Coffee machine vs instant coffee: is it worth switching

How instant coffee is made

Instant coffee starts as brewed coffee made in large batches. The liquid is concentrated and then dried, either by spray drying into a powder or by freeze drying into granules. At home you simply add hot water to rehydrate it. Freeze-dried instant generally keeps more aroma than spray-dried powder, which is why premium jars usually use that method.

Because the coffee has already been brewed and dried, many of the delicate aromatic compounds are lost. That is the main reason instant tastes flatter than freshly brewed coffee, however good the jar.

Side by side

Taste and caffeine

Fresh espresso from a machine has crema, a heavier body and more aroma, and it is the base for lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites. If you enjoy those drinks from cafés, a machine is the only way to get close at home.

Caffeine varies widely by brand and dose. A teaspoon of instant usually contains less caffeine than a double espresso or a large filter coffee, but you can always add more. If you are switching for flavour, you may find you drink fewer but more satisfying cups.

Cost per cup

Instant is hard to beat on price per cup, and you have no machine to buy. A coffee machine adds an upfront cost, and beans usually cost more per cup than a basic jar. The comparison changes if you regularly buy coffee out: replacing even a few café drinks a week with home-made ones can offset the machine over time.

To see your own figures, use our cost per cup calculator. Enter your bean price, dose and how much you pay at the café, and it shows the saving per cup and per week.

Which type of machine to switch to

If convenience is why you drink instant, a bean-to-cup machine keeps that one-touch ease: it grinds, brews and often froths milk for you. Our bean-to-cup guide compares the main families, and what is a bean-to-cup machine explains how they work.

If you enjoy a hobby and want the best flavour per pound spent, a manual espresso machine with a good grinder offers more control. If you drink mugs of black coffee, a filter machine is simpler still. See which coffee machine should I buy for a full breakdown.

Space, time and daily routine

Instant needs nothing but a kettle and a cupboard shelf. A coffee machine needs worktop space, ideally near a socket and not tucked under a low cupboard, as you need room to fill the water tank and bean hopper. Compact bean-to-cup models start at around 20 cm wide; see our coffee machine dimensions guide before you buy.

A bean-to-cup machine takes a minute or two to warm up and brew, plus a quick rinse cycle. A manual espresso machine takes longer while it heats, and you grind, tamp and steam yourself. Daily cleaning takes a couple of minutes: empty the drip tray and grounds bin and rinse any milk parts. If that sounds like a chore rather than a pleasure, a good instant or a filter machine may suit you better. If the ritual appeals, a machine quickly becomes part of the morning.

Frequently asked questions

Is a coffee machine worth it if I only drink one cup a day? It can be if flavour matters to you, but the payback is slower. A compact or budget bean-to-cup machine is a sensible middle ground; see our machines under 400.

Can I use instant coffee in a coffee machine? No. Coffee machines need ground coffee or whole beans. Instant granules would dissolve and clog parts.

Is freshly brewed coffee healthier than instant? We do not make health claims. Both are coffee; the main difference is flavour and caffeine per cup.

How long does a coffee machine last? With regular cleaning and descaling, many last for years. See how long coffee machines last.