Getting out of bed is never easy, but if there’s a steaming cup of freshly-ground coffee waiting for you on the other end, it makes things a whole lot easier. Especially when the coffee smells as good as it tastes.
Enter, bean-to-cup coffee machines, which can help you to achieve barista-grade coffee at home – with the added aromatic benefits. While some models come with the additional options of using pre-ground coffee and pods, bean-to-cup coffee machines typically require you to fill them with whole coffee beans.
On top of being able to grind coffee beans, bean-to-cup coffee machines also tamper and brew the coffee, and usually with just the press of a button or two.
Why choose a bean-to-cup coffee machine?
While increasingly more models are coming onto the market that cater for a variety of lifestyles and budgets, let’s not beat about the bush: bean-to-cup coffee machines are still a relative luxury for many, and can be pretty expensive.
That said, they can create some revolutionary cups of coffee too, with freshness coming from using freshly-ground coffee beans as opposed to pre-ground coffee where the flavours can be lost.
Their ease of use should not be overlooked, either; there’s no need for filter papers, or waiting for a kettle to boil.
How much do bean-to-cup coffee machines cost?
We tested models that cost everything from £100 to up to £2000. The average price of bean-to-cup coffee machines we tested was approximately £500.
What should you look for when buying a bean-to-cup coffee machine?
If you’re interested in purchasing a bean-to-cup coffee machine, you’re probably already somewhat of a coffee connoisseur.
In terms of style, you may be drawn towards the more sleek, minimalist and modern designs in our shortlist, or the more ‘traditional’ style, complete with a portafilter.
Budget will also come into it too, depending on what level of expertise you’re looking for.
Here, we’ve tried and tested a range of coffee machines, from the basic and budget to multi-faceted top-of-the range designs.
Ultimately, we were looking for machines that provided relative ease of use. We were after an authentic at-home coffee shop experience, complete with the sounds, aromas, and taste of barista-made coffee shop coffee.
Read on to discover our shortlist.
Best bean-to-cup coffee machines at a glance
Sage The Oracle Touch
Best for: all-round excellence
The Sage Oracle Touch may come with a high price point, but it’s well worth the investment if you’re looking to make an amazing cup of coffee effortlessly.
This fully automated machine boasts a beautiful touchscreen LCD display which guides you through the coffee making process, meaning all you have to think about is which mug to use.
You’ll find a choice of six automatic brewing options, including espresso, long black, latte, flat white, cappuccino and hot milk, plus you can create and save your own settings too.
Once you’ve chosen a style of coffee, it’s a case of three simple steps: grind, brew and milk. Handily, the screen indicates when the water has been boiled to the optimum heat for the coffee of your choice and you can adjust strength, milk texture and temperature to your taste – and save your ideal coffee in a personalised setting with your own name attached to it too.
For convenience, the water jug can also be filled from the front (most models fill from the back which can be a bit cumbersome).
While it’s stylish, it is rather sizeable and somewhat on the heavy side. It’s also quite tall (45.4cm) so you’ll want to make sure it fits on your countertop/ under kitchen cupboards before you purchase. That said, it’s worth making the room for.
Buy now £2099.95, Sage
De’Longhi Rivelia Automatic Bean to Cup Machine
Best for: brilliant features in a compact shell
From the moment you switch on the Rivelia, you’re guided through an incredibly simple set-up process, which is pleasantly surprising for such a hi-tech machine. With the help of the fantastically responsive touch-screen interface, the product will help you run a first test of the system to make sure everything is running smoothly – a process which includes testing your water hardness with the included test strip to ensure the perfect extraction – before helping you to set-up personal profiles for all the machine’s users.
Though it may seem frivolous to some, the colour-coded and wonderfully customisable profiles help to bring this state-of-the-art machine back down to earth. While many coffee lovers who invest in high-end machines often become scared of using their wonderful devices for fear of breaking or damaging them, the Rivelia has been designed to form an immediate personal bond with its users – it will greet you in the morning, afternoon or evening depending on which profile you’re using and when. Once it’s made your coffee, it’ll deliver a cheery message with your brew.
With all smooth, curved surfaces and polished finishes, the Rivelia has so clearly been designed with everyday use in mind. Unlike most automatic bean-to-cup machines, it’s also available in four different colourways: white, black, pebble grey and even beige (which so happens to be my personal favourite).
While you may not get a choice when it comes to extraction pressure, as this is all figured out by the brilliant computer hidden within the compact frame of the Rivelia, I’m yet to have a coffee that doesn’t taste as good – if not better – than shop-bought brews.
The first affordable, compact and beautifully crafted fully automatic bean-to-cup machine of its kind, the Rivelia has been designed with coffee lovers looking to take the next step when it comes to their morning brew in mind. This next step is not an overcomplicated one, but rather one that allows users to explore a variety of beans and coffee types at the tap of a button. The Rivelia is a revelation.
Buy now £690.00, Amazon
De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic bean to cup coffee machine
Best automatic bean-to-cup coffee maker
If you don’t already have a PrimaDonna machine from De’Longhi, this is the model to get. It combines all the best and most innovative features of the range in one sleek, metallic shell with a marvellous five-inch touchscreen interface. It’s incredibly user-friendly, has more drinks on offer than ever before (over 35, to be exact), including hot and cold coffees, as well as batch brews of each.
It’s also got a coffee ground feature which holds up to 14 servings – perfect if you’re craving a classic filter-style cuppa. The Aromatic is essentially a fully automatic dream with drip-machine capabilities. If you’re looking for a slightly smaller model with similar features and a more colourful finish, opt for the Rivelia.
