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Advice Coffee machines Calculator

Coffee machine cost per cup calculator

Compare pod, bean-to-cup, filter and coffee-shop habits using prices that match how you actually drink coffee.

Cost estimate

Compare coffee habits by cup

Updating
1

Set your home routine

Milk, syrups and double shots can change the true cost. This comparison uses a typical ingredient amount for one finished drink, so increase the coffee prices if your usual drink is stronger or larger.

Start with the number of drinks you would realistically make at home each day. Occasional guests and weekend batches can move the yearly total quickly.

Count finished drinks, not shots: one espresso, mug of filter coffee, latte or cappuccino is one cup here.

2

Add the coffee prices

Pods use the capsule price, bean-to-cup uses about 10g of beans and filter or ground coffee uses about 12g. Change the coffee prices to match what you buy; milk, electricity, filters and cleaning products are not included.

Pod coffee machine with espresso cup and unbranded coffee pods on a kitchen counter
Bean-to-cup coffee machine with beans, cup and milk jug on a kitchen counter
Filter coffee machine, cafetiere, ground coffee and mugs on a kitchen counter
3

Compare the coffee-shop habit

Enter only the bought coffees you could realistically replace at home. This comparison covers the drinks themselves, not the machine price, repairs, electricity, filters or descaling.

The result updates automatically.

Calculator result

Filter or ground coffee costs least with the prices you entered

Based on 2 home cups per day, with pod, bean and ground-coffee prices set above. The home estimates cover coffee ingredients, not milk, electricity, filters, cleaning products or the cost of buying the machine.

Filter or ground coffee

Per cup
14.4p
Per year at home
£105.12

Often the lowest running cost, but less convenient for espresso-style drinks.

Bean-to-cup

Per cup
18.0p
Per year at home
£131.40

Usually cheaper per cup if you drink coffee daily and will use the machine often.

Pod coffee

Per cup
42.0p
Per year at home
£306.60

Convenient, but the capsule price drives the cup cost.

Buying 156 coffees a year costs about £530.40. Making those same drinks with the cheapest home option costs about £22.46 in coffee, a difference of about £507.94 before milk, electricity and the cost of the machine.

What the cup cost can and cannot tell you

Running cost is only part of the coffee-machine decision. Pods are simple and tidy, bean-to-cup machines reward daily use, and filter coffee can be inexpensive when you brew several cups at once. Taste, cleaning, counter space and milk frothing can still matter more than a few pence per drink.

What the calculator includes

The home numbers compare coffee ingredients only: one capsule for pod coffee, about 10g of beans for bean-to-cup and about 12g of coffee for filter or ground methods. Milk, electricity, paper filters, cleaning products and machine ownership costs are separate because they vary too much by drink and appliance to represent with one honest fixed allowance.

If you are deciding between machine types as well as comparing ingredients, read our pod versus bean-to-cup comparison and the guide to pod-machine costs over time.

When a pricier machine can still make sense

A bean-to-cup machine can cost more upfront but make sense if it replaces regular bought coffees and you will use it most days. If you only drink coffee occasionally, a pod or filter setup may be easier to justify.

When pods still make sense

Pods can be more expensive per drink, but they suit people who want speed, less mess and consistent results without dialling in beans or cleaning grinders. If you only make one or two coffees a week, the convenience can outweigh the running-cost difference.

What this does not include

The calculator does not include the price of the machine, repairs, electricity, water filters, descaling products or your time. For the coffee-shop comparison, enter only the drinks you would really make at home instead.