Best Value Bean to Cup Coffee Machines
This is the machine for those who desire an entirely customizable, hands-free, one-press latte. For more information, check out our Beem Espresso Grinder Profession review.
You can experiment with different blends instantly with its swappable bean hoppers. Its profiles let you start where you left off. Plus, it's less expensive than capsule machines and makes use of real coffee beans rather than pre-ground.
1. Smeg BCC02
Created by Milan-based firm Deep Design, this sleek compact machine blends the brand's inimitable retro style with cutting-edge technology. It handles every step of the coffee-making process - from grinding beans and then tamping them into a puck, to mixing milk and dispense the right amount - so you can create barista-quality hot beverages by pressing one button.
The machine also has a stylish brushed aluminium front and is available in black, red or taupe, which means it's a great fit for most kitchen designs. There are some flaws however, as most reviewers thought it was 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 ease of use and the quality of the coffee. The digital display offers feedback and step-by-step instructions throughout the entire process of brewing that will help you perfect your drink every time. It will even alert you to adjust the grind size if not quite right. It's like having your own personal barista at home (minus Elon Musk's rocket building abilities and Harry Potter's invisible cape).
If you prefer drinks with milk, this model features a steam wand that's adjustable in both directions to accommodate all drinking vessels, but not the drinking horn of Vikings. We were impressed by the speed and effectiveness of the frothing process, too. It creates a delicious, full-flavoured espresso with a wonderful crema.
The BCC02 is an excellent all-rounder that's quiet, efficient and offers superb value for money at its current price of PS499. Its only real flaw is that it doesn't provide the same level of customisation like other bean-to-cup machines we have tried. It's got a 15-bar pump, rather than the usual 19 bars, which isn't as good for making high-quality espressos. Other than that, this is a fantastic bean-to-cup machine for those who like their coffee strong and dark. If you want to get your hands on one ensure you take advantage of Lavazza's excellent deal - click here to see it.
2. Melitta Barista TS Smart
The Barista TS Smart is a top bean-to-cup machine that has numerous features that set it apart from the rest. Its most distinctive feature is probably the fact that it can be controlled by your smartphone using the Melitta Connect app. This lets you change the settings and dispense various coffee recipes that are stored inside the machine.
This makes the machine flexible and able to adapt to your preferences. There are a variety of options to alter the strength of your drinks and also different sizes of cups and even whether or not you wish to add milk. The machine has two airtight bean containers that automatically select different specialities. It is set to standard espresso beans in one and cafe cream (a German variation of long black or flat white) in the other however, you are able to select any beans you'd like. There's also a convenient chute for pre-ground coffee in case you want to use your own (for example in the event that your dinner guest brings their own).
The users have also been awed by the speed of the machine. It's faster than other machine they have ever used. The machine will also warn you if any of its hoppers are almost empty. This means that you won't run out of your favorite drink.
The price may be a problem for certain. The machine isn't inexpensive, with prices that are close to PS999. It's still less expensive than comparable Jura machines that have the same number features.
Barista TS smart is protected by a generous two-year warranty. This is a longer warranty than the standard one-year guarantee. It is a sign of confidence on behalf of the manufacturer. The machine comes with a cleaning tablet as well as an descaler. This makes it easy to maintain the machine. This is a great machine for those seeking a high-end and flexible bean to cup machine that is affordable.
3. Jura GIGA 6
The Jura GIGA 6 is a powerful espresso machine that makes use of artificial intelligence to make 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 as well as the temperature of water, milk and coffee foam volumes. The clever cleaning, rinsing and sanitizing programmes are activated by pressing a button. This allows you to maintain your coffee maker more simple than ever.
The Giga 6 comes with two coffee and two milk spouts. This means it can make two specialty coffees simultaneously. This is possible thanks to the dual fluid and heating systems in the machine. The spouts can be adjusted for height and width to accommodate different cups. Additionally, there is a spout for hot water which can be used to make tea or iced coffee.
The Giga 6 has another impressive feature it allows you to duplicate and customize your favourite coffees. This is particularly useful when you want to drink the same coffee in the morning and in the evening. For instance, you can make a flat white with regular beans and then make a duplicate using decaf. You can change the ingredients such as the kind of milk you use or the amount sugar or cocoa.
Both the Giga6 and Z10 provide a variety of options for customization. You can choose from 28 specialty drinks with just a touch. You can also alter the strength of coffee and choose from 10 different levels for milk foam.
The GIGA 6 and Z10 come with a 4.3 inch full-colour touchscreen display and a rotary switch that makes it easy to navigate through the many features of the machines. The GIGA 6 is able to connect to your smartphone via WiFi. This allows you to download a number of apps to customize your favourite drinks from the comfort of your home. The machine has one disadvantage: some users have complained about the drip tray's leakage. If you experience this problem you should contact the customer service team right away.
4. Nespresso Inissia
The Nespresso Inissia offers coffee and espresso lovers with a convenient and cost-effective method to make their favorite café drinks at home. The high-pressure pump and patented extraction system and high-pressure pump will ensure that each cup is a rich smooth, flavorful, and velvety smooth. The Inissia has a large capacity water tank that is quick to heat up, allowing users to make several cups of coffee without needing to refill it regularly.
Inissia is a compact and sleek pod machine is perfect for kitchens with a limited counter space. It is also easy to use, with only a little effort required to set up and operate the machine. When fully charged, the machine will make coffee in just 25 seconds. This is ideal for those who need an instant boost of caffeine.
The Inissia also offers a variety of premium coffee capsules that fit any taste - from robust and intense to light and fragrant. It is also energy efficient, switching off after nine minutes of inactivity, and making use of minimal amounts of electricity. Its flexible design also comes with an adjustable drip tray that can be used to hold taller glasses for recipes and an empty capsule container that can hold up to 11 used capsules.
Insert bean to cup coffee maker in the machine and press one of the two buttons to initiate the making process. The Espresso button will dispense an espresso shot, while the Lungo button will run a greater amount of water for a lungo-style coffee. You can stop or pause the brewing process at any time and, if you require more or less water you can alter the volume by using the control panel.
The ease of cleaning offered by Inissia is another great feature. Simply run a cycle of water through the machine without a capsule every day to rinse it and clean any remaining residue. Descale the machine every three months to rid it of any calcium or lime deposits. Click here to view our video to learn how to descale your machine.