Best Value Bean to Cup Coffee Machines
This is the machine for those who want a fully customizable, hands-free, one-press latte. For more information, check out our Beem Espresso Grinder Profession review.
You can try out different blends instantly with its bean hoppers that can be swapped. Its profiles let you start where you left at. Plus, it's less expensive than capsule machines and uses real coffee beans rather than pre-ground.
1. Smeg BCC02
The design was created by Milan-based company Deep Design, this sleek compact and striking machine combines the brand's inimitable retro style with cutting-edge technology. It handles every step of the coffee-making process - from grinding beans and shaping them into a puck to texturing milk and dispensing the correct amount of coffee - meaning you can create barista-quality hot drinks at the touch of a button.
The machine also sports a stylish brushed aluminium front and is available in a variety of black, red or taupe, meaning it's easy to integrate into the majority of kitchen designs. It's not without faults however, as most users found it to be a bit expensive for a bean to cup maker (and it doesn't include an insulated milk pitcher).
There were also many glowing reviews about this machine's user-friendliness and the quality of the coffee. The digital display is intuitive and provides an easy-to-follow guideline and feedback throughout the entire brewing process, helping you perfect your drink every time. The machine even allows you to adjust the size of your grind if that's not what you want. It's almost like having your own personal barista in your own home (minus Harry Potter's cloak of invisibility and Elon Musk's rocket-building expertise).
This model is ideal for those who enjoy milky drinks. The steam wand can be adjusted upwards and downwards to fit most drinking vessels, with the exception of Viking drinking horns. We were also impressed by the speed and efficiency in how the frothing was accomplished. It also makes an amazing espresso with a fantastic crema and full flavour despite its compact size.
The BCC02 is an excellent all-rounder that's quiet, effective and provides great value for money at its current price of PS499. The only issue is that it doesn't offer the same level of customization as some of the other bean to cups we've evaluated. It's got a 15-bar pump rather than the more typical 19 bars, which isn't as good for making high-quality espressos. This is a great machine for those who like their coffee strong and dark. Click here to check out Lavazza's great deal.
2. Melitta Barista TS Smart
The Barista TS Smart comes with a variety of features that differentiate it from the competition. Its most distinctive characteristic is that it can be controlled by your smartphone via the Melitta Connect app. This allows you to change the settings and then dispense different coffee recipes that are stored inside the machine.
This makes the machine flexible and adaptable to your tastes. There are many ways to alter the strength of your beverage, cup sizes and even whether you'd like milk to be added. The machine is equipped with two airtight bottles of beans that are automatically chosen to match different types of drinks. It will default to standard espresso beans in one, and cafe cream (a German variation of long black or flat white) in the other, but you can choose whatever beans you like. There's also a handy chute for coffee that has been ground if you'd prefer to make your own (for example in the event that your dinner guest brings their own).
Users have also been impressed by the speed of the machine. They have reported that it is able to make their drinks much faster than other machines they've used. Another benefit is that the machine will notify you when one of its hoppers is about to be empty, so you do not get caught running out of your favorite drink.
The price could be a worry for certain. This machine is not inexpensive, with prices that are close to PS999. But, it's cheaper than similar Jura machines that have similar features.
Barista TS smart is covered by a generous two-year warranty. This is more than the typical one-year guarantee. It's a sign of confidence on the part of the manufacturer. The machine includes a cleaning tablet and a descaler. This makes it easy to maintain the machine. This is a fantastic machine for those who are looking for a high-quality and versatile bean-to-cup machine that's priced at a reasonable price.
3. Jura GIGA 6
The Jura GIGA 6 is an incredible espresso machine that uses the power of artificial intelligence that can prepare the finest specialty coffees. It learns your preferences and adjusts the menu of coffees to allow you to choose your favorite drinks. You can also choose your preferred grind size, water temperature and milk and coffee foam volumes. Its clever cleaning and rinsing programs begin at the push of the button, making daily maintenance of your coffee maker simpler than ever.
One of the unique features of the Giga 6 is that it comes with two coffee and milk spouts, meaning it can create two different coffee recipes at once. This is made possible by the dual heating and fluid systems inside the machine. Spouts can be adjusted for height and width to accommodate different cups. Additionally, there's a spout to pour hot water which can be used to make tea or iced coffee.
The Giga 6 also has a great feature: you can duplicate and customize your favourite coffees. This is particularly useful for those who like having the same drink in the morning and in the evening. You can, for instance, create a flat white using regular beans and a second with decaf. bean to cup coffee machines can also change the ingredients, such as the type of milk used or the amount of cocoa or sugar.
Both the Giga 6 and Z10 come with an amazing array of customization options. For starters you can select from 28 one-touch specialty drinks. Additionally, you can modify the strength of your coffee, and select from 10 different levels of milk foam.
The GIGA 6 and Z10 have a 4.3 inch full-colour touchscreen display and a rotary switch that makes it easy to navigate the numerous features of the machines. You can also connect the GIGA 6 to your smartphone via WiFi, which allows you to download a variety of apps that will allow you to customize your favorite drinks at the at-home comforts of your home. The machine has one drawback: some customers have complained about the drip tray leaking. If you experience this issue make sure you contact the customer service department as soon as you can.
4. Nespresso Inissia
The Nespresso Inissia is a cost-effective and easy way for coffee and espresso lovers to enjoy their favorite beverages at home. The high-pressure pump and patented extraction system, and high-pressure pump ensure that each cup is a rich smooth, flavorful, and silky smooth. Moreover, the Inissia is quick to heat up and features a large capacity water tank which allows you to make several cups at a time without having to refill frequently.
The compact and sleek Inissia is one of the most space-saving pod machines on the market, making it ideal for kitchens that have limited counter space. It is also easy to use, requiring only minimal effort required to set-up and operate the machine. Once the machine is fully charged, it can brew one cup of coffee in just 25 seconds, making it perfect for those who need an instant boost of caffeine.
The Inissia also has a selection of premium coffee capsules that can satisfy any taste, from intense and strong to light and fragrant. The machine is energy efficient and shuts off after nine minutes if it is not used. It runs on low amounts of electricity. The design of the machine is flexible and includes a folding drip tray to accommodate larger size recipe glasses and capsule containers that can store up to 11 capsules used.
To make coffee, simply put capsules into the machine and press one of two buttons to initiate the coffee brewing process. The Espresso button will give you an espresso shot, while the Lungo will run a significant amount of water to make an espresso-like coffee. You can pause or stop the brewing process at any moment, and if you need more or less water you can adjust the amount of water you use via the control panel.
The ease of cleaning that Inissia offers is a further great benefit. Simply run a few minutes of water through the machine without a capsule every day to rinse it and remove any residue. Descale the machine every three months to get rid of any lime or calcium deposits. To learn how to do this, click here to watch our instructional video.