Home » Product Reviews » Small Appliances » Coffee Machines » Filter Coffee Machines » Morphy Richards Equip 162501 Filter Coffee Machine review
The Morphy Richards Equip 162501 is a straightforward 10-cup filter coffee machine aimed at households that want reliable, fuss-free brews without spending a fortune. With a 1.2-litre capacity, it’s sized nicely for couples, families or anyone who likes to keep a pot on the go.
Morphy Richards is a well-known name in small kitchen appliances, and this model leans on that experience rather than flashy gimmicks. Pour over-style brewing, a reusable filter and a keep-warm hotplate are the main attractions here.
With an owner rating of 4.6 out of 5 from dozens of reviews, it’s clearly doing a lot right for the price, especially if you just want a dependable machine to replace a kettle-and-jar routine.
The Equip 162501 is well suited to anyone who wants hassle-free, everyday coffee at home without diving into the world of espresso machines or bean-to-cup systems. If you’re happy using pre-ground coffee and you mainly drink americanos or long coffees, this is right in its comfort zone.
A 1.2-litre capacity and 10-cup pot make it a good fit for small families, shared houses or home offices where several people want coffee from the same jug. It’s also handy if you like to brew once and drink over the next half hour, thanks to the built-in hotplate and keep-warm function.
Given its very modest price, this is a budget-friendly choice for first-time coffee machine buyers or anyone replacing an ageing filter machine. It’s not one for coffee obsessives chasing fine-tuned control or barista-style drinks, but it offers a noticeable step up in flavour and convenience compared with basic instant coffee.
If you’re short on storage space or worktop area, the compact footprint (around 32 cm high and just 22 cm wide) and neat design also make it a sensible option for smaller kitchens or student flats.
The 10-cup, 1.2-litre capacity is generous for such an affordable machine, letting you brew enough for guests or to keep you going through the morning without constant refilling.
Morphy Richards’ pour-over brew technology uses a showerhead to spread water evenly over the coffee, helping you get more consistent extraction – and better flavour – than very basic drip machines that just dribble water in one spot.
An aroma blender in the carafe helps circulate the coffee as it brews, so you’re less likely to end up with stronger cups at the start of the jug and weaker ones at the end.
The 30-minute keep-warm function and hotplate are genuinely useful if you like to top up your mug without brewing again, keeping coffee ready to pour without being scalding hot for hours.
A reusable permanent filter cuts down on running costs and waste, and you don’t have to worry about running out of paper filters. Combined with non-slip feet and a heat-resistant glass carafe, it feels like a practical, everyday workhorse.
The strong user score of 4.6 out of 5 from a decent number of reviews backs up that this simple spec translates into reliable real-world performance.
This is very much a no-frills machine, so you don’t get extras like a programmable timer, strength settings or an automatic shut-off that runs for longer than 30 minutes, which some heavier users might miss.
The 30-minute keep-warm window is fine for most people, but if you want a pot to stay hot for longer without reheating, you may prefer a model with a thermal carafe or longer hotplate options.
Being a basic 1000-watt filter machine, it won’t satisfy those looking for milky specialties like cappuccinos or lattes from a single appliance – you’ll need a separate milk frother or a different type of coffee machine entirely.
The reusable filter is convenient, but it does mean you’ll need to rinse it after each brew and descale the machine periodically; if you dislike any extra cleaning, a paper-filter system you can just bin might appeal more.
Living with the Morphy Richards Equip 162501 is refreshingly straightforward. You fill the 1.2-litre water tank, add ground coffee to the reusable filter, and switch it on – there are no complicated menus or touchscreens to navigate.
The compact size (around 32 cm high and 22 cm wide) means it will tuck neatly under most kitchen wall units and doesn’t dominate the worktop. Non-slip feet help it stay planted when you’re sliding the glass carafe in and out, which is handy on smoother countertops.
The heat-resistant glass carafe feels light but practical, and the handle design makes it easy to pour without spilling. Thanks to the aroma blender, coffee in the jug is more uniform, so you can happily pour multiple cups without worrying that the last one will taste weak.
Cleaning is simple: the removable permanent filter can be lifted out and rinsed under the tap, and there are no paper filters to dispose of. You’ll still need to descale the machine occasionally, as with all coffee makers, but there’s nothing particularly fiddly about accessing the filter basket or carafe.
Overall, this is the kind of machine you can comfortably use half-asleep in the morning – fill, press, and return a few minutes later to a ready jug of coffee.
At the heart of the Equip 162501 is a 1000-watt heating system, which is ample for a domestic filter machine. It brings water up to brewing temperature quickly enough that you’re not waiting long for a full 10-cup jug, yet it doesn’t feel excessive for a smaller household brew.
The pour-over brew technology is the standout performance feature. Instead of channelling water through a single spout, the showerhead disperses it across the coffee bed, encouraging more even extraction. In practice, this should help you get closer to the clean, rounded flavour of a manual pour-over without having to spend time hovering over the kettle.
The built-in aroma blender is another thoughtful touch. As coffee drips into the carafe, it gently circulates the liquid, mixing the stronger early extracts with the weaker later ones. This helps avoid the common filter-machine issue where the first cup is rich and the last cup tastes washed-out.
For convenience, the keep-warm hotplate holds your coffee at a drinkable temperature for up to 30 minutes. It’s ideal for slow weekend breakfasts or topping up mugs during a work-from-home morning, though it’s not designed to keep coffee hot for hours on end.
Other useful details include non-slip feet for stability and a heat-resistant glass carafe that stands up to daily use. The reusable permanent filter means every brew is as simple as rinse, refill and go, with no ongoing spend on paper filters and less waste going in the bin.
Overall, the feature set is firmly in the ‘sensible essentials’ camp: the focus is on brewing well and being easy to live with, rather than connected apps or advanced programming.
At around £34, the Morphy Richards Equip 162501 sits firmly in the budget end of the filter coffee market, which makes its spec sheet and user feedback all the more impressive.
You’re getting a 10-cup capacity, pour-over style showerhead, aroma blending, a reusable filter and a 30-minute keep-warm function – more than you’d typically expect from the cheapest no-name machines. The two-year manufacturer warranty (with registration) also adds reassurance for a low-cost appliance.
Crucially, the 4.6 out of 5 rating from a solid number of reviews suggests that owners feel they’ve had good value for money. It may not have timers or strength settings, but as a daily coffee workhorse it punches above its price.
If your priority is straightforward, tasty filter coffee without spending much, the value proposition here is very strong. Only those wanting advanced programmability or all-in-one cappuccino-making should plan to spend more elsewhere.
The Morphy Richards Equip 162501 is a great example of a simple idea done well. It’s an affordable, compact filter coffee machine that focuses on the essentials: consistent brewing, a decent 10-cup capacity and easy everyday use.
Pour-over style water distribution and the aroma blender give it a genuine edge over the most basic drip machines, helping you get more from your ground coffee without doing anything differently. The reusable filter and 30-minute keep-warm function round out a very practical package for households that drink straightforward black coffee.
It’s not built for latte art or app control, and heavier coffee drinkers may wish the keep-warm period was longer, but for the price those are fair compromises. If you want a reliable, good-value filter coffee machine from a trusted brand, this is a very easy model to recommend.