Best Bean To Cup Coffee Machine
Bean to cup coffee machines are getting better and better.
No longer does quality need to be sacrificed when it comes to super convenient freshly ground and freshly brewed coffee.
There has been a huge uplift in the bean to cup coffee machine market’s game over the last few years.
My idea of a bean to cup coffee machine used to be a vending machine style, plastic cup affair.
However, with the speciality coffee booming and customers wanting to consume the best quality coffee at home, coffee machine manufacturers have focused on Bean to Cups much more.
Bean to cup coffee machines eliminate not only the workload of making a coffee but also many variables that come along with brewing coffee in a regular espresso machine.
| Catagory | Brand - Model |
|---|---|
| Best Overall Bean to Cup Coffee Machine | De'Longhi - Magnifica S |
| Best Espresso Bean to Cup Machine | Sage - Barista Pro |
| Best Super Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine | Melitta - TS Smart |
| Top of the Range Bean to Cup Coffee Machine | Sage - Oracle Touch |
| Best Filter Bean to Cup Coffee Machine | Smarter - Coffee Maker |
| Best Budget Bean to Cup Coffee Machine | Beko - Bean to Cup |
They enable you to produce the same quality coffee consistently without learning a new skill.
Although it’s unrealistic to think that you will be able to create the same coffee as your local heavily tattooed, hipster barista, some of these bean-to-cup machines are not too far away.
If you take into account the fact that you’re putting very minimal effort into brewing a coffee this way (compared to the slog of sharpening ones barista skills), while also being able to take your coffee straight back to bed with you, it’s a pretty darn good compromise.
So if you’re on the hunt for delicious and trouble-free coffee check out what I think:
Why trust me: I’m Tom and I’m the founder of Batch Coffee Club. I have worked in the coffee industry for over 10 years. I now write about and review coffee beans to include in our coffee subscription as well as testing and reviewing coffee equipment such as bean to cup coffee machines.
Checkout our award-winning coffee subscription.
Top 10 Bean To Cup Coffee Machines
I am always on the lookout for new Bean to Cup coffee machines, so if you think I missed one please leave a comment below.
De’Longhi - Magnifica S
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H23.8 x W35.1 x D43cm
Weight: 9kg
Tank Capacity: 1.8 litres
Features: One Touch Coffee, Milk Frother, Easy Clean
Value - ★★★★★★★★★☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
For me the Magnifica S Smart is the best that a bean to cup coffee machine has to offer.
Delonghi have managed to balance ease of use, quality of coffee and value in their newest Magnifica bean to cup model.
Simply place your finest specialty coffee in the bean hopper on top of the machine and start to pull espressos by selecting the default espresso x2 setting.
Like with any great espresso machine it will take a while to dial in your espresso shots. This is done by firstly altering the aroma setting dial on the front of the machine, this is basically the dose (volume) of coffee that is used per shot.
You will then be able to alter the grind size by adjusting the coarseness dial inside the bean hopper.
Dialling in your Delonghi bean to cup coffee machine may take a little time and will always need tweaking every now and again. Once you have hit the sweet spot however the day to day operation is super easy.
If you are a lover of the lattes then the Magnifica Smart has a steam wand that will perfectly texture your milk for any milk based espresso drink.
Although this bean to cup coffee maker doesn’t have some of the flashing lights and LCD screens you will see on other models, the ease and quality of your coffee are exceptional and the modest design means you’ll pay a fraction of what you would otherwise expect to with various other models and brands.
If the Magnifica Delonghi bean to cup is the coffee machine for you:
2. Sage - Barista Pro
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H40.6 x W35.4 x D40.6cm
Weight: 9kg
Tank Capacity: 2 litres
Features: Grinder, Steamer, Pre-Infuse, Cup warmer
Value - ★★★★★★★★★☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
The Sage Barista Pro is our favourite espresso bean to cup coffee machine.
Its ease of use is certainly a selling point, it has all the functionality of its predecessor the Sage Barista Express but simplified and is a coffee machine that is often used by professionals during the London Coffee Festival.
Dial in your machine asif you were a barista, grind the coffee and adjust the size of the ground easily with the dial.
Weigh your portafilter and adjust the length of time in which the grinder grinds your coffee easily with another dial.
Choose between various functions like pre infuse when pouring the shot as well as adjusting the water temperature.
Frothing the milk does take a little bit of time and getting used to as it’s only a single boiler and can take around 10 seconds to build up enough pressure to steam the milk.
The aim with this machine is to give you as much control as you want and be able to influence every part of the espresso making procedure while also making it super easy to pull an espresso once it has been dialled in.
