A bean-to-cup machine is a good fit if you drink coffee regularly, want to choose your own beans and enjoy the convenience of automatic preparation, and are happy to clean and descale it. UFC-Que Choisir notes that these machines generally take up more space and make more noise than capsule machines or filter coffee makers. If you mainly drink filter coffee, or prefer to grind, dose and extract espresso yourself, it’s worth considering those alternatives too.
Your choice mainly depends on the drinks you make and how much space you can set aside for the machine and its upkeep.
If you make coffee at home regularly and like to try different beans, an integrated grinder is well suited to your routine. UFC-Que Choisir describes these machines as being aimed in particular at coffee enthusiasts and people who drink a lot of coffee. The settings available will vary, so check each model.
If you often make cappuccinos or lattes, check how the milk is prepared and which parts need rinsing or dismantling after use. A steam wand and an automatic milk system involve different steps.
If you have a small kitchen or make coffee early in the morning, measure the space available and factor in the grinding and rinsing cycles. UFC-Que Choisir notes that bean-to-cup machines are generally larger and noisier than capsule machines or filter coffee makers.
Start with the drink you usually make. Automatic grinders, capsules, portafilter machines and filter coffee makers all involve different steps and levels of upkeep.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Beans and settings | Check that the machine has an integrated grinder, then see which grind, strength and volume settings the model actually offers. Compare the coffee formats compatible with any other systems you’re considering. | I want to switch between different beans without relying on a capsule format. If I prefer to control the dose and extraction myself, I’ll also look at portafilter machines. |
| Milk-based drinks | Find out which drinks are available, whether there’s a steam wand or automatic milk system, and which parts need cleaning after use. | Cappuccinos are part of my routine, so how the milk is prepared and cleaned matters more to me than simply having a long list of recipes. |
| Upkeep | Check the manual for access to the containers, cleaning the brewing unit and the descaling process. De'Longhi says the frequency of descaling depends in part on water hardness. | I’m happy to fill and empty the containers regularly, but I want to know what else the machine requires before I set it up. |
| Space and noise | Compare the machine’s dimensions with the space available, including room to open the reservoirs. If noise matters, look for tests of the exact model during grinding and rinsing: UFC-Que Choisir assesses these stages separately. | My kitchen is small, or I make coffee while others are asleep. The machine’s size and noisy cycles could lead me to choose another method. |
| Type of coffee | Work out whether you mainly make espresso, longer coffees or filter coffee. Check which drinks the machine you’re considering actually makes. | If I mainly drink filter coffee, I don’t need an espresso machine for that. If I often drink espresso and want it made automatically, a bean-to-cup machine is more appealing. |
The containers and brewing unit need regular attention, and the manual cleaning involved varies from one machine design to another.
Before buying, check the manual for the exact model. See how easy it is to access the containers, clean the brewing unit, respond to alerts and descale the machine.
These range descriptions can help you identify features to check on a specific model; they are not a brand ranking.
De'Longhi positions Magnifica around straightforward espresso preparation, while Dinamica offers a wider range of coffee and milk-based drinks.
The 2200 Series includes models with different settings and ways of preparing milk, so check each one individually.
JURA’s home machines cater for different types of coffee. Check the features of each model individually.
These models are designed for making coffee from beans using an integrated grinder. When choosing between them, focus on the drinks they offer, how they prepare milk and the maintenance instructions for each model.
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Worth considering if you want to make coffee from beans and use a LatteGo milk system. For this EP2230/10 model, check the drinks on offer and cleaning instructions before you buy.
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The LatteCrema system is worth considering if you often make milk-based drinks. Check which drinks this model offers and what’s involved in cleaning the milk system.
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This grinder machine is listed with a dual boiler, a 20-bar pump and a 2.8 L water tank. If you often make milk-based drinks, check the manual for preparation and cleaning instructions. The stated pressure alone isn’t enough to judge the coffee in the cup.
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This bean-to-cup model is designed for making coffee from beans. If you regularly make milk-based drinks, check the manual for instructions on using and cleaning the steam wand.
Yes, if you want to use your choice of beans and make coffee automatically once the containers are filled. UFC-Que Choisir says these machines are aimed in particular at coffee enthusiasts and people who drink a lot of coffee, while noting that they take up more space and make more noise than capsule machines or filter coffee makers. Remember to factor in regular upkeep too.
Clean the coffee grounds and drip trays, then follow the manual for the brewing unit, milk system and descaling. The steps vary by model: an automatic rinse doesn’t necessarily replace the other maintenance recommended by the manufacturer.
Not necessarily. De'Longhi says the frequency depends in part on water hardness. Follow the alerts and instructions for your model rather than using the schedule for a different machine.