Last Updated On February 2nd, 2022
For people who love coffee but can’t afford the price of a barista-brewed drink every day, there are few things better than the best bean-to-cup coffee machine. Unlike any other coffee-making device on the market, these devices help today’s coffee lovers to get the most out of their morning brew – without compromising on flavour or spending a fortune.
Bean-to-cup coffee machines specialise in providing a full range of coffee beverages from a single machine, often using real ground coffee beans (just like in cafés) rather than pods or instant coffee. Most of these machines are far more advanced than some of the basic coffee pots you can find on the market today, and some come with extra accessories like automatic milk frothers, so you can create a variety of drinks to suit your needs.
Since the British Coffee Association suggests that UK people drink about 95 million cups of Java every day, it’s fair to say that Britain is a good market for bean-to-cup coffee machines. The only problem is sales opportunities like that draw in a lot of competing brands. If you want to find the ideal machine for your needs today, then you might need to filter through dozens of offerings from leading manufacturers first.
Fortunately, if the idea of flicking through endless tabs on Amazon has left you feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help. We’ve been through a variety of bean-to-cup coffee machine reviews to track down some of the finest brewing stations money can buy.
Our Favourite Bean to Cup Coffee Machines Compared
Best Bean to Cup Coffee Machine Reviews – Top 10 Picks
1. De’Longhi Eletta ECAM (Editor’s Choice)
If you’ve ever longed for the luxury and elegance of a truly Italian coffee experience in your own home, then you’re going to love this De’Longhi Eletta. Designed to create everything from a creamy cappuccino to smooth espresso at the touch of a button, this is one of the best bean to cup machines that you’ll find on the market today.
Features
The Eletta has a built-in handy memory function, so you can easily customise the drink that’s right for you, and the machine will remember how to make it every time.
This device comes with the De’Longhi patented automatic Cappuccino system, making even complicated ground coffee drinks a breeze. Plus, there’s a “Long Coffee” button if you just love the taste of that intense French-press style coffee. For those who want something stylish but easy to use, the Eletta is also highly intuitive, with a practical and easy to clean design. There’s even a built-in descaling programme.
For one-touch coffee in an instant, this machine is a go-to for any household. Plus, it’s rated with an Energy Class A, so you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on your electricity. There’s even a 2L water tank included, so you should have plenty of capacity to make more than one cup at a time if you’re entertaining a larger group of people at home.
One issue is that the buttons on this unit may be quite sensitive, so you’ll need to keep that in mind when you’re learning how to use it. Like with any new bean to cup coffee machine, there could be a bit of a learning curve, but most users found that they quickly got used to the Eletta after a little trial and error.
- Easy to clean and practical design
- Memory function for your ground coffee favourites
- One-touch functionality with a 2L water tank
- Long-life grinder with 13 settings available
- Rated A for energy
- Buttons could be sensitive
- May be a little fiddly and complicated at first
- It may take some time to master
2. De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM (Best Value)
Simple, stylish, and brimming with charm, this bean to cup coffee machine is a dream come true, and it comes to you from De’Longhi – one of the industry’s most well-respected brands. Whether you’re looking for something that you can use to churn out a velvety smooth espresso – or a more complex ground coffee drink – this unit has everything you need.
Features
With a stainless steel milk frothing arm, it’s easy to create stunning lattes and cappuccinos. There’s also a built-in burr grinder so you can get the perfect density with your beans.
De’Longhi offers their Magnifica model with a 2-year warranty for peace of mind and an advanced dual-boiler system that allows you to create coffees quickly. You can even pour two cups of espresso at a time if you’re in a hurry. Like many De’Longhi automatic coffee makers, there’s also a one-touch operation to simplify your at-home barista express experience.
To ensure that you’re never left with anything less than the perfect cup of ground coffee, the De’Longhi Magnifica also comes with an advanced user interface that allows you to adjust the taste and style of your espresso with just a few buttons. You can choose exactly how much coffee to use, what sort of milk level you need, and more. Unfortunately, the kit can be challenging to clean. You might have to dedicate an afternoon to maintenance every once in a while.