A bean to cup coffee machine that give you control to tweak variables and produce barista standard espresso coffee.
Read more about this machine in our Sage Coffee Machine Reviews.
If you like the sound of the Barista Pro either
3. Melitta - TS Smart
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H37 x W26 x D47cm
Weight: 11kg
Tank Capacity: 2 litres
Features: App, Two Hoppers, Adjustable Grind
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
If you’re looking to seriously minimise effort or love a new gadget then the Melitta TS Smart may be your calling.
By downloading the Melitta app you can control the Barista machine from anywhere within bluetooth range which means you can now make a coffee in bed as well.
There are a couple of things other than the obvious technology that sets this machine apart from the rest.
Firstly it essentially has two bean hoppers, this is great if there is a decaf drinker in the house or you’re partial to a milk based coffee using espresso beans and also a single origin espresso or long black.
It also has a hatch where you can lob pre-ground coffee if for some reason you’re not into beans.
Secondly it has a slider that controls how coarse you want the grind. This is something that you don’t often see on Automatic espresso machines but something that gives you a little bit of optional control.
(The ground coffees coarseness is a daily battle for the professional barista and has to be adjusted constantly.)
The Melitta TS Smart is really easy to clean and all the parts are easy to remove, it will also tell you exactly when tanks need emptying and beans need topping up.
It does have some quirks with the technology as most app based smart products do (I’ve certainly lost a few hairs because of smart printers).
It is also rather large when you have the detachable milk container so you need a fair bit of space on your work surface.
All in all it looks great and is pretty bloody clever.
If a Melitta TS Smart sounds like your jam then:
4. De’Longhi - Eletta
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H36 x W46 x D46cm
Weight: 11 kg
Tank Capacity: 2 litres
Features: Coffee Type Options, Detachable Milk Canister, Easy Clean
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
As far as bean to cup machines go the Delonghi Eletta has all sorts of functions, makes pretty good coffee and gets an extra point for looking sharp.
The Elleta has a hot water spout that can be removed and replaced with a milk container/steamer. The adjustable dripper is great for larger glasses if you’re the sort to make lattes at home.
Various functions include steaming the milk for different coffee types (flat white, latte and macchiato), output of the coffee (small, long, double) and programming your own ‘My Coffee’ function which lets you dictate how much espresso you’d like.
When you’re ready to make your desired coffee simply aim the milk pourer into your favourite coffee cup and sit back and watch the magic happen.
Cleaning is easy with a push of a button, water is flushed through the tubes then detach the milk container and place in the fridge.
You may find that the buttons are a little sensitive and you accidentally graze past one and accidentally start making a cappuccino, it’s something that you will get used to though.
The grinder as with any grinder is pretty loud and also doesn’t let you know when it’s running low as it is contained inside the machine just make sure you keep an eye on this as it will start making a coffee without enough coffee beans.
If you can see this De’Longhi bean to cup in your kitchen:
5. Sage - Oracle Touch
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H45.4 x W39.2 x D37.3cm
Weight: 14 kg
Tank Capacity: 2.5 litres
Features: Grinder, Steamer, Dual Boiler, Automatic Steamer and Tamper, Touch Screen
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
At the top of the bean to cup coffee machine range comes the Sage Oracle Touch.
Firstly the Touch screen allows you to program your own coffee as well as select from the host of pre-programmed coffees.
You still have to do a little bit of work with the Oracle Touch, however Sage have purposely removed any variables that usually occur during espresso brewing and you are effectively just transferring ground coffee between areas of the machine.
Once you have selected your coffee, twist the portafilter into the group head to begin the grind and tamp, simply lock into the group head and begin the extraction.
The milk can then be textured by placing it on the drip tray and inserting the steam wand. There is a thermocouple on the end of the steam wand to stop the steaming when the milk is at the required temperature.
All you then have to do is pour that deliciously textured milk onto your espresso and create some ‘instagramable’ latte art (I’m afraid Sage haven’t invented latte art technology - one for the future of Sage machines maybe?).
If you have a bit of extra cash to spend on a coffee machine and you can look past the price point then the Sage Oracle Touch delivers as close as you will get to a barista standard coffee with the least amount of effort.
Are you in the market for a Sage Oracle Touch?
6. Smarter - Coffee Maker
Coffee Menu - Filter Coffee.
Dimensions: 42.5cm x 26.5cm x 20.5cm
Weight: 8kg
Tank Capacity: 1.5 litres
Features: Smart Technology, Manually Adjustable, Interchanging Panels
Value - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Alexa brew me a coffee is now a thing.
The Smarter coffee maker is, as you may have guessed one of the sharpest tools in the shed. Simply download the Smarter coffee app and communicate directly with the machine.
