Best Filter Coffee Machine UK 2026: Moccamaster vs Fellow Aiden vs Wilfa vs xBloom

A good filter coffee machine is one of the simplest ways to enjoy excellent coffee every day. You add fresh grounds and water, press a button, and a few minutes later there's a full jug of clean, balanced coffee. But the best filter coffee machine in the UK for you depends on how much you brew, how hands-on you like to be and what you want on your worktop. This guide compares the machines we stock, Moccamaster, Fellow Aiden, Wilfa and xBloom, so you can choose with confidence.

At a glance: the best filter coffee machines compared

What makes a good filter coffee machine?

Before comparing brands, it helps to know what separates a great filter coffee machine from an ordinary one.

• Brewing temperature. Coffee extracts best with water at roughly 92–96°C. Many cheaper machines brew too cool, which can make coffee taste sour and thin.
• Even saturation. Water should wet all the grounds evenly, not drill a hole through the middle.
• Brew time. A full jug in roughly four to six minutes is a good sign that water and coffee are in contact for the right length of time.
• Certification. The European Coffee Brewing Centre (ECBC) certifies home brewers that meet its standards for temperature and brewing time. Several machines in this guide carry ECBC approval.
• Keeping it hot. A hotplate keeps a glass jug warm but can slowly stew coffee left on it for a long time. A thermal jug keeps coffee hot without extra heat.

Moccamaster KBG Select: the reliable classic

Moccamaster machines have been handmade in the Netherlands since 1968, and the KBG Select is the model most people picture. A copper heating element brews at 92–96°C and makes a full 1.25-litre jug in about six minutes. A selector switch adjusts the brew for a full or half jug, and the hotplate holds coffee at 80–85°C before switching off automatically after 40 minutes.

The KBG Select is certified by both the ECBC and the Specialty Coffee Association. It has a 5-year warranty and every part is available separately, so it can be repaired rather than replaced. It also comes in a wide range of colours. Read our full Moccamaster KBG Select review for more detail.

Choose it if: you want a beautifully simple machine that makes consistently good coffee and lasts for years.
Think twice if: you want app control, a timer or single-cup brewing.

Moccamaster KBGT: the thermal option

The Moccamaster KBGT brews in the same way but into a thermal jug, so there's no hotplate. The machine only brews when the jug is in place. It's a good choice if your coffee tends to sit for a while.

Fellow Aiden: precision for the enthusiast

The Fellow Aiden is designed to brew pour-over quality coffee at the press of a button. It has two brew baskets: a single-serve cone for one cup and a batch basket for up to 1.5 litres. Connect it to the Aiden app to save and share recipes, schedule brews and keep the machine updated.

The Aiden suits people who enjoy experimenting with different coffees and recipes, or households where one person wants a single cup and another wants a full pot. It comes in Matte Black and Matte White. If you already own one, our Fellow Aiden maintenance guide explains how to keep it brewing well.

Choose it if: you want control over your recipe and the flexibility of single-cup and batch brewing.
Think twice if: you'd rather not use an app, or you want the simplest machine possible.

Wilfa: Scandinavian design, barista thinking

Norwegian brand Wilfa makes a wide range of filter coffee machines. Several were developed with leading baristas, and the ones below hold the brew at 92–96°C. Wilfa's pump technology empties the water system after every brew, so each pot starts with fresh water.

• Wilfa Svart Performance (£295): developed with World Barista Champion Tim Wendelboe. It's ECBC approved, with a removable water tank, adjustable drip-stop control and a 1.25-litre glass jug.
• Wilfa Performance Thermo (£329.99): brews into a stainless steel thermal jug that keeps coffee hot for up to 3.5 hours, with no hotplate.
• Wilfa Zense (from £159): ECBC approved, brews 1–10 cups and has a 1.25-litre removable tank. It's also available in White and Brushed Aluminium.
• Wilfa Performance Compact (£199): a footprint of just 20 × 22cm with a 1-litre tank, ideal for smaller kitchens.

Choose Wilfa if: you want a certified brewer with clean Scandinavian looks, or the best value for money in this group.
Think twice if: you want the longevity and repairability that Moccamaster is known for. Check the warranty for each Wilfa model before you buy.

xBloom Studio: the all-in-one

The xBloom Studio is a different kind of machine. It combines a grinder, a scale and an automated pour-over brewer in one design. It has 48mm stainless steel conical burrs with 80 grind settings, and three modes:

• Autopilot brews from roaster-curated whole-bean xPods.
• Copilot lets you use your own beans and recipes through the app.
• Freesolo lets you use the grinder, brewer and scale separately for a hands-on pour-over ritual.

Choose it if: you brew one cup at a time and want fresh grinding, weighing and pouring handled for you.
Think twice if: you need a full jug for a family or office.

Which filter coffee machine should you buy?

• For most households: the Moccamaster KBG Select. It's simple, quick and built to last.
• If coffee sits for a while after brewing: the Moccamaster KBGT or Wilfa Performance Thermo.
• For the experimenter: the Fellow Aiden.
• For the best value: the Wilfa Zense.
• For a small kitchen: the Wilfa Performance Compact.
• For one perfect cup of freshly ground coffee: the xBloom Studio, or the Moccamaster Cup-One if you already grind your own.

Get the best from any filter coffee machine

1. Use freshly ground coffee. A burr grinder such as the Wilfa Zense grinder or Moccamaster KM5 makes a noticeable difference.
2. Weigh your coffee. Around 60g of coffee per litre of water is a common starting point. Adjust to taste.
3. Use the right filter. Moccamaster brewers use No.4 filter papers. See our Moccamaster filter paper guide for which size fits which machine.
4. Descale regularly. Limescale slows brewing and affects temperature, particularly in hard-water areas.
5. Start with good beans. Medium roasts such as our Harmony Blend, or bright single origins like Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, shine in a filter machine.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Moccamaster worth the money?

For many people, yes. It brews at the right temperature, makes a full jug in about six minutes, has a 5-year warranty and can be repaired with individually available parts. That longevity spreads the cost over many years.

Moccamaster or Fellow Aiden: which is better?

They suit different people. The Moccamaster is simpler and focused on consistent full jugs. The Aiden offers app-based control and single-cup as well as batch brewing.

What does ECBC approved mean?

The European Coffee Brewing Centre certifies home coffee brewers that meet its standards for brewing temperature and brew time. It's a useful sign that a machine can make properly extracted coffee.

Can a filter coffee machine make espresso?

No. Filter machines brew by gravity, not pressure. They make clean, full-flavoured filter coffee, which many people prefer for drinking black.