Which Bean-to-Cup Coffee Maker? The best machines whatever the budget
A bean-to-cup coffee machine offers one of the simplest and freshest ways to enjoy coffee at home. These machines grind fresh beans and brew them into espresso, coffee, or milk-based drinks with the touch of a button, giving you the luxury of café-quality coffee without the effort. Whether you’re a fan of rich espressos or creamy cappuccinos, a bean-to-cup machine ensures that your coffee is always freshly brewed, full of flavor, and tailored to your taste.
With the increasing number of options on the market, finding the right bean-to-cup coffee maker can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing features, quality, and budget. From affordable models that deliver great value to high-end machines that offer advanced brewing technology, there’s a bean-to-cup machine for every coffee lover. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best bean-to-cup machines available in the UK, across different price ranges, to help you find the perfect coffee maker, whatever your budget.
1. Best Bean-to-Cup Coffee Makers Under £500
If you’re looking for a bean-to-cup coffee machine that delivers excellent performance without breaking the bank, there are several affordable options available that still provide quality coffee with ease. These machines offer a range of basic features like adjustable grind settings, built-in milk frothers, and one-touch coffee options, making them great for those just starting with bean-to-cup brewing or coffee enthusiasts looking for a reliable, budget-friendly machine.
PHILIPS Series 2200
Price: Around £299 to 379
The PHILIPS Series 2200 (EP2220/10) is an ideal entry-level automatic espresso machine for those seeking simplicity and reliability without sacrificing coffee quality.
Featuring a Classic Milk Frother, this machine gives you the option to manually steam and froth milk to your desired consistency, making it great for lattes and cappuccinos.
The 100% ceramic grinders ensure long-lasting durability and precise grinding, preserving the flavour of your beans while preventing overheating.
Its AquaClean filter is another standout feature, allowing up to 5,000 cups without needing to descale, making maintenance a breeze.
The intuitive touch display makes it easy to select and customize your coffee preferences, whether you’re brewing an espresso or a larger coffee.
With its Matte Black finish, the PHILIPS Series 2200 is both stylish and compact, fitting well into any kitchen layout. For those who want an easy-to-use, low-maintenance machine that delivers consistently good coffee, the PHILIPS Series 2200 is a reliable choice that balances simplicity and performance.
- Why it’s great: The AquaClean filter, reducing maintenance by allowing up to 5,000 brews before needing descaling.
- Ideal For: Coffee drinkers who want a low-maintenance machine with a focus on espresso and milk-based drinks.
SIEMENS EQ300
Price: Around £273
The SIEMENS TF301G19 EQ300 is designed for those who want a seamless and quiet coffee-making experience. Equipped with a ceramDrive grinder, this machine ensures consistent grinding for optimal flavor extraction, and its milkPerfect system delivers perfectly frothed milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
The oneTouch Function allows you to brew a variety of drinks with just a single button, simplifying the coffee-making process and ensuring that every cup is made to perfection.
With its Piano Black finish, the EQ300 adds a touch of sophistication to your kitchen. It’s an ideal choice for households that value both style and functionality.
The machine’s automatic cleaning and descaling programs make maintenance easy, while its intuitive controls allow for customization of your coffee drinks. For coffee lovers seeking a combination of quality, convenience, and design, the SIEMENS EQ300 is a top contender.
- Why it’s great: ceramDrive grinder and milkPerfect system for quiet, high-quality grinding and perfect milk frothing.
- Ideal For: Coffee drinkers who want a reliable, easy-to-use machine with modern design and solid coffee performance.
Melitta Purista
Price: Around £289 to 429
The Melitta Purista (F230-102) is one of the most compact espresso machines available, making it perfect for small kitchens or those with limited counter space. Despite its slim design, it doesn’t compromise on performance, featuring a 15-bar pressure pump that ensures proper espresso extraction with rich crema.
The whisper-quiet grinder is designed to operate with minimal noise, making it an excellent choice for early morning brews without disturbing others. Its adjustable coffee strength and grind size settings allow you to tailor each cup to your preferences.
This machine is designed for simplicity, with an easy-to-navigate control panel that lets you customize your drink with just a few buttons.
The Melitta Purista also features an automatic cleaning and descaling program, making it easy to maintain. With its sleek black finish and compact design, the Purista is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
If you’re looking for a small, reliable machine that focuses on delivering great espresso with minimal fuss, the Melitta Purista is an excellent option.
- Why it’s great: Ultra-compact design—one of the slimmest machines on the market.
- Ideal For: Espresso drinkers with limited counter space who value quiet operation.