The Smarter coffee maker filter is all about convenience and eliminating time stood around waiting for the coffee to brew.
Select ‘Home Mode’ and the drip coffee machine will start brewing your coffee the second you walk through the door or opt for an extra few minutes in bed while coffee is brewing through your snooze alarm.
Although the coffee you will brew with this machine is only filter coffee (no espresso or milk based espresso drinks like lattes) it executes the extraction each time.
Alter and adjust each variable either manually via the LCD screen or on the app.
Style has not been forgotten with the Smarter drip filter coffee machine either, each unit comes with interchangeable colour panels for the front, choose between a black, red or white filter coffee machine to match your kitchen.
Does the Smarter Coffee Maker tick all of your boxes?
7. Beko - Bean to Cup
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H23.8 x W35.1 x D43cm
Weight: 9kg
Tank Capacity: 1.8 litres
Features: One Touch Coffee, Milk Frother, Easy Clean
Value - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
The Beko is a slick and one of the best budget bean to cup machines on the market.
Although Beko are not usually amongst the brands you would associate with home coffee machines, their bean to cup coffee machine is certainly work a look.
The Beko has been designed with a minimalistic approach and a smooth polished exterior. The LCD screen on the top of the machine makes it easy to select the function that best suits you.
Simply fill the coffee bean hopper and water tank and turn the machine on.
It is important to pull a couple of shots of coffee first by selecting one of the preprogrammed single or double shot buttons. You should then be able to manually adjust the grind size inside the hopper with the grind size dial.
One of the biggest selling points of the Beko coffee machine bean to cup for me is the Small footprint.
Many of these machines take up a huge amount of space on your work-surface, the combination of grinder and coffee maker usually makes for a bulky design. Only measuring 236mm wide the Beko will squeeze onto most kitchen work surfaces elegantly.
If you would like to learn more:
8. Gaggia - Brera
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H31 x W25 x D44cm
Weight: 9kg
Tank Capacity: 1.2 litres
Features: Pre-Infusion, Steamer, Easy Clean
Value - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
The Gaggia Brera is a bit of a classic in the bean to cup coffee machine world.
It has been around for a few years and is a solid choice when you’re looking for longevity.
The Gaggia’s simplicity is a selling point. Turn the machine on and wait a minute for it to heat up then press one of the preprogrammed buttons for either a single or double shot.
A great feature of the Brera is that all the shots have a pre-infusion step and is something that is rarely seen on bean to cup machines.
The brewing mechanics are easy to pull out of the back of the machine and clean alongside the knock tube located in one of the front drawers.
The machine doesn't have any of the smart features that other automatic machines have but it is still pretty switched on as it will let you know when you need to descale or empty and fill various compartments.
The frothing wand maybe isn't quite as powerful as some other domestic espresso machines, especially some of the semi-automatic ones. This is because the boiler tank size is pretty small.
How did the Gaggia Brera sound to you?
9. Krups - Evidence
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H37 x W24 x D36cm
Weight: 9.5kg
Tank Capacity: 2.3 litres
Features: Coffee Presets, Automatic Milk Texturing.
Value - ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
You are spoilt for choice with the 17 preset coffee options you can choose from with the Krups Evidence One.
Load the machine like many of the others by pouring coffee beans into the top hopper and don’t forget to fill the water tank at the back.
The milk is automatically textured in the Krups Evidence One by placing the milk tube into a carafe of milk placed at the side of the drip tray, the machine will steam and pump the milk when needed.
Select your coffee by using the intelligent touch screen where you can save your favourite brew and customise each extraction.
It may take some dialling in and some compromise when extracting your espresso as the Kruups Evidence one only has 5 grind settings, so you may have to dose a little higher.
The machine is also fairly quiet when brewing and texturing the milk, a selling point for early risers. All in all a pretty well made super automatic bean to cup coffee machine which for us is the best one cup bean to cup for one.
Is this the bean to cup coffee maker you have been looking for?
10. Sage - Barista Express
Coffee Menu - Espresso, Milk Based Espresso*, Americano.
Dimensions: H40 x W30 x D31cm
Weight: 10.6 kg
Tank Capacity: 2 litres
Features: Grinder, Steamer, Pre-Infuse, Cup warmer
Value - ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
*Drinks such as Cappuccinos, Lattes, Flat Whites etc.
Sage’s original all in one bean to cup espresso machine.
The Sage Barista Express has a built in grinder and steam wand so you can make barista standard coffee at home.
I think the Barista Express is a fantastic bean to cup machine for those that are looking to perfect their skills as a home barista and are looking to understand what is actually happening during extraction.
