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our top-tested picks for pub-quality pours at home, plus the NitroSurge deal trending now
LOOKING for a Christmas gift that will actually get used?
One of the best beer dispensers turns match days, movie nights and New Year’s Eve into proper pub-at-home moments.
This year’s lineup is stronger than ever, with compact countertop units and sleek smart taps that pour a crisp, consistent pint without the faff.
We’ve hands-on tested the UK’s most popular beer machines, focusing on setup time, pour consistency, temperature control and taste, so you can buy with confidence.
Whether treating yourself or shopping for a beer lover, a dispenser is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for the festive season and beyond.
Below you’ll find the models we rate, plus the latest standout offers, including that much-talked-about NitroSurge deal.
Caffeine lovers should also check out our pick of the best coffee machines.
DEAL ALERT: Guinness NitroSurge, £20 (was £30) at Amazon
Pint perfection for less. The official Guinness NitroSurge device is £20 at Amazon, usually £30.
It clips onto compatible draught cans and uses innovative tech to deliver the iconic two-part pour, giving you a smooth, pub-style pint at home.
Gift it to the Guinness fan in your life or add it to your home bar for Christmas hosting.
At this price, it is an easy upgrade for match days and big nights in.
We have seen it dip to £19.99 in recent promos, so £20 is a solid buy if you missed those deals.
- Guinness NitroSurge, £20 (was £30) at Amazon – buy now
Best beer dispensers: At a glance
The best beer dispensers in 2025, reviewed
1. Pinter At-Home Beer Dispenser
Pinter At-Home Beer Dispenser,
from £99
Pros: Easy brewing process; amazing value; impressive 10-pint capacity
Cons: Takes patience with 4-8 day brewing time; bulkier than expected
Rating: 9/10
Fancy pouring your own fresh draught beer without leaving the sofa? The Pinter is an absolute game-changer for beer-lovers.
We’ve been busy brewing gallons of the good stuff and can confirm it’s a cracking gift for any mates who love a pint.
Each brew takes between four and eight days, but don’t worry – the instructions are very easy to follow.
It’s actually a brilliant weekend activity when you’re stuck indoors, and trust me, those first sips taste even better knowing you’ve made it yourself!
The brewing kits start at just £17.99 and arrive via your letterbox.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with flavours ranging from rich, dark stouts to tropical pale ales.
The new Active Pour Tap is a real winner, too – it gives you that perfect pub-quality pint every single time.
Capacity: 10 pints; Brewing time: 4-8 days; Refill cost: Brewing kits from £17.99; Size: 35.4 x 23.4 x 24.3cm; Weight: 2.65kg
2. Philips PerfectDraft
Philips PerfectDraft Starter Bundle,
from £229
Pros: Perfect pours every time; keeps beer fresh for a whole month; huge beer selection
Cons: Hefty price tag; takes up decent kitchen space
Rating: 9/10
Looking sleek in black and silver chrome, the PerfectDraft machine is a game-changer for any beer lover’s kitchen.
This beauty runs super quietly and delivers that perfectly chilled pint every single time – just like your local would serve.
With its impressive six-litre capacity (that’s over 10 perfect pints!), it’s an absolute winner when mates come round. Trust me, you’ll quickly become everyone’s favourite host.
The starter bundle lets you pick from loads of premium beers – Corona, Stella Artois, Leffe, Thornbridge and tons more. Whatever your taste, they’ve got you covered.
Best bit? Once tapped, your beer stays fresh for a full 30 days, meaning there’s zero pressure to finish it quickly. Perfect if you fancy taking your time or you’re enjoying it solo.
Read our PerfectDraft beer dispenser review
Cost per pint: £3.25; Capacity: 6 litres (approximately 10 pints); Size: 44.4 x 26.1 x 49.4 cm; Weight: 8.2 kg
3. Philips Perfectdraft Pro
Philips Perfectdraft Pro,
from £329
Pros: Pub quality pints; brilliant digital display; eco-friendly keg return system
Cons: Very heavy; requires 10+ hours cooling time before first use
Rating: 8/10
Setting up PerfectDraft Pro is extremely simple and takes just minutes.
Top tip, though: cooling takes about 10 hours, so put it in the fridge beforehand to speed things up.
It’s a real beast weight-wise (needed two of us to lift the box!), but what it lacks in portability, it more than makes up for in pure style.
We love the customisable beer badges and a brilliant display showing both temperature and how much beer’s left in your keg.
Your first pour might come out a bit lively, but after that? Pure pub-quality perfection that’ll have your mates thinking you’ve hired a professional bartender.
The eco-friendly keg return system saves you a fiver on your next order, and with 30 days to enjoy your beer once tapped, there’s no rush to finish.
Read our full PerfectDraft Pro review
Cost per pint: £3.25; Capacity: 6 litres (over 10 pints); Refill cost: £30-40 for keg; Size: 44.5 x 29.4 x 40cm, Weight: 8.3kg
4. Guinness Nitrosurge
Guinness Nitrosurge,
£20 (was £30) at Amazon
Pros: very easy to use; creates an authentic pub-quality Guinness experience at home; maintains the settling ritual
Cons: Costs £30 upfront; requires special Nitrosurge cans
Rating: 8/10
This little beauty is an absolute must-have for any Guinness lover.
We were very impressed with how easy it is to use – even total beginners can nail that perfect pub-quality pour the first time.
You still get all that classic Guinness theatre at home – watching it settle and develop that gorgeous creamy head is half the fun.
Trust us, waiting those few seconds makes the perfect pour even more satisfying.
The result? Absolutely spot on! Once settled, it’s indistinguishable from what you’d get down your local.
That rich, creamy taste is bang on the money.
