As the UK's coffee culture continues to evolve, many of us are no longer satisfied with just a morning flat white. The demand for smooth, low-acidity cold brew and refreshing iced coffee at home has grown, leading to a common dilemma: do you need separate machines for your hot and cold coffee cravings? The good news is, you don't.
Modern coffee machines now offer the versatility to be both a traditional espresso maker and a sophisticated home cold brew system. This guide is designed to help you navigate the features and find a machine that suits your lifestyle, without the confusing marketing jargon. We'll look at what makes a great coffee machine for hot and cold drinks and highlight some standout models.
Before diving into specific models, it's helpful to understand a few key considerations. This will ensure you select a machine that truly meets your needs.
It's important to distinguish between true cold brew and simple iced coffee.
Your preference for convenience versus hands-on brewing will guide your choice.
Here are our recommendations for machines that skilfully blend hot and cold coffee capabilities.
Why It Stands Out: The Sage Barista Touch Impress brings professional café technology into the home with a focus on simplifying the espresso-making process. Its standout feature is the new Cold Extraction capability, which prepares a smooth cold brew in under three minutes. The intuitive touchscreen provides step-by-step barista guidance, and the Impress Puck System assists with intelligent dosing and tamping to ensure a perfect coffee puck every time.
The machine also features Auto MilQ, a hands-free microfoam system with settings optimised for dairy, oat, almond and soy milk. According to Sage, its ThermoJet heating system reaches the optimum extraction temperature in just three seconds and uses up to 32% less energy annually compared to a standard Thermoblock system.
Pros:
Who is it for? The home barista who wants to perfect their espresso skills while also having the ability to create trendy cold coffee drinks with speed and precision.
Why It Stands Out: For the coffee enthusiast on the move, the STARESSO set is a complete manual brewing solution. This compact and durable system includes a portable espresso maker and a high-quality manual burr grinder. It requires no electricity, allowing you to brew espresso or cold brew using just ground coffee and water (hot or cold). The included grinder features CNC-machined stainless steel conical burrs and 12 precise grind settings, ensuring you get the right consistency for your chosen brew method. The entire kit packs neatly into a waterproof carrying bag, making it an excellent companion for travel, camping or even just a small office space.
Pros:
Who is it for? The adventurous coffee lover, frequent traveller or anyone with limited kitchen space who doesn't want to compromise on the quality of their coffee.
Why It Stands Out: The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is a true all-in-one coffee machine for hot and cold drinks. It offers an incredible menu of over 50 one-touch recipes, all accessible via a vibrant 3.5” colour display. Its key innovation lies in its dual milk systems: the LatteCrema Hot carafe for classic cappuccinos and the LatteCrema Cool carafe for creating creamy, cold milk foam for iced lattes.
Furthermore, its Cold Extraction Technology can produce a refreshing cold brew in under five minutes. As a fully automatic bean to cup with cold brew machine, it handles everything from grinding the beans with its adjustable grinder to cleaning itself, delivering unparalleled convenience and variety.
Pros:
Who is it for? The household that craves variety and ultimate convenience. It's perfect for families with different coffee preferences or anyone who loves exploring a wide range of café-style drinks at home.
The world of coffee is vast, and your perfect machine might be waiting just around the corner. If these recommendations aren't quite what you're looking for, or if you'd like to browse a wider selection of machines and accessories, we invite you to explore our full range.
[Explore our complete collection of coffee machines and fresh beans here.](https://www.joybuy.co.uk/explore/coffee-beans-coffee-machine/kpaVQGUw)
1. Can you make cold brew in a regular coffee machine? A standard drip or espresso machine is not designed for cold brew, as it only uses hot water. Pouring hot coffee over ice creates iced coffee, not cold brew, which has a different flavour profile. To make true cold brew, you need a machine with specific cold water extraction technology or a manual cold brew maker.
2. Is a cold brew coffee machine worth it? If you frequently buy cold brew from cafés, a machine with this capability can be a worthwhile investment. It offers convenience, consistency and the ability to customise the strength and flavour to your liking. For those who enjoy both hot and cold coffee, an all-in-one machine provides excellent value and versatility.
3. What is the main difference between cold brew and iced coffee? The key difference is the brewing method and temperature. Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for a long time, resulting in a smooth, low-acidity concentrate. Iced coffee is simply hot-brewed coffee that has been cooled down, usually by pouring it over ice, which can make it taste more acidic and sometimes diluted.