Even with the cleaning issue in mind, the Magnifica device is still an excellent choice. Just keep in mind that you might take some time to get used to this device – like most other automatic bean-to-cup machines.
- Stylish design with a 15 bar pressure
- Suitable for ground coffee and fresh beans
- Traditional milk-frothing arm in stainless steel
- Dual-boiler system and removable brewing unit
- Excellent 2-year guarantee
- Can be a bit of a learning curve at first
- Interior may be poorly designed when it comes to cleaning
- Milk frother may be very close to the machine and may need a narrow milk jug to use it
- May have a small water tank
3. Melitta F86/0-100 Barista TS Smart (Luxury Choice)
Most people won’t have the space in their home for brewing machines as large as the ones you’d see in Costa Coffee or Starbucks. If you’re looking for something more compact and stylish, then you’re going to need to switch your search to the best small bean-to-cup coffee machine. We recommend starting with the Melitta F86.
Features
This stunning piece of brewing equipment allows you to start your day with a coffee just the way you like it – with 21 pre-set specialities to choose from. You can also save the preferences of up to 8 people at a time, with coffee memory functions that are perfect for getting your drink just right. There’s even a separate hot water preparation option for people who prefer tea. Aside from the grain type options, you also have five coffee strengths to choose from.
The exceptional taste delivered by the Melitta machine is unlike anything else on the market, thanks to the excellent Aroma System feature and two air-tight compartments for coffee management. You can also preserve your machine’s life and performance with simple pre-set cleaning and descaling features. With a simple and intuitive interface, anyone can become a Barista in their own home with the Melitta.
It is a machine that can transform the way you think about coffee – and reduce the number of trips you make to local cafes, too. However, keep in mind that it could be tough to get your milk to a boiling point – you may need to settle for nicely textured warm milk instead.
- 21 pre-set coffee specialities with milk texturing
- Coffee memory for up to 8 people and separate hot water preparation
- Compact design that doesn’t compromise on performance
- Five settings for coffee strength
- Intuitive and simple display
- Excellent cleaning and maintenance settings
- Milk may not get boiling hot
- Could be difficult to get help from customer service
4. De’Longhi Caffe Corso (Best Boiler System)
The kind of coffee machine you need will depend on the kind of drinks you want to make. For instance, if you’re looking for a solution to design delicious lattes and cappuccinos, then you’re going to need a bean-to-cup coffee machine with milk frother technology built-in. That’s what you get if you opt to buy the De’Longhi Caffe Corso.
Features
With a 15 bar pressure for an exceptional coffee house performance and the ability to handle fresh coffee beans with a built-in burr grinder, the De’Longhi Caffe Corso has it all. There are even seven adjustable coarseness settings to create a wide range of ground coffee drinks. What’s more, the removable brewing unit means that this device isn’t just easy to use – it’s simple to clean, too. With a self-priming system, the Caffe Corso is virtually always ready to use when you’re in a hurry.
If you decide that you want another cup of espresso right after your first one, you can also use the instant reheat function to heat the core of the bean to cup machine for a perfect espresso in seconds. The rinse and descale programs automatically adjust to suit the hardness levels of your local water.
One downside of this unit is that it could be quite noisy – but if you’ve ever been to a professional coffee house, you’ll know that’s a sign of a good bean-to-cup machine. Additionally, the unit’s design may be bulky, so you might have a hard time finding a place for it on your kitchen counter.
