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.

Le Creuset has launched its new Fruit Cocotte pots, and it has to be the brand’s cutest collection to date. Available in three fruit shapes and designs, the Le Creuset Fruit Cocottes are exactly what you need for spring and summer hosting – and they’re extremely affordable.

As T3’s Home Editor, I’m lucky enough to try lots of different appliances and cookware. While some may think it’s overpriced and overhyped, Le Creuset still remains one of my favourite kitchen brands, and one I recommend over and over again.

Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron products are extremely high quality, durable and stylish – and let’s be honest, the latter is the most important for some who want their kitchen to look straight out of a magazine.

My favourite thing Le Creuset does is offer themed collections, like pumpkin-shaped casserole dishes for Halloween, but its new Fruit Cocotte collection takes the crown as the cutest range the brand’s ever released.

As you can probably guess from the name, the Le Creuset Fruit Cocotte is a three-piece collection of cocotte cooking pots that are shaped like fruits. The stoneware cocottes are available in peach, strawberry and blueberry shapes and colours, complete with little lids and handles.

Aside from looking absolutely adorable, the Le Creuset Fruit Cocotte pots are made from specialist clays to maintain a consistent temperature during cooking. Thermoresistant from -23°C to +260°C, the pots can be used to serve hot or old dishes.

The Le Creuset Fruit Cocotte pots are available in one size, although the fruits do slightly differ in capacity. The peach is 0.58-litres, the strawberry sits in the middle at 0.57-litres and the blueberry is the smallest of the bunch at 0.48-litres.

They’re all available for £50 /$55 making them one of the cheapest collections you can buy at Le Creuset – I’m taking all three!

Move aside, Ninja – Cuisinart has just launched its new ClearView Air Fryer, and it’s immediately gone to the top of my wishlist as it has my favourite air fryer feature. The Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer has a generous capacity, multiple cooking programmes, and a viewing window – here’s everything you need to know.

Expanding its ClearView collection, the Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer has an 8.5-litre / 9 quart capacity with a 27cm surface. Ideal for large families and dinner parties, the Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer offers a huge amount of cooking space but it’s surprisingly compact so it can easily fit into your kitchen.

My favourite air fryer feature of all time is a viewing window. Just like an oven door, the more you open an air fryer basket to check your food, the longer it’ll take to cook as you’re constantly interrupting the cooking process. So, having a glass oven door or an air fryer viewing window takes this issue away.

As it says on the tin, the Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer has a top and front window which offers 280° visibility so you can see how your food is getting on from all angles. The interior also has a light so you can see clearer without having to disturb the cooking cycle.

With eight programmes to choose from, the Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer can air fry, roast, grill, max crisp, recrisp, dehydrate, keep warm and even make pizzas. With 1800 watts of power, the air fryer reaches temperatures of up to 230°C, and keeps your food warm for up to 30 minutes after cooking.

As has become the norm with Cuisinart, the Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer looks the part, and has an easy-to-use touchscreen to select presets, and customise time and temperature. It also has a shake reminder setting to ensure your food doesn’t stick and is cooked evenly and precisely.

The Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer is available to buy now for £129.99 / $139.95 at Cuisinart and select retailers, like Amazon.

Russell Hobbs has launched a brand new juicer designed to make fresh at-home juicing feel much easier. The JuiceLuxe features a large 62mm feed tube to reduce prep time, alongside a non-drip spout and an impressive 1.6-litre pulp container to help keep everything cleaner whilst you juice.

It joins Russell Hobbs’ growing range of juicers, including the Explore Juicer, but the JuiceLuxe immediately stands out thanks to its much larger capacity. For comparison, the Explore Juicer only offers an 800ml pulp container despite being a similar size overall, so the upgrade definitely makes sense.

The JuiceLuxe is available to buy on Russell Hobbs' website, priced at £59.99.

The JuiceLuce also looks far more stylish than many juicers currently on the market. It comes in two colour options – Raspberry, designed to pair with the retro-inspired Eden range, and Stone, which complements the brand’s popular Brontë collection.

Alongside the large pulp container, the JuiceLuxe also includes dishwasher-safe parts and a cleaning brush in the box, making cleanup far less of a chore after use.

Smeg has just launched a new coffee-making bundle so customers can finally buy its Espresso Coffee Machine with its Mini Milk Frother together in one package. This bundle is designed to bring a professional barista-style set-up to your home, and the price is surprisingly affordable.

Smeg launched its ECF12 Espresso Coffee Machine in 2023. Complete with Smeg’s quintessential retro-inspired design, the coffee machine makes single and double espresso shots that are rich in flavour, thanks to its pressurised filters and fast heat-up system.

But as you may have noticed, the Smeg ECF12 Espresso Coffee Machine isn’t able to froth milk as it doesn’t have a built-in steam wand. So, if you want it for making milky coffees like lattes and cappuccinos, you’ll need an additional milk frother – like the Smeg Mini Milk Frother.

One of Smeg’s most recent launches, the Smeg Mini Milk Frother debuted in 2025. With the rise in popularity for cold brew coffees, the Smeg Mini Milk Frother makes both cold and hot foam, as well as warm milk, so you can make a range of iced drinks, milky coffees, and even hot chocolates and mochas.

Now, you can buy the two coffee-making gadgets together to create your own home coffee bar for a cheaper price. Previously, you’d have to buy the two separately with the coffee machine costing £399.95 and the milk frother priced at £99.95 which totaled to £499.

Thanks to this new Smeg bundle, you can get both the espresso machine and milk frother for just £399.95. The bundle comes in black, white and cream colours to fit any kitchen aesthetic, and both gadgets have stylish curved lines as inspired by the 1950s.

The Smeg Espresso Coffee Machine bundle with Mini Milk Frother is available to buy now.

Our Place has quietly launched its new Tinies collection with smaller kitchens and personal cooks in mind. The Tinies range features shrunken versions of Our Place’s bestselling pots and pans, and as someone with limited countertop space, I think I like them better than before.

Launched back in 2019, Our Place quickly became known for its Always Pan, a 10-in-1 pan that’s versatile, stylish and made from high quality non-toxic materials. Safe for both oven and hob use, the Always Pan can be used to cook literally anything, including steaming, boiling, frying, roasting, searing and more.

Since its launch, the Always Pan has been available in three main sizes – standard, large and mini. Now, you can get one even tinier with Our Place’s new Tinies collection.

For fans of Our Place who don’t have very much kitchen space, the Our Place Tinies collection is the brand’s “smallest non-toxic collection” for tiny kitchens and personal servings. Featured in the range is the Tiny Cookware Duo, the Tiny Cookware Trio, the Petite Perfect Pot, and Tiny Plates and Tiny Bowls.

The Tiny Cookware Duo features the Always Pan and Perfect Pot, while the Trio goes a step further with the addition of the Petite Perfect Pot. All cookware is available in multiple colours, including sage, steam, char and spice.

The Petite Perfect Pot is my favourite from the collection and the one I’d recommend the most. This lightweight pot has a 1.75-quart size and a cast aluminium body that allows it to heat up quickly and retain the temperature.

While it may sound and look small – that’s the point, after all! – it’s great for making individual portions of food, so it’s a great choice for those who live alone or have trouble with batch cooking too much food. The Petite Perfect Pot is also the only product from the collection available in Our Place’s limited edition Blue Salt colour which makes it even more attractive.

Prices on the new Our Place Tinies collection starts at £90.

Finally! Fellow’s first-ever espresso machine which I’ve had my eye on since it launched in the US last year has arrived in the UK. Available at Harrods, the Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine is the brand’s most advanced coffee maker to date, thanks to its three independent heating elements – here’s everything you need to know.

Based in San Francisco, Fellow has become well known for its premium coffee equipment. The Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine is no exception and is designed to offer “café-level precision without requiring professional expertise.”

I’ve tested many coffee machines in my time at T3, and the Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine is unlike one I’ve seen before. It’s extremely compact, measuring 438mm length x 315mm width and 279mm height so it can sit comfortably in your kitchen, and even underneath cupboards.

As a semi-automatic coffee machine, the Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine does require an additional bean grinder, or you can buy pre-ground coffee. Whatever you decide, the Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine talks you through the entire coffee-making process via its colour screen or app.

While the app unlocks pre-sets and allows users to create, save and share espresso profiles, the actual controls on the Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine are very simple to use. It has a precision control dial and three customisable shortcut buttons so you can make your favourite coffee almost instantly without having to play around with the settings.

The Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine uses a Boosted Boiler System which combines three independent heating elements to brew the perfect coffee at the right temperature. These elements include a flow-through heater, boiler and grouphead which work together to get temperatures ‘to-the-degree’ while warming up in less than two minutes.

The flow-through heater preheats the water before it enters the boiler, which helps prepare hot water without a long warm-up time. From there, the boiler minimises temperature fluctuations between brewing and steaming, while the grouphead heats up and keeps the right temperature to extract the flavour and texture from the coffee puck.

While this is all very clever, my favourite feature of the Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine is actually its smart steam wand. It uses a temperature-sensing tip to automatically stop the steaming process at your target temperature.

As an oat milk drinker, this type of milk is very easy to burn, so this feature is a real game changer. The wand also purges after each use so I can use it for my oat milk coffees while my husband can enjoy his dairy flat whites, all while avoiding cross-contamination and achieving the right temperature and textures of our milks of choice.

The Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine is available to buy now for £1,299.95 / $1,499.95 at Fellow and select retailers, like Harrods. It comes in black, red, sesame and woodland colours, and you can choose between plastic, walnut or maple handles.

You might not know this, but we’re only five months into 2026 and Philips has already launched two coffee machines. First came the Philips Baristina, which delivered impressively strong results in its full review thanks to its incredible ease of use. Now, Philips is moving much further upmarket with the Philips Café Aromis Series 8000.

This machine sits much closer to models like the Philips Series 5500 LatteGo, offering over 50 drink options, app connectivity and support for up to eight user profiles. In other words, it’s clearly designed for busy households with multiple coffee drinkers who all want their drinks slightly differently.

Naturally, I couldn’t wait to see whether Philips’ most expensive coffee machine yet actually lives up to its premium positioning.

Price and availability

The Philips Café Aromis Series 8000 has an RRP of £849.99 in the UK and $1,699.95 in the US, and is available directly through Philips, as well as retailers including Argos, John Lewis and Currys.

That makes it the priciest coffee machine Philips has released so far, with the Series 5500 LatteGo sitting just below it at roughly £550-£650 depending on the retailer.

Unboxing and set up

The machine arrives heavily protected with moulded inserts and separate packaging for all the removable components, including the LatteGo milk system, drip tray, water tank and bean hopper lid. Despite being a fairly substantial model, the whole setup is organised and it didn't feel intimidating to unpack.