De’Longhi Magnifica Start
Price: Around £319
The De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM220.60.B is designed to make brewing your favorite coffee drinks effortless. With 4 one-touch recipes, including espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and regular coffee, this fully automatic bean-to-cup machine ensures you can prepare café-quality drinks at home with minimal effort.
The Soft-Touch Control Panelis intuitive, allowing for easy navigation and customization of each drink. Whether you’re in the mood for a strong espresso or a creamy cappuccino, the Magnifica Start delivers consistently excellent results every time.
One of the standout features of the Magnifica Start is its Auto Milk system, which perfectly froths milk for your lattes and cappuccinos, eliminating the need for manual frothing. The machine’s compact design houses a powerful 1450W motor, ensuring fast heat-up times and energy efficiency.
It also includes a built-in grinder that grinds fresh coffee beans for every cup, offering the freshest brew possible. Ideal for small households or those new to fully automatic machines, the Magnifica Start is a perfect blend of simplicity, efficiency, and reliability.
- Why it’s great: 4 one-touch recipes for easy brewing of your favorite drinks.
- Ideal For: Busy coffee lovers who want a simple, user-friendly machine with all the essentials.
Krups Sensation C50
Price: Around £438 to 574
The Krups Sensation C50 is an all-in-one coffee machine that offers a fully automated coffee experience. With its One Touch Digital Panel, you can easily select and brew espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano, and more with just a tap.
This machine also features lighting alerts that guide you through cleaning and maintenance tasks, making it easy to keep your machine in optimal condition. Its custom settings allow you to adjust the strength, volume, and temperature of your coffee, ensuring you can enjoy your brew exactly how you like it.
Convenient and easy to clean, the Sensation C50 includes an automatic cleaning function, taking the hassle out of maintaining the machine. Its compact design makes it ideal for small kitchens, while still offering a wide range of coffee options.
Whether you’re looking for a quick espresso shot or a frothy cappuccino, the Krups Sensation C50 delivers professional-quality drinks with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy households.
- Why it’s great: Lighting alerts that notify you when the machine needs maintenance or cleaning, ensuring consistent performance.
- Ideal For: Coffee lovers looking for a machine that simplifies maintenance and offers customization options for a personalized brew.
2. Best Bean-to-Cup Coffee Makers Between £500-£1,000
For those who are looking to elevate their coffee experience, the £500-£1,000 range offers bean-to-cup machines that come with advanced features, better build quality, and more customization options. These mid-range machines deliver barista-quality coffee and provide more control over drink settings, while still being easy to use. Perfect for coffee lovers who want the convenience of automatic brewing with premium features, these machines offer excellent value for their price.
De’Longhi Eletta
Price: Around £550 to 829
The De’Longhi Eletta (ECAM 44.660.B) brings professional coffee-making capabilities into your home, featuring a Cappuccino System that creates perfectly frothed milk at the push of a button.
Whether you’re in the mood for a cappuccino, latte, or classic espresso, the Eletta delivers café-quality drinks without the hassle of manual frothing.
Its 2-liter water tank makes it ideal for frequent use, allowing you to brew multiple cups without constantly refilling. The Direct-to-Brew system grinds beans fresh for each cup, ensuring maximum flavor extraction and freshness in every shot.
The Eletta is also user-friendly, featuring a soft-touch control panel that allows you to easily navigate between coffee options. The machine’s customisable settings let you adjust coffee strength, milk froth, and water temperature to your personal preferences.
The automatic cleaning cycle takes care of regular maintenance, making it as convenient as it is functional. With its elegant black finish, the De’Longhi Eletta is a stylish and efficient addition to any kitchen, perfect for those who value both performance and simplicity.
- Why it’s great: Automatic Cappuccino System, which delivers milk-based drinks with the perfect froth at the touch of a button.
- Ideal For: Latte and cappuccino lovers who want consistent milk froth quality without manual frothing.
SIEMENS EQ6 Plus S300
Price: Around £569 to 800
The SIEMENS EQ6 Plus S300 TE653M11GB is a feature-packed espresso machine that blends technology with versatility. Designed for coffee lovers who want variety, it offers 10 different coffee varieties, ranging from espressos to cappuccinos.
What sets it apart is its milk system, which ensures perfect milk froth for lattes and cappuccinos every time. The machine’s ceramDrive grinder is durable and quiet, offering consistently ground beans for maximum flavour extraction. Whether you’re brewing for yourself or for a guest, this machine’s efficiency and quality stand out.
