9 best water filter jugs tried and tested 2025
Want purified water at home without using single-use plastics? We review the best water filter solutions from brands including Water2, BRITA, Aarke and more
In these eco-conscious times, many of us who aren't keen on tap water – especially in hard water areas – are making the shift from bottled to filtered water at home. They’re a great way to cut down on single-use plastics; did you know that an average of 35.8 million plastic bottles are used everyday in the UK, of which 16 million go unrecycled? Home water filters come in all shapes and sizes, from glassware with charcoal filters, to under-sink capsules and water tanks with taps that are suitable for families. Some filters are recyclable or biodegradable, while others need to be binned, which is another consideration if you're trying to be greener. Promises made by the top jugs on the market include improving the taste of tap water, adding minerals, removing all dissolvable solids or making water more alkaline. They often come with health claims, too, which need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Look for companies that back up their claims with science or even publish scientific whitepapers, like Water2. Also, while some come with accurate indicators telling you when it's time to change your filter, with others it's a bit of a guessing game. Not only do they make for a refreshing glass of water, but filtered water is favoured by coffee experts and used to fill up espresso coffee machines, bean-to-cup coffee machines and pod coffee machines. Tea-lovers needn’t feel neglected as filling your kettle with filtered water can reduce nasty limescale build up. We tested a wide range of filters against criteria including cost, ease of use, taste and environmental credentials to find the best water jugs to buy. Read on to discover our recommendations. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best water filter jugs at a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS Best water filter jug for good looks and great-tasting water: Aarke Purifier, £99.99 Best water filter jug for two-stage filtration and purification: Larq Pitcher Pure Vis, £168 Best water filter jug for eco credentials: Phox Wave, £34.99 Best all-round water filter jug: BRITA Style water filter jug, £29.99 Best large-capacity water filter jug: BRITA Flow, £55 Best water filter jug for accurate filter changes: Aquaphor Onyx water filter jug, £21.99 Best water filter jug for instant filtration: Tapp Water Pitcher Pro, £49 Best budget water filter jug: Argos Home water filter jug, £13 Best under-sink water filter: The Pod 2.0, £129 Jump to: Best water filter jugs to buy in 2025 How to choose the best water filter jug How often should you change the filter on your water filter jug? How we tested water filter jugs We tested a representative sample of water filter jugs and scored them against the following criteria. Filters We looked at whether filters were easy to use, recyclable or biodegradable, how easy they were to buy, and how expensive they were to replace. Taste We compared filtered water against tap water in a hard-water area to see if there was a noticeable difference. We also looked into any health claims made about each jug's filtering capabilities. Quality We judged how attractive the jugs were, how sturdy and durable, and their environmental impact, as well as testing them for leaks. Ease of use We tested practical elements such as removal of the lid and reservoir, pouring, lifting, and filling each jug to make sure there weren't any fiddly or tricky parts. If the jug came with an indicator, we checked it was accurate and easy to use. Cleaning We looked at how easy the jug would be to clean – does it have an indicator that needs to be removed? Will it show up limescale? Are the removable parts tricky to separate? Best water filter jugs to buy in 2025 Aarke Purifier water filter jug Available from Lakeland (£99.99), Amazon (£100) Best water filter jug for good looks and great-tasting water Pros: Superb quality Stylish Excellent water taste Cons: Heavy Does not fit in the fridge door Star rating: 5/5 There is no denying that the Aarke Purifier is a good-looking water filter jug. The jug and handle are glass, and the lid, filter and reservoir are high-quality stainless steel; the jug resembles a cafetière rather than a water filter. We particularly like the firm rubber seal inside the lid, which prevents leakage when pouring, and the detachable black rubber bumper on the base of the jug, which means it sits firmly on the worktop or a fridge shelf. Unfortunately, the size means it may not fit inside the fridge door. Sustainability ranks high with this Swedish-designed water filter; there is no plastic anywhere, and the stainless-steel filter can be used repeatedly, with the granules reducing limescale, heavy metals and chlorine. There was a distinct difference in taste after filtering, with the water sparklingly clear with a soft, rounded taste. There is a dial in the lid that acts as a reminder to change the granules, which last up to 120 litres. We also love that the whole jug is dishwasher-safe. We did notice that the materials make this a little heavy when filled, but otherwise, this is a superb water filter. Capacity: filter 1.8 litres, total volume 2.4 litres Fits in fridge door: no Dishwasher-safe: yes Filter indicator: dial in the lid BPA-free: yes Latest Deals Larq Pitcher Pure Vis Available from Amazon (£168) Best water filter jug for two-stage filtration and purification Pros: Double filtration and purification Rechargeable filtration light Large capacity Cons: Heavy Star rating: 5/5 The Larq Pitcher Pure Vis water filter is impressive. The quality of the build is superb, with a large glass jug, easy to hold handle and stylish, screw-on reservoir that holds the advanced filter. With a unique two-stage filtration process, the set-up does require a little reading. The first filtration involves water passing through a plant-based cartridge in the reservoir to remove contaminants. Then, as you fill it with tap water through the flap in the lid, the patented PureVis™ UV-C LED blue light illuminates to reduce bacteria in the water. Plus, the light automatically cleans the water in the jug every six hours for 60 seconds, making the jug self-cleaning. This super-efficient, high-tech water filter produces delicious-tasting, clear, clean, soft water. The filter will last an astonishing 230 litres, higher than many other filters. Is it worth the money? We think so for the quality of water and a stylish-looking jug to sit on any kitchen counter or table. Capacity: 1.9 litres Fits in fridge door: yes Dishwasher-safe: self-cleaning Filter indicator: in app BPA-free: yes Latest Deals Phox wave Available from Amazon (£39.99) Best water filter jug for eco credentials Pros: Refillable cartridge Choice of filter purpose Letterbox subscription British made Cons: Caution when inserting the cartridge Star rating: 5/5 The British-made Phox Wave is the latest water filter jug from this young, inventive, sustainable company, based near Glasgow. Its eco-credentials are impeccable, thanks to its policy of sourcing as much of its manufacturing, packaging, design and distribution within a 50-mile radius of its office in Glasgow as possible. The water filter jug looks good and is made of BPA- and phthalate-free plastic with a stainless steel handle. It is lightweight, despite being able to hold up to 2.8 litres, and will fit into most refrigerator doors. The filter is refillable, and two types of filter are available, for either clean water or alkaline. Each lasts up to 45 days (or 200 litres), which we feel is impressive. We did find that fitting the filter into the reservoir is a little tricky – we even dropped it twice, losing some of the granules in the process. We tested the clean filter and were delighted with the soft, clean, lovely mouthfeel of the water it produced – it was easily one of the best on our test. Capacity: 2.8 litres Fits in fridge door: yes Dishwasher-safe: yes Filter indicator: in app BPA-free: yes Latest Deals BRITA Style water filter jug Available from Harts of Stur (£21.95), Amazon (£29.99) Best all-round water filter jug Pros: Simple and accurate filter indicator Sleek looks Easy to use Cons: Small reservoir Confusing instructions Star rating: 5/5 There's a reason so many water jugs take BRITA filters as standard – BRITA have cornered the market, and their experience shows. The lid of this smart-looking jug is available in muted tones of blue, grey or green, the body is made of good-quality, sturdy materials, and it's simple to use. The Style takes BRITA's new Maxtra+ filters, which last around four weeks and cost £17.25 for three to replace. The filter has a unique 'traffic light' indicator, which is removable so you can put the whole jug in the dishwasher, and it should last around five years. Each time you fill the jug, a light in the lid flashes green, orange or red, giving an accurate indication of how soon the filter will run out and giving you time to buy replacements. BRITA also runs a filter recycling scheme: head online, and you can search for your nearest participating store. This model fits in a fridge door, but is also available in an XL 3.6-litre model if you're looking