Most parts simply click or slide into place, whilst the large touchscreen walks you through the entire first-time setup process step by step. It guides you through installing the AquaClean filter, filling the water tank, adding beans and running the initial rinse cycle before your first coffee. There’s also an automatic cleaning cycle built in, which takes a few minutes but means everything feels properly ready to go from the start.

Connecting the machine to Philips’ HomeID app is optional, but if you want access to additional drink customisation and the Barista Assistant features, it's recommended.

Design and features

At a first glance, it's quite clear that the Café Aromis is a strong upgrade over Philips’ older automatic machines. The silver finish and large 4.3-inch touchscreen gives it a premium feel, and the 1.9-litre water tank, 275g bean hopper and integrated milk system are all easy to access from the front, which is so appreciated.

Philips has also focused on making the machine quieter this time around, with its SilentBrew technology reducing both grinding and brewing noise compared to many other fully automatic machines. I have more to say on this though, so I'll get onto it in a little while.

The machine offers more than 50 hot and cold drinks, ranging from espresso and cappuccino to iced lattes and even cold brew. One of the headline upgrades is Philips’ new BrewExtract system, which compresses and doses more coffee grounds into each brew for a stronger flavour profile. There are also 12 grind settings, seven intensity levels and the ability to brew two drinks simultaneously.

The LatteGo Pro milk system is also great, and unlike traditional milk tube systems, it uses a tube-free design that can produce both hot and cold milk froth whilst remaining easy to clean. Philips claims it can be rinsed in around 10 seconds, and the removable parts are dishwasher safe as well.

Through the HomeID app, users can access the Barista Assistant feature, which essentially acts like a virtual coffee guide by helping tailor extraction settings to your beans and preferred drink styles. As mentioned, the machine also supports up to eight individual user profiles, making it particularly useful for households where everyone has completely different coffee preferences.

The AquaClean filtration system also significantly reduces how often descaling is needed and can last up to 5,000 cups, according to Philips. There's also an Eco Mode which helps lower both water and energy consumption during everyday use.

Performance

I’ve really enjoyed having the Café Aromis Series 8000 in my kitchen over the last few weeks, and after recently reviewing the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro, it felt like an complete breeze getting this machine up and running. As mentioned earlier, setup took hardly any time at all, and because the entire process is so guided, I was making coffee very quickly without worrying about grind size, dosing or extraction settings. I suppose that’s the real beauty of a good automatic bean-to-cup machines.

Whilst filling the machine for the first time though, I did discover it also has a dedicated pre-ground coffee compartment for decaf or pre-ground coffee. I mention this because I accidentally poured beans into that section first, mainly because it sits right next to the main bean hopper. Completely my fault, admittedly, but hopefully worth flagging in case you read this before doing exactly the same thing.

The overall layout of the machine feels extremely well thought out, and I absolutely loved how customisable everything is. Being able to adjust the espresso amount in much smaller increments – rather than just choosing between small, medium or large – makes a huge difference in daily use. Some mornings I wanted an extra shot because I was running on very little sleep, whilst other times I preferred more milk for a slower drink, so having the flexibility was great.

I also really appreciated being able to adjust the temperature, which still isn’t something every coffee machine offers properly.

The actual brewing process itself is very seamless too. The adjustable coffee spout is another small but really useful feature, especially when swapping between espresso cups and larger mugs.

Attaching the two milk carafes is also very straightforward, and it’s easy to tell which one is designed for hot drinks and which is for cold drinks. I will say they feel slightly wobbly once attached to the machine, but thankfully that doesn’t affect milk pouring or frothing performance at all.

The tube-free milk system is probably one of my favourite parts of the whole machine though. No matter how thoroughly you clean traditional milk tubes, they somehow never quite feel clean enough, and old milk residue is definitely not something you want lingering inside your coffee machine.

When it came to general cleaning, the experience was mostly straightforward, although I did run into one frustration. I noticed used coffee grounds regularly leaking throughout the base of the machine rather than staying neatly inside the removable grounds container. That meant I couldn’t simply empty the tray every so often – instead, I found myself fully removing and cleaning the lower section several times a week because loose grounds had spread underneath. I’m not entirely sure whether this is intentional or just something specific to my unit, but it definitely increased the amount of cleaning required.

Finally, I have to talk about the sound levels. Philips makes a big point about the machine’s SilentBrew technology, which, to be fair, probably is quieter compared to some other bean-to-cup machines. However, by absolutely no means would I call this machine quiet. The first time it automatically rinsed itself, it made me jump because of how loud it suddenly became.

So whilst the noise reduction may technically be working, I wouldn’t recommend buying the Café Aromis purely because you’re expecting a silent coffee machine as there are definitely quieter options out there.

Verdict

The Philips Café Aromis Series 8000 stands out for its premium design, smarter features and an almost overwhelming level of drink customisation. However, what really impressed me is just how approachable the whole experience feels. From the guided setup process to the responsive touchscreen, the Café Aromis delivers excellent coffee without constantly demanding your attention.

The LatteGo milk system continues to be one of the easiest I’ve used, and smaller details like adjustable drink temperatures and highly flexible espresso sizing quickly become features you end up using every single day.

It’s not completely flawless – the grounds leakage became slightly frustrating during testing, and despite the SilentBrew branding, this is still a fairly noisy machine when grinding beans or running rinse cycles. That said, if you want a premium bean-to-cup coffee machine that balances convenience, customisation and enjoyable everyday use exceptionally well, the Café Aromis Series 8000 is easily one of Philips’ strongest coffee machines to date.

Alternatives to consider

If you want to stick with Philips but spend a little less, I’d still strongly recommend the Philips Series 5500 LatteGo. It offers many of the same headline features, including the LatteGo milk system and app connectivity, but now comes in noticeably cheaper thanks to its age.

Alternatively, the De'Longhi Eletta Ultra is now one of the Café Aromis’ closest rivals. It’s slightly more premium overall, but offers a similarly huge drink range and equally strong smart features for coffee lovers.

Beko is one of those brands that seems to be offering it all at the moment, from impressive kitchen appliances right through to its HomeWhiz smart home platform. I saw a lot of this firsthand during a recent trip to EuroCucina 2026, where the brand placed a huge focus not just on individual products, but on how all of its appliances are designed to work together as part of a smarter kitchen setup.

However, one area of the show that stood out from the rest was the Food Tech Lab. Now, if that immediately makes you think of food scientists in lab coats running experiments, that’s pretty much exactly what it was. It involved a live cooking demonstration area led by Beko engineers, introducing appliance testing in a way that was very enjoyable to experience.

During the demonstrations, a few of us got to see how Beko actually measures things like browning, texture and moisture retention before the applianced go into production. We saw how different technologies across the appliance range work together in practice, which gave a much clearer idea of the amount of development that goes into these features before they even make it into people’s kitchens.

One section that especially caught my attention focused on Whirlpool, one of the brands now under Beko alongside Hotpoint and Bauknecht. The team was showcasing several new appliances, including the W Collection Oven, Compact Oven with Microwave and the W Collection HeatControl Induction Hob.

We started with the W Collection Oven and Compact Oven, both of which feature a Self-Supporting Food Probe that tracks the internal temperature of food whilst cooking. Users can simply choose how they want something cooked, and the oven automatically adjusts the cooking cycle before switching itself off once the target temperature is reached.

The ovens also feature Cook4 technology, which allows up to four dishes to be cooked simultaneously without flavours transferring between them. According to Whirlpool, this can save up to 72% time and 53% energy compared to cooking dishes one after another. It’s easy to see the appeal here for larger households or anyone cooking multiple elements at once, particularly for meals like a Sunday roast where timing everything can become slightly chaotic.

One feature within Cook4 that got a lot of attention was the Pizza Party mode, which cooks up to four fresh pizzas at the same time in around 15 minutes, whilst still delivering even browning on every shelf. We actually got to try this ourselves, and aside from the fact I was in Italy surrounded by food engineers, it was probably one of the better slices of pizza I’ve had in a very long time.

That said, the feature that probably stuck with me most was on the W Collection HeatControl Induction Hob. Instead of adjusting traditional power levels, users can set an exact cooking temperature directly, allowing for much more controlled and precise cooking.

To demonstrate this, the engineers showed us a pan of melted chocolate sitting on the hob that looked completely fresh, but had apparently been melting there for five hours at a very low temperature. There was no drying, cracking or burning at all, just perfectly smooth melted chocolate that tasted like it had only just been prepared, especially paired with fresh strawberries.

Overall, the whole experience made it very clear that Beko isn’t just trying to launch more kitchen appliances for the sake of it. The features I've mentioned above all contribute towards making everyday cooking easier and more consistent, and it’s this kind of innovation that seems to be driving the brand right now. After seeing it all in action, it’s easy to understand why Beko and its sub-brands are becoming such a major player in the kitchen space.

Where would we be without Mr Gaggia? Honestly, the man single-handedly invented the modern-day espresso bar back in 1938. Still, nearly 90 years later, the world of coffee and the science behind it has changed irrevocably.

Gaggia's Classic espresso machine (its staple home range, that's been around since the early 90s) has been a kitchen icon, but if I'm honest, it's starting to show its age. Enter the new and improved Gaggia Classic UP. This refinement of an already solid design takes what modders have been doing for years now and fully implements all of it at a factory level, all in an attempt to take the top spot as the best espresso machine of 2026.

Gaggia Classic UP review: price and availability

The Classic UP that I have on test here, launched in March 2026, and you can pick one up for around £849 in the UK from Amazon, $849 in the US from Whole Latte Love (likely coming to Amazon later in the year), €849 in the EU (baristadelight.de), and for AU, $1,899 (it is on offer currently for $1,599 but that's only until May 15th).

Interestingly, Gaggia has only launched a single model of the Classic UP, so if you don't like that matte black finish, you're out of luck, at least for the time being.

Gaggia Classic UP review: design and build

The good news is that straight out of the box, Gaggia's Classic UP looks utterly stunning. That matte black finish, combined with the iconic Classic styling, gives it the feel of a machine that costs twice as much. There's this modern flair to it. The old school buttons have been replaced with toggle switches; there are white LEDs sat behind illuminating them, the cup warming tray has a mirror finish, and the 2-inch TFT LCD display fits seamlessly into a crisp black panel that sits flush into the top of the machine, complete with a suite of capacitive touch buttons. It just oozes sophistication.

A quick dissection of the group-handle reveals an industry standard 58mm, 18g basket, complete with a dual-spout housed in a full-length metal body. There's no naked portafilter here, but to be honest, unless your puck prep is on point and your coffee close to dialled already, this design is nine times out of ten a tidier solution anyway.

