Collection: Best Coffee Machine Under £100: My Smarter Coffee Maker Review
The Quest for the Perfect Cup: My £100 Coffee Machine Odyssey
Listen, I'm a creature of habit. My morning routine is as predictable as the sunrise: wake up, stumble to the kitchen, and pray to the coffee gods for a decent cup of joe. But lately, my trusty old coffee maker has been acting up, spitting out lukewarm sludge that wouldn't even impress a toddler. So, I embarked on a quest for a new coffee machine, one that wouldn't break the bank (because let's be real, I spend enough on coffee as it is) and would actually make a decent cup of coffee.
The £100 Challenge: A Budget-Friendly Brew
My budget was a strict £100, which is about the price of a decent bottle of wine (or two, depending on your taste). I knew I wouldn't be getting a fancy, high-tech espresso machine with all the bells and whistles, but I was hoping for something that could at least make a decent cup of coffee without sacrificing my soul to the caffeine gods.
The Contenders: A Battle Royale of Coffee Makers
I scoured the internet, reading reviews, watching YouTube videos, and even consulting with my coffee-loving friends. The contenders were many, but I narrowed it down to a few key players:
- The Ninja Smart Coffee Maker: This bad boy promised to make everything from drip coffee to iced coffee, and even had a built-in grinder. But at £150, it was way out of my price range.
- The Bosch Smart Coffee Machine: This sleek machine boasted a smart app and voice control, but it was also a bit pricey at £120.
- The Smarter Coffee Machine: This budget-friendly option came in two generations, with the first generation being a bit more affordable. It promised a decent cup of coffee and a simple interface, but some reviewers complained about its reliability.
- The "Generic" Coffee Maker: I know, I know, it's not very exciting. But let's be honest, sometimes the best things in life are simple. I found a few decent coffee makers on Amazon for under £50, and I figured they couldn't be that bad.
The Verdict: A Budget-Friendly Brew That Doesn't Suck
After much deliberation, I decided to go with the Smarter Coffee Machine 1st Generation. It was the most affordable option, and I figured I could always upgrade later if I wasn't happy with it. Plus, it had a carafe, which is a fancy way of saying "a big pot," and I'm a big fan of big pots of coffee.
And guess what? It's actually pretty good! The coffee is decent, the machine is easy to use, and it even has a timer so I can wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. It's not the most fancy coffee machine on the market, but it gets the job done and it's definitely worth the price.
Final Thoughts: A Coffee Machine That Doesn't Break the Bank
So, if you're looking for a decent coffee machine under £100, I highly recommend the Smarter Coffee Machine 1st Generation. It's not perfect, but it's a solid option for the price. And hey, if you're really feeling fancy, you can always upgrade to the 2nd generation, which has a few extra features. But for me, the 1st generation is more than enough to get my caffeine fix in the morning.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a big pot of coffee to drink. Cheers!