Best Value Bean to Cup Coffee Machines
If you're looking to enjoy a one-press, hands-off latte that's fully customisable this machine is for you. For more details, read our Beem Espresso Grinder Profession review.
You can test different blends immediately with its bean hoppers that are swappable. Its profiles let you pick up where you left off. Plus, it's less expensive than capsule machines and makes use of real coffee beans rather than pre-ground coffee beans.
1. Smeg BCC02
Designed by Milan-based firm Deep Design, this sleek compact and striking machine combines the unique retro style of the brand with modern technology. The machine can handle all the stages of the coffee-making process starting from grinding beans, tamping into a puck and making milk into a texturing, before dispensing the right amount.
The machine also features an elegant brushed aluminium front and comes in a variety of red, black or taupe, meaning it's easy to integrate into most kitchen designs. It's not without its shortcomings 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 bean to cup coffee maker glowing reviews about this machine's ease of use as well as the quality of its coffee. The intuitive digital display provides step-by-step guidance and feedback throughout the coffee making process, helping you perfect your drink every time. The machine even allows you to adjust the grind size, if that's not what you prefer. It's like having a personal barista in your own home (minus Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, and Elon Musk's rocket-building abilities).
If you prefer drinks with milk this model has an adjustable steam wand that can be adjusted upwards and downwards to fit all drinking vessels, but not the drinking horn of Vikings. We were also awed by the speed and efficiency with the way that the frothing was performed. It also produces an excellent espresso, with a fantastic crema and full flavour despite its compact size.
The BCC02 is a great all-rounder. It's quiet and efficient, and offers great value for money at the current price of PS499. The only issue is that it doesn't provide the same level of customization like other bean-to-cup machines we have examined. Its pump is 15 bars instead of the standard 19 bars. This isn't as good for producing high-quality espressos. This is a great machine for those who like their coffee strong and dark. If you're looking to get your hands on one be sure to make use of Lavazza's fantastic deal Click here to view it.
2. Melitta Barista TS Smart
The Barista TS Smart has a range of features that differentiate it from the rest of the competitors. Its most unique feature may be the fact that it is able to be controlled via your smartphone using the Melitta Connect App. This allows you to change the settings and also to dispense different coffee recipes that are stored inside the machine.
This makes the machine extremely flexible and adaptable to your tastes. There are a variety of options to alter the intensity of your beverage, cup sizes and even whether you'd like milk to be added. The machine also comes with two airtight containers that automatically select different specialities. The machine defaults to using standard espresso beans and cafe creme, a German variation of flat white or long black. However, you are able to choose any beans you like. There is also a chute that can be used for beans that are already ground if you prefer to make your own.
Users have also been impressed by the speed of the machine. They have reported that it can make their drinks faster than other machines they have used. The machine also alerts you if any of its hoppers is almost empty. This means that you won't be able to drink your preferred beverage.
The price could be a worry for certain. The machine isn't cheap, at nearly PS999. However, it is far cheaper than comparable Jura machines that have the same features.
The Barista TS Smart is backed up by an impressive warranty, which provides two years of coverage. This is longer than the standard one-year warranty, which is a indication of trust from the manufacturer. The machine includes a cleaning tablet as well as descaler. This makes it easy to maintain the machine. This is a fantastic machine for those looking to purchase a high-quality and versatile bean to cup machine for a reasonable price.
3. Jura GIGA 6
The Jura GIGA 6 is a powerful espresso machine that utilizes artificial intelligence to produce the finest specialty coffees. It learns your preferences and alters the coffee menu to make it easier for you to select your preferred drinks. It also lets you select your preferred size of grinding as well as water temperature, milk and coffee foam volume. Its clever cleaning and rinsing programs begin at the push of the button, making daily maintenance of your coffee maker simpler than ever.
One of the unique features of the Giga 6 is that it has two coffee and milk spouts, meaning it can make two coffee specialties simultaneously. The dual heating and fluid system in the machine make this possible. The spouts can be adjusted in height and width to accommodate different cups. There is also a spout that could be used to make tea or iced-coffee using hot water.
Another great aspect of the Giga 6 is the ability to customize and duplicate your preferred coffees. This is particularly useful if you enjoy the same drink both morning and evening. You can, for instance make a flat white using regular beans, and then a duplicate with decaf. You can alter the ingredients like the type of milk or the amount sugar or cocoa.
Both the Giga6 and Z10 offer a wide range of options for customization. For starters you can pick from a variety of specialty drinks that are one-touch. In addition, you can modify the strength of your coffee and can select from 10 different levels of milk foam.
The GIGA 6, Z10 and Z10 are equipped with a 4.3-inch touchscreen display in full colour and a rotary switch to make it easy to navigate the various features on offer. You can also connect the GIGA 6 to your smartphone via WiFi, which allows you to download a variety of apps that will 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 problem then contact the customer support team immediately.
4. Nespresso Inissia
The Nespresso Inissia is a cost-effective and practical way for espresso and coffee enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite café drinks at home. Its high-pressure pump as well as its patented extraction system guarantees that each cup of coffee is delicious, rich and silky smooth. Moreover, the Inissia is quick to heat up and comes with a large water tank capacity that allows you to make multiple cups of coffee without refilling frequently.
The slim and sleek Inissia is one of the most space-saving pod machines available, making it ideal for kitchens with a limited counter space. It is simple to operate and set up, with only minimal effort. Once the machine is fully charged, it is able to brew one cup of coffee in only 25 seconds, which makes it ideal for those who require an instant caffeine boost.
Additionally the Inissia offers a wide selection of premium coffee capsules to suit any taste, from strong and intense to mild and aromatic. The machine is energy efficient and will shut off after nine minutes if it is not in use. It uses very little electricity. Its versatile design also includes the ability to fold down the drip tray so that it can be used to accommodate taller recipe glasses as well as an empty capsule container that can hold up to 11 empty capsules.
To make a cup of coffee, simply insert capsules into the machine and press one of the two buttons to begin the coffee brewing process. The Espresso button will pour out an espresso shot, while the Lungo will run a huge amount of water to make an espresso-like coffee. You can pause or stop the brewing process at any time, and if you need more or less water you can alter the volume by using the control panel.
The ease of cleaning that Inissia offers is a further great benefit. Every day, run a cycle with water without a capsule through the machine to eliminate any residue. Descale the machine every three months to rid it of any lime or calcium deposits. Click here to view our video tutorial on how to descale the machine.