- 15 bar pressure performance with instant re-heat
- Integrated professional burr grinder
- Removable brewing unit for easy cleaning
- Simple interface with a limited learning curve
- Automatically adjusting descale and rinse programs
- Bulky design may takes up a lot of space
- Could be noisy
5. Sage Appliances Barista Pro (Best with Dose Control)
If you’re the kind of person who generally spends a fortune on buying espresso from your local café each morning, then you can probably afford to invest in something a little more luxurious for your home. After all, the best value bean-to-cup coffee machine is usually the one that will allow you to get the same quality of experience at home as you’d get from a barista. This device from Sage is professional enough to use in a café or coffee shop, and no one would tell the difference.
Features
Although not as small and lightweight as some of the other bean-to-cup coffee machines on this list, the Sage Barista Pro comes with more features than you’ll find anywhere else, including an LCD with extracting and grinding animations. The screen shows you exactly what you need to do to get your coffee just the way you like it. There’s also an innovative ThermoJet system for heating that gives you the perfect espresso within seconds.
When it comes to espresso coffee, the Sage device turns you into an artist, giving you just the right temperature and balance to create smooth and rich flavours. Additionally, for milk-based drinks, Sage’s frothing arm doesn’t just “froth,” it also adds texture to the milk, giving you a more creamy and velvety result. There’s nothing quite like this bean to cup machine anywhere else on the market.
It’s hard to find much wrong with this machine. However, a couple of the bean-to-cup coffee machine reviews we read said that it might be challenging to use the milk frother at first. Additionally, Sage’s drip tray could do with being just a bit deeper.
- Professional Barista-style coffee
- Intuitive interface for custom automatic coffee making
- Microfoam milk texturing
- Precise espresso extraction features
- Incredible burr grinder included
- Drip tray may be shallow
- Could be difficult to use the milk frother at first
- May not include a pressure gauge
6. De’Longhi Eletta Cappuccino ECAM (Best for Creamy Drinks)
Some coffee lovers like to try out different drinks every day of the week. Other people will prefer a bean to cup coffee maker specialising in producing that perfect drink. If you fall into the second camp, then you’re sure to love the experience you get with velvety smooth cappuccinos from the De’Longhi Eletta Cappuccino machine. This unit is designed to make a range of coffee types, including lattes, flat whites, and espresso macchiatos. However, where it shines is with smooth cappuccinos.
Features
With a built-in grinder, the De’Longhi burr-grinds your beans to the perfect taste and uses LatteCrema technology to froth milk fantastically. With simple one-touch functionality, you won’t have to worry about fussing with a complicated coffee-making process when you’re trying to get ready for work. Instead, you can have your favourite drink waiting for you at just the touch of a button.
At just the right temperature, the Eletta patented Automatic Cappuccino creates the ultimate cappuccino with microfoam technology. You can also set your preferences if you prefer a cappuccino that’s slightly hotter or stronger than the standard recipe. There’s very little limit to what you can do with this unique tool.
For that touch of added flexibility, the De’Longhi Eletta ECAM will also allow you to use whole beans or ready-ground coffee. There’s also excellent energy efficiency. Just keep in mind that though it works well with coffee beans, it may struggle with drinks besides cappuccinos – like a good Americano.
- Patented Automatic Cappuccino system
- Microfoam milk frothing technology
- Exclusive flat white one-touch recipe button
- Various recipes for coffee shop favourites
- Excellent performance and design
- May not be great for non-milk-based coffees
- May only be ideal for full coffee beans
- It could be hard to get the coffee boiling hot
7. Krups Arabica Digital (Best with Large Tank)
If you’re struggling to find the best bean coffee machine on the market, why not buy something that’s not going to make you feel terrible about your impact on the environment. This Krups machine is perfect for providing barista express cappuccinos, lattes, and other coffee types in a matter of moments.
Features
It comes with a fantastic 1.7L water tank – which is enough for a few coffees at least, and a 250g bean container so that you can make up to 10 drinks without having to replenish.
There’s an intuitive control panel built into the Krups unit, complete with an easy-to-read and huge LCD screen that makes adjusting your morning espresso simple. Plus, there are three temperature settings to choose from, depending on how quickly you want to get your drink. There’s even a range of grinding levels, adjustable coffee strength, and hot water volume options so you can personalise your results until you’re sure you have the ideal coffee.