for something larger – the reservoir of the 2.4-litre version only holds 1 litre water, so it needs fairly regular filling. With its filtered water tasting noticeably softer, this is a great all-rounder. Capacity: 2.4l Fits in fridge door: yes Dishwasher safe: yes Filter indicator: yes Latest Deals BRITA Flow Available from Amazon (£36.66), Robert Dyas (£59.99) Best large-capacity water filter jug Pros: Great value Big capacity Recyclable filters Cons: Bulky and heavy Confusing instructions Star rating: 5/5 This tank version of the classic BRITA Style jug holds an impressive 8.2 litres, making it ideal for any fans of BRITA's jugs who are fed up with regular refills. A tap at the bottom pours smoothly, and locks into place so you don’t have to hold it down. In muted tones of blue and white, it looks sleek, and is perfect for perching on your kitchen counter – or inside a fridge if you have room – with a sliding panel for easy filling. If your attempts to grapple with the instruction leaflet (which for some reason is designed like a giant, unwieldy road map) are unsuccessful, fitting the filter is fairly intuitive: instructions for prepping it are printed on the packet, and it’s very easy to install. Although this tank wouldn't be suitable for frail users, it's ideal if your household uses a lot of filtered water. Capacity: 8.2l Fits in fridge door: no Dishwasher safe: yes, apart from lid Filter indicator: yes Latest Deals Aquaphor Onyx water filter jug Available from Amazon (£21.99), The Range (£21.99) Best water filter jug for accurate filter changes Pros: Attractive design Good value Large capacity Cons: Too big for a fridge door Bulky Filter requires soaking before use Star rating: 4.5/5 Retailing at around £22, this jug is great value for money. Unlike many plastic water jugs, which tend to look a little clunky, this model has a classic rounded design, making it one of the best-looking jugs we tested. We especially liked the unique filter indicator – while most are electronic, meaning the batteries will eventually run out, this has an analogue indicator triggered by opening the lid. Set it to zero when you attach a new filter, and it will click upwards each time you fill the jug, quantifying your actual use rather than indicating how long the filter has been in place. It's simple, but clever. It would have been nice to be able to see inside the reservoir to see how water filtering is coming along, but as the jug is larger than most, you won't need to refill it quite so often – although that also means it won't fit in an average fridge door. The filter removes irons and heavy metals, as well as adding magnesium, and water is noticeably smoother. Specifications Capacity: 4.2l Fits in fridge door: no Dishwasher safe: yes, apart from the lid Filter indicator: yes Latest Deals Tapp Water Pitcher Pro Available from Amazon (£49) Best water filter jug for instant filtration Pros: Easy to assemble and use Filters 80+ substances Cons: Instructions only on an app Star rating: 4.5/5 Water filters do not come much easier to use than the Tapp Water Pitcher Pro. The 31cm tall, sturdy glass carafe comes in a recyclable box and packaging. A tube attachment for faster pouring and an activated carbon fibre filter are also included. Simply rinse the filter under running water for 60 seconds, pop it into the lid of the carafe, fill it with tap water, and away you go. We didn't, however, like the lack of an instruction booklet (save for a few notes on the box), and needed an app to access one. The Pitcher Pro is an instant filtration water filter, so it filters as you pour and delivers water that has not been standing in a jug, but is freshly cleaned. We very much enjoyed the soft, odourless taste of the water after the three-stage microfiltration technology removed the chlorine, limescale, heavy metals, microplastics and up to 80 other organisms without removing any healthy minerals. The filter needs to be replaced every three months and is not reusable. Other than this, we liked the simplicity of and excellent-tasting water from the Pitcher Pro. Capacity: 1.45 litres Fits in fridge door: yes Dishwasher-safe: glass and lid Filter indicator: on an app BPA-free: n/a Available from: Amazon (£49) Argos Home water filter jug Available from Argos (£13) Best budget water filter jug Pros: Fantastic value Takes BRITA cartridges Easy to fill Cons: Slow filtering Basic design Star rating: 4/5 This is a brilliant basic water jug, and for the price, it's astonishing that it includes an indicator to tell you when to change your filter. Taking both BRITA Maxtra or own-brand filters, which are a bargain at £10 for three (we also tried it with a Maxtra+ filter and it worked), it's a simple but sturdy model. The parts are easy to remove and there's a handy tab to make sure the filter tank doesn't come out with the lid when you remove it. It pours smoothly, isn't too heavy, and is slim enough to fit in a fridge door. Although it can hold 1.25 litres in total, the tank is a little on the small side, and it's quite slow to filter, but these are small niggles at such a reasonable price. Using Argos own-brand filters, we couldn't really taste any difference between filtered water and tap, but there's always the option of choosing slightly pricier BRITA filters, which result in a marked taste difference, and those also have the advantage of being recyclable. Capacity: 1.25l Fits in fridge door: yes Dishwasher safe: yes Filter indicator: yes Latest Deals Best under-sink water filter Water2 The Pod 2.0 Available from Water 2 (£129) Best under-sink water filter Pros: Easy-to-install system with user-friendly guidance Flexi pipes provided for traditional under sink systems Cons: There’s always a risk when self-installing with pipework but users are guided well Star rating: 5/5 If you're willing to fork out a bit more for a longer-lasting filter, the Water2 capsule, born out of collaboration with University College London, offers a year-long lifespan and installs onto the cold tap pipe under your sink. The brand recently built on its first impressive iteration, with the help of co-owner Bear Grylls, and the user-friendliness has seen a significant upgrade along with design elements for installing the filter. This product has impressive filtration credentials; removing 99.99 per cent asbestos, microplastics, bacteria, parasites and more from tap water while retaining the water’s natural minerals. The internal filter is sourced from coconut shells and uses a proprietary blend of activated carbon and silver ionisation to filter tap water to 0.1 microns – something Water2 says is 2,000 times more effective than the Brita Maztra Jug. It arrives in a double-layered compact box with the filter on top and two flexi pipes beneath it for attaching to your cold water inlet. One holds a smart buzzer to alert you when the filter requires changing. It comes with a welcoming note from Grills and a quick-setup guide and QR code for further guidance. After installation, there was no negative impact on water pressure but big differences to the improvement of water taste and clarity. We tested the original filter across a year and its performance never dropped, so consider this a star buy. Available from: Water 2 (£129) Other water filter jugs tried and tested ZeroWater 7-cup pitcher, £29.99 How to choose the best water filter jug Capacity: the capacity of the jug you need depends on a couple of factors. Before making a purchase, think about how much you drink in a day and how many people in your household are going to use the water filter jug. There are no hard and fast rules about what size water filter jug you should buy, but see below for general guidance. One-to-two-litres: for one-to-two people Two-litres+: for families, those who drink lots or if you don’t want to keep refilling the jug throughout the day Size: if you plan on keeping your water filter jug in the fridge, check the dimensions of your chosen jug before buying to ensure that it’ll fit comfortably in or on the shelves. How often should you change the filter on your water filter jug? The answer to this question very much depends on the brand and model of your water filter jug. It also depends on how often you’re using it. Some water filters come with indicators to let you know it’s time to change it, which is useful. But, all new water filters will let you know how long the filter is supposed to last, this is typically displayed in months and filters can last anywhere from two to six months. If you can’t remember when you last changed your filter, look out for these signs that the filter needs replacing: Water smells odd Water tastes metallic Water is filtering slower than usual Related reviews Best personalised water bottles What is a Stanley Cup? Best flasks and thermal cups Best gym water bottles Best water bottles 12 of the best blenders Best food dehydrators Best air fryers Best Stanley Cup dupes Appliance and cookware deals Air fryer deals Coffee machine deals Microwave deals Fridge freezer deals Dishwasher deals Stand mixer deals Pizza oven deals Breadmaker deals Ninja deals
The best reusable travel cups for coffee and tea
Reduce your plastic waste by investing in a travel coffee cup you can reuse again and again. We tested insulated, collapsible and leakproof mugs.
