‘I’m a coffee expert – the pod machine that transformed my morning routine is less than £50’

The L’OR Barista Sublime in colour Piano Noir is on sale for £49.99 and comes with 50 coffee capsules. Shopping writer Eve Rowlands has the same model and shares why it’s a kitchen staple

For many of us, having that first morning coffee is the difference between what will become a good day or a bad day. And the quicker it can be made, the better – especially when so many of us are on the move and out the door early. While it may seem easier to just stop off at the local Starbucks (or even better independent coffee shop) to get a takeout, it all adds up. Which is why, as a self-proclaimed coffee snob who has worked in a bunch of speciality coffee shops, I can confidently say it’s a worthy investment getting a home brewing espresso machine.

With Black Friday well and truly here, now is the perfect opportunity to bag a bargain on a coffee machine that has been gathering dust in our shopping baskets. And one that has transformed my morning routine for the better – and quicker – is the L’OR Barista Sublime Piano Noir, which is currently on sale for less than £50 down from £130.

With a really sleek and compact design, it’s perfect for my relatively small kitchen as it takes up hardly any room and doesn’t generate half as much mess as my former De’Longhi machine. That’s because it uses pods instead of ground coffee (which needs to be measured out and poured into the portafilter), ensuring the process of making a coffee is way more streamlined and mess-free.

With three options for brewing, generated by three simple buttons, the L’OR Barista machine can make Ristretto, Espresso, or Lungo coffees, and has been crafted with advanced capsule recognition technology, which adjusts the water amount based on the capsule size.

This does ensure barista-quality coffee every time without any faffing. Plus, the pods the machine comes with are so tasty – although the machine is compatible with a range of pods, from Nespresso to even supermarket own-brand.

Shop the L’OR BARISTA Sublime Piano Noir this Black Friday

£130.03

£49.99

L’OR

Buy Now on L’OR

The L’OR BARISTA Sublime in the shade Piano Noir with 50 pod capsules is on sale for Black Friday.

As this machine doesn’t come with a milk frother, that is something that I’d need to buy separately in order to make my usual beloved flat white or latte, but it’s not an issue for those days when I just want an americano, topped with milk.

My only gripe is that when setting the coffee straight into a mug (rather than espresso shot glasses), the amount of water will most likely need to be topped up into the water tank at the back – rather than being able to just hit one button and the coffee cup fill. Unless my mug is relatively small, then I’m okay.

Although this isn’t too much of an issue as I can simply release the pod into its holding tray and just add some hot water through the machine. This is something another shopper experienced and they said: “Love my machine just wish the amount of water for the pods could be increased.”

For those who aren’t sure what the symbols on the top of the machine are, when the lid is lifted (to input a capsule), the indication of which button is a ristretto, lungo and espresso is made clear with a diagram. Although I have had a few times where I’ve forgotten which is which and upon opening the lid to check, have released the pod without having made my coffee… so it’s better to risk just choosing one than wasting a coffee pod.

For a pod coffee machine, this little gadget is absolutely brilliant and makes a decent cup of Joe in just a few seconds. Now, while I’m sure the likes of a Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine, now £449.99 from £549.99, or the Philips 2200 Series Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, now £249 from £270, would be a welcome addition in my kitchen (I do enjoy all the faff that comes with making a fancy coffee having been a former barista at a number of coffee shops in my time), for a cheap and cheerful model that requires little effort and space, the L’OR machine is a brilliant device.

Available as part of a bundle, the gadget comes with 50 capsules of coffee and costs £49.99 instead of its usual worth of £130.03.