The only downside is that the grip itself does feel a bit cheap. The entire machine has this svelte powder-coated stainless steel all over it that just exudes excellence, and yet the group-handle grip and the steam wand dial seem to have been kitted out with plastic recycled from a 1990s Jurassic Park T. rex toy.

The UP comes with two assorted drip trays that you can choose from, depending on how high you want your cups to sit underneath the portafilter, and there's a telescopic drain port that runs along the left-hand side, which, although fiddly to install, helps to purge any excess moisture from the group-head during shot pours.

As for the steam wand, it's fully articulating and has a rubber grip on it, allowing you to touch it without necessarily burning your fingertips to a crisp. You might want to shuffle that up a bit on first setup, just to help manoeuvre your milk jug underneath, but more on that in a bit.

All in all, it's a well-rounded machine and surprisingly compact. Although that does lead to its own issues, particularly as it does like to shuffle a bit when you lock the group-handle in place, very similarly to the Sage Bambino Plus. But still, you're getting a lot for the money here, and the design is exceptional. Sure, there's no broad variety of colourways just yet, but that crisp black finish just looks outstanding, so I'm happy to let that slide.

Gaggia Classic UP review: performance

After spending close to a month with the Classic UP, I can tell you now, this machine pulls some seriously clean shots. I've been a head barista for close to two years, working in an independent speciality coffee shop, and I've roasted coffee commercially for about a year as well. In that time, I've worked on Contis, Faemas, La Marzoccos, Victoria Arduinos, the lot, crafting top-quality lattes, caps, and flat whites across the country. Basically, I've pulled and drank a lot of espresso, so when I say the Classic UP is an absolute king in that department, I really do mean it.

The most recent iteration, the E24, was a bit old-school in its internal workings. It didn't have a modern-day PID inside; rather, it relied on a bimetallic thermostat instead (think of the clicky thermostat inside your kettle). What that means is you were constantly waiting for the boiler to get to temp, but that temperature could swing, if you were unlucky, up or down by two to three degrees at a time, on a per-shot basis. You couldn't control exactly what temperature you wanted it to be.

The older Classic line, before that, was even worse and could shift by upwards of 10 - 15 degrees depending on the time of year, although that was before the introduction of the Evo Pro line's brass boiler in 2023.

With the introduction of that dual PID, it effectively allows the Classic UP to keep incredibly tight control over the temperature of the water being pushed into your coffee grounds. That means your shots are far more consistent from pull to pull, drink to drink.

Not only that, but you can control and observe the temperature of the boiler with that TFT display, keeping it within a single degree. What that means is that you can get that light roasted Ethiopian natural running at 96 degrees, or your medium-roast Colombian at 91, and really get the most out of the flavour, with back-to-back shots being near identical.

Gaggia's included two other nice-to-haves with the UP as well. The first is pre-infusion. Now it's a bit of a controversial one, but effectively this setting pre-wets the coffee puck, applying just enough water to saturate the espresso grounds and get those flavour molecules flowing, before applying the pressurised water. It does generally lead to a better-tasting shot, although I'd be reluctant to say there's much difference between the three modes. Still, definitely keep it enabled.

And second, and perhaps far more important, is the pump timer. The Classic E24 had a manual control. You'd pull the shot, then decide when you wanted to stop it by hand. Ideally, you'd use a set of scales, pop 18g of ground coffee in your basket, pull it, wait until you hit 36-40g of espresso out, then stop the machine and hope it finished within the 28-32 second mark that you've diligently just timed yourself. All to get that perfectly balanced espresso.

The UP features a time-based pump with its own memory. On first use, you can effectively dial in your coffee and set it so you get that 36-40g out within 30 seconds. From there on, each time you pull a shot, the pump will run for the same length of time, but the weight will change, then it's just a case of adjusting the grind size to get the weight right using a decent set of coffee scales, and the shot time should stay remarkably consistent, along with that balanced flavour profile.

As for the steam wand, that too doesn't disappoint, as anyone who's used one of the more recent Evo Pro lines will know. Although it's a single-boiler design, heating up after a shot's been pulled is rapid, and with a quick purge, it's surprisingly potent. The only downside is that the dial is a bit underwhelming. Again, it has that same cheap plastic feel that the group handle grip does, and more frustratingly, it spins quite a lot going from off to on and back again.

Turning the steam off once your milk is up to temp and textured appropriately is a bit of a mission that can actually ruin both the temperature and the texture in the process if you're not fast enough. A lever design, or less rotation on the dial, would've been far more welcome.

Still, does the milk live up to café quality? Nearly. It doesn't quite have the edge over a dedicated dual-boiler, or a La Marzocco Linea PB S, but then those are £5-10,000 machines. It's not meant to be that good. If all you're after is the option to make one or two lattes or cappuccinos back to back, it's more than capable of delivering on that promise, with smooth, well-textured milk, as long as you can get past that wild dial.

Gaggia Classic UP review: verdict

At this price point, this is, by far, the best Classic espresso machine Gaggia has ever made. It's not necessarily this huge revolutionary step up over its E24 sibling, but more of a refinement of an already solid build. It incorporates a lot of features that modders and home espresso tinkerers have been adding for years, but in a beautifully clean fashion, with a factory warranty attached.

The addition of dual PID control, pump timers, pre-infusion, and that display with its touch controls and a built-in shot timer takes what was great about the original Classic E24 and dials it right up all the way to 11, without breaking the bank.

As far as home machines go, yes there are still better options out there, bars with dual-boilers, and volumetric flow control, insulated steam wands, and every other bell and whistle under the sun, but you're typically going to be paying twice as much for a feature set that doesn't necessarily translate to a better drink.

The Classic UP is for the price-conscious in that regard. It's not perfect; that portafilter grip still needs some work, and the steam wand dial needs a real refinement pass, but if this is any indicator of where Gaggia is going with this series, I can't wait to see the next one. And if you buy the UP, you're not going to ever leave your kitchen disappointed.

Gaggia Classic UP review: alternatives to consider

There's no denying that the Classic UP is a purist's espresso machine. If you're looking for something a little more automated, then De'Longhi's La Specialista Opera is a fantastic solution that includes a built-in grinder, auto-milk steaming solution, and a similar touchscreen workflow.

Alternatively, and I've already mentioned it, but Sage's Bambino Plus is a remarkably well-built and similarly budget-friendly alternative that just gets the job done at a far lower price.

For all their many wonders, air fryers aren’t renowned for making juicy food. Blast ingredients with enough hot dry air to get a crispy outside and the inside often ends up paying the price.

Dreame's new AeroFusion AF60, launched at the Dreame NEXT event in San Francisco, is hoping to solve this by adding a steam generator to the mix.

It might sound counterintuitive to add steam, which is notoriously wet, into an environment that relies on dry air but Dreame has designed a technology called CrispVapor that produces so-called “superheated” steam.

Superheated steam is steam heated well beyond water's boiling point until all residual moisture has been driven off. This creates a dry, high-temperature gas that transfers heat without leaving your food soggy. It’s a process seen in professional combi ovens for years but the AF60 brings a scaled-down version of it to countertops.

Dreame calls this its “steam-then-roast” approach and to achieve it, the AF60’s 800W generator heats water up to 140°C and “wraps the food in a moisture barrier” of superheated steam. A 2,500 RPM fan then circulates hot air around the food using a Coanda-effect air duct.

The Coanda effect is the same principle that gives aircraft wings lift by causing airflow to follow a curved surface around them. Inside the AF60, this means hot air follows the contours of the cooking chamber in 360-degrees, rather than blasting from a single direction and leaving cool spots.

This heat circulation is powered by a dual-source system: an infrared-coated stainless steel element at the top for rapid, radiant heat, and a PTC ceramic heater at the base that gets rid of cold spots from the bottom up. PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) materials are self-regulating meaning their electrical resistance increases as they heat up, which prevents overheating at a material level rather than relying solely on a thermostat.

Size-wise, the AF60 has a 7qt capacity, which is large enough for a whole chicken, with a 37oz detachable water tank for the steam system and control-wise, a touch panel is where the modes and temperature settings are, with 20 recipe presets built into the machine.

The AF60 is due to launch in the US in June before being released more widely but prices aren’t yet known.

Everyone talks about how a smart home ecosystem is at the heart of the modern home these days – and don’t get me wrong, that’s absolutely true. However, a kitchen ecosystem is just as important, and one brand really trying to prove that right now is Beko.

The brand has come a long way from the trusty dishwasher or fridge you might’ve grown up with. Reliability is still a core part of what it does, but there’s now a much bigger focus on innovation, efficiency and design, without losing a sense of dependability.

I was lucky enough to attend EuroCucina 2026 last week to see what some of the biggest kitchen brands are working on. After spending time exploring Beko’s approach – alongside its wider multi-brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, Hotpoint and Bauknecht – I couldn’t help but feel like it all deserved a closer look.

1. Making reliability a priority – not just a promise

These days, it’s in fact quite rare to see brands truly prioritise long-term reliability. It’s often buried in the small print or tied to very specific conditions that make guarantees harder to claim. However, after hearing Beko talk through its approach, it’s clear this is something the brand is undeniably committed to.

Across ovens, hobs, fridges and dishwashers, Beko tests its appliances to simulate 10 years of real use. That alone gives you a bit more confidence that these aren’t just short-term upgrades, but actually something you can rely on for years to come.

More importantly, it’s not just about how long something lasts, it’s about how consistently it performs. Whether it’s even cooking in the oven, steady cooling in the fridge or reliable wash cycles, the focus is on appliances that work the same way every day.

2. Turning energy and water use into something you can control

Smart homes and connected kitchens aren’t new, but Beko’s approach feels more practical than most. Its new HomeWhiz platform is all about making everyday efficiency easier to understand, and something that's actually useful as well.

It puts a big focus on energy and water management, letting you see exactly how much your appliances are using on a daily basis. Instead of guessing which settings are more efficient, you can track usage, spot patterns and adjust things accordingly. For example, the built-in oven lets you monitor energy consumption directly through the app, whilst the dishwasher can use as little as 5.9 litres per cycle without compromising on performance.

It might sound like a small thing, but it’s a meaningful shift that turns sustainability into something you can see and manage, rather than something that just lives on a spec sheet.

3. Blending performance with future-ready design

Finally, Beko isn’t just focusing on function – it’s also pushing design and flexibility in a big way. From products like its extra-slim induction hob, which offers more even cooking, to ovens with steam-assisted technology for better flavour and texture, there’s a clear effort to elevate everyday cooking.

The ColourZone concept also introduces bold finishes like Blueberry Velvet, proving that appliances don’t have to be plain or purely practical to be reliable.