Buy now £1549.99, De'Longhi
Smeg BCC02 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Best for: stylish design
This sleek design from leading kitchenware brand Smeg is a looker. It comes in a matte finish available in a choice of four colours: black, red, taupe and white.
Displaying only four buttons, it’s one of the least complex-looking coffee machines we tried, but we would recommend reading the setup manual thoroughly as each button has a primary and secondary function.
Size-wise, it’s relatively slim, making it perfect for countertops. It can also slot comfortably between other appliances, but we reckon you won’t want to hide it away – it was one of the most visually-appealing models we tested.
While the flicking between primary and secondary functions takes some getting used to and we found the milk frother system not the easiest to operate at first, these factor’s shouldn’t take away from the quality of the coffee it makes.
It can create long coffee (Americanos), espresso and ristretto, and while not showcasing a vast amount of customisable options, it still allows you to select an adjustable grind level, so you can still tailor your coffee to your desired strength.
Buy now £699.99, Currys
De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Compact Manual Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Best for: coffee customisation
This impressive piece of kit, while intuitive enough to do a lot of the work for you (e.g. grinding the beans), will still make you work somewhat for your coffee. That said, there’s reward for you should you be happy to put the effort in: namely, an incredible cup of coffee.
A large portion of the De’Longhi La Specialista’s interface is dedicated to tailoring your coffee, with a dial on the left for coffee volumes, buttons for grind dosage, plus the option to create customised profiles and more.
There are also six grind levels, which are discreetly displayed on the hopper itself, plus a slider mechanism which allows you to rotate the hopper to pick the grind level yourself. It also comes with a generous water tank – handy as it means you don’t have to fill it up as regularly as other models – that effortlessly lifts out in spite of being positioned at the back of the machine.
As well as the main machine, you also get a separate barista station to rest the portafilter handle, as well as a tamper to tamp the grounds, and a stylish jug to froth milk.
With its stainless steel finish, portafilter and stylish buttons and knobs, this is a good-looking piece of kit, especially if the aesthetic you’re after is coffee shop chic.
While if you’re after a no-fuss one-click coffee machine this might not be for you, this gadget does offer a lot for coffee enthusiasts who are happy to invest extra time, research and customisation into creating the perfect brew.
Ultimately, it will enable you to become a coffee aficionado, without the need for separate grinders and other machinery or utensils: ideal.
Buy now £412.00, John Lewis
Miele CM5510 Silence Freestanding Bean to Cup Coffee Machine in Rose Gold
This beautifully designed fully-automated machine from Swiss brand Miele certainly looks the part, and we love its rose gold hue.
When it comes to making coffee, it’s all pretty straightforward, with espresso, coffee, cappuccino and latte macchiato all available at the touch of a preset button. Plus, it can create two coffees simultaneously, making it ideal for hosting and entertaining.
It’s also rather intuitive and will notify you if the machine needs descaling, self-cleaning or if the milk tube needs cleaning.
Overall, while it does carry a significant price tag, when it comes to making coffee, it is on the whole a relatively streamlined affair so it has both style and substance. Plus, the coffee it makes is sensational, with a very good crema.
Buy now £1179.00, Miele
Melitta Latticia OT
Best for: frothy/milky coffees
If you’re particularly fond of milky or frothy coffees such as lattes or cappuccinos, this one-touch model is for you.
With many machines tailored to espresso and black coffee drinkers in particular, this shines a light on making milky coffees, too.
It boasts a double foaming function, which enables the milk to reach higher temperatures than most, resulting in a great froth. Two coffees can be made simultaneously too.
On top of making a great coffee, this machine is also compact and we liked its slimline design.
Buy now £396.00, Argos
Gastroback Design 62616 Espresso Barista Pro Programmable
Best for: veteran coffee makers
This stylish coffee machine from premium German brand Gastroback is well-thought out. It has a number of customisable options and the interface is slick and straightforward to operate.
The water tank can hold up to 2 litres, meaning you don’t have to keep refilling it, and the coffee bean container can be filled with up to 250g beans (which can make up to 32 espressos). It is fitted with an integrated cone grinder so there’s no need for more additional purchases. The grinder is adjustable to a whopping 30 different settings.
On the front on the machine, there’s a switch to move between steam or hot water functions, a milk frother nozzle that can swivel 360 degrees and buttons for grinding and whether you want or a single of a double shot.
The purchase comes with an espresso tamper too to make you feel like a barista as you whip up your beautiful brews.
Buy now £299.00, Harts of Stur
Krups Arabica Digital EA817040 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Best for: luxe coffee for less
For a low-thrills straightforward bean-to-cup coffee machine, this is a great option for those looking for a more budget-friendly option.
Its clear LCD display allows you to easily navigate a really simple selection of options, and enables you to select coffee strength, liquid volume, and amount of cups. It comes with a milk frother on the side, so you can manually froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes, but you will need to provide your own jug.
You can pre-set your own preferred coffee settings, and it also comes with an auto-clean function.
Overall, it’s compact, easy to use, and not fussy. It creates a solid tasting coffee with a good creama and the milk frother wand was excellent, producing the best steam out of all of the models we tested.
Buy now £367.00, Amazon
Verdict
For barista-quality coffee at home, the innovative Sage’s The Oracle Touch comes out top. Compact and easy to maintain, Dualit’s Bean To Go Machine is also highly recommended.