From ditching plastic straws to reusing carrier bags, there are plenty of small things we can all do to help protect the planet from the climate emergency and reduce our personal carbon footprints. Currently, only around one per cent of paper coffee cups are recycled, but the number of us choosing to buy reusable cups instead – some of which, in a decidedly meta move, are actually made of recycled coffee cups – is soaring. These cups come in all shapes, sizes and materials, from those made of bamboo or biodegradable materials, to ceramic models ideal for gifting, and even temperature-controlled cups connectable to a dedicated app. Whichever you choose, it should be portable, well-insulated and, ideally, look good too. Being leakproof is also important, although all mugs require you to allow your drink to cool down slightly before putting on the lid, otherwise a build-up of steam can cause spurting. Whatever you do, don’t turn a travel mug filled with boiling hot water upside-down, no matter how secure it is. We considered all these criteria when testing, and we made sure they were fairly priced and not too fiddly to drink from, too. After rigorous trials, these were the cups we decided were the best of the bunch. Read on to discover the best reusable travel cups. For over 400 buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section and find round-ups of reusable water bottles, lunchboxes, resuable straws and lots more. For more on coffee, we've rounded up the best pod machines, cafetières, coffee grinders and reusable coffee cups, too. Also, check out our guide to all coffee machine types in this best coffee machines review. Check out expert barista Celeste Wong's recommendations for the best moka pots, gooseneck kettles, coffee grinders and decaf coffee to buy on our sister brand, olive magazine: Best moka pots to buy Best gooseneck kettles to buy Best coffee grinders to buy Best decaf coffee to buy The best travel cups to buy at a glance Best all-round travel cup: Kambukka ETNA thermal travel cup, £23.39 Best travel cup for long journeys: Contigo West Loop tumbler, £25.70 Best travel cup for insulation: Klean Kanteen Insulated TK Wide, £30.99 Best travel cup for spill-free sipping: Mighty Mug, £30.29 Best travel cup for style: Eva Solo Urban to go cup, £21.74 Best travel cup for gifting: Chi Chi Moi personalised eco travel mug and cosy, £30 Best luxury travel cup: Ember temperature control travel mug 2, £199.95 The best travel and reusable cups to buy 2024 Kambukka ETNA thermal travel cup Available from Amazon (£23.39), John Lewis (£34) Best all-round travel cup Pros: good looks, great insulating Cons: pricey, can be fiddly to open Star rating: 5/5 Available in a range of colours and designs, this playful travel cup has a lot going for it. Compact and lightweight, its insulation properties are among the best we tested, keeping drinks hot for 11 hours, while the outside remains completely cool to the touch. Easy to grip with a rubber bottom for sturdiness, it opens using a child-lock style system. Set it to drinking mode, and the easy-pouring spout will stay open. Set to unlock, and the spout opens one-handed, using a push-button on the back of the cup. And when the push-button is locked, the Kambukka cup will stay shut, with no leaks, making it completely transportable. The cup itself has to be washed by hand, but the lid can be popped into the dishwasher, and thanks to a technology called ‘Snapclean,’ the mechanism is easily disassembled into two pieces for thorough cleaning. There’s also the option to buy a spare water bottle lid for use with cold drinks. Although this model is pricey, starting at around £20, it’s built to last, and Kambukka has clearly put in the legwork to find out what customers want to make their product a pleasure to use. Available from: Amazon (£23.39) John Lewis (£34) Contigo West Loop tumbler Available from Amazon (£25.70), Currys (£24.99) Best travel cup for long journeys Pros: extra secure, good capacity, sleek looks Cons: tricky to wash Star rating: 5/5 A close second as our overall favourite, this larger tumbler holds 470ml of liquid, while still being relatively lightweight. The drinking mechanism is the best we tested, and completely leakproof – providing, as with all these mugs, you allow steam to disperse for a few minutes before screwing the lid on. Autoseal technology allows for easy, one-handed opening by pushing a button on the back of the cup, while a locking switch prevents the button from being depressed in a bag or pocket, making it simple to use and secure when on the move. The Contigo is good looking, too, coming in 11 metallic colours in stainless steel, with an easy grip, and a design which will fit most cup holders. The body has to be washed by hand and is quite narrow, so you’ll need to invest in a bottle cleaner, but the lid can be put in the dishwasher. Insulation is above average too, with drinks staying hot for five hours, and keeping them cold for 12. If you’re a fan of outdoor pursuits or have an extra-long commute, this is a great option. Available from: Amazon (£25.70) Currys (£24.99) Klean Kanteen Insulated TK Wide Available from Amazon (£30.99) Best travel cup for insulation Pros: lightweight, no transferred flavour, keeps drinks hot for 11 hours Cons: relatively expensive, fiddly to clean Star rating: 4.5/5 This cup means business: with a matt surface for easy gripping, it comes in five sizes (from 355ml up to 1900ml), and up to 11 colours, depending on which size you choose. The lid is easy to screw on and doesn’t allow any liquid to escape, which means it’s essential to allow your drink to cool down for a few minutes before closing, to avoid a build-up of steam. Made of stainless steel, it’s lightweight and good-looking, won’t rust, and won’t impart weird flavours to your drink. Most impressively, thanks to vacuum insulation, hot drinks are still hot (or at least drinkably warm) after 11 hours. Drinks are sipped via a lid which twists to reveal a spout which is comfy to drink from, although with great insulation comes great responsibility – to clean the lid properly, it needs to be dismantled into six parts before being popped in the dishwasher. There’s also a carrying handle, although the outside stays completely cool, meaning there’s no chance of getting your fingers burnt. A solid long-term investment. Available from: Amazon (£30.99) Mighty Mug Available from Amazon (£30.29) Best travel cup for spill-free sipping Pros: good-looking, hard to knock over Cons: heavy, not completely leakproof Star rating: 4/5 This miraculous mug is designed to withstand light bumps and knocks without tipping over – a godsend for the clumsy among us. For this magic to work, we expected it to sucker itself to flat surfaces, making it tricky to pick up, but how it works is still a mystery to us – despite being impressively resistant to knocks, it’s also effortless to lift. As well as this unusual USP, the mug is aesthetically pleasing and nice to hold, although it’s also relatively heavy thanks to the non-spill mechanism. The screw lid has an easy-to-lift flap for comfortable drinking, although it’s not completely leakproof – this one is best for carrying in your hand, rather than in a bag. Although insulation isn't its strong point, hot drinks are still drinkable after an hour, and it’s BPA-free, can be washed in the top-rack of your dishwasher and is designed to fit in car cup holders. But even without those benefits, we’d love this for the peace of mind it offers alone. Available from: Amazon (£30.29) Dexam (£21) Tefal travel mug Available from John Lewis (£22), Amazon (£22) Best cup for drinking on the go Pros: lightweight, fits pod machines Cons: slightly tricky to drink from Star rating: 4.5/5 This travel mug has a lot going for it: the rubberised outer is completely cool to touch and easy to grip, the base is non-slip, and it comes in three sizes: 200ml, 360ml and 500ml. The smallest of these, which is the one we tested, is ideal for owners of pod-style coffee machines, as this cup fits perfectly. As well as being very lightweight and dishwasher-safe, the stainless steel vacuum insulation is effective, keeping coffee hot all the way through your commute. The main downside, however, is also the cup’s USP: it has a ‘360° drinking edge’, which means you can drink from any angle with the lid still on when you swivel the top open. Unfortunately, it’s a bit tricky, and requires practise to avoid dribbles – although an upside is that a wider-than-average rim means this is a travel mug that’s biscuit-dunking friendly. Despite small flaws, this is a good-looking, great-value cup, and its upsides make it a winner. Available from: John Lewis (£22) Amazon (£22) Eva Solo Urban to go cup Available from Nordic Nest (£21.74) Best travel cup for style Pros: lovely to look at, good insulation Cons: expensive, fiddly to open Star rating: 4/5 A winner of a Red Dot Award in 2018, and a German Design Award winner in 2020, the sleek design of this cup makes it a joy to use, but at £30 for a 350ml cup, good looks don’t come cheap. Mid-weight, with a brushed-steel exterior and a range of lid colourways available, the lid has a click-open flip-top designed to be opened with one hand. In practise, it’s a bit fiddly to use, although once open, the spout is comfortable to drink from. The lid, being sleekly set into the base, is also a bit difficult to unscrew – but if you’re of a mind that beauty equals pain, it’s worth the hassle. In terms of insulation, it’s a winner, with the outside staying cool while your drink remains piping hot, and no strange flavours are transferred from the cup’s materials. It’s also dishwasher-safe, which is handy, as it’s a bit too narrow to fit a hand inside for cleaning. Available from: Nordic Nest (£21.74) Chi Chi Moi personalised eco travel mug and cosy Available from Not on the High Street (£30) Best travel cup for gifting Pros: looks good, lightweight Cons: not completely leakproof, pricey Star rating: 4/5 A basic travel mug is given a bit of extra va-va-voom with the addition of a cute, hand-knitted cosy, which can be personalised with a name or slogan of your choice. Both mugs and cosies come in four choices of colour, and the cosy includes a little pocket for slipping notes into – making this a lovely choice for gifting. The mug itself is fairly basic, with average insulation (drinks are still hot, although not pipingly so, after an hour), and drip-proof without being completely leakproof, although it’s fine for carrying in your hand. Although the outside gets hot, the cosy will effectively protect your mitts from getting burnt. The mug is made from sustainable bamboo fibre with a silicone lid, adding to its eco credentials, while the cosy is 100 per cent wool, which means it needs to be hand-washed in lukewarm water. Overall, this is a pretty mug that offers something a bit different. Available from: Not on the High Street (£30) Ember temperature control travel mug 2 Available from Ember (£199.95) Best luxury travel cup Pros: sleek, keeps drinks at a constant temperature Cons: short battery life, very expensive Star rating: 4/5 At a fraction under £200, this eye-wateringly expensive mug would make an ideal (generous) gift for serious coffee enthusiasts or tech geeks. After being charged via an electronic coaster which plugs into the mains, the Ember mug will keep your coffee at a constant temperature, which is displayed electronically on the side of the mug, for the duration of its three-hour battery life – or longer, if you keep it charging on the coaster. The mug connects to its own app, although we experienced a little difficulty – while the app says connection is made via bluetooth by pressing the Ember logo on the mug, you actually have to press the power button on the bottom. The app can be used to adjust the temperature of your drink, display your name on the side of the mug, and check its battery life. Once our coffee had cooled down to the 60C setting we chose, it stayed piping hot for three hours, and remained hot for a fair while after the battery had run out, too. The mug is also comfortable to use – it looks sleek, with the display appearing as if by magic on the side, it’s nice to hold, not too heavy despite the gadgetry, and offers 360° drinking via a button set into the leakproof lid. Overall, although you need deep pockets to buy this mug, it does its job seamlessly, even though other mugs with superior insulation will actually keep your drink hot for longer. Available from: Ember (£199.95) How we tested coffee cups We tested a representative sample of reusable coffee cups and scored them against the following criteria: Volume/capacity: we made sure each cup held a generous cup of coffee. Weight: with so many different insulating materials on offer, the cups varied from super-light to fairly weighty. Bearing in mind the ‘travel’ element of our round-up, we looked at a good balance between practicality and pleasing design and weight. Insulating properties: to make sure each cup could keep coffee hot for a reasonable amount of time, we checked coffee temperature after an hour, and tested any claims of long-lasting insulation. Aesthetics: if you’re going to help save the planet, you might as well do it in style, so we looked for cups with above-average looks. Useful or fun additional features such as personalisation and clever buttons to seal in liquid were also taken into consideration. No leaks: every cup was put through our 'leak test', checking to see how water-tight they were. Although a little leaking didn’t mean instant disqualification, we made sure to mention it in our review. Ease of cleaning: old milk can leave quite a lingering smell inside your coffee cup so rigorous cleaning is essential. We checked for dishwasher-safe cups or those that could be easily cleaned by hand. How we tested: we filled each cup with coffee and checked against each of the testing criteria. Which coffee cup should I buy? The options are endless, so it really does come down to your lifestyle. If you're always on the move, you may prefer something light and compact. Or perhaps you like to enjoy your coffee over a longer period of time, meaning insulation is key. There is no right or wrong type of cup to buy, but try to make sure you get one that is BPA-free – and one that doesn't leak. Related reviews Best coffee machines Best kettles Best reusable water bottles Best lunchboxes Best meal prep containers Best espresso machines Best cafetières Best bean-to-cup coffee machines Best lunchboxes for kids Best personalised water bottles Best Stanley Cup dupes What is a Stanley Cup? Best De'Longhi coffee machines This review was last updated in January 2024. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. For more product picks, visit our reviews section. Have you stumbled across an amazing coffee cup? Leave a comment below...