There’s also the more forward-thinking side of things, like the modular refrigerator concept. This is a system made up of stackable, reconfigurable cooling units that can adapt as your home changes. It’s still a concept for now, but it gives a clear idea of where Beko is heading, especially towards appliances that are built to last and evolve with you.

With the cost of living still high, many people are looking for ways to cut down on their expenses. Takeaway coffee is one of these main expenses, and while it’s nice to get your caffeine fix, buying them on a regular basis can add up over time.

Investing in a good quality coffee machine is a big investment up front but it can help you save money in the long run. At-home coffee has seen a major surge in recent years, with Italian coffee company illy reporting increased sales of espresso machines, grinders and barista-style tools.

However, it’s one thing having the right equipment, but if you’re not using it properly, your coffee – and machine – could suffer. “People often assume once they have an espresso machine, good coffee is guaranteed, but that’s not always the case,” say illy experts at the Università del Caffè. “Many home baristas are repeating the same fundamental mistakes, which can mask the flavour and aroma of their coffee.”

To find out more, I spoke to illy’s team of experts who identified five home coffee mistakes you’re making and how to fix them.

1. Grinding your coffee beans incorrectly

Whether you have a bean to cup machine with a built-in grinder or a separate bean grinder, the way you grind your coffee beans impacts the taste, aroma and strength of your coffee. The best way to tell if you’re grinding your beans incorrectly is if your coffee tastes bitter, weak or unbalanced. To fix this, illy advises to choose fine grounds for espresso, medium for filter and coarse for cold brew.

2. Not regularly refreshing your water

“Coffee is more than 90% water yet it’s often overlooked,” says illy experts. As someone who has a bean to cup coffee machine, I often forget to refresh the water until it’s nearly empty, which isn’t recommended, even if you only filled up the tank in the morning or day before. Instead, “start with fresh, cold water (filtered if possible) and brew at around 90–96°C” for the best results.

3. Forgetting to clean your coffee machine

Let’s face it, cleaning any appliance isn’t fun and you likely put it off for as long as possible. But with coffee machines, old oil and residue from your previous coffees can ruin the flavour of your current coffee, and the ones that come after it. After each use, illy says to wipe the steam wands and clean machines and grinders regularly.

For more details, see our guides on how to clean a bean to cup coffee machine and how to clean a pod coffee machine.

4. Storing beans in the fridge

Many people store coffee beans in the fridge to keep it fresher for longer but “it’s a big no!” according to illy. In order to keep this freshness, illy recommends storing beans in an airtight container away from light and heat instead.

5. Batch grinding your coffee

Batch grinding your coffee beans might seem logical and time-saving, but it actually makes your coffee taste and quality worse. The reason for this is “once ground, coffee quickly loses its aroma” so stick to grinding beans just before brewing. Another tip is to use your coffee beans within a few weeks of opening the bag so you get the best taste and smell from your beans of choice.

Norwegian brand, Auk has just launched the latest version of its smart garden, and it’s gotten bigger and smaller at the same time! The new Auk Mini 2 has been redesigned with a new LED light, and a bigger water tank and plant pots, yet the size is much smaller than the original.

I reviewed the Auk Mini last year, and it’s my favourite product that I tested in 2025. I gave it five stars in my Auk Mini review, and I still have it in my kitchen now quietly and expertly growing basil and parsley. So, when I heard Auk was upgrading its Mini smart garden, I couldn’t think of how it could improve on the first one.

But after seeing the Auk Mini 2, I’m seriously impressed and think it’s even better than the original. It still has the same concept, featuring a built-in water tank, automated LED grow light and open-air system, but the overall size is much more compact to take up minimal space in your home.

Compared to the Auk Mini, the Auk Mini 2 is 12% smaller yet it can hold 25% more water than its predecessor. Auk has estimated that the Auk Mini 2 can grow 20% more than the original due to this size redesign. The plant pots for tomatoes and chillies are also wider so you can grow a bigger volume of plants indoors.

The box design of the Auk Mini 2 is still similar to the first one, but it has more rounded corners and a braided cable. It now comes in more colours, like coffee walnut, coffee oak, cream oak, sage ash and terracotta beech to suit your space better and more naturally.

The light of the Auk Mini 2 has also been upgraded. Using an advanced optical lens system, the light shines more directly onto the plants rather than spilling into the room. My Auk Mini’s light does get extremely bright so this is definitely an exciting update.

Another update is the Auk Slow Mode which slows growth by preventing plants from overgrowing the light. This also helps conserve water so it can last for longer without you needing to refill the tank.

Auk might make smart gardens but the Auk Mini 2 is the first time the brand has offered an app. It’s completely optional to use but it allows users to adjust the light cycles and growth modes using their phone. Personally, I don’t download apps unless I absolutely have to, but being able to monitor my herbs while I’m on holiday sounds like a great idea.

The Auk Mini 2 is available to pre-order now for £209 / $229 at Auk.

Dualit has launched its first-ever ice cream maker, allowing users to make everything from ice cream and gelato to sorbet, frozen yoghurt and even slushies in as little as 30 minutes. There’s also no need to pre-freeze anything overnight, which already sets it apart from popular models like the Ninja Creami.

The new 1.2-litre Ice Cream Maker includes a range of pre-set programmes alongside manual controls, all operated via a simple rotary dial and digital display. Dualit also includes a dishwasher-safe measuring cup, spatula and mixer attachment.

The machine isn’t launching until June with an RRP of £349.99, and will be available via Dualit’s website as well as retailers like John Lewis. We’ll be keeping an eye out and will let you know as soon as it arrives.

The machine also includes a manual stirring function that lets you adjust the texture and consistency depending on what you’re making, which is ideal if you like to experiment. There’s also an interlock lid with an integrated ingredient feed, so you can safely add extras like chocolate chips or nuts mid-churn.

Another standout is the Keep Frozen function, which keeps your dessert at the perfect serving temperature for 30-60 minutes after it’s ready. That makes it a great option for entertaining, as you can prep ahead without worrying about everything melting or losing its texture before serving.

It’s Stop Food Waste Day 2026, an international, annual campaign focused on reducing global food waste. According to statistics, a third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted each year, which calculates to approximately one billion meals wasted every day – yes, really.

Food waste has become a serious problem, and Stop Food Waste Day is designed to raise awareness on the impact this has on the environment, while also encouraging people to reduce the amount of food waste they produce.

With this in mind, I’ve rounded up nine kitchen gadgets that can help you cut down on food waste, including compost bins, smart fridge freezers, vacuum sealers, and more.

Sage FoodCycler

It costs more than your standard food waste bin, but the Sage FoodCycler does so much more than you’d expect. With its three-stage system, the Sage FoodCycler dries, grinds and cools your food waste and turns it into EcoChips. It takes about four hours to do so, and reduces waste by up to 80%.

Aside from reducing its volume and odour, the EcoChips produced by the Sage FoodCycler can then be recycled or used as compost for your garden. See our Sage FoodCycler review for more details.

InSinkErator

Another handy way to reduce and environmentally dispose of food waste is by installing an InSinkErator under your sink. How it works is by using a spinning plate and a grind ring to break down food waste into teeny tiny particles. All you have to do is put food in, press the switch and run the tap to flush waste into the sewage system.

Yes, you’re still disposing of food waste with the InSinkErator but it’s a more hygienic option than a food bin, and prevents it from going into landfill. It also works on the majority of foods, including fruits and vegetables, eggs, and small meat and fish bones.

Samsung Family Hub Smart Fridge

Smart fridge freezers, like the Samsung Family Hub Smart Fridge have been upgraded with cameras and AI technology that’s designed to help reduce food waste. With the Samsung model, it has a camera built inside the fridge which scans your food as you put it in and take it over.

With the camera and its touchscreen display, the Samsung Family Hub Smart Fridge puts an expiration date on each food item so you know when it’s going to go off. This serves as a handy reminder to use up your food, plus you can use the screen to find recipes for your ingredients which can also help reduce waste.

Lomi Food Composter

Similar to the Sage FoodCycler, the Lomi Food Composter is another countertop compost bin that turns your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost. It's odour and mess free, and while pricey at £399.99, it’s a handy gadget that keeps food waste out of landfills.

According to Lomi, the Food Composter can reduce household waste by up to 50% and food scraps by 80%. It uses very little energy and works in the background to eliminate your waste, so it doesn’t just sit there until it’s full before starting.

Vitesy Shelfy

For inside your fridge, the Vitesy Shelfy is a smart fridge purifier that’s designed to extend the freshness of your fridge’s contents. Using smart sensors and photocatalytic technology, the Vitesy Shelfy is designed to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher for longer while eliminating bacteria, pollutants and odours.

Another cool feature of the Vitesy Shelf is its app monitoring. With the app, you can check your fridge to see what’s in date or due to expire. See our Vitesy Shelfy review for more details.

Ovie LightTags

Another in-fridge must-have are the Ovie LightTags. Currently only available in the US, the Ovie LightTags are reusable sticky connectors that attach to your food containers and track its freshness using internal sensors. The LightTags do this by setting a timer and tracking your food’s expiration.

The Ovie LightTags very cleverly use a traffic light system to show your food’s status. With its smart sensing light ring, it displays green for still tracking, yellow for a 24 hour warning, and red for when your food has expired. They’re also completely reusable and easy to set up.

Zwilling Fresh and Save Vacuum Food Storage

Yet another storage solution, the Zwilling Fresh and Save Vacuum Food Storage are a handy way to store your food and keep it fresher for longer. Available in glass or plastic options, the Fresh and Save uses a vacuum pump to suck the air out of the container to keep everything as fresh as possible.

What’s even better is the Zwilling Fresh and Save comes with a QR code which you can scan to check the progress of your food. The containers are all fridge, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe, and the vacuum pump has an impressive battery life and is easy to recharge. See our Zwilling Fresh and Save review for more details.

OXO Good Grips Herb Keeper Produce Saver

I don’t know about you but I can never keep herbs or plants alive, but the OXO Good Grips Herb Keeper is here to solve that problem. It looks like a mini basket and is small enough to easily fit in your fridge’s shelf or door for convenient storage.

With water at the bottom, the OXO Good Grips Herb Keeper hydrates your herbs, and the basket itself has a ventilation system to get air flowing through. It can be used for herbs like thyme, parsley, sage, dill and coriander, and can even be used for vegetables like asparagus and spring onions.

VonShef Food Dehydrator

If you often find yourself throwing away fruit and vegetables, try a dehydrator, like the VonShef Food Dehydrator. This five-tier model extracts moisture from food at low heat levels to retain flavour and nutrients, while also preserving them for longer.

