Households making several espressos a day
You want to use your choice of beans and have a machine suited to making coffee regularly. Remember to factor in the space it takes up and the maintenance it needs.
Who is a bean-to-cup coffee machine for?
Fans of personalised milk-based coffees
You often make cappuccinos or latte macchiatos. Compare the drinks available on each model, its milk system and the rinsing required after use.
Households short on space
You need to be able to fill and clean the machine in a compact kitchen. Depending on your priorities, compare a grinder machine’s dimensions with those of a capsule machine, and check that you can access the reservoirs and trays.
What should you look for before choosing?
If you regularly make espresso at home, start with how often you’ll use the machine. Then consider maintenance, the drinks you want and the space you actually have around it.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How often you’ll use it | Check whether the machine makes the drinks you usually serve and whether a two-cup function would be useful. | When I make several espressos every day, I want to choose my beans without adding lots of preparation steps; around 31% of consumers would put this routine first. |
| Maintenance | Check the model’s manual for instructions on rinsing the trays, descaling and, where applicable, cleaning the milk system. | If I don’t have much time to clean the machine, I need to know what I’ll have to do after each use. Maintenance would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Drinks and settings | Look for the recipes you’ll use and the settings for volume, strength or grind size that are actually available. | I also make milk-based drinks and want to adjust my coffees without paying for features I won’t use; around 23% of consumers would prioritise these options. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space and clearance needed to fill or remove the trays. If noise matters, look for comparable measurements for the models you’re considering. | In a small kitchen, I want to be able to fill the machine without moving it and avoid disturbing anyone when I make coffee. Around 15% of consumers would put these constraints first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming an automatic programme means no maintenance
The trays need rinsing regularly, and a milk system needs particular attention after use. Que Choisir also stresses the importance of following the machine’s cleaning and descaling instructions.
Read the model’s manual before choosing a machine with a milk system, and check that you’re happy with the cleaning routine.
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Choosing recipes without considering your habits
A wide menu is of little use if you almost always make a plain espresso. A milk carafe also means more parts to clean.
Make a note of the drinks your household makes most often, then compare only the features you need to prepare them.
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Measuring the machine without allowing access to the trays
A machine may fit on your worktop but still be difficult to fill or clean under a cupboard.
Check the model’s dimensions and the space needed to open the bean hopper, remove the water tank and empty the coffee grounds tray.
Brands to compare
De’Longhi
The Magnifica domestic range includes bean-to-cup coffee machines, with some models featuring a milk system.
- For the Magnifica Start, De’Longhi provides information about grinder settings and maintenance.
- Check the exact model: recipes, milk system and maintenance requirements can vary across the Magnifica range.
Philips
The 3300 Series includes automatic machines, with the milk system varying by model.
- Philips’ EP3341/50, for example, comes with a LatteGo carafe and several drinks available at the touch of a button.
- Features listed for the EP3341/50 don’t automatically apply to other models in the series.
JURA
The A8 and C8 domestic machines offer two configurations to consider, depending on the space available and the settings you want.
- JURA lists the A8 as 19 cm wide. You’ll also need to consider its depth and the space required to use it.
- The recipes and settings listed for the A8 and C8 differ, so compare the exact models rather than the brand alone.
Bean-to-cup machines available on Joybuy
These are automatic grinder machines that make coffee from beans. Compare their features with the drinks you usually make, and check each model’s manual so you know what maintenance to expect.
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Philips 2200 Series EP2230/10 LatteGo, glossy black
Worth considering if you make espressos and would also like a LatteGo milk system. Check the manual for the available drinks and the rinsing required after making a milk-based drink.
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De’Longhi Magnifica S Smart ECAM250.23.SB, silver
Consider this model if you want to make espresso automatically from beans. Before choosing it for regular use, check the settings available on this model and the maintenance instructions.
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De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM220.21.WW, white
This automatic grinder machine is designed for households that want to make coffee from beans. Check which drinks the ECAM220.21.WW model offers and the cleaning steps set out in its manual.
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Cuisinart EM550E, four coffee options
Worth considering if you’d like to switch between several drinks made from beans. The model name indicates four button-operated options; check which ones suit your habits and how to clean the machine.
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HiBREW H16, six drinks and touchscreen
Consider this model if you want to choose between several drinks on a bean-to-cup machine with a milk system. It offers six coffee varieties and a touchscreen; check the manual to see which drinks are available and how to maintain the machine.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you maintain a bean-to-cup coffee machine?
How often depends on the model and the components you use. Que Choisir recommends rinsing the coffee grounds and drip trays regularly. You should also follow the machine’s descaling prompts and the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the milk system after use.
Is a milk carafe useful if I mostly drink espresso?
A milk carafe is most useful if you regularly make milk-based drinks. If you drink almost nothing but espresso, compare models without a carafe too, and consider the extra cleaning involved with a milk system.
Could a capsule machine be a better fit for a small kitchen?
Yes, if saving space and keeping preparation simple matter more to you than choosing your beans. Still, compare the dimensions of the models you’re considering: a bean-to-cup machine also needs enough space to fill its reservoirs and remove its trays.
Should you check repairability before buying?
Yes, you can look up the parts and servicing information available for the exact model. If a repairability score is shown, take it into account, but don’t assume one is listed for every coffee machine.