The built-in pressure gauge on the front of the machine shows the exact bar of pressure during each shot, so you can make informed decisions on the grind and dose for espresso perfection.
Set the grind size on the dial to the left of the machine and the dose (essentially the amount of time the grinder operates) on the dial on the front of the machine.
Tamp the coffee and then lock into the group head before selecting either the preset double or single shot coffee.
Steam the milk by filling the jug up to the bottom of the spout and texturing until the milk becomes warm. You’re aiming to sit the tip of the steam wand just below the surface of the revolving milk, it should make a ripping sound.
If you are interested in finding out more information about the Sage Barista Express:
What Is A Bean To Cup Coffee Machine?
There are a couple of things to weigh up first in order to decide if a bean to cup is worth it for you:
Firstly, taste. Do you appreciate great coffee and are you looking to drink freshly ground coffee?
If you’re not too bothered about the quality of the coffee and you’re just going to lob four tablespoons of sugar right in there I would advise you to take a look at cheaper options such as machines that don’t have built in coffee grinders or even a Nespresso machine with a milk frother (if you’re into lattes).
If you’re looking to up your coffee game and craving that smell of freshly ground coffee each morning, then maybe a bean to cup could be your ticket.
Secondly, time. One of the great things about a coffee machine bean to cup is that you spend very little time preparing your coffee. They make great fits for those that want to grab and go, especially for those mid week commuters.
If you work from home however and don’t mind adding a few minutes to your morning ritual then maybe checkout the best home coffee machines.
The last thing to think about is how practical you are. If you enjoy learning new skills and you’re looking for a new hobby then becoming a home barista may be your calling and in which case I would advise taking a look at the range of Sage coffee machines which are perfect for all levels of coffee brewers.
If it’s the contrary and either you don’t class yourself as a practical being or you don’t have the time to pick up a new hobby/skill then a bean to cup coffee maker could be the balance you are looking for.
What Are The Benefits Of The Bean To Cup Machines?
Some of the main benefits of bean to cup coffee machines are listed above, such as the time it will save you every time you make a coffee as well as the time it saves you mastering the art of becoming a home barista.
Quality of coffee when compared to coffee machines that either use ground coffee or coffee pods is also a huge benefit providing you are using quality specialty coffee.
Although bean to cup coffee makers are usually fairly large (apart from a bean to cup for one) the fact that they have a grinder and coffee machine built into one unit saves space when compared to the footprint of a coffee grinder and an espresso machine.
The best coffee machine bean to cups have been engineered to enable you to create that high quality cup of coffee as easily as possible. With that in mind, the cleaning and maintenance of these machines is usually fairly quick and simple as well.
Many of the machines collect the coffee grounds in a detachable tray at the back of the machine. Back-flushing the system is usually just a case of filling up the water tank with a water and cleaner solution before running the pre-programmed cleaning cycles.
Are Bean To Cup Machines Better Than Nespresso?
When you collate all the pros and cons of each I would say that a bean to cup machine is better than a Nespresso machine.
That said, a Nespresso machine may be a better fit for people who have a smaller space in their kitchen or are on a tighter budget.
If you have enough space and a large enough coffee machine budget then a bean to cup coffee machine is undoubtedly your best option when it comes to quality of coffee and the range of coffees that you can make.
I would say convenience is about equal with each machine. Both are push of a button coffee makers that take anywhere from 15 seconds - 1 minute to make a coffee.
What’s the best coffee for bean to cups?
You can use any type of coffee beans in a bean to cup coffee machine.
Any roast level will produce a coffee from super dark through to light, you will be able to extract a decent enough coffee depending on the quality of the beans.
For me at Batch the best type of coffee beans for a bean to cup coffee maker are medium roasted coffees that have darker flavour notes that are more often than not originating from South America.
You will find that coffee roasted to this level with darker flavour notes results in a well balanced cup that tastes great served black but also has the depth to cut through milk in milk based espresso drinks such as flat whites of cappuccinos.
Why Are Bean To Cup Coffee Machines So Expensive?
Bean to cup coffee machines are quite expensive when you compare to various other coffee makers like Nespresso machines because they are designed and manufactured with a high spec.
Firstly if you look inside a coffee machine bean to cup you will see something similar to what you would see in an espresso machine such as a boiler, pumps and gauges as well as a grinder.
These parts are expensive to make as they are not only manufactured from quality materials, they are uniquely designed to fit into the exact spot they sit.
Secondly the intricate technology and functionality in most bean to cup coffee machines (especially bean to cup espresso machines) alongside the robust design needed demands a high price tag.