The VonShef Food Dehydrator is great for fruit, vegetables, herbs, bread, and even meat and fish. Its temperature can be adjusted for drying out different sizes and types of food, and it works to prevent bacteria growth.

Watch out, Ninja – Instant Pot has just launched its new Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer, and it looks surprisingly similar to the popular Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer. Instant Pot’s new air fryer is supersized with eight functions and a large 12-litre capacity, and if I’m being honest, I think I’d pick it over the Ninja one – here’s why.

Looking at the Instant Pot Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer, there’s no denying how much it looks like the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer. It has a similar style with its dual baskets, prominent handles and touchscreen display, although there have been some major changes from the Ninja model.

Firstly, the Instant Pot Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer has a massive 12-litre capacity which is bigger than Ninja’s 10.4-litre space. However, like the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer, the main compartment of the Instant Pot Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer can be split into two, so you can choose between a large 12-litre drawer or two smaller six litre zones.

What’s even better about the smaller zones is the Instant Pot Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer comes with SyncCook and SyncFinish programmes. SyncCook allows you to mirror the settings in both zones so you can cook two batches of food at the same time and temperature.

Alternatively, the SyncFinish setting allows you to cook two different meals at the same time at different temperatures and programmes, and have the cooking process finish at the same time.

The Instant Pot Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer comes with eight functions, including the SyncFinish and SyncCook functions. The other settings are air fry, roast, grill, bake, reheat and dehydrate, so it can be used to cook just about anything. Users can select and customise these settings with the easy icons on the display.

My favourite feature of the Instant Pot Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer is its ClearCook Window. Instead of opening the air fryer drawers to check on your food’s progress, you can easily see into the air fryer with the window and the air fryer’s internal light. It also has smart indicators to show your cooking status.

Available in Black Pepper or Sea Salt White colours, the Instant Pot Vortex VersaZone 12L Air Fryer is available to buy for £199.99 at Instant Pot and select retailers, like Amazon.

If you love a frothy, milky coffee, then you need a milk frother to upgrade your morning coffee.

I’ve covered kitchen appliances for years now on T3, so I’d like to say that nothing surprises me anymore. However, an appliance that I never thought would need to be ‘upgraded’ was a milk frother.

A ‘traditional’ milk frother is a handheld gadget that looks similar to a whisk. Its controls are pretty simple with just an on/off button that whips up your milk in a minute or so. But now, today’s milk frothers are much more advanced, and can be tailored to specific milks, and even make hot and cold froth and foam.

Most bean to cup coffee machines have steam wands built into the design so you can grind your beans, brew your coffee and froth your milk all in one appliance. Some pod coffee machines have this too, but not all of them have this capability, so if you’re a milky coffee drinker, you’ll want an additional milk frother to make hot milk for your lattes, cappuccinos and even hot chocolates.

To help you find the right milk frother for you, I’ve rounded up five of the best milk frothers on the market, including models from De’Longhi, Smeg, Nespresso and more.

1. De’Longhi LatteMix Cold and Hot Frother

Best milk frother overall

Starting off strong, the De’Longhi LatteMix Cold and Hot Frother ticks all the boxes when it comes to a modern, upgraded milk frother. It makes both hot and cold foam, and can be used to whip up dairy and plant-based milks.

The design of the De’Longhi LatteMix is quite unique as it looks more like a kettle than a milk frother. It’s simple to use with three buttons that select different milk types, and cold foam. It also has precise temperature controls for each milk type, and has a stunning stainless steel design with an ergonomic handle and pointed spout.

As of writing, it’s only available in the US and is priced at $179.95.

2. Smeg Mini Milk Frother

Best high-end milk frother

Smeg’s latest milk frother is the Mini Milk Frother, and in true Smeg style, it has a retro-inspired design. Available in multiple matte and glossy colours, the Smeg Mini Milk Frother is similar to the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser (more on this below) as it uses a 500W motor and removable whisk to whip up hot milk froth, cold milk froth and hot milk.

The Smeg Mini Milk Frother can be used to make milk for tea, coffee, matcha and hot chocolate. Despite its high-end cost (prices start at £129.95) and looks, the Smeg Mini Milk Frother has one multifunction button which has temperature and size settings to choose from.

3. Nespresso NanoFoamer

Best traditional milk frother

As mentioned above, ‘traditional’ milk frothers are typically handheld and are like a motorised whisk – which is exactly what the Nespresso NanoFoamer is. The brand’s smallest and most compact milk frother yet, the Nespresso NanoFoamer is designed for cold foam and comes with two texture settings – light or dense.

As a great addition to any Nespresso pod coffee machine, the Nespresso NanoFoamer makes smooth, velvety foam for iced coffees. It has a small, lightweight design, and at just £40 / $49, the Nespresso NanoFoamer is the most affordable milk frother on this list.

4. Jura Automatic Milk Frother

Best milk frother for hot and cold milk

Another Velvetiser dupe, the Jura Automatic Milk Frother is designed for both hot and cold foam, and it can even make chocolate milk. It has one of my favourite milk frother designs, with four buttons running up the centre of the jug, so you can select pre-programmed settings.

The Jura Automatic Milk Frother can be used for dairy and plant-based milks, and it takes up minimal space in your kitchen with its compact 21cm height. It has a conic base that works as a stand so it can sit nicely next to your Jura coffee machine.

5. Dualit Milk Frother Max

Best large milk frother

If you’re making large amounts of coffee or matcha, the Dualit Milk Frother Max is a large capacity milk frother, based on its original Milk Frother. It has a capacity of 540ml for milk frother and 580ml for heated milk so it can make up to five cups at a time.

The Dualit Milk Frother Max can be used for heated and frothed milk, cold froth and hot chocolate. Its Hot Chocolate function can use chocolate flakes, buttons, powder, bars or grated chocolate to make hot chocolate – and it’s only £99.99.

BONUS: Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

Best milk frother for hot chocolate

I’ve included the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser in this list as a bonus entry as it’s not ‘technically’ a milk frother, but as many of the frothers in this guide also make heated milk for hot chocolate, I had to include it.

If it’s velvety hot chocolate you’re after, the Velvetiser makes delicious hot and cold chocolate drinks. The new version which we gave five stars in our Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review has a sleeker design and smart features, and it really is hard to beat if you want a hot chocolate maker.

KitchenAid has given one of its most popular stand mixers a fresh new look, introducing a new colourway nearly two years after the original launch. Back in September 2024, the Artisan 4.7L Tilt-Head Stand Mixer arrived in a striking Evergreen finish, complete with brass details and a walnut wooden bowl. Now, that same design has been reimagined in a more timeless Porcelain White.

The new 4.7L Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in Porcelain White keeps the same premium touches, pairing the brand’s iconic silhouette with a walnut mixing bowl. Given how popular the original colour proved, it’s easy to see this new version being just as in demand.

It’s priced at £799 via KitchenAid’s website, which actually makes it £100 cheaper than the Evergreen model, so there’s an added bonus there too.

In terms of what you get, it comes with all the essentials, including a silver-coated flat beater, dough hook and wire whisk, alongside that standout walnut mixing bowl. The bowl is food-safe, although it does require hand washing and occasional conditioning with a food-safe oil to keep it looking its best.

Like other KitchenAid stand mixers, it also features the multi-purpose Culinary Hub, making it compatible with over 15 optional attachments for everything from pasta making to food prep.

For quick and easy brews in the morning, you can’t go wrong with a pod coffee machine. There are many pod coffee maker manufacturers on the market with Nespresso and Lavazza popping up, but one brand that should also be acknowledged as making one of the best pod coffee machines has to be Illy.

Italian coffee company, Illy has been around since 1993, and is considered a luxury coffee brand. Until recently, I only knew Illy as a bean to cup coffee machine brand, mainly because of its eye-catching X1 coffee machine which looks a bit like E.T.

But I recently got my hands on the new Illy X-Caps X3 pod coffee machine, and it’s seriously impressed me with its functionality, design and cost – here’s how I got on.

Illy X-Caps X3 review: price and availability

The Illy X-Caps X3 is available to buy for £135 at Illy. It comes in matte black, matte white and glossy black. This pod coffee machine works exclusively with X-Caps capsules. Prices on these pods start at £5.20 for a pack of 10 capsules.

Illy X-Caps X3 review: design and features

The Illy X-Caps X3 was created by designer and architect, Luca Trazzi. Measuring just 10 cm in width, 34.8 cm in depth and 25.4 cm in height, the Illy X-Caps X3 is extremely slim and can easily fit into any kitchen size. It also weighs 3.4kg so it’s easy to move around if needed.

In terms of design, the Illy X-Caps X3 is very minimalistic. At the back is an 800ml water reservoir which sits behind a capsule container. At the front is a cup stand which doubles as a drip reservoir. The controls are just above the coffee dispenser, and have one shot on the left and two shots on the right.

When turning on the Illy X-Caps X3 for the first time, the buttons will appear blank. If you press them, they’ll flash until they go solid white, indicating that it’s ready to use. To make a coffee, simply slot the coffee pod into the top of the Illy X-Caps X3 and push the silver lever down. Press the shot button you want and it will start making your coffee – yes, it’s that simple.

When your coffee is down, you can push the lever back up and the used capsule will drop down into a separate container. This box can hold a good amount of used coffee pods so you don’t have to empty the bin every time you make a coffee.

Speaking of pods, the Illy X-Caps X3 works best with espresso and café lungos. It doesn’t have a milk frother so you’ll have to get a separate one if you like milky coffees. The Illy X-Caps X3 also uses Hyperinfusion technology to extract the perfect espresso by infusing water with coffee at optimum pressure and temperature conditions.

Illy X-Caps X3 review: performance

After unboxing the Illy X-Caps X3, I was surprised by how simple the controls and design were, but with pod coffee machines, you don’t need all that faff! I really appreciated how streamlined and easy the Illy X-Caps X3 was to use, and felt that it really didn’t need anything more added to it, especially for those who love espresso.

Espresso is undoubtedly what the Illy X-Caps X3 is best at making. Illy makes a wide range of coffee pods and flavours, but its espresso pods were my favourite. The taste is rich and not too bitter, so despite the coffee dispensing a little on the slower side than I was used to, clearly the Hyperinfusion technology was doing its job properly.

The integrated capsule container in the Illy X-Caps X3 was a nice touch and it held a good amount of pods at a time. I also found that the Illy X-Caps X3 was surprisingly quiet when in action, and didn’t make loud annoying ‘start-up’ noises that other pod coffee makers do. It also heated up quickly too, so I was never waiting too long for it to be ready.

The only issue I found with the Illy X-Caps X3 is that its coffee pods would occasionally stick to the inside of the machine before dropping down into the used container. I wouldn’t say this was a major problem, but it’s worth mentioning.