Want to create homemade ice lollies to stash in your freezer for hot days? A good mould will help you make your own fruity frozen treats with ease. Discover our best ice lolly mould picks below.
From toddlers to their parents, everyone loves an ice lolly in summer. Whether made from fruit juice, yogurt or flavoured water, they’re an easy way to cool down on hot days, and possibly even get one of your five-a-day, if enough fruit is involved. Kids also love to help make homemade ice lollies. But, if the moulds you use are fiddly to fill, take up too much space in the freezer, or are difficult to clean or store, making your own ice lollies at home might not be as easy as you'd think. So, we’ve taken matters into our own hands, testing a huge variety of ice lolly moulds to find the ones that tick the most boxes, and are the best choices to help you keep your cool this summer. For more unbiased expert buyer's guides, visit our reviews section to find 400+ round-ups of everything from the best cool boxes and best fridge freezers to the best picnic hampers. Best ice lolly moulds at a glance Best for super-easy unmoulding: ProCook 2-Piece Twisted Mould, £5.99 Best for fun character: Zoku Monster Ice Pop Moulds, £12.99 Best easy to eat lollies: ProCook Ice Lolly Tubes, £6.99 Best for large quantities: Kitchen Craft Deluxe Lolly Black Maker, £14.19 Best all-round ice lolly mould: Eddingtons Fab Lolly ice lolly mould, £11.19 Best basic ice lolly mould: ProCook lolly moulds, £6.95 Best ice lolly mould for avoiding drips: Eddingtons Sippy ice lolly moulds, £10.40 Best ice lolly mould for teething: Nȗby Fruitsicles ice pop tray, £7.50 Best ice lolly mould for small freezers: Lékué Kit stackable popsicles, £15.98 Best novelty ice lolly moulds: Eddingtons rocket ice lolly moulds, £11.06 Best ice lolly moulds to buy ProCook 2-piece twisted mould Available from ProCook (£5.99) Best for easy unmoulding Pros: Sturdy tray and lid Reusable sticks Cons: Only makes two lollies at a time Star rating: 4.5/5 The ProCook 2-piece twisted ice lolly maker comes packaged in an understated, plastic-free, recyclable box. The simple BPA-free, silicone mould feels sturdy and pliable, which makes releasing the finished lollies easy. Plus, it's dishwasher safe. The handles for the lollies are a great length and slot firmly into the mould, but it's essential to insert them correctly so the stick itself runs through the centre of the lolly, not on the top, as shown on the box. When inserted correctly, it makes for a secure lolly with a handle to hold comfortably. When frozen, the lollies can be left in the mould and covered with the tight-fitting lid, which is included, until needed. Despite the intricate barley-sugar twist on these chunky lollies, they came out cleanly with every detail intact. The only downside with this mould is that it only makes two lollies at a time. Available from: ProCook (£5.99) Zoku monster ice pop moulds Available from Lakeland (£12.99) Best for fun character Pros: Enchanting monster shape Good-sized 200ml lollies Cons: Not always a clean release Star rating: 4.5/5 Zoku ice pop moulds come in a colourful box showing the little monster inside, which will undoubtedly appeal to children. The box has good information about what to use (fresh juice, fruit purée or yogurt) to make ice pops. The BPA mould is sizeable at 11.5 x 30 x 3.5cm, so it will not easily fit into a small drawer freezer as it needs to be laid flat. Zoku suggests using the lid included to prevent spills, but we found that juice would seep under the lid instead and spoiled the appearance of our first batch of lollies. It's essential not to overfill the sections to prevent this from happening. Each lolly is 200ml, so freezing took longer than other moulds (approx. 6 hours) than some smaller moulds, so it needs a little planning ahead. Then, after running the moulds under a tap for 40 seconds, followed by a twist, we easily freed the monsters with the features of each character intact. Available from: Lakeland (£12.99) ProCook ice lolly moulds Available from ProCook (£6.99) Best easy-to-eat lollies Pros: Easy and clean Easy to hold Cons: Need to be standing upright Star rating: 5/5 The silicone BPA-free ice lolly tubes from ProCook make the perfect ice pops, which is somewhat different to a lolly as no stick is needed. Instead, the tubes can be filled with juice, fruit purée, yogurt or even leftover smoothies – simply pop on the lid and freeze. We struggled with storing the tubes in the freezer. When we laid them on their side, the mixture sank a little, making the ice pop misshapen and not as pretty. They needed to be upright for the best results, but at 19cm, they need a tall freezer shelf or drawer. There are four tapered tubes in the box, and each one makes a 90ml ice pop. Not a big size, but still a decent amount for children. We did find the ice pops froze particularly hard, so they may need defrosting for 2 minutes before eating. Run them under water for up to 20 seconds, then eat the ice pop directly from the tube – it's the cleanest and easiest way to eat them. Available from: ProCook (£6.99) Kitchen Craft Deluxe lolly black maker Available from Nisbets (£14.19) Best for large quantities Pros: High-quality mould Beautifully shaped lollies Cons: Handwash only Plastic Star rating: 5/5 KitchenCraft deluxe lolly block maker is a sturdy piece of kit with 8 plastic moulds and individual covers, a tray to keep the mould upright in the freezer, and 16 wooden lolly sticks to get started with. Each cover has a slot that perfectly fits the stick to position it correctly. The block, when fully assembled, measures 12(H) x 11(W) x 24(D)cm, so it needs quite a bit of space in the freezer. However, the lollies are 10 x 3cm each, so they are a decent size. Having the moulds in the stand makes them easy to fill and has the advantage of having an individual lolly, two, three or four to run under the tap if you want, and the rest can stay safely tucked up in the freezer. There’s no mention of where to get the correct-size lolly sticks when the 16 have been used, and the block and moulds are handwash only. But, these are minor points for what is a great lolly maker and one which should last for some time. Available from: Nisbets (£14.19) Eddingtons Fab Lolly ice lolly mould Latest Deals Best all-round mould Pros: Individual moulds are removable for easy storage Robust handles Cons: No sipping spout or fill line Star rating: 4.5/5 Eddingtons is the undisputed lolly mould expert, with a dazzling range on offer. But our favourite is this set of six moulds – it grabs the top spot because of how easy it is to use. A sturdy tray holds the individual moulds firmly upright while freezing, after which they can be removed and stored loose. They also come in a pretty pastel box for storage when not in use. One downside, though, is that the mould is quite big when fully assembled, requiring a tall freezer drawer. The handles are rounded, so they're not ideal for gripping, but they’re fairly robust. The classic rounded lolly shape makes the finished product easy to eat. The drip guard is generous, preventing spills, but could do with a spout to help polish off every drop. Releasing the lollies from each 100ml-capacity mould is simple, as you can run them under the tap individually, and the plastic is BPA-free. Overall, these came top for a clever design that caters for both adults and children. Latest Deals ProCook lolly moulds Available from ProCook (£6.95) Best basic lolly mould Pros: Dishwasher-safe Easy-to-grip handles Cons: Too tall for small freezer drawers Tricky to release Star rating: 4/5 This no-nonsense mould might not have the visual impact of some of the more colourful options, but it gets the job done without any fuss. Flat handles with rubber grips mean the four lollies you can make in this mould are a lot easier to handle than some of those made in other moulds, and the lollies themselves are a classic rounded shape that’s simple to eat. The mould has a 100ml capacity, and a fill line helps ensure there are no spills. Once unmoulded, the drip guard prevents mess, and includes a spout so you can drink any melted juice. Made from BPA-free plastic, the mould is also dishwasher-safe, making for easy cleaning. Small niggles include the height of the tray, which will only fit in a tall freezer drawer (lollies can’t be stored individually), and thick plastic, which means removing the lollies from the moulds can take a while, despite the presence of tabs designed for easy release. Overall, this is a reliable, no-frills option. Available from: ProCook (£6.95) Eddingtons Sippy ice lolly moulds Available from Amazon (£10.40) Best ice lolly mould for avoiding drips Pros: Sturdy Comes with sipping spout Cons: A little pricey Star rating: 4.5/5 Nearly all the moulds we tested suffered from a bit of spillage, despite the inclusion of a drip tray (which can spill if you don’t keep an eye on it), so the sipping spouts included with this mould are a welcome addition. The mould is sturdy and easy to fill, and the handles come in bright, shiny colours that appeal to children. Each lolly stays firmly attached to the stick inside thanks to a clever circular design that offers more surface area. Unmoulding is easy, and eating is a doddle – the tapered shape is pleasant to eat, and any drips are caught in the deep drip tray, ready to be sucked up through an integral straw. The mould is dishwasher-safe, but