Nescafé Dolce Gusto (by De'Longhi)Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus

The Genio S Plus wins on breadth. Its Dolce Gusto pods cover far more than coffee, from cappuccino and latte macchiato to Nesquik, teas and cold drinks, and the pods are among the cheapest and most widely stocked in UK supermarkets. The Plus model adds cold-drink capability, touch controls and adjustable strength and volume over the standard Genio S, and its machine price is the lowest here at an indicative £69. The honest trade-off against the Nespresso machines above is coffee quality: Dolce Gusto runs at a lower pressure (around 15 bar versus Nespresso's 19) and its milky drinks come from a separate powder-based milk pod rather than fresh-frothed milk, so espresso purists will find it thinner. It ranks third because for a whole household that wants variety and low running costs, that compromise is easy to accept.