Another thing to point out (again) is that the Illy X-Caps X3 is a black coffee machine so if you want milk-based coffees, you’ll need to buy a milk frother or choose a different pod maker.

Illy X-Caps X3 review: verdict

I can confidently say that the Illy X-Caps X3 makes the best espresso out of any other pod coffee machines I’ve tried, so if the perfect espresso is what you’re after, I’d recommend this machine. For milky coffee drinkers, the Illy X-Caps X3 probably won’t be for you.

Overall, the Illy X-Caps X3 looks the part, performs exceptionally well, and has cute additions that most other brands haven’t thought of, like its integrated pod container. I really couldn’t find anything I didn’t like about it which is why it gets five stars.

Illy X-Caps X3 review: alternatives to consider

If simplicity is what you’re after, the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine is a good alternative to the Illy X-Caps X3. It has two controls, is compatible with multiple pod types and has a similar price to the Illy X-Caps X3.

If milk based drinks are more your thing, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea is a great pod coffee machine with a built-in steam wand and milk frother. It has an unusual design and costs £100 more than the Illy X-Caps X3 at £249 but you do get the option to make cappuccinos and lattes.

Ninja has just upgraded its popular Luxe Café Pro bean to cup coffee machine with a new limited edition colourway – and it’s David Beckham approved. The Ninja Luxe Café Pro has been co-designed with Beckham and is now available in matte black, stainless steel, gold and wood.

Former professional footballer David Beckham has been a global brand ambassador for SharkNinja since 2024. He has endorsed many of Ninja’s appliances, including its line-up of coffee machines and air fryers. As an avid coffee fan, the new Ninja Luxe Café Pro now comes in colours and material that are inspired by his roots.

For those new to Ninja’s coffee machine range, the brand launched the Ninja Luxe Café back in 2024. Since then, it’s introduced the ‘pro’ version which differs from the original with its control panel, milk frother and integrated tamper.

The new Ninja Luxe Café Pro still has the same design and features as the non-limited edition version, but it now has a more luxurious colour. It features a matte black and stainless steel body but has been enhanced with gold on the logo, control knob, milk frother, tamper and jug.

Wood is also a new accent that’s been introduced to the Ninja Luxe Café Pro. The black chestnut wood grain material has been added to the milk jug and tamper handles. It’s inspired by the natural textures of the English countryside which is where Beckham is from.

I’m usually a bit hesitant about celebrity appliance collaborations, but I love the look of the Ninja Luxe Café Pro x David Beckham. It looks more premium than before and is definitely something that would look beautiful in any kitchen type. It will cost you though at £849.99 / $899.

This David Beckham collaboration isn’t the only limited edition colour that Ninja will be announcing. In May 2026, Ninja will be introducing seven limited edition colours for its Ninja Luxe Café Pro and Ninja Luxe Café Premier machines, including colours like Oat Milk, CyberSpace, Ash Green and Raspberry Blush.

Russell Hobbs has launched its new Chilluxe Ice Cream Maker, arriving just in time for the warmer weather. It comes with seven auto functions – including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yoghurt and milkshakes – as well as a re-spin option for an even smoother finish.

Similar to the Ninja Creami, the Chilluxe uses pre-frozen ingredients. This means you add your mixture into the included tubs, freeze them for around 24 hours, then process them in the machine. It comes with two 500ml lidded freezer tubs, which is great if you want to prep multiple flavours in advance.

It’s also slightly more affordable than its biggest rival, coming in at £159.99 compared to the Ninja Creami’s £200 RRP (or £250 for the Deluxe version). You can pick it up directly from Russell Hobbs or retailers like Argos.

With 800W of power and a contemporary baked stone finish, the Chilluxe feels like both a practical and stylish addition to the kitchen. It also contributes the growing trend for appliances in more design-led colourways, with neutral tones proving especially popular – something we’ve already seen with the Cuisinart Blast & Go and the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer.

Dreame has launched its very first bean-to-cup coffee machine, and it’s just as compact as it is stylish. The Dreame Ecceluxe measures just 18cm wide and 31.5cm high, making it around 35% slimmer than your typical coffee machine. Despite that, it still offers five different drink options, ranging from espresso to cappuccino.

The Ecceluxe marks Dreame’s first step into coffee, launching around the same time as its debut smart locks. It’s not entirely surprising, especially after the brand revealed at CES in January that it was expanding into a full ecosystem of smart home appliances.

It’s available now via Dreame’s online store for £469 (currently reduced from £499) and comes with a two-year warranty. It hasn’t launched in the US just yet, but when it does, it’s expected to cost $799.

In terms of features, Dreame highlights a 9-level low-noise grinding system alongside what it calls “golden silky-smooth extraction.” The external milk frother has a 240ml capacity – enough for around two drinks before needing a refill – whilst the 1.5-litre water tank is also a good size for a machine this compact.

There’s also a built-in self-cleaning system that takes care of everything from the brewing unit and descaling to milk system cleaning and tube emptying. It appears to fit neatly into the back of the machine, with controls accessible via the touchscreen.

It’s definitely one we’re keen to try, especially as compact, fully automatic machines continue to grow in popularity. If you’re looking for an alternative in the meantime, the Philips Baristina recently earned four stars in its full review.

Philips has launched yet another bean-to-cup coffee machine just weeks after the Baristina. However, the new Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series is much closer to models like the Series 5500 LatteGo, offering over 50 drink options and up to eight user profiles, making it ideal for busy households with multiple coffee drinkers.

It’s also the first machine in the Philips range to feature a Virtual Barista Assistant. Built directly into the machine and accessible via the Philips HomeID app, it helps guide you through personalising your coffee – from strength and volume to texture.

The Café Aromis 8000 Series is available now for £849.99 from the Philips website, as well as retailers like Argos and John Lewis. It’s also already launched in the US (around a month earlier) with an RRP of $1,699.99.

The Café Aromis uses its BrewExtract technology to dose and press more freshly ground beans, aiming to deliver a more consistent result with every cup. It also comes in a sleek silver finish – which we haven’t really seen from Philips before – and features a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, 15-bar pump pressure, 12 grind settings and the ability to brew two drinks at once.

Philips has also focused on making the machine easier to live with day-to-day. Its SilentBrew technology uses sound shielding and quieter grinding to reduce noise levels, whilst the LatteGo Pro milk system can be cleaned in as little as 10 seconds, either by hand or in the dishwasher.

Charley Parnell, coffee expert at Philips, said: “The Café Aromis is perfect for people who want to take their love of coffee to the next level. There are 54 hot and cold drink options to choose from, and combined with the LatteGo Pro milk frother, it delivers a barista-quality experience all year round.”

A lot of you will know I’m a huge fan of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, especially the ones from De’Longhi itself. I’ve been lucky enough to test most of the brand’s machines, ranging from the Eletta Explore to the La Specialista Touch, but after realising we’d missed a pretty important gap from 2023, I thought it’d be a good idea to go back and fill it in.

So, if you’re wondering why I’m reviewing the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro despite its launch being a few years ago – this is exactly why. I also know a lot of potential buyers like to compare models side by side, so think of this as helping you do just that.

You’ll find my full thoughts below, including whether the Maestro is still worth considering alongside all the newer models.

Price and availability

The La Specialista Maestro is priced at £1,299.99 in the UK and $1,299.95 in the US, placing it right at the top of De’Longhi’s La Specialista range.

There’s no denying it’s expensive, but there’s also a lot going on here that helps justify that price. It’s available directly from De’Longhi’s online store, as well as retailers like Argos and John Lewis.

Unboxing and set up

Setting up the Maestro involves unboxing everything and giving the removable parts – like the water tank, drip tray and accessories – a quick rinse and dry. Once that was done, I inserted the drip tray and cup rest, filled the 2.5-litre water tank with fresh water and slotted it back into place, and finally plugged the machine in and switched it on.

The machine also prompted me to run an initial rinse cycle to clean the internal system, which involved placing a container under the hot water spout and steam wand, then starting the rinse. After that, I inserted a filter basket into the portafilter, attached it to the group head, and ran another short water cycle through it. This warms everything up and ensures it’s clean before your first coffee.

Once everything was rinsed and warmed up, I moved onto my coffee setup. This includes filling the bean hopper, adjusting the grind size and starting to experimenting. I'll talk about this more in a little while, but that's all there is to it.

Design and features

The De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro is definitely a bean-to-cup machine for people who enjoy the coffee-making process. You’ve got the integrated bean hopper and grinder at the top, alongside a front-facing control panel with dials and buttons that make it feel more interactive than a typical automatic machine.

That said, it is big. I actually had to move it to a completely different part of my kitchen because it didn’t fit where I usually test machines, so I’d definitely recommend measuring your space beforehand, especially if you’re planning to place it under cabinets. It’s also pretty heavy at over 14kg, so it’s not something you’ll want to move around often.

Alongside the bean hopper, you get an integrated burr grinder with up to 15 grind settings, so you can fine-tune your coffee depending on the beans you’re using. This pairs with De’Longhi’s Smart Tamping Station, which lets you tamp directly in the machine with consistent pressure and minimal mess. We’ve only really seen this on the La Specialista Opera, and I think it makes one of the trickier parts of espresso-making much easier.

Active Temperature Control with PID keeps the water temperature stable throughout extraction, whilst dynamic pre-infusion adjusts based on your grind and dose for more even saturation. It also heats up quickly thanks to its thermoblock system, meaning it’s ready to go in under 20 seconds.

You also get a wide range of pre-set drink options, including espresso, americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, flat white and even cold brew. The cold extraction feature lets you make cold brew-style drinks in under five minutes, which you don’t often see on machines like this.

Milk frothing is handled by the My LatteArt steam wand, designed to create silky microfoam for latte art whilst staying cool to the touch. There’s also the LatteCrema system for automatic frothing, so you can choose between a hands-on or hands-off approach depending on your mood or skill level.

Performance

When it comes to actually using the machine, the Maestro is definitely one of the more complex machines I’ve used – especially within De’Longhi’s lineup. It took me quite a while to dial everything in properly as I often found my grind was too fine, and getting the dose right took a bit of trial and error. Eventually, I settled on a dose of 18 for a double shot and a grind setting of 6, which gave me consistently great espresso. Just be aware that you’ll likely need to experiment a bit before finding your perfect setup.

Once everything is settled, it's clear that the Maestro strikes a really nice balance between automation and control. After tamping with the Smart Tamping Station, you just have to lock in the portafilter, select your drink via the dial and press the central “OK” button. From there, the machine takes over with pre-infusion and extraction, clearly shown on the display. I will say that the tamping wasn’t the most effective I’ve tried. I often had to go back in once or even twice to get a more compact puck, but it was more the case with double shots rather than singles.