this is also easy to handwash. Although it’s a little more expensive than some moulds, and is quite tall (you’ll need to use a big freezer drawer), this mould is a winner. Available from: Amazon (£10.40) Nûby Fruitsicles ice pop tray Available from Nuby (£8), Amazon (£7.50) Best ice lolly mould for teething Pros: Easy-to-grip handles Very sturdy Cons: Large footprint Star rating: 4/5 This shiny, brightly coloured mould looks like a children’s toy, and is aimed at babies aged six months and older. Designed to hold and freeze 30ml portions of breast milk or purée to soothe teething gums in warmer weather, it can also be filled with yogurt or juice for older children. Round, thick handles that can be gripped with two hands make them easy for babies to hold, and the mould itself is smoothly curved, resulting in ice lollies that look like large dummies. The mould is sturdy and creates lollies that are easy to demould. However, while the mould itself is small enough to fit into a large freezer drawer, it does take up quite a bit of freezer space for such small lollies. Otherwise, this is a cleverly designed mould that does the job well. Available from: Nuby (£8) Amazon (£7.50) Lékué Kit stackable popsicles (four-pack) Latest Deals Best ice lolly mould for small freezers Pros: Stackable for small freezers Sturdy Cons: Fiddly to remove from mould Expensive Star rating: 4/5 This set of four individual moulds is ideal for smaller freezers, taking up barely any more room than the lolly itself. Simply lay each 95ml-capacity silicone mould (with integrated stick) flat, then fill with a lolly recipe of your choice and freeze. You can also stack all four moulds on top of each other while freezing. The moulds come with a recipe booklet that includes ideas such as red fruit and almond milk lollies, and mango and yogurt ones. There's no need to run your frozen lollies under the hot tap to get them out, either. Instead, the mould peels off the lolly. This can be a little bit fiddly, but is less messy than using hot water. Plus, there’s no need to keep tugging to see if the lolly has freed itself from the mould. Each mould holds 95ml and is BPA-free, making it suitable for children. They're also dishwasher-safe. Although a little pricier than average, these moulds are a worthwhile investment for smaller freezers. Available from: Lékué (£16.90) Amazon (£15.98) Eddingtons rocket ice lolly moulds Available from Amazon (£11.06) Best novelty ice lolly moulds Pros: Fun rocket shape Sturdy design Cons: Very large footprint Star rating: 4/5 We loved these lolly moulds. Adults and kids alike enjoy chomping through a classic rocket lolly, and these were the best rocket-shaped moulds we tested. Six individual moulds fit securely into the base, and, once frozen, can be removed and stored separately. Moulds are easy to fill, and the lollies are easy to remove, with clear plastic that helps you see when they’re ready to be released. The rocket shape is impressively detailed, and the sticks are sturdy, meaning that although this is a tall lolly, it’s well-balanced and easy to grip. Speaking of height, the main downside of this mould is its size. The base has a large footprint, and the moulds are tall, so you’ll need plenty of space to freeze your lollies. The stick inside is also quite long for small mouths. On the upside, the accompanying box is relatively small, which makes the moulds easy to store. They’re also dishwasher-safe, making washing crevices no hassle. Although not a budget option, this is a great choice for a hit of nostalgia. Available from: Amazon (£11.06) What we looked for in ice lolly moulds Compact design: As well as fitting easily into an average-sized freezer drawer, we looked for moulds that could be put away in a cupboard easily, too. Moulds that came in boxes suitable for storage, could be stacked or individually removed, or fit into an icebox got bonus points. Sturdiness: We wanted to avoid spills, so any moulds that had a tendency to tip in the freezer, had very loose lids or were hard to fill were disqualified. Ease of eating: Although spills will never be entirely avoided, we looked for moulds with spill guards and sturdy handles that were suitable for small hands. We also considered lolly shapes that were easy to eat, and smooth edges that wouldn’t harm hands. Volume: The government advises that children are limited to a combined total of 150ml of fruit juice or smoothie a day, so all the moulds we tested were 150ml-capacity or under. Unmoulding: Most lolly moulds need to be run under a warm tap to release the lollies, but if it was too fiddly or tricky to achieve – or left the lolly stick behind – we took note. Safety: All the moulds we tested were BPA-free. Cleaning: If the moulds weren’t dishwasher-safe, we looked at how tricky they were to clean by hand. How we tested ice lolly moulds After washing each mould thoroughly, we filled them with yogurt and fruit juice to check that the sticks stayed attached and both were equally easy to unmould. We looked at how easy the moulds were to fill, how sturdy they were in the freezer – no sticks being knocked sideways – and how well they fit into an icebox and a medium freezer drawer, as well as a large freezer drawer. When eating the lollies, we noted how pleasant they were to eat, if dripping was a big issue, and if washing-up was easy to do. Ice lolly recipes Our top ice lolly recipes Video: how to make ice lolly pens Boozy ice lolly recipes 5 easy ice lolly recipes Tips for making homemade ice lollies The best ice lolly recipes for kids More expert product reviews Best ice cream makers Top 10 ice cream gadgets Best fridge freezers Best vegan ice cream taste test 10 of the best picnic rucksacks Best sustainable picnicware If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
7 of the best doughnut makers and moulds
We’ve tested the best doughnut moulds and makers that promise to produce the perfect ring-shaped snack - read on for our full reviews
There are few smells more enticing than freshly-cooked doughnuts – but sadly, the deep-frying process means these tasty snacks are often confined to the ‘occasional treats’ category. Baked doughnuts are a lighter way to get your fix, and demand for doughnut makers and moulds is on the rise. If you're really committed to regular doughnut making, you might consider buying a deep-fryer. These will be versatile beyond doughnuts, but are more of an investment and messier to use. A doughnut maker often tends to be a one-use kitchen item, like a waffle maker or ice cream maker, although some have multi-use plates. We tested a range of ways to make doughnuts at home, from machines fitted with heated plates that cook doughnuts in minutes, to churros makers that produce a crisper, elongated snack or moulds and tins that allow you to cook doughnuts in your oven. Each maker was judged on criteria including size and weight, versatility, speed of heating, cooking time, ease of cleaning and the fluffiness of the results. Moulds had to be a convenient size, easy to handle, and produce doughnuts that were easy to remove. Traditional doughnut dough is made using yeast, and isn’t suitable for making baked doughnuts, so we used BBC Good Food’s cupcake recipe for testing. This versatile recipe produces light, fluffy and delicious cakes, made all the tastier for being doughnut-shaped. For more like this, check out our reviews section and discover more than 600 practical buyer's guides offering unbiased advice on what equipment is worth investing in. Find everything from counter-top appliances such as the best stand mixers and best air fryers, through to smaller essential kit like the best mini choppers and the best spice grinders. Best doughnut makers at a glance Best all-rounder: VonShef doughnut, brownie and waffle maker, £39.99 Best for full-sized doughnuts: Tala performance six-cup doughnut pan, £10 Best for kids’ parties: Wilton 12-cavity mini doughnut pan, £8.98 Best for gifting: American Originals 3-in-1 treat maker, £30 Best for grown-up doughnuts: Decora 6-cavity flower doughnut pan, £10.39 Best for churro lovers: Global Gizmos churros maker, £24.99 Best for easy storage: Six-cavity silicone doughnut mould, £6.39 How to choose the best doughnut maker Which maker you choose to buy depends on what you’re looking for. Factors to consider: Do you have the cupboard space for a dedicated machine and want snacks that are ready in a few minutes? Or do you prefer the simplicity of a doughnut tin - essentially a traditional cake pan that shapes your cakes into doughnuts, but takes a little longer? Machines also come in a variety of sizes: some have removable plates that allow you to make different kinds of snacks, which means deciding whether you prefer to make cake pops or brownies, whether you’re making snacks for one, or feeding the family. We also tested out a couple of churro machines, for those who like their doughnuts elongated. Think about what you’ll be using your tray or machine for, and how much cupboard space you have available, then read on to find out our pick of the bunch for 2023. Best doughnut makers and moulds to buy in 2024 VonShef doughnut, brownie & waffle maker Available from Vonhaus (£39.99), Amazon (£39.99) Best all-rounder doughnut maker This nifty little gadget includes three pairs of interchangeable plates so you can not only make doughnuts, but waffles and brownies as well. It’s super simple to change the plates, clicking them