grind settings, allowing you to fine-tune coffee strength and extraction depending on your beans and preferred drink style.

Many components, including the drip tray and milk system, are removable and dishwasher-safe, whilst automatic rinse and descaling programmes help keep maintenance easy to handle. There’s also app connectivity, allowing you to customise drinks remotely, receive maintenance alerts and browse recipe inspiration from your phone.

Performance

I’ve reviewed a number of De’Longhi machines over the years, and it’s immediately clear that the Eletta Ultra fits perfectly into the lineup. To me, it feels like a refined and upgraded version of the Eletta Explore, improving an already excellent machine with a more polished overall experience.

Before testing, I filled it with Wood Fired Coffee's organic coffee beans, which I’d highly recommend. They’re sourced from certified organic farms and slow-roasted over a range of hardwoods, resulting in a rich and full-bodied espresso that worked brilliantly with the machine.

Straight away, the biggest thing that stood out during testing was the sheer number of drinks available. It was almost difficult to know where to start, which is exactly why the new Collections feature worked so well. I loved being able to narrow things down depending on my mood or time of day, which meant I looked forward to using the machine and trying different drinks.

I also found the overall design much more thoughtful than previous models. Instead of having open storage space on top, there are now dedicated carved-out slots for the water spout and scoop, which made everything feel tidier. The upgraded LatteCrema carafes also felt improved, and despite being thoroughly impressed with the tube-free system on the Philips Café Aromis Series 8000, the Eletta Ultra’s system still worked extremely well in practice.

The actual coffee results were excellent too. If you’ve read my reviews before, you’ll know cappuccinos are always my benchmark drink, and the Eletta Ultra delivered one of the better examples I’ve tested recently. The milk froth was thick and creamy, with two texture settings available depending on how dense you want it. I personally preferred the richer foam setting, whilst the espresso underneath produced a strong crema and full-bodied flavour. I was also impressed by how hot the milk came out, even on the default setting.

The 1.8-litre water tank (that's accessible from the front) and 300g bean container also lasted much longer than expected, and it’s probably the longest I’ve gone testing a machine without constantly needing to refill something. The user profiles returning from previous De’Longhi models is another small touch I really liked too.

Finally, I loved just how much of the maintenance process the Eletta Ultra handles for you. The milk carafes clean themselves, the machine runs automatic rinse cycles, and it constantly keeps you updated on water and bean levels. If something needs cleaning or attention, the screen walks you through it step-by-step, making the whole ownership experience feel much less intimidating than many other bean-to-cup machines.

Verdict

The De'Longhi Eletta Ultra successfully builds on everything that made the De'Longhi Eletta Explore so popular, whilst refining the experience with a noticeably more premium and polished feel throughout. For me, the standout addition is easily the new Collections feature, which cleverly simplifies the enormous drinks menu and makes the machine feel far more intuitive to use day to day. Combined with consistently excellent coffee results, impressive milk frothing performance and hands-off maintenance, the De'Longhi Eletta Ultra feels like a luxury coffee setup that’s been designed to slot effortlessly into everyday life.

Alternatives to consider

If you want to stay with De’Longhi, the obvious alternative is the De'Longhi Eletta Explore. The two machines are very similar overall, with the Ultra essentially acting as the newer, quieter and more feature-packed version.

Another comparable option is the Philips Café Aromis Series 8000, which offers a similarly premium experience at a slightly lower price point. That said, the Eletta Ultra definitely feels more luxurious overall, particularly thanks to its drink collections system and upgraded interface.