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Swan & L'OR: Budget Filter and Capsule Machines Worth Considering
Swan filter machines and L'OR capsule machines are among the cheapest in the UK. What you give up under £90 — and where the compromise is actually fine.
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Swan Coffee Machines: UK Range & Buyer's Guide
Swan is a long-running British small-appliance brand that competes almost entirely on price, with a retro-styled range that looks considerably more expensive than it costs. Its filter machines start around £15 and its retro espresso machines around £90, which puts them below almost everything else on the market.
The Swan range explained
Where Swan wins and loses
Strengths
- The cheapest way onto a worktop, from around £15
- Retro styling that genuinely looks more expensive
- Coordinates with a wide matching kitchen range
- Filter machines do the job perfectly adequately
Weaknesses
- Build quality reflects the price - mostly plastic
- Espresso machines use pressurised baskets and cap out quickly
- Shorter expected lifespan than mid-range brands
- Brew temperature on budget filter models runs cool
Our verdict on Swan
For filter coffee on a tight budget, Swan is a sensible buy - a filter machine is a simple device and £25 buys a working one. For espresso, be realistic: a £90 Swan will make coffee, but it will not make good espresso, and £250 on a used or discounted Sage would serve you far better.
Assessed against published manufacturer specifications, current UK retail pricing and aggregated verified-purchase review data — see how we research coffee machines. We are not affiliated with Swan. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Swan machines we cover
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🦢☕ Budget classic
Swan Filter Machine
Filter · More Swan
★★★★☆ (1,420 reviews)
A straightforward, budget-friendly filter machine from a long-running British small-appliance brand.
- Simple dial controls
- Removable filter basket
- Keep-warm hotplate
Frequently asked questions
Are Swan coffee machines any good?
For filter coffee at £15-£40, yes - filter brewing is simple and Swan machines do it adequately. The retro espresso machines are more style than substance; pressurised baskets and basic pumps limit how good the coffee can get.
How much is a Swan coffee machine?
Roughly £15-£40 for filter machines and £90-£150 for the retro espresso range, making it among the cheapest brands on sale in the UK.
Swan or Melitta for filter coffee?
Melitta if you care about the coffee - it gets brew temperature and water distribution right where Swan runs cool. Swan if price and retro styling are the priorities.
Do Swan coffee machines last?
Expect a shorter life than mid-range brands - the construction is largely plastic. At £25 for a filter machine that is a reasonable trade; at £150 for an espresso machine it is less so.
Guides featuring Swan
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