into place, then using the release button to remove them. The VonShef is streamlined, compact, and easy and intuitive to use: lightly coat or spray the plates with oil, plug it in, and wait for the red light to go off to indicate the plates have fully heated up, which takes just under five minutes. Fill the mini doughnut moulds with your cake batter, making sure not to overfill – the manual includes a helpful visual guide to the correct amounts to use – and close. The instructions advise that doughnuts should be ready after 5-6 minutes, and we found five and a half minutes was the sweet spot for perfect results. Doughnuts are easy to remove using a spatula, plus tongs for grabbing (the plates get extremely hot, so don't use your fingers). The end result was browner on the bottom than the top, but the patchy colouring wasn’t a problem because they were delicious: slightly firm on the outside, making them ideal for icing or chocolate-drizzling, and fluffy, soft and moist on the inside, with a sweet, crisp ring around the edge. As the plates are removable, they’re easy to clean with a damp sponge and mild detergent, and can be soaked if needed, although we didn’t find that necessary. The downsides to this machine are a lack of timer and temperature control, which at a price point of around £50 would have been nice additions. The outside of the unit gets quite hot, so it should be kept well away from children, and we were surprised by just how smoky the machine got during our first, leaflet-recommended dry-run, so make sure you don’t skip this step. Overall, this is a pricey but effective and speedy snack maker which, if kept on your work surface instead of hidden away in a cupboard, should be tempting enough to be regularly pressed into use. Available from: Vonhaus (£39.99) Amazon (£39.99) Tala performance 6-cup doughnut pan Available from Harts of Stur (£10), Amazon (£12.50) Best for full-sized doughnuts Tala has been making sturdy, reliable and imaginative kitchenware since 1899, and this doughnut pan is no exception. Making six full-sized baked doughnuts (one batch of cupcake batter will make around six, depending on how full you fill them), the mould is sturdy and non-stick, meaning your treats will slip out of the pan super-easily, even if you forget to pre-grease it. Piping the mixture into each 9cm-diameter mould will give the best result, although as the doughnuts puff up, you’ll find they lose their ring shape on top – however, simply flip them over for decorating, to reveal a smooth ring shape, and no-one will ever know. Filling the moulds halfway up produces the best doughnut shape. After 12 minutes in the oven, we had some well-baked, soft and fluffy doughnuts waiting to be iced. This tray is made from sturdy commercial-weight steel, and has an impressively effective non-stick coating (while the minimal packaging says it’s safe to use metal utensils with the tray, we recommend you avoid them to preserve the coating). This tray is fridge-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe (dishwasher is the recommended cleaning method, but it’s easy to clean without too). It’s oven-proof to 240°C, and comes with a 10-year guarantee. It’s also compact for easy storage, making it a brilliant bargain all-rounder we really couldn’t find any fault with. Available from: Harts of Stur (£10) Amazon (£12.50) Wilton 12-Cavity mini doughnut pan Available from Cake Craft Co., £8.98 Best for kids’ parties The mini doughnuts produced by this tray will be an immediate hit with kids, and a huge pile of them offers a satisfying effort-to-wow-factor ratio. Making 12 mini doughnuts at once, one batch of batter yields an amazing 50 tiny doughnuts, each tray taking just five minutes to bake. Although the packaging includes two doughnut and two glaze recipes, we used the BBC Good Food one for testing. The most convincing doughnut shape was achieved by using a piping bag to add a single layer of batter to the bottom of each mould – filling up to halfway preserves that essential doughnut hole. We discovered that using a pair of chopsticks to remove them – one to flip, the other to skewer through the hole and deposit onto a wire rack to cool – was a quick, easy method, but a spatula will also work. Make sure you don’t use metal utensils that might damage the non-stick coating, which was effective enough for the doughnuts to pop out easily, even without pre-greasing. Although it’s dishwasher safe, it’s recommended you hand-wash the tin before and after each use, and its non-stick surface means it cleans up easily enough. This tin also comes with a 10-year warranty and is compact enough for easy storage. Available from: Cake Craft Co., £8.98 American Originals 3-in-1 treat maker Available from Argos (£30) Best for gifting This nifty little treat maker is compact and would make a great gift, as it looks good and comes in a brightly coloured box. Changeable plates mean you can use the maker to create one big waffle, nine cake pops, or four mini doughnuts. Although there’s no timer or temperature gauge, the simplicity of the controls makes it easy and instinctive to use – simply insert your chosen plates (which is super-simple, using buttons top and bottom), plug the machine in, and wait for the red light to go off to indicate it’s heated up, which takes a zippy three minutes. To make doughnuts, the instructions recommend that you use a piping bag (or a sandwich bag with the corner snipped off) to fill each mould 2/3 full, which we found to be the best method. The instructions say doughnuts should take 6-8 minutes to cook, so we checked after six minutes. Although they were much lighter on top than underneath (due to the batter needing to rise to hit the top plates), they didn’t taste burned, and were cooked through. Eight minutes gives a slightly crisper base and firmer texture. Removing the doughnuts even without pre-greasing is easy. The results at both six and eight minutes were light, fluffy, and not at all dry, with a crispy, sugary base. No part of the machine is dishwasher proof, but the plates are easy to clean in warm soapy water. The downsides to this maker are it's hefty price tag, plus the outside gets very hot, which means keeping it well away from children. Making a batch of doughnuts of just four at a time (we got 38 out of our batch of cupcake batter) is also a little painstaking, but gives you plenty of time to wash up and ice your cooked doughnuts at leisure, if they haven’t been snaffled while still warm. Overall, we enjoyed using this maker and its compact size, although it's not convenient for making large batches, means it’s easy to store and pull out whenever you fancy a miniature treat. Available from: Argos (£30) Decora 6-cavity flower doughnut pan Available from Cake Craft Co., £10.39 Best for grown-up doughnuts If plain, ring-shaped doughnuts simply aren’t cutting it for you, try the Decora flower doughnut pan. Making six medium-sized, flora-inspired doughnuts at a time (one batch of batter makes around 16), the result is some super-pretty doughnuts suitable for grown-up desserts. We piped the batter into each mould, filling them halfway, and found that just seven minutes was enough time to bake a batch of tasty, golden doughnuts. Even without greasing, the cakes popped out of the moulds without any problem, and the tray’s effective non-stick surface was easy to clean, despite not being dishwasher-proof. As well as making delicious doughnuts, the small ring size (8cm diameter) makes it suitable for moulding butter, or creating mini mousses and jellies, making it a worthwhile investment. It’s compact, so it’s ideal for smaller storage spaces, and is easy to handle in and out of the oven. Whether you fill your flowery doughnuts with fruit and decorate them with icing to serve for dessert, or simply scoff them warm out of the oven, this tin is an easy way of producing great-looking treats. Available from: Cake Craft Co., £10.39 Global Gizmos churros maker Latest Deals Best for churro lovers This model creates churros, which are Spain’s (slightly more glamorous) take on the classic doughnut. Most often dusted in cinnamon and sugar, then dipped into melted chocolate, churros are traditionally deep-fried – but this maker promises to give you all the flavour without quite so much fat. The machine is a good-looking metallic red, feels sturdily produced, and is simple to use – simply plug it in, and wait for the green light, which tells you it’s heated up and takes just two and a half minutes. Although the slim instruction leaflet doesn’t include a recipe, it’s easy enough to find the manufacturer’s recommended recipe online – mix 235ml cold water, 120g butter, 235g plain flour, three eggs and a quarter teaspoon of salt, leave the batter to rest while the maker heats up, and pour into the four churros moulds. As the butter isn’t melted in this recipe, we found the batter had lumps in it, but don’t be put off – it will still work. The gadget comes with a handy piping bag, but we found that using a jug worked just fine. The instructions advise cooking the churros for five minutes, then flipping the machine over and cooking for five to six minutes more, to make sure you get the classic tube-shaped churro with ridges all round. As you turn the machine over, oil can leak out of the sides, so place it on a heat-proof surface and be very careful when turning, only gripping the handle. It also emits quite a bit of steam, so keep