I think you either go all the way and get decent grinder and semi-auto machine (circa £2k) and learn to use it, or you get a pod machine (about £100, sometimes less).
I'm not convinced that anything in between is worth it.
I'd agree - having tried most things over the years - cafetiere/French press, drip machines, Cona stove top (remember them?), Moka pots, mini espresso machine.
*Warning: Contains opinion
Yeah...tried them all too, and all of them make a different sort of coffee and have their place (except mini espresso machines, which are shite)
Cafetieres are for convenience only, as the coffee is inferior to a simple plastic cone and paper filter.
Vacuum makers, (Cona) fashionable in the 70s and then again about 10 years ago, produce great coffee with a theatrical display, but are a massive faff. Sooner or later you'll accidentally smash it, and be surprised at how liberating it feels.
Moka pots produce something unique, and are a rough approximation of espresso if camping. Doesnt seem to matter what coffee you put in, it always comes out tasting the same
Cheap BTC machines, why? Might as well have a cheap pod machine. End result is the same.
Aeropress, extremely good if you like the taste (I dont), very cheap, clean, and practical.
But....if you want espresso, proper espresso, then you've got to go down the £500+ grinder, and £1500+ machine route. You could go for a £1200 Sage DB, but the build quality is shite and it will be a short term purchase. Anybody that tells you their £500 BTC machine produces great espresso will have a shock when you give them an actual espresso 🤭
We've not had a grinder as decent ready-ground has been widely available but I think we'll be getting a grinder before long, in part as we now have a larger kitchen. The difference, we find, between ready-ground and ground as you make the coffee is marginal if you keep it in an air-tight tin (and only in 225gm lots)
For the pod machine we either use Lor (in a variety of strengths - usually to be found on ebay, often as bulk boxes of "samples" in packs of 3) or the Aldi Espresso 7 pods ... which are very good value at 13p each
Yes, I find that too. I bought MIL an Aldi pod machine 2 years ago. £45, still going strong and I think their pods produce something very drinkable.
I miss drinking decent filter coffee. It's part laziness but also I find my home flat whites so satisfying. Milk steamed to the consistency of double cream, no visible bubbles. Amazing.