With a manual steam nozzle for the café-quality froth on your cappuccinos and lattes, the Krups machine doesn’t compromise on drink quality. Additionally, there’s plenty of impressive built-in technology to help you get the most out of various coffee types. However, as powerful as this coffee machine can be, it’s not going to ramp up your energy bills with an A-star energy rating.
What’s more, to ensure that you won’t have trouble finding a home for your new coffee maker in your kitchen, Krups have been careful to pack all of their state-of-the-art technology into an elegant and compact package. Classy and convenient, the Krups unit is a great buy for any household, although some reviewers had a couple of niggles. For instance, steaming the milk can be a little awkward for your drink, and the machine itself can be difficult to clean.
- 3 Adjustable temperature settings
- Plenty of customisation options
- Generate 1.7l water tank and 250g bean container
- Barista express coffee at the touch of a button
- Manual steam nozzle for steaming milk
- May not automatically froth milk, so milky drinks can be a bit of a challenge
- Coffee may not be hot enough
- Steam nozzle can be fiddly and may come off easily
8. Morphy Richards 162101 (Best Compact)
Not everyone can afford to buy a classy and state-of-the-art brewing station. If you’re looking for a cheap bean-to-cup machine that you can rely on to deliver delicious-tasting drinks, then it’s hard to go wrong with the Morphy Richards 162101.
Features
This delightful piece of kit comes with an integrated bean grinder that automatically grinds your beans before brewing. You can also use pre-ground coffee if you want to.
One factor that makes this device one of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines on the market is the introduction of a timer function, which ensures you can always wake up to freshly ground coffee. What’s more, the compact 4-cup capacity means that you can reduce waste and take up less space on your kitchen countertop.
Morphy Richards makes it easy to brew a cup of coffee to your exact specifications without having to spend a fortune on a fancy new machine. What’s more, the “keep warm” function ensures that you don’t have to worry about sipping a cold espresso if you’ve been rushing around the house trying to get ready for work after making your coffee. The heat resistant glass carafe keeps your coffee tasting perfect – at just the right temperature.
As a small filter coffee device, the Morphy Richards may not be as advanced as some other machines on this list, but it does come with plenty of features to simplify your espresso routine. It could be a bit fiddly to clean and may not be suitable for people who want a large capacity in their bean-to-cup machine, but it’s hard to find any problems with the unit besides those.
- Filter coffee machine with timer function
- Integrated bean grinder
- Use beans or pre-ground coffee
- Compact design for easy storage
- Keep warm function included
- Keep warm feature may only lasts for 30 minutes
- It could be a bit of a headache to clean
- May not be suitable for people who want more than two cups of coffee at a time
9. De’Longhi Autentica (Best with Descaler)
If you wish to buy a compact bean to cup coffee maker that doesn’t compromise on performance, there are plenty of amazing models available from De’Longhi. One of the excellent bean-to-cup machines that we found was this De’Longhi Autentica, which can make a wide range of coffee types – including lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos.
Features
The Autentica comes with a traditional milk-frother for a silky smooth milk foam to add to your lattes and cappuccinos. Additionally, there’s an intuitive backlighted control panel that users can customise and upgrade their drinks. There’s also a fantastic long coffee button, which is great for people who love the taste of fresh drip coffee.
One particular feature that’s sure to appeal to coffee lovers is the availability of a unique Doppio plus function, where you can get a more than double-sized expression with a boost of extra aroma.
Perfect for freshly ground beans, the Autentica machine gives you everything you need to personalise your espresso according to your strength and preference. There’s also the option to make two cups of coffee at once if you need another serving for your partner while you’re rushing to get ready for work.
All you need to do is press a button and leave the Autentica to do all of the work while you focus on other parts of your life. What’s more, the Autentica is easy to maintain with simple cleaning solutions. However, it may not be a quiet machine. Additionally, you might find that the reservoir is a bit small for your needs.