It’s all very intuitive, and impressively quick too. The fast heat-up time makes a real difference, and I especially appreciated it during busy mornings. Take a look at my TikTok below for a better visual:

Milk frothing is another area where the Maestro feels versatile. The steam wand is powerful and capable of producing excellent microfoam, but it does take a bit of practice to get right, especially if you’re particular about texture. On the other hand, the LatteCrema system just involves attaching the milk container and selecting your froth level – even adjusting the order of milk and coffee depending on the drink.

That said, you can’t fully customise the milk quantity, and I did find that on some settings, the milk wasn’t quite hot enough for my liking. Still, it’s a great time-saving option, and I like that you can adjust the froth level via the dial. Just be prepared to clean it thoroughly, as milk can easily get trapped in the tubes.

I found the performance across each drink option to be very impressive, and the results were always consistently strong. The cold extraction mode doesn’t perfectly replicate traditional cold brew, but it gets surprisingly close in both taste and texture – and is, of course, a lot faster.

Verdict

The De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro is a premium espresso machine that’s best suited to coffee enthusiasts who really enjoy the process of making coffee. It delivers excellent results across a wide range of drinks and offers a great balance between hands-on control and helpful automation. That said, it’s not the most beginner-friendly option – dialling it in takes time, and its size and price won’t suit everyone. However, if you’re willing to put in the effort, it's a great machine that still holds its own against newer models.

Alternatives to consider

If you’re after something a bit simpler and more approachable from De’Longhi, the La Specialista Touch is a great alternative. It’s more compact but still delivers really customisable, café-quality coffee.

If you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, the Ninja Luxe Café is also well worth considering. Its 3-in-1 functionality makes it a versatile option, especially if you want a strong performance without spending quite as much.

KitchenAid has launched three new bean-to-cup coffee machines, each introducing dedicated over-ice coffee and espresso settings. These brew at a lower temperature, allowing coffee lovers to create lighter drinks that can be enjoyed hot or poured over ice.

The new KF2, KF3 and KF4 models are also designed to be more compact, coming in at around 25% smaller than KitchenAid’s KF6, KF7 and KF8 fully automatic machines, whilst still offering an impressive 24 pre-set drink options.

All three machines will be available from 4th May, launching first in the US before rolling out to the UK and Europe. Pricing starts at $799.99 for the KF2, $999.99 for the KF3 and $1,299.99 for the KF4.

When it comes to milk-based drinks, there are two different approaches depending on the model. The KF3 and KF4 feature KitchenAid’s AutoMilk System, which automatically textures milk for smooth foam, whilst the entry KF2 model opts for a more hands-on Panarello steam wand.

All three models are also certified by Quiet Mark as some of the quieter machines in the espresso category. They also include the brand’s IntelliGrind and Aroma Balance systems, which automatically adjust grind and extraction based on the unique characteristics of each bean, such as size, density and roast level.

Speaking about the launch, Chadwick Ries, Global Head of Product, Brand and Insights at KitchenAid Small Appliances, said: “We designed the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Iced Coffee to help people explore a world of coffee at home in an easy, intuitive way. From perfectly brewed iced coffee to classic espresso drinks, this compact machine delivers variety, performance and quiet operation in a format that fits effortlessly into any home and everyday life.”

Typhur has just launched its new Sync air fryer which it claims has a ‘world’s first’ feature that makes cooking your meals faster and more accurate. The Typhur Sync has a built-in wireless thermometer and comes with AI recipe suggestions, but I miss the old design – here’s why.

Compared to other air fryer brands, Typhur is still a relatively new name, having launched back in 2019. However, it quickly became well known for its Typhur Dome, the world’s fastest air fryer with a unique dome-like design that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie!

Now, Typhur has introduced a new model to its air fryer line-up called the Typhur Sync Air Fryer. Unlike the Dome, the Typhur Sync has a fairly traditional design with a square shape, touch controls at the top and a single basket with handle. I have to say, I miss the old Dome design and wish the Sync still had it but it has a surprising amount of smarts under its hood.

For starters, the Typhur Sync is being called ‘the world’s first air fryer with a fully integrated wireless thermometer’. The thermometer is a five-point wireless probe that has a +0.5°F accuracy and is designed to track your food's internal temperature in real-time so you don’t have to keep opening the basket to check on progress.

Using the Typhur app or the control panel, you simply select the meat type and ‘doneness’ level, and the thermometer will track this. When food hits the target temperature, the air fryer automatically stops cooking.

The thermometer is a clever feature although it’s not an entirely new concept as many air fryers have a hidden built-in thermometer. However, current air fryer thermometers aren’t as high tech or integrated in the design so the Typhur Sync thermometer is certainly one-of-a-kind.

Despite being a single basket air fryer, the Typhur Sync has an eight quart capacity which can fit a whole chicken inside. It has nine functions, including air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat and more, so it’s handy for air fryer beginners.

But if you want even more guidance, the Typhur Sync offers AI features via the app. The best one is the Snap & Cook feature which allows you to take a picture of your ingredients and upload them to the app where it’ll give you recipe suggestions and specific times and temperatures for each meal.

The Typhur Sync is available to buy for $219 at Typhur. As of writing, it’s not yet available in the UK.

If you’re looking for a new air fryer, chances are you’re thinking of the many features and functions you want it to have. Do you want a dual basket or a single zone? Is a touchscreen important to you or would you prefer buttons? Regardless, you’re probably not thinking too hard about what colour it should be – but you should.

Air fryers come in many shapes, sizes and colours. While black, grey and silver are the most popular, air fryers come in colours like white, blue, green, red and even rose quartz – yes, really. These more ‘unusual’ colours are typically special editions of brands’ popular models.

It goes without saying but the colour of your air fryer doesn’t affect the way it performs – but it might impact its durability and how aesthetically pleasing it looks in your kitchen. With this in mind, this is the air fryer colour you should avoid buying.

What colour air fryer should you buy?

Based on user feedback, white is the air fryer colour you should avoid. White air fryers are quite rare but they’re typically limited edition versions of popular designs, as mentioned before. While they might look nice initially, white and lighter colour air fryers can lose their colour over time.

The main reason for this is the high heat that air fryers use can cause discolouration which is more obvious on lighter colours, like white. Due to this, the white colour can turn yellow or even green which makes your air fryer look dirty and will likely make you want to replace it sooner than you might actually need to.

The white air fryer you’ve had your eye on might look nice for the first few uses, but you’re better off with a black, grey or stainless steel model. These colours are more durable and hide discolouration better, making them look cleaner for longer – although you should still be cleaning your air fryer regularly for hygiene purposes!

Another aesthetic thing to avoid is an air fryer with a gloss finish. I’m personally not a fan of super shiny appliances as finger marks and stains show up extremely easily, making them look grubby and unclean. This is the case with glossy air fryers, especially on the inside as oil and food can splatter while cooking.

JURA has just debuted the Automatic Milk Frother, a new coffee machine accessory that will excite both coffee and chocolate drink lovers. Inside a stylish and compact design, the JURA Automatic Milk Frother makes both hot and cold foams and can even make chocolate milk – and it’s surprisingly affordable, too.

A trend that many bean to cup coffee machine manufacturers have started to embrace in recent years is cold brew. Iced or cold brew coffee is much more complicated to make than you might first think – no, pouring cold water over coffee grounds isn’t the way to do it!

Instead, making iced and cold coffees is quite a rigorous process and can even take up to 24 hours. Now, modern coffee machines come with cold brew settings which use rapid, low-pressure extraction and circulate cold water into coffee grounds to drastically reduce extraction time to around five minutes.

But what about if you just want cold foam? Well, that’s where the JURA Automatic Milk Frother comes in. The new milk frother has four preparation options which can make hot and cold milk foam, hot milk and even chocolate milk. It can also be used for both dairy and plant-based milks.

The chocolate milk feature is my favourite as it works in a similar way to the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser in that it whips up the milk using pieces of fine chocolate. The JURA Automatic Milk Frother is easy to use too, with just four buttons down the middle of the frother that activate pre-programmed settings for the best results.

The design of the JURA Automatic Milk Frother is surprisingly compact, measuring just 21cm in height and 13cm in diameter. It has a curved spout for easy pouring and the conic base acts as a stand for the gadget so it can sit comfortably in your kitchen.

Made from stainless steel, the JURA Automatic Milk Frother regulates temperature for each milk and froth type, and has automatic switch off and standby modes to help save energy. JURA has really thought of everything with this new accessory, and it makes the perfect companion to its coffee machines.

The JURA Automatic Milk Frother is available to buy for £99.95 at JURA.

Ninja’s Slushi Max is now available to buy in the UK after first launching in the US last October. The original Ninja Slushi scored an impressive four stars in our full review, despite its smaller capacity being one of the few drawbacks. The new Slushi Max addresses that with a much larger 4.4-litre capacity, compared to the original’s 2.5 litres, allowing it to make over 12 drinks at once.

There are also six smart presets to choose from, including Frozen Juice, Frozen Cocktail, Frozen Cocktail Max, Slush, Milkshake and the clever SlushAssist mode, which senses the ingredients and automatically adjusts the settings for hands-free slushing.

The Slushi Max is available now through Ninja’s online store for £349.99, and comes in a sleek mocha finish. Unfortunately, the UK launch hasn’t included the pastel colourways seen in the US just yet, but there’s always a chance they could arrive later.

The Slushi Max also launches alongside the Slushi XL, which sits between the Max and the original model with a 3.7-litre capacity. It features the same preset modes, including SlushAssist, offering another option for buyers who want a larger machine without going all the way up to the Max.

The Slushi XL is not yet available to buy, but Ninja's website says it'll be here later this month for £329.99

Hosting Easter lunch this year? Here are nine cooking appliances and cookware you need for your best Easter yet – all tested and certified by a kitchen expert.

Fun fact for you, Easter is one of my favourite holidays, and it’s all down to the food. I’ve hosted Easter at my house many times, and I’ve managed to perfect the full roast dinner, desserts and treats, thanks to a few handy appliances.

Below, I’ve rounded up my favourite Easter cooking essentials that will make your lunch delicious and stress-free. These include an oven for the main leg of lamb, a dual air fryer for sides, decorative plates for serving and spring-inspired accessories for baking.

The only Easter appliances you’ll need

Xiaomi has unveiled a new air fryer featuring 11 cooking functions, including steaming and sous vide mode. The appliance features an integrated 1.5-litre water tank, positioned on the top of the unit, making it easy to access and refill.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen an air fryer introduce a steaming function, with the Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Air Fryer and Steamer offering something similar. However, the addition of a dedicated sous vide setting is far more unusual, and could hint at a new direction for the best air fryers in general.