children well away while cooking. After 10 minutes, our four 19cm-long churros were done. They were a bit dry and patchy-looking, and sugar refused to stick to the outsides, but they were evenly cooked, satisfyingly crispy, and had the classic ridged shape. They were also much improved by the addition of some chocolate dipping sauce. After using, the machine needs to be cleaned with a soft damp cloth, as the heating plates aren’t removable. Although the results weren’t mind-blowing, if you’re an avid churros-lover but keen to cut down on deep-frying, these make a nice alternative for a reasonable price. Latest Deals Six-cavity silicone doughnut mould Available from Cake Craft Co., £6.39 Best for easy storage If you’re a fan of silicone cookware, then this six-cavity doughnut mould is ideal - plus you can take your pick of a range of colours. Bendable to fit into the snuggest of storage spaces, it performed as well as the metal tins we tested, with the added advantages of silicone – chiefly, that doughnuts don’t continue to cook on the hot metal when you take them out of the oven, it’s resistant to high temperatures, and microwave-safe. One batch of batter will make 8-10 medium-sized doughnuts, which look best when the moulds are half-filled, helping to produce that classic doughnut shape. Doughnuts are ready in 7-10 minutes and can be flipped out of the mould straight onto a cooling rack, even without greasing. Due to its bendable structure, care needs to be taken when lifting this mould into the oven, and both hands are needed, which can make it a little awkward to slide in and out, but this is a small niggle for what is overall a high-quality product. Cleaning is very easy too – you certainly won’t spend an age scrubbing this mould clean after enjoying your circular treats. Available from: Cake Craft Co., £6.39 How we tested doughnut makers Sturdiness and quality: Does the maker look good on first impressions? Is it sturdy and well-made? Does it include an instruction manual and recipes? Is it multi-use? Controls: Is it intuitive to use? Does it have any special features such as a timer or temperature control? Is the flex long enough? Ease of use: How long does the maker take to heat up? Does cooking time match what the instruction manual says? How do you know when your treats are cooked? Is it noisy? Safety: Does it get particularly hot during use? Is it easy to overfill, or does it leak? Does it have any safety features such as a lock? Results: How many treats can you make with one batch of batter? Are they easy to remove from the machine? Are doughnuts fluffy, light and soft? Are churros crispy and light? Ease of cleaning and storage: How do you clean the plates? Are any of its parts dishwasher safe? Is the model compact enough to use on an average kitchen surface and store easily? Value for money: If you buy this model, will you get your money’s worth? Related reviews Best waffle makers Best sandwich toasters Best cake tins Best bundt cake tins Best ice cream makers Best ice cream gadgets Best air fryers Top 10 brunch gadgets Best pancake pans Best baking books
A good microwave is a useful kitchen addition as they can perform lots of everyday tasks quickly. Read our review of this family-friendly Sharp combination microwave.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. This page was updated in February 2020. Sharp R959SLMAA combination microwave oven Pros: fantastic capacity, simple-to-use Cons: large footprint, gets very hot, expensive Star rating: 4/5 Latest Deals Read our full round-up of the best microwaves to buy At a huge 40 litres, this model has over double the capacity of the smallest microwave we tested – and with two racks of different heights and two square cooking trays provided, you can really make the most of it. It will easily hold large plates and oval dishes – the downside being that the turntable won’t easily fit into a small sink to be cleaned. Although this model cooks, grills and microwaves, the settings are simple to get to grips with, thanks to a straightforward instruction booklet which offers cooking and defrosting charts, recipes and cooking tips. The unique square trays are perfect for cooking some of the 120 recipes provided, such as leek tart and pizza. When you start cooking, the display also offers guidance as you programme in your cooking (for example, ‘enter cooking time first’ if you hit the wrong button), which proved useful. All three main functions perform well, offering fast grilling and even convection cooking, and eight auto-cook functions for items including pizza, potatoes and ready meals are listed on the display panel, cutting down on the need to constantly consult the instructions. Uniquely, the baked potato function allows you to input a number of potatoes to be cooked, rather than going by weight, which makes it ideal when you’re cooking for just one instead of the whole family. You can also adjust the time slightly if needed, with useful ‘less’ and ‘more’ buttons, and programme in sequence cooking - defrosting followed by convection cooking, for example. A jacket spud cooked through perfectly, without any extra cooking required, and a defrosted chicken breast was similarly spot-on, and still tender inside – although the defrost setting was relatively inaccurate, with the meat needing two full cycles on auto-cook to fully thaw, with no additional resting time needed. Now for the downsides: an energy save mode means you have to open and close the door before cooking, which might be energy-efficient, but can become a little annoying, and the metal exterior of the microwave gets very hot during convection cooking, so it needs to be kept well away from little hands. Instead of a timer dial, you also need to roll through times and temperatures using a button, which feels a bit labour intensive. It’s also quite expensive – but if you have a large household and need an equally large, multi-function microwave to cope, this will certainly suit your needs. Latest Deals Sharp combination microwave specifications Capacity: 40l Wattage: 900w Dimensions: H388mm, W550mm, D537mm Microwave recipes and tips Microwave recipes 10 dishes you can cook in a microwave 10 easy healthy microwave meals How to cook food in a microwave Gadget reviews Best fridge freezers Best food processors Best blenders Best hand mixers Best slow cookers Best stand mixers Best pressure cookers This review was last updated in February 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Can't live without your microwave? Share your thoughts with us below...
Microwaves can make family cooking a whole lot easier. If you're looking to invest, read our in-depth review of this Bosch microwave that has a large capacity and simple functionality.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. This page was updated in February 2020. Bosch HMT84M451B Solo microwave Pros: simple, large capacity, sturdy Cons: expensive, no potato setting, stiff to open Star rating: 3.5/5 Read our full round-up of the best microwaves to buy If you want a microwave that will grace your kitchen for many years to come, this is a solid choice. Bosch have been engineering products for over 130 years, and their slogan, ‘Invented For Life’, carries some weight – although we we only tested over a number of weeks rather than years. An impressive 25-litre capacity, 315mm turntable and 900W maximum power makes it a good choice for families, and tactile buttons are always a bonus. Like the microwave's appearance, which is bluntly rectangular and finished in aluminium, with a basic digital display, the instruction booklet is strictly utilitarian. Short guides to cooking and defrosting take you through the minimal settings available, which includes three presets for cooking meat, fruit and veg, and four defrost settings. A dial sets the time in 10-second increments, and offers five power settings. Defrosting chicken was exceptionally successful, with no drying out and quick defrosting even in thicker pieces, while cooking resulted in tender, juicy meat. Unusually, there is no baked potato preset available here, but following the package instructions instead resulted in a cooked-through potato with moist flesh, and no soggy skin. As well as its size, the minimum weight function, which starts at 400g for defrosting chicken, makes this a better option for families rather than solo users, and the alert that you've finished cooking goes on far too long – although this can be adjusted. The push-button door release is also a little stiff. Compared to other basic models, this one is expensive, but if you’re looking for a microwave which does its job very well without any fancy flourishes, and should last the distance, this is a solid choice. Bosch solo microwave specifications Capacity: 25l Wattage: 900w Dimensions: H305mm, W513mm, D408mm Microwave recipes and tips Microwave recipes 10 dishes you can cook in a microwave 10 easy healthy microwave meals How to cook food in a microwave Gadget reviews Best fridge freezers Best food processors Best blenders Best hand mixers Best slow cookers Best stand mixers Best pressure cookers This review was last updated in February 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Can't live without your microwave? Share your thoughts with us below...
A microwave is a valuable investment for your kitchen that can save you time and help you cook efficiently. Read our review of this straightforward Beko microwave.