You may find cheap bean to cup coffee machines but these will lack quality parts, therefore more likely to break down and functionality that makes bean to cup coffee makers so convenient.
How Do Bean To Cup Machines Work?
Essentially a bean to cup coffee machine is taking coffee beans, grinding them, extracting espresso and maybe creating a milk based espresso.
All bean to cup coffee makers work differently and It completely depends on the make and model and who the machine is marketed to. Each machine has varying levels of functionality, precision, speed and ease of use.
For example, some of the best bean to cup coffee machines available I would class as super automatic such as the Melitta Barista TS Smart. These are the coffee makers that are marketed to people that are interested in playing as small of a role as possible in making the coffee and essentially can make a milk based coffee by the push of a button.
These machines grind and extract espresso and then texture and pour the milk. They usually work by grinding the coffee into a brew device which is automatically tamped.
The brew water is then released and the espresso is extracted into the cup. Meanwhile (or straight after) milk is pumped from a canister, either built in or separate and steamed before the exact amount is poured on top of the espresso.
The other end of the bean to cup machine spectrum is semi automatic espresso machines such as the Sage Barista Pro. Here, you play a role in extracting the espresso and texturing the milk.
Firstly the coffee machine will grind your coffee into the portafilter but you are in charge of tamping before locking it into the group head. The coffee is then extracted after you have selected the double or single espresso button on the facade.
Once extracted you are then able to steam the milk yourself using the steamer on the side of the machine before practicing your best latte art.
* Whether it’s a semi automatic or a super automatic bean to cup coffee machine they will require you to dial in your shots by adjusting the grind size and the dose accordingly...
How to clean a Bean to Cup Machine?
Daily cleaning of a bean to cup coffee machine will involve purging the system after each use.
This is good practice with any coffee machine, it will remove any leftover coffee or grounds from the brew mechanism, it’s always good to purge a milk steamer as well to rid any leftover milk. These can usually be carried out by running the machine without any coffee, but each machine is different.
You will also need to back-flush and descale your coffee machine regularly. This process differs between machines but bean coffee machine cleaning and maintenance is usually pretty straight forward.
It will usually involve filling the water tank with a descaling solution and then running a couple of preprogrammed cleaning cycles (check your machine's specific manual), before flushing the machine with water.
Essentially you are cleaning the tubes and water pipes which sometimes collect small coffee particles which can build up and damage your machine.
This is called back-flushing your machine in the coffee industry and would normally be carried out everyday in a coffee shop.
Bean to Cup Machine vs Espresso Machine?
Although these can be the same thing and you can get a bean to cup espresso machine (imagine a venn diagram). The question is do you want a bean to cup all-in-one machine or an espresso machine that you may have to purchase a grinder.
Let’s look at a few key factors:
Quality
This factor does vary between brand and machine however generally speaking you will have more control with an espresso machine where the engineering is typically more focused on the coffee quality rather than convenience.
Convenience
Bean to cup coffee machines are far easier to use and can just require a push of a button. Espresso machines take longer to operate and will require you to learn how to pull a shot of coffee (instagram baristas do make it look a lot easier than it is).
Price
This factor is pretty even, both categories of machines have prices ranging from entry level through to professional.
Footprint
Although Espresso machines may measure up smaller don’t forget that you will also need a coffee grinder. That said the overall footprint of a bean to cup coffee machine is smaller.
Bean to Cup Machine vs Nespresso Machine?
A bean to cup coffee machine and a Nespresso machine are two completely different beasts unlike the espresso machine example above.
Firstly Bean to cup machines use coffee beans that are poured into the bean hopper at the top of the machine, coffee is ground moments before brewing and there is often an automatic milk option.
Nespresso machines use coffee pods (Nespresso pods to be exact), these are inserted into the mechanism before water passes through the pod and into the cup.
Let’s look at a few key factors:
Quality
There is no doubt you will be drinking higher quality coffee with a bean to cup coffee maker. Grinding coffee right before brewing is by far the best way to extract the best possible coffee. When coffee is ground it immediately starts to deteriorate and lose its delicious flavour profile. Nespresso pods contain a small amount of ground coffee so even before comparing the engineering of the machines they have lost the quality factor.
Convenience
The convenience of these machines is a huge selling point of both and in my opinion there isn’t much in it. Models and brands vary when it comes to bean to cups but in general they are conveniently on par.
Price
You will be able to pick up a Nespresso machine for less than a bean to cup machine. However you can find fairly cheap bean to cup coffee machines that may provide a more basic approach than others but offer far higher quality coffee than a Nespresso machine
Footprint
Nespresso machines generally win on the footprint factor even when compared to small bean to cup coffee machines.