The new Mijia Smart Air Fryer Pro Steam & Roast Version 6.5L is currently available exclusively in China through crowdfunding, with an early pledge price of CNY 559 or around $81. It’s expected to retail at CNY 749 (around $109) once officially released, although it’s not yet clear whether the model will launch in other global markets.

The Mijia Smart Air Fryer Pro offers a temperature range between 30°C and 230°C, allowing it to handle everything from low-temperature cooking to high-heat crisping. It also features a 360° hot-air circulation system, designed to distribute heat evenly for more consistent results, and its steaming function can reach 130°C.

Like many of the brand’s smart home devices, the fryer supports Xiaomi HyperOS Connect, meaning it can be monitored and controlled remotely through the Xiaomi app. For those who prefer hands-on adjustments, there’s also a built-in front dial that allows you to tweak settings directly on the appliance.

Aarke has debuted its latest drip coffee maker, the Aarke Coffee Maker, and it might be the most stylish and smartest model I’ve ever seen – but it’ll cost you.

As someone who has tested many coffee machines, including bean-to-cup and pod models, I have become a complete coffee snob. While I have tried drip coffee makers previously, they never quite live up to my expectations, nor the performance that my bean-to-cup machine has.

But the Aarke Coffee Maker might have convinced me to try drip coffee again, although I will have to save up for a bit before I buy it! The Aarke Coffee Maker is an electric drip filter coffee brewer that’s packed full of clever coffee making features inside an attractive, stainless steel package.

Compared to traditional drip coffee makers, the Aarke Coffee Maker looks much more modern and stylish. Personally, I think it looks like something out of a sci-fi film with the tube-like interchangeable brewing container, and round drip shower head, and it looks a lot less clunky than drip coffee makers you see in offices.

With its 1.25-litre capacity, the Aarke Coffee Maker can brew a full pot of coffee in just six minutes, which can cater for up to 10 people. Its temperatures vary between 92°- 96°C regardless of the volume of coffee you’re making, and it has a smart hot plate which keeps coffee warm while it sits there. It does this without burning the coffee and preserving the flavour.

The Aarke Coffee Maker has a simple one-button design for quick use. If you hold it for three seconds, the Aarke Coffee Maker will start the blooming mode which pre-soaks your coffee grounds at the start of the brewing process to enhance the flavour.

Other handy features of the Aarke Coffee Maker include its water level sensor, 360° filter basket and its water tank which lights up so you can reach the water level. You’ll need to buy a separate coffee grinder but it comes with everything else you need, including a filter basket, glass carafe, lids and measuring spoon.

The Aarke Coffee Maker comes in matte black and steel colours, and is priced at £300 / $400 at Aarke. The brand has also added a new stylish colourway called Sand which is already available in the US, but is up for pre-order in the UK with an expected launch date of May 5th.

Nespresso is undoubtedly the king of pod coffee machines. From their original series to their Vertuo range, they’ve consistently set the benchmark for what a good pod machine can do, and with the new Nespresso Vertuo Up, they’ve raised the bar again. If you’re in the market for one of the best pod machines that money can buy, then this one should be at the top of your list.

It’s been years since Nespresso has had a revamp on their Vertuo range, and the Vertuo Up arrives with a handful of genuinely impressive upgrades. For a start, they’ve increased how fast you can get your coffee with a three-second heat-up time, and included Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity via the Nespresso app. An iced coffee mode is there for the ice latte fans, and there’s even an option to customise brew strength and temperature. All that is before we start looking at the design upgrades, which include a slimmer body and enough space for a travel cup.

I’ve spent some serious time with the Nespresso Vertuo Up over the last couple of days, testing out all the functions and working through a variety of capsules. What really stood out to me was how effortless the whole experience feels. This pod machine is perfect for anyone who wants to be able to enjoy a range of coffee sizes and styles without the faff of a bean-to-cup coffee machine.

As with any Nespresso Vertuo, there are a few downsides that are worth considering before making that commitment, such as the cost of the pods, these things aren’t cheap if you enjoy multiple cups of coffee a day. But without further ado, read on to find out whether I think the Nespresso Up is worth the upgrade or not.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: price and availability

The Nespresso Up retails at £179.99 and is available from Amazon or directly from Nespresso. All Nespresso Vertuo machines come with a 2-year limited warranty from the date of purchase.

The Nespresso Up sits right in the middle of the Nespresso Vertuo range. It’s not as budget-friendly as the Vertuo Pop, which retails at £99, but nowhere near as pricey as the Vertuo Creatista, which has a price tag of £649. It should be noted that Nespresso run regular sales throughout the year, which offer significant savings for new customers.

The real cost when it comes to purchasing a Nespresso Vertuo Up is the pods. There’s no better way of putting it – they are not cheap. You have to buy them in sleeves of 10, and prices start from £4.70 for a 25ml ristretto pods all the way up to £8.50 a sleeve for limited edition, XL and coffee creation pods.

Nespresso do offer a subscription service on their Vertuo machines. You pay less for your machine, and then pay a monthly direct debit, which turns into credit to spend on pods. You receive benefits like a free sleeve if you order over 70 pods, money off accessories and free delivery.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: design and features

The Nespresso Vertuo Up has had a bit of a glow-up in terms of design. Let’s start with the colour choices, you can choose from white, black, blue and grey. I tested the blue and it’s lovely, it’s more of a dark teal and the colour is just on the side panels with the rest of it in black so it looks sleek and stylish on the side.

It’s a great choice for anyone who doesn’t have loads of free space on their counter because the Nespresso Vertuo Up is very compact. It measures in at 49 x 12 x 25.5cm and the 1.4 litre water tank can be manoeuvred to sit on the left, right or directly behind the machine, so whatever space you’re placing it in, you can work it so it takes up the least room. It’s not as tall as other versions so if you have wall cupboards, you can easily push it under them and still be able to lift the lever and pop your pod in without having to pull the machine out every time you want a coffee, something I struggled with when I owned a different Nespresso Vertuo.

The build quality is solid, it doesn’t feel cheap or plastic. I think the redesigned lever and the brushed gold accents give this machine a premium look and feel. For anyone who likes to take a coffee with them on the go, it now has clearance for a travel mug so you can pop the pod in and be out of the door in less than a minute.

The Nespresso Vertuo Up comes with a host of feature upgrades. The standout is the coffee creations button, which allows users to brew a more concentrated version of their favourite coffee to use specifically with iced and milky drinks. There’s also a faster heat-up time, and it now takes just three seconds to heat up, plus WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. My personal favourite feature is the ability to adjust brew size and temperature within the app, so you can get your ideal cup of coffee.

Like with other models in the Vertuo range, you still have access to 7 cup sizes, including Ristretto, Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug, XL Coffee and Carafe.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: performance

The Nespresso Vertuo Up machine performs incredibly well and just from my first pod, I was left wondering why I ever got rid of my old Nespresso Vertuo in the first place. It’s incredibly easy to use, which is something you really notice if you’ve been using a bean-to-cup machine.

There’s just two buttons to master, the first being the coffee creations button and the second the brew button. If you’ve not owned a Vertuo before and you’re wondering how you switch from an Americano to an espresso, the pod does all the hard work. Each pod has a barcode which is read by the machine and it releases the right amount of coffee for the type of pod you’ve selected.

This feature has been made even better by the app. When you open the machine up you get a QR code to scan that downloads the Nespresso app. Just have your WiFi password ready, turn on the machine and the app will automatically connect with the Vertuo. This was super easy, and it didn’t spend ages trying to find it, just took less than a minute and I was connected.

If you’re wondering why you’d need an app for a coffee machine, which I’ll be honest, I was a little grumpy about myself, believe me, you do. The app gives you access to be able to customise your drinks. You select the pod you’re using, decide whether to make the drink longer or shorter (great if you’re like me and have a giant mug) and also, which is honestly one of my favourite things about this machine, you can make it hotter. One thing I hate about pod machines is the water is never as hot as I’d like it, and thanks to the Vertuo Up, that problem is solved.

The coffee creations mode is another game-changing feature. It allows you to create concentrated versions of your coffee so you can use them with iced or milky drinks. If you love an iced latte, you’ll already know how frustrating it is to make one at home and have it taste weak and watered down. This function stops that from happening.

I was really impressed by how this function kept the depth and flavour of the coffee with no bitterness at all, perfect for an iced latte. Same goes for a regular latte too, the coffee creations button just makes it taste so nice, you’d struggle to tell the difference between your at home creation and something whipped up by a barista.

It's quite noisy, and certainly louder than previous versions. It’s not the kind of noise that will ruin your morning, as even if you’re making a mug of coffee it produces it so quickly that it’s not running for that long.

The biggest limitation, which I know I’ve already mentioned, is the cost of the pods. Unlike original Nespresso pods, you can’t buy generic versions of the Vertuo capsules. You have to buy them from Nespresso (although Amazon do sell them, just don’t expect a wide choice) and you can only buy in packs of 10. The regular coffee isn’t too bad with prices starting from £4.70 for a pack of Ristretto pods but if you want limited edition flavours or speciality coffee, like the iced coffee pods, then you’re going to be looking at spending up to £8.50 for 10.

How you view the pricing does depend on how you drink coffee. If you’re replacing your daily Starbucks with a cup from your Vertuo, it’s a no-brainer as you’ll find yourself saving money. If you have multiple cups of coffee a day, you’re going to find that it starts to get a little expensive.

Overall, if your priority is a good, barista-style coffee at home with no-fuss or mess or you love your iced and milky drinks, the Nespresso Vertuo Up delivers and is a great choice.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: verdict

The Nespresso Vertuo Up hasn’t exactly reinvented the pod machine as you’ll still get a decent cup of coffee with any of the Vertuo range. But what it has done is improve the machine to make it more user-friendly and customisable.

The coffee creations button is a huge plus for anyone who prefers an iced latte or flat white to a black coffee, because you’ll be able to create coffee shop-style iced and milky drinks at home with no fuss and no loss of flavour.

If you already own a Vertuo and you’re wondering whether it’s a good time to upgrade, then this machine does genuinely have some useful upgrades like the coffee creations button, faster heat-up time, a sleeker design and the ability to customise your drink to how you like it. It would definitely make me consider an upgrade, especially if the machine is in daily use.

Back to the price of the pods again, the pod costs do add up. If you’re a coffee purist, nothing is going to lure you away from the control you get from a traditional coffee machine, but if you’re looking for a machine that delivers great coffee with minimal effort, the Nespresso Vertuo Up is one of the best pod machines you can buy right now.