Beko MOF20110B compact microwave Pros: compact, intuitive, good value Cons: basic look, presets not completely accurate Star rating: 4/5 Available from: Appliances Direct (£80) Amazon (£70.97) Beko (£90) Read our full round-up of the best microwaves to buy From the off, the Beko model is simplicity itself. A relatively small box with no excess packaging holds a compact microwave which can be lifted without too much effort. Setup is a doddle, without any fiddly instructions for setting the timer, and it’s the most intuitive to use of all the models we tested. The display is large and clear, the buttons are tactile and well-spaced, timing is set with a dial rather than buttons, and the handle is sturdy and easy-to-pull, all of which make this a great option for older or less dexterous users, or those of us who are less tech-savvy. The instruction manual provides plenty of detail to take the guessing out of how to use the microwave’s few basic settings – five powers up to 800W, defrosting by weight and time, a 30-second quick start button, a timer, a child lock and eight auto-cook functions for meat, fish and veg, as well as reheating. Pretty impressive for the price. We were pleased to see that the presets allow for 100g increments when cooking a baked potato – meaning you can cook a single spud without adjusting your timings, while many models have a higher minimum weight only suitable for families. Using the presets was a little hit-and-miss – a baked potato needed a little longer in the oven, as did a chicken breast we defrosted, but adding a little extra time resulted in impressively even defrosting, and a tasty potato. Cooked chicken came out cooked-through but still moist. Small issues include the lack of a half-way alert when defrosting foods that might need turning, a small window that’s hard to see through, and a very basic look. But if you’re looking for something small and easy-to-use, this is a great buy. Available from: Appliances Direct (£80) Amazon (£70.97) Beko (£90) Beko compact microwave specifications Capacity: 20l Wattage: 800w Dimensions: H260mm, W442mm, D355mm Microwave recipes and tips Microwave recipes 10 dishes you can cook in a microwave 10 easy healthy microwave meals How to cook food in a microwave Gadget reviews Best fridge freezers Best food processors Best blenders Best hand mixers Best slow cookers Best stand mixers Best pressure cookers This review was last updated in February 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Can't live without your microwave? Share your thoughts with us below...
A good microwave offers lots of shortcuts in the kitchen, especially if you invest in one that has multiple functions. Here, we review the Samsung Easy View combination microwave.
Samsung MC28M6055CK combination microwave Pros: clear door, easy cleaning, includes eco button Cons: no recipes included, stiff handle, no cooking stages feature Star rating: 4.5/5 Available from Samsung (£209), Argos (£220), Currys (£249) Read our full round-up of the best microwaves to buy As you might expect from the tech experts at Samsung, this multi-function microwave covers all the bases, including some you never even knew you needed, and does it with panache. Most of Samsung’s home appliances come with trademarked features, and this is no exception, with an Easy View™ door which allows you to see how your food’s doing, and HotBlast™ technology which blows air across your food during convection cooking for a crisper finish. Once you've disentangled it from what feels like a slightly excessive amount of plastic, you'll find high and low grill racks and a crusty plate for browning food. The number of cooking options is impressive – a focus on healthy cooking means it offers 13 presets for cooking things such as quinoa, spinach and grilled salmon, and it also has settings for proving dough and making home-made yogurt – a feature not found on any of the other microwaves we tested. It also features an auto-reheat setting for items such as ready meals and frozen pizza, and 11 ‘Slim Fry’ options for cooking fries, onion rings and chicken drumsticks with less fat. There's even an eco button which turns the display off when you’re not using the microwave, and a ceramic interior makes cleaning extra easy. Despite how much this model can do, it's simple to set up and the instructions, which seem to be aimed at a US market (we wouldn't recommend washing chicken before cooking, for instance) are easy to follow. There was initial confusion over some of the directions for two-stage cooking – unlike some combination cookers, you can't programme this one to perform consecutive functions, such as microwaving followed by grilling. But it still defrosted and cooked chicken beautifully, with no drying out – although solo users might find the minimum weights needed to use the presets, which start at 500g for chicken pieces, inconvenient. A point of contention for UK users might be the jacket potato setting. Instead of the usual instructions to prick potatoes and cook them whole, this model requires you to cut them in half and cook them cut-side up, so they can be microwaved and grilled at the same time. Despite some initial skepticism, the results were impressive, with moist flesh and tasty browning on top. Other issues include size – this certainly requires measuring up before buying, as it's very large – and the noise as it cooks, which is intermittent instead of constant and can get a bit annoying. The handle, which runs horizontally across the door despite opening vertically, can be a bit fiddly, and the instruction booklet separates the directions for using the settings and its cooking guides, so until you’ve learned the basics, you might have to use bookmarks. But for a microwave which offers so much in return, these annoyances are worth putting up with. Costing around £200, you get incredible bang for your buck – tech lovers, especially, will be over the moon playing with all the features. Available from: Samsung (£209) Argos (£220) Currys (£249) Samsung combination microwave specifications Capacity: 28l Wattage: 900w Dimensions: H310mm, W517mm, D463mm Microwave recipes and tips Microwave recipes 10 dishes you can cook in a microwave 10 easy healthy microwave meals How to cook food in a microwave Gadget reviews Best fridge freezers Best food processors Best blenders Best hand mixers Best slow cookers Best stand mixers Best pressure cookers This review was last updated in February 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Can't live without your microwave? Share your thoughts with us below...
A microwave is a valuable investment for your kitchen. Read our review of the stylish Nordic microwave by leading brand Swan.
Swan 20l Nordic digital microwave Pros: good value, simple-to-use, compact Cons: very basic, no baked potato preset Star rating: 3.5/5 Read our full round-up of the best microwaves to buy If you're looking for a microwave that will look good on your kitchen counter, is easy and intuitive to use, and is compact enough not to be intrusive, the Swan Nordic microwave is a solid option. Available in three matte shades (pine green, cotton white and slate grey), its curves, along with wood-effect finishes on the handle and control dial, make this model a clear stand-out in terms of looks. With a small footprint, it will fit in the smallest kitchens, although this isn’t ideal for large families. A soft-touch handle makes for easy opening, and it has tactile buttons which are a welcome change from touch-sensitive panels which can be fiddly. Eight cooking presets include pizza cooking, popcorn and reheating, although there's no baked potato preset, which feels like an unusual omission for a modern microwave. Despite this, we managed to produce a fluffy, cooked-through potato using the standard microwave setting. There are five power options, which can be adjusted using the dial in 30-second increments, as well as an express setting for cooking in bursts of 30-90 seconds. The defrost settings (based on time or weight) results in good, even defrosting, and chicken cooks through quickly – although with no preset, you need to keep an eye out for over-cooking and shrinkage. There’s also a child lock to ward off little hands. Overall, although this isn't the cheapest basic microwave out there, it surpasses the rest through sheer style, making it a good buy for those who need a simple model, but aren’t keen on inviting a monochrome beast to lurk on their kitchen counter. Swan Nordic microwave specifications Capacity: 20l Wattage: 800w Dimensions: H257mm, W451mm, D342mm Microwave recipes and tips Microwave recipes 10 dishes you can cook in a microwave 10 easy healthy microwave meals How to cook food in a microwave Gadget reviews Best fridge freezers Best food processors Best blenders Best hand mixers Best slow cookers Best stand mixers Best pressure cookers This review was last updated in February 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Can't live without your microwave? Share your thoughts with us below...
A microwave can be an investment, so does how does a budget-friendly appliance stand up to competitors? Read our review of this inexpensive Wilko microwave.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. This page was updated in February 2020. Wilko copper-effect microwave Pros: sleek design, compact, matching items available Cons: basic functions, no light inside, slightly off-target auto-cooking Star rating: 3.5/5 Available from Wilko (£70) Read our full round-up of the best microwaves to buy At only £70, this cheap-and-cheerful microwave is a great basic buy. Although it only offers microwave (rather than combination) cooking, it’s simple and straightforward, and does the job well enough. A stand-out in terms of looks, the copper effect and curved edges are stylish, and there’s also the option of buying a matching kettle and toaster, which is a bonus in the utilitarian world of microwaves. A handle makes it easy to open and close, and a two-year guarantee means it should last. It's also very compact, making it ideal for smaller kitchens. Offering a generous 800W and five power settings, eight auto-cooking programmes are available to reheat pizza, cook meat, and produce fluffy jacket potatoes. In testing, jacket spuds needed a couple more minutes to be totally cooked through, while chicken was slow to defrost and a little dry when cooked – but only small adjustments to the pre-set timings are needed to fix these issues. Functions include a 30-second express button for heating liquids, defrost and autocook, all of which are instinctive to use and easy to grasp. It also offers a child lock, digital timer and delay start. A great basic buy, perfect for starter homes, students and smaller kitchens. Available from Wilko (£70) Wilko microwave specifications Capacity: 20l Wattage: 800w Dimensions: H258mm, W451mm, D354mm Microwave recipes and tips Microwave recipes 10 dishes you can cook in a microwave 10 easy healthy microwave meals How to cook food in a microwave Gadget reviews Best fridge freezers Best food processors Best blenders Best hand mixers Best slow cookers Best stand mixers Best pressure cookers This review was last updated in February 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Can't live without your microwave? Share your thoughts with us below...