Best Value Bean to Cup Coffee Machines
If you're ready to enjoy a one-press, hands-off espresso that is fully customizable, this is the machine for you. For more information, read our Beem Espresso Grinder Profession review.
Its bean hoppers that can be swapped allow you to experiment with different blends on the fly and its profiles mean you can pick up exactly where you left beginning. It's also less expensive than capsule machines and uses real beans instead of pre-ground beans.
1. Smeg BCC02
This sleek compact and striking machine, created by Milan-based firm Deep Design combines the brand's retro aesthetic with cutting-edge technology. The machine is able to handle all the stages of the coffee-making process, from grinding beans to making a puck, then texturing milk to dispensing the right volume.
The machine also features an attractive brushed aluminum front and comes in a variety of black, red or taupe, which means it's a great fit for the majority of kitchen designs. It's not without its shortcomings however, as most users found it to be a bit expensive for a bean to cup maker (and it doesn't include a milk pitcher).
However, there were plenty of glowing reviews about the quality of the coffee and the ease of using this machine. The digital display offers feedback and step-by-step directions throughout the entire process of brewing that will help you improve your coffee each time. The machine even allows you to adjust the grind size, in case that's not what you prefer. It's almost like having your own personal home barista (minus Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, and Elon Musk's rocket-building expertise).
This model is ideal for those who like milky drinks. The steam wand can be adjusted upwards and downwards to fit most drinking vessels, excluding Viking drinking horns. We were also awed by the speed and efficiency with which the frothing was done. It creates an amazing, full-flavoured espresso with a great crema.
The BCC02 is an excellent all-rounder that's quiet, efficient and provides excellent value for money, especially at its current price of PS499. The only drawback is the fact that it doesn't offer the same degree of customization as other bean-to-cups we've evaluated. It comes with a 15 bar pump rather than the more usual 19 bars which isn't as effective for making high-quality espressos. However it's a great bean-to-cup machine for those who prefer their coffee strong and black. Click here to check out Lavazza's amazing deal.
2. Melitta Barista TS Smart
The Barista TS Smart is a top bean-to-cup machine with a lot of features that set it apart from the rest. Its most distinctive feature is that it can be controlled from your smartphone using the Melitta Connect app. This lets you alter settings and dispensing different coffee recipes that are stored in the machine itself.
This makes the machine flexible and adaptable to your preferences. There are many options to change the intensity of your beverage, cup sizes and even if you would like milk to be added. The machine has two airtight bean containers that are automatically selected for various specialties. The machine is set to use standard espresso beans and cafe creme, a German variant of long black or flat white. But, you can select any beans you'd like. There's also a convenient chute for pre-ground coffee if you'd like to make your own (for instance when that nagging dinner guest brings their own).
Users have also said they are amazed by the speed of the machine. They've said that it is able to make their drinks faster than other machines they have used. The machine also alerts you if one of its hoppers are almost empty. This ensures that you don't be able to drink your favorite beverage.
The only thing that could be a disadvantage for certain individuals is the price. It's not inexpensive, with prices that are close to PS999. It is still cheaper than similar Jura machines with similar features.
Coffeee UK is backed by an extensive warranty that provides two years of protection. This is longer than the standard one-year warranty, which is a good assurance from the manufacturer. The machine includes a cleaning tablet, as well as an descaler. This makes it simple to maintain the machine. This is a fantastic machine for those who want to purchase a top-quality, versatile bean to cup machine for a reasonable price.
3. Jura GIGA 6
The Jura GIGA 6 is an amazing espresso machine with the power of artificial intelligence that can prepare the finest specialty coffees. It learns what you enjoy and reorganizes its menu to make it easier to choose your favorite drinks. You can also select the size of your grind you prefer, water temperature, and coffee foam volumes. Its intelligent cleaning and rinsing programs begin at the push of an icon, making day-to-day coffee machine maintenance simpler than ever.
The Giga 6 comes with two coffee and two milk spouts. This means it can make two coffee specialtys simultaneously. This is possible thanks to the dual fluid and heating systems within the machine. Spouts can be adjusted for width and height to accommodate different cups. Additionally, there is a spout to pour hot water that can be used for tea or iced coffee.
The Giga 6 comes with a unique feature it allows you to duplicate and customize your favourite coffees. This is especially beneficial for those who like having the same drink in the morning and in the evening. You can, for example make flat whites using regular beans and a duplicate using decaf. You can change the ingredients, such as the type of milk used or the amount of sugar or cocoa.
Both the Giga6 and Z10 offer a wide range of options for customization. For starters you can select from 28 specialty drinks with one touch. You can also alter the strength of the coffee and select from a variety of levels of milk foam.
The GIGA 6, Z10 and Z10 are equipped with a 4.3-inch touchscreen display in full color and a rotary switch, which makes it easy to navigate the many features of the machine. You can also connect the GIGA 6 to your smartphone via WiFi, which will allow you to download a variety of apps that let you customize your favourite drinks from the comfort of your home. This machine has only one downside: some users have complained about the drip tray's leakage. If you experience this issue, contact the customer service team right away.
4. Nespresso Inissia
The Nespresso Inissia is a cost-effective and convenient way for coffee and espresso enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite beverages at home. Its high-pressure pump and patented extraction system ensures that each cup of coffee is delicious, rich and silky smooth. The Inissia has an enormous capacity water tank and is quick to warm up, allowing you to brew multiple cups of coffee without having to refill it regularly.
Inissia, a compact and sleek pod machine is ideal for kitchens with small counter space. It is also easy to use, requiring only minimal effort required to set-up and operate the machine. When fully charged, the machine can prepare coffee in less than 25 seconds. This is ideal for those who need an instant boost of caffeine.
In addition the Inissia offers a variety of premium coffee capsules to satisfy any taste, from robust and strong to mild and aromatic. The machine is energy efficient and shuts down after nine minutes if it is not in use. It runs on very little electricity. The design of the machine is flexible with a fold-down drip tray that can be adjusted to larger size recipe glasses and capsule containers that can store up to 11 capsules used.
To make a cup of coffee, simply insert the capsule into the machine and press one of two buttons to begin the coffee brewing process. The Espresso button will pour out an espresso shot, while the Lungo will run a significant amount of water to make the lungo-style coffee. You can pause the brewing process or stop it at any time. If you require more water or less you can alter the volume of the coffee in the control panel.
The ease of cleaning that Inissia offers is another great feature. Simply run a cycle of water through the machine without a capsule each day to rinse it and clean any remaining residue. Descale the machine every three months to rid the machine of any lime or calcium deposits. To learn more about how to do this, click here to watch our instructional video.