The only downside is that the device costs £30, and you’ll need special Nitrosurge cans that cost a bit more than regular Guinness.
Cost per pint: £2.06; Capacity: One Can
5. Fizzics DraftPour Beer Dispenser
Fizzics DraftPour Beer Dispenser,
from £99 at Menkind
Pros: Works with any can or bottle; portable with battery option; quick setup with no waiting time
Cons: Beer taste not dramatically different; feels slightly gimmicky
Rating: 4/5
The size of your coffee maker, but packing serious beer tech, this clever little gadget takes seconds literally to set up and won’t hog your precious kitchen space.
What’s brilliant is you’ve got power options – plug it in or use AA batteries for total portability. Perfect for garden parties or camping trips.
Unlike other beer machines, this machine works with any can or bottle – just pop it in and let the magic happen.
No special kegs required, and no hours of waiting while things cool down.
Fizzics says its advanced sonic-wave technology transforms ordinary beer into pub-quality pints with better aroma and a smoother feel.
While we couldn’t spot a significant difference in taste, it’s convenient to use whatever beer you prefer straight from the fridge.
Capacity: one can/bottle; Size: 26 x 15 x 43cm; Weight: 1.9kg
6. Blade Countertop Draught System
Blade Countertop Draught System,
from £499
Pros: Professional-quality pour; chilled to perfect 2 degrees; generous 8-litre keg; premium design
Cons: Seriously heavy and difficult to move around; requires a 24-hour cooling time before first use
Rating: 3.5/5
This machine split opinions on its looks in our house. While we thought it was a bit industrial, our other half loved the temperature gauges, the quality drip tray, and the visible keg.
It’s heavy (we needed two of us to lift it), but setup takes about 10 minutes.
One crucial tip, though – you’ll need 24 hours of cooling time before that first perfect pint, so plan ahead for parties.
We’ve spotted these in actual pubs, and the quality doesn’t disappoint.
Each pour comes out restaurant-perfect and chilled to an ice-cold 2 degrees.
Your 8-litre keg stays fresh for 30 days (giving you 14 perfect pints at around £2.50 each), but the machine must remain plugged in.
The taste is spot-on, but the hefty price tag makes it one for serious beer enthusiasts only.
Cost per pint: £2.50; Capacity: 8 litres (14 pints); Refill cost: £35 per keg; Size: 59 x 47 x 29cm; Weight: 17.6kg
How do draught beer dispensers work?
All draught dispensers work on a straightforward principle – pressure. The machines use either built-in pumps or CO2 cartridges to push your beer from the keg through the tap and into your glass.
More sophisticated machines, such as PerfectDraft, have internal pumps that do all the hard work, while others require gas canisters to get things flowing.
Most importantly, these beauties keep your beer perfectly chilled – usually around 2-4 degrees – for that refreshing taste we all love.
Setting up a home system is easier than the complex pub setups with miles of pipes and massive gas cylinders.
Different models have different features, but they all aim to deliver one thing – that perfect, cold, creamy-headed pint that makes you feel like you’ve got your own mini pub right at home.
How much do beer dispensers in the UK cost?
The price of beer dispensers in the UK ranges from just £30 to £499.
If you’re after something simple that adds extra fizz to your canned beers, like the Guinness Nitrosurge or the Fizzics machine, you’ll only need to shell out under £50.
When you opt for a proper keg system, prices start climbing.
The Pinter brewing system starts around £99, while the popular PerfectDraft will set you back about £229.
For serious beer enthusiasts, premium models like the PerfectDraft Pro (£329) or the professional-grade Blade system (£499) deliver that perfect pub experience – but at a proper price!
It’s worth remembering that most keg machines cost £2.50-£3.25 per pint, so you’ll soon recoup your money compared to pub prices!
Where can I buy kegs for beer dispensers?
The most important part of getting a beer dispenser is the beer! But kegs can’t be bought from just anywhere, sadly.
Fear not, there are plenty of affordable, budget-friendly options to choose from online, including your favourite – or next favourite – beer.
PerfectDraft has a great selection of kegs, starting from around £30, and offers Tiny Rebel lager, Goose Island IPA, Corona, Leffe, Beck’s and Budweiser.
Amazon also offers a selection of kegs, ranging from standard lagers to craft beers.
How do you clean a beer dispenser?
Every model needs slightly different care, so your first port of call should always be the instruction manual that came with your machine. No excuses!
Some systems are really low-maintenance – just a quick wipe to mop up any condensation that forms in the barrel, and you’re sorted.
For the fancier dispensers with pipes and taps, you’ll need to flush the system regularly.
Most manufacturers recommend doing this every couple of weeks to keep those pints tasting spot on!
If your machine comes with a cleaning kit, it’ll have everything you need. Otherwise, you can grab beer line cleaning solutions online for under a tenner.
Remember: a clean beer system means better-tasting pints and a longer life for your machine.
How do you set up a beer pump at home?
Unlike setting up a full-blown pump that you’d get in a pub with gas cylinders and miles of piping, setting up one of these pumps at home is a doddle.
Most of the devices are plug-and-play; they require nothing more than a beer keg and a plug socket.
It’ll take a while to bring your canisters to the correct pressure and cool your beer, but the process doesn’t require much input from you.
What is the best home beer dispenser?
After weeks of rigorous testing (and plenty of pints!), we can confidently crown the Pinter At-Home Beer Dispenser as the absolute king of home beer machines.
For value-seekers, the Guinness Nitrosurge offers a budget-friendly alternative at £30, while the Philips PerfectDraft strikes a balance between quality and price.
If money’s no object, the PerfectDraft Pro delivers premium performance with its digital display and superior temperature control.
Hunting for more kitchen appliances? Don’t miss our round-up of the best kettle and toaster deals available this month.