One of the unique aspects of the SIEMENS EQ6 Plus S300 is its 2 user profiles, which allow multiple users to save their preferred coffee settings. This feature makes it ideal for households with varying coffee preferences, as each person can easily brew their perfect cup without needing to adjust the machine’s settings each time.
The sleek titanium finish adds a modern touch to any kitchen, and the touchscreen interface simplifies operation, making it easy to select and customize your drinks.
The combination of multiple drink options and personalized settings makes the SIEMENS EQ6 Plus S300 a fantastic choice for those seeking variety and ease of use.
- Why it’s great: 2 user profiles—great for households where different users have specific coffee preferences.
- Ideal For: Coffee aficionados who want personalized brewing options and a variety of coffee drinks at their fingertips.
PHILIPS Series 5500
Price: Around £636
The PHILIPS Series 5500 (EP5546/70) is designed for those who crave variety and convenience in their coffee routine. With the ability to brew up to 20 hot and iced drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, lattes, and more, it offers a wide range of beverages at the touch of a button.
An outstanding feature is the LatteGo Milk System. It ensures creamy and frothy milk for all your favourite milk-based drinks. This system is incredibly easy to clean, with just two parts and no tubes, making it one of the most hassle-free milk frothers on the market.
The SilentBrew Technology makes brewing quieter than ever, perfect for early mornings when you don’t want to disturb others. In addition to its versatility, the PHILIPS Series 5500 is equipped with Quick Start Technology, allowing you to start brewing immediately after powering on the machine.
In addition, the Aromatic Coffee function ensures that every cup is brewed using freshly ground beans, preserving the rich flavours and aromas of the coffee. The sleek Black Silver design adds a modern touch to any kitchen, making it both functional and stylish.
If you’re looking for a machine that offers variety, ease of use, and minimal maintenance, the PHILIPS Series 5500 is an excellent choice.
- Why it’s great: 20 drink options—one of the largest selections in the market—paired with the easy-to-clean LatteGo Milk System.
- Ideal For: Coffee enthusiasts seeking variety and convenience in both hot and iced drinks.
Melitta Barista T SMART
Price: Around £699
The Melitta Barista T SMART Model F83/0-101 is a coffee machine that seamlessly combines modern technology with premium coffee-making capabilities. Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and the Melitta Connect App, this machine allows you to customize your coffee preferences from your smartphone. You can adjust settings such as coffee strength, water temperature, and milk texture, and even create and save your favorite coffee recipes remotely. This makes it one of the most tech-forward coffee machines on the market, perfect for those who enjoy convenience and control.
In addition to its smart features, the Barista T SMART offers a Whisper Grinder that ensures quiet operation, so you can brew fresh coffee at any time without disturbing others. The machine is also recognized with the Quiet Mark, highlighting its low-noise performance. Its sleek silver design and wide variety of coffee options—from espresso to flat white—make it a stylish and versatile addition to any kitchen. The combination of advanced technology and quiet, high-performance brewing sets the Barista T SMART apart from other machines in its category.
- Why it’s great: Bluetooth connectivity and the Melitta Connect App, which allows you to customize and brew remotely.
- Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts who want to integrate their coffee machine with smart home systems and enjoy a wide variety of drink options.
De’Longhi Dinamica Plus
Price: Around £599 to 699
The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.70.SB brings barista-level coffee to your home with its advanced LatteCrema System and One Touch Technology. This fully automatic machine is designed to craft a wide variety of coffee drinks, from espresso to cappuccino, with just the press of a button. Its FullTouch Screen makes navigating through recipes easy and intuitive, allowing you to customize everything from coffee strength to milk froth texture. The LatteCrema System ensures that milk-based drinks are perfectly textured with creamy, rich froth every time.
What makes the Dinamica Plus stand out is its wide range of pre-programmed recipes, catering to different coffee preferences, from classic espresso to flat whites and macchiatos. The machine’s Silver/Black finish gives it a sleek, modern look that fits well in any kitchen. Additionally, its integrated grinder ensures freshly ground beans for every cup, delivering maximum flavor and aroma. If you value convenience, versatility, and high-quality coffee, the Dinamica Plus is an excellent choice for your home brewing needs.
- Why it’s great: LatteCrema System combined with the FullTouch display for precision control and professional-grade milk frothing.
- Ideal For: Coffee drinkers who prioritise ease of use, advanced milk frothing, and a variety of drink options.