- Intuitive backlit control panel
- Long coffee button for drip coffee
- Doppio+ plus function for bigger espresso
- Great for most coffee shop favourites
- Traditional frother for milk texturing
- May have a small hot water reservoir
- Coffee may not be as hot as expected sometimes
- Could be loud
10. JURA 15079 E6 (Power-Saving Option)
If you prefer the fresh and intense taste of ground coffee in your morning drink, then this could be the best bean to coffee machine for you. The JURA 15079 is a fully automatic bean to cup coffee machine designed to transform your morning routine.
Features
With an integrated burr grinder, you can get the finest flavour out of virtually any bean you choose – and then use the leftover ground coffee for composting, too. There are seven individually programmable coffee options available, and you can customise virtually every drink for that perfect finish.
Created to revolutionise how you enjoy coffee, this JURA machine is sure to change the way you think about bean-to-cup machines for home use. The JURA can even optimise your extraction time to ensure that you get the deepest flavours from your espresso and cappuccinos. There’s no need to spend forever learning how to use this machine either, thanks to an intuitive user interface and a one-touch operation.
The Cappuccino spout on the JURA can automatically adjust to suit any size of cup or glass up to 113mm in height. Additionally, the protection lid means you can hold up to 280g of coffee beans and keep them fresh for days at a time. There’s also the option to install an aroma filter for that extra special flavour. The JURA can also connect wirelessly with various other products in the JURA line, including a cool milk kit (sold separately).
You may not get as many coffee styles with this device as you do with other machines. Additionally, the milk drinks you can make may tend to be cooler than they should – at only about 50 degrees. However, aside from that, this is a fantastic machine for any home.
- Excellent fully automatic bean to cup performance
- World-first P.E.P barista performance
- Integrated aroma G3 burr grinder
- Seven programmable speciality coffees
- Excellent for fresh coffee beans
- Milk-based drinks can end up being quite cool
- Coffee spout can be quite low – even when adjusted
- May not be ideal for use as a one cup water dispenser for tea
Which Bean to Cup Coffee Machine is Right for You?
A bean-to-cup coffee machine is perfect for people who want to access the highest quality, freshest coffee possible without spending a fortune at a café or coffee shop each morning. With bean-to-cup machines, it’s easy to replicate your favourite drinks within the comfort of your own home – whether you like to start each day with a freshly brewed espresso or you love the taste of creamy cappuccino.
With numerous models on the market to choose from and some machines having a price range of up to £1,000, it’s essential to ensure that you’re investing in the ideal tool for your coffee addiction. There’s no one-size-fits-all option out there, but there are some specific things you can look for to improve your chances of making an informed purchase.
Features to Look for in Your New Coffee Machine
When you’re searching for the perfect bean-to-cup coffee machine, it’s easy to get carried away looking at features like one-touch cappuccino programs or micro-foam milk frothing arms. However, before you start examining the “extras” that make specific units so special, it’s worth making sure that the foundations of your coffee machine suit your needs.
When you’re searching through bean-to-cup coffee machine reviews, make sure you look at:
1. Ease of Use
The right coffee maker not only save you a lot of money by ensuring you don’t have to visit your local barista as often, but it can also improve your health. Fresh coffee beans have more benefits to them than you realise. However, you won’t be able to take advantage of those benefits if you don’t feel comfortable using your machine. Since many of us struggle to function before our initial cup of coffee in the first place, it pays to buy a unit that’s going to be as simple as possible.
2. Cleaning and Maintenance
A really good coffee machine can set you back a small fortune. For many coffee lovers, this is a worthwhile investment. However, if you want to get the most out of your machine for as long as possible, you’ll need to make sure that you’re maintaining it properly, preferably with regular cleaning. Some of the finest models you can buy on the market today come with things like removable drip trays and brewing units for easy cleaning. There are also machines with built-in descaling and cleaning functions that help to preserve the quality of your coffee too.
