Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee machine that's 'ready to use quickly' less than £30 in October

An early start to a day in the office, a relaxed morning ritual accompanied by a good book, an afternoon pick-me-up as the days get darker - coffee's an ever-present beverage in the lives of many.

Swapping out instant granules for a quality pod machine is an easy way to elevate the drink, and it could be significantly cheaper than regular take-outs too. Now could be the time to upgrade, as Amazon is offering 45% off the De'Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS coffee capsule machine, which now costs £29.99 down from £54.99.

An easy way to deliver barista-style drinks in mere minutes, the Piccolo XS packs in up to 15 bars of pressure that creates smooth, rich coffee with a velvety crema. The unit takes just 30 seconds to make an espresso drink, the brand says, so it's perfect for those rushing out the door or grabbing a refill between work-from-home meetings.

Like other Dolce Gusto machines, the Piccolo XS is compatible with a multitude of pod varieties from Nescafé, from classic espresso and cappuccino to decadent hot chocolate and even iced drinks. The brand has even partnered with Starbucks, giving pumpkin spice latte lovers a way to enjoy the seasonal drink without leaving the house.

For alternative picks, coffee lovers could try the Tassimo by Bosch Happy Friendly coffee machineavailable at Curry's for £34.99 down from £79.99. Unlike the Piccolo XS, which must be operated manually, the Tassimo machine features an Intellibrew system that perfectly brews each drink using a barcode on the pod. It's larger too, so can be used with a wider variety of cups and mugs.

Another affordable option is a drip coffee maker such as the Salter Bean to Jug Coffee Maker costing £40 from Dunelm. The machine has a built-in grinder so it can be used with whole beans for greater freshness, and can make up to 750ml of coffee in one go - perfect for families, caffeine lovers, or hosting over the winter period. With a 24-hour timer, it can also be configured to brew automatically.

Nonetheless, the Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS has received excellent reviews from buyers, holding a 4.4 rating and over 12,700 reviews on Amazon. The website says over 800 have been bought in the past month.

One customer commented: "Great little coffee machine which is small enough to take away with us when we go on mini breaks. It is also handy if you want a quick coffee. It is ready to use quickly."

A second shared: "From a coffee lover, this is perfect. All I need for my mornings. Good quality, looks very cute, and of course amazing taste."

Another customer spoke about their experience with the appliance: "I absolutely love this little machine. I am not a coffee connoisseur and only drink one every morning. I like fairly sweet coffee and medium strength, and this machine suits me with flat white or cappuccino pods and my son has the hot chocolate.

"I only use filtered water and I think it's helped massively, as I've had zero issues with this machine. Highly recommend and you simply cannot go wrong with this price."

Other buyers were happy on the whole, but did comment on the sound of the unit, with one writing: "It's a small machine, perfect for one person. Easy to use, easy to keep clean. The only downside is it is a bit noisy but it only lasts for a minute."

Another agreed: "Small and compact, nice design. Very loud. Much louder than the first Dolce Gusto machine I had."

The De'Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS coffee capsule machine is available from Amazon for £29.99 and comes in slate grey, black, or white.

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