Others in this price range
Philips 3200 Series LatteGo EP3246/70
Price: Around £600-£700
The Philips 3200 Series LatteGo is designed for those who love milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. It features the innovative LatteGo milk system, which froths milk to a perfect creamy texture and is incredibly easy to clean. The machine also comes with 5 customizable coffee varieties, including espresso, Americano, and flat white. Its ceramic grinder ensures durability and consistent grinding for the freshest flavor, while the touchscreen display makes navigation effortless.
Why it’s great: This machine is ideal for anyone who enjoys a variety of coffee drinks and values the convenience of easy cleaning and operation. The LatteGo milk system is particularly appealing for those who frequently make lattes and cappuccinos.
De’Longhi Dinamica ECAM350.55.B
Price: Around £750
The De’Longhi Dinamica brings café-quality coffee to your home with its one-touch operation for several drink types, including espresso, long coffee, cappuccino, and latte macchiato. It features a built-in grinderwith adjustable settings and an automatic milk frother for perfect milk foam. The Thermoblock heating systemensures your coffee is brewed at the optimal temperature, while the intuitive control panel allows for easy customization of strength and volume.
Why it’s great: With its wide range of automatic drink options and user-friendly interface, the Dinamica is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who want a variety of drinks at the touch of a button. It offers advanced features without sacrificing ease of use.
Price: Around £900-£1,000
The Jura ENA 8 is a sleek, compact machine designed for premium espresso and coffee lovers. It features Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) technology, which optimizes extraction time to ensure maximum flavor and aroma. The machine offers 10 programmable coffee options, including espresso, flat white, and cortado. Its compact size makes it ideal for kitchens with limited space, while the touchscreen interface provides a seamless user experience.
Why it’s great: The Jura ENA 8 is perfect for those who want a premium, compact machine that delivers high-quality espresso and specialty coffee drinks. Its advanced brewing technology and stylish design make it a standout choice for coffee aficionados.
3. Best Bean-to-Cup Coffee Makers Over £1,000
For true coffee connoisseurs who want the ultimate home brewing experience, investing in a high-end bean-to-cup coffee machine offers unrivaled performance, premium features, and exceptional build quality. These machines are designed to deliver professional barista-level coffee drinks with maximum customization, advanced milk systems, and intuitive interfaces. Whether you’re looking for precise milk frothing, one-touch brewing, or a machine that offers both hot and iced coffee, these top-tier models are engineered to meet the highest standards of coffee craftsmanship.
De’Longhi Eletta Explore
Price: Around £1,200
The De’Longhi Eletta Explore stands out for its versatility, allowing you to brew both hot and iced coffee at the touch of a button. Its LatteCrema Hot and Cool System offers precise control over milk frothing for hot lattes and iced cappuccinos, delivering perfect froth for both. The machine’s dual heating system ensures quick brewing and steaming, while the touchscreen display allows for easy customization of drink options, including espresso, flat white, and iced coffee varieties.
Why it’s great: This machine is ideal for those who enjoy a variety of coffee drinks, especially if you like the option to brew iced coffee alongside your hot drinks. Its advanced milk frothing system and sleek design make it perfect for coffee enthusiasts who want both performance and variety.
Miele CM7750 Coffee Select
Price: Around £2,000
The Miele CM7750 Coffee Select is designed for the discerning coffee lover who demands the highest level of customization. It comes with three separate bean containers, allowing you to store and select different types of coffee beans for different drinks. This feature is perfect for households that enjoy a variety of coffee types. The machine also includes automatic milk frothing, a self-cleaning function, and adjustable brew settings for coffee strength, temperature, and volume. With its sleek design and large capacity, the Miele CM7750 delivers a premium coffee experience.
Why it’s great: The ability to switch between multiple bean types without changing out the hopper is a standout feature. Combined with its easy-to-use interface and self-cleaning system, this machine is perfect for coffee lovers who want ultimate flexibility and ease of maintenance.
Jura Z10
Price: Around £2,200
The Jura Z10 is one of the most advanced bean-to-cup machines on the market, offering cutting-edge technology and a wide range of drink options. Its unique Cold Extraction Process allows you to make cold brew coffee at the touch of a button, making it the first automatic machine to offer both hot and cold coffee drinks. The 32 drink specialties include espresso, flat white, cappuccino, and more, with fully programmable settings for each. The machine’s automatic grinder adjustment and Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) ensure that every cup is brewed to perfection. The sleek FullTouch color display provides a seamless and modern user experience.
Why it’s great: The Jura Z10’s ability to brew both hot and cold drinks sets it apart from other high-end machines. If you’re someone who loves cold brew in addition to espresso-based drinks, this machine offers unparalleled versatility, making it the perfect choice for the coffee enthusiast who wants it all.