3. Brewing Speed
If you’re impatient when it comes to your morning coffee, then you’re going to need something that can brew a cup of espresso quickly and efficiently. Some coffee makers on the market today can produce a cup of espresso in fifteen seconds or less. Plus, these devices can keep your coffee warm, too – so you can drink it while you’re doing other things. You might even be able to find a coffee machine that produces multiple cups simultaneously.
4. Automatic Milk Frother
The best bean to cup coffee maker will always be the one that can produce the drinks you love, without the hassle. For many people, this will mean not just producing smooth espresso but designing velvety cappuccinos and other coffee types, too. A built-in milk-frothing feature will allow you to create a wider variety of coffee drinks. Some particularly advanced options also come with microfoam functions and other tools that can make your milk-based drinks even more appealing.
Added Extras: Other Points to Consider
While the points mentioned above should help you find a diverse and reliable coffee maker, it’s fair to say that there are plenty of additional functionalities available from some of the more advanced machines on the market. For instance, many of the excellent coffee makers will help you to get the utmost benefits from your daily cup of coffee with a built-in grinder function. It means that you can use fresh beans, which offer higher health benefits and give you a sweeter taste.
You may also want to look for a coffee machine that comes with pre-set programmes you can choose to make your favourite drinks without fuss. After all, you don’t have time to learn how to make a macchiato before going to work each morning. A one-touch button that can do that for you is definitely worth the extra expense in some cases.
Here are the other additional features you can look for:
a. Noise Levels
If you’re a regular visitor of local coffee shops, then you’ll know that the sound of a professional coffee machine can be pretty distracting. Although most high-level machines will have some noise attached to them, there are options out there that come with whisper-quiet grinders and other low-noise functions. If you’re worried about waking your partner up with your coffee-making antics first thing in the morning, then search for a machine that’s quieter than most.
b. Appearance
Ultimately, a machine that makes a delicious cup of coffee is far more critical than one that looks good in your kitchen. However, most proud homeowners would prefer a coffee maker that fits with their décor or at least looks attractive. Most modern bean to cup coffee makers are pretty well-designed, with elegant materials that are sure to impress in any home. When you’re looking at appearance, don’t forget to think about how much space you have in your kitchen You may need to prioritise something compact enough to fit on your worktop or counter.
c. Hard Water Filters
As you may already know, water isn’t necessarily the same wherever you go. Your water can be hard or soft, depending on where you live. If you have access to hard water, a hard water filter in your coffee machine can get rid of impurities before they reach your espresso or cappuccino. This generally leads to better-tasting coffee.
Finding the Perfect Coffee Machine
Finding the best bean to cup coffee maker isn’t easy these days. With such a wide variety of options to choose from in the market and numerous excellent brands to consider, it can be challenging to make a confident choice. The good news is that with the advice provided in this guide, you should have everything you need to narrow your options down and make a wise investment.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do is choose the one that will give you the biggest return on your investment by ensuring that you can get the barista express drinks you love in your kitchen, rather than paying a fortune for them at your local café. We loved the De’Longhi Eletta in this review, as it is perfect for creating an elegant and authentic Italian coffee experience. This bean to cup coffee maker features state-of-the-art functionality like a useful memory function so that you’re always ready to produce your favourite drinks at the touch of a button.
What’s more, we were particularly fond of the fact that the Eletta is practical, easy to use, and equipped with an excellent A-star energy rating – so you don’t need to feel bad about the impact you’re having on the environment. With a two-litre water tank, you even have the option to treat your friends and family to a delicious cup of coffee at the same time – ensuring that you’re always showing off your new barista skills.
Hopefully, the bean to cup coffee machine reviews and information above have given you everything you need to find a brewing solution that’s reliable, durable, and impressive. Let us know if you’ve found your perfect coffee maker in the comments below!