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The 7 best small bean to cup coffee machines
Small bean to cup coffee machines are often the best choice for singles and couples. Their functions are reduced to the essentials and they are easier to operate and clean.
The small bean to cup coffee machines also impress with their space-saving design. Especially in small kitchens, a narrow bean to cup coffee machine is the perfect solution. In this article you will learn which small bean to cup coffee machine from our test have performed the best.
Small bean to cup coffee machine – important questions & info
Small bean to cup coffee machines are available with either a milk frothing nozzle or an automatic milk system. Devices with a milk frothing nozzle cost around £300. With them, you can prepare only espresso and coffee at the touch of a button. You can froth the milk foam for cappuccino and the like yourself using the milk frothing nozzle. For around £500, you get an automatic milk system with which you can prepare all drinks at the touch of a button.
Frothing by hand with the milk frothing nozzle
automatic milk system
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Small bean to cup coffee machine with milk system (approx. £500)
Rating: 86 % (very good)
- 5 drinks at the touch of a button
- very clear touch displasy
- Water tank & milk container accessible from the front
- easy cleaning of the milk system
- many parts dishwasher safe
- very narrow (only 24 cm wide)
Currently the best small bean to cup coffee machine is the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo with a rating of 86 %. It convinces with easy handling, is particularly narrow (24 cm) and prepares 5 drinks at the touch of a button. In addition to espresso, coffee and long coffee, you can also prepare cappuccino and latte macchiato.
The milk is frothed directly in the milk container and never enters the bean to cup coffee machine. You can disassemble the container into 5 parts and put it in the dishwasher. Automatic cleaning programs provide additional support for cleaning. The water tank can be pulled out to the front to save space.
We particularly like the simple operation of the bean to cup coffee machine. The display is very clear and the setting options were deliberately kept simple. You can adjust the aroma in 3 levels. Large icons allow drinks to be prepared at the touch of a button. The bean to cup coffee machine is therefore ideal for beginners who want to prepare good drinks as easily as possible.
You can find our complete experiences in our test report of the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo. There you will also find a detailed video in which we show you everything.
Rating: 86 % (very good)
- 3 drinks at the touch of a button
- easy operation via sensor touch
- easy cleaning – milk system without hoses
- many parts dishwasher safe
- Water tank & milk container accessible from the front
- very narrow (only 25 cm wide)
A small bean to cup coffee machine from the Philips LatteGo series – the LatteGo 2200 – is particularly popular. This model scores with good drinks and a modern design. We have tested the Philips EP2231/40 which allows you to prepare espresso, coffee and cappuccino at the touch of a button. Besides there is the Philips LatteGo 3200 with which you can prepare 5 drinks (additionally Latte Macchiato and Americano).
At a width of only 25 cm, the LatteGo models are particularly narrow and well suited for small kitchens. You can simply pull out the water tank to the front. We were particularly impressed by the milk system, which is located directly in the milk container and does not require any hoses. You can simply disassemble the milk container into two parts and put it in the dishwasher.
The display is very clearly arranged and easy to use. You can adjust the aroma and beverage quantity in 3 levels each. You want to learn more? Then take a look at our test report (incl. video) of the Philips LatteGo 3200.
Small bean to cup coffee machine with milk frothing nozzle (approx. £300)
Rating: 85 % (very good)
- Espresso & coffee at the touch of a button
- creamy milk foam with integrated milk foam nozzle
- Water tank accessible from the front
- modern design & sensor touch display
- Very easy cleaning
- compact bean to cup coffee machine – 25 cm narrow
With th Philips EP 2220/10 the milk is frothed by hand using the integrated milk frothing nozzle. Even on the first try, we succeeded in producing creamy, fine milk foam. The small bean to cup coffee machine also prepares very good espresso and coffee at the touch of a button. The device is easy to use and can be operated intuitively via the touch display. The aroma and the amount of coffee can each be adjusted in 3 levels.
You can simply pull off the milk frothing nozzle for cleaning. All important parts are also allowed in the dishwasher. The bean to cup coffee machine is only 25 cm wide and is ideal for small kitchens. You can pull out the water tank to the front to save space. The device is particularly suitable for small households and singles looking for a affordable bean to cup coffee machine.
Everything else you need to know, you can find out in our detailed review of the Philips EP 2220.
Rating: 83 % (very good)
- Espresso and coffee at the touch of a button
- creamy milk foam with integrated milk foam nozzle
- Water tank accessible from the front
- many levels for aroma & grinder setting
- Very easy cleaning
- compact bean to cup coffee machine – 23 cm narrow
Another absolute bestseller among the small fully automatic coffee machines is the DeLonghi Magnifica S. You can use it to prepare cappuccino and latte macchiato via the integrated milk frother. With a little practice, you’ll get creamy, fine milk foam in just one minute.
In our test, the small bean to cup coffee machine convinced with very good espresso and coffee. The fact that the drinks turn out so well is due to the many levels for grinder setting (13) and coffee strength (over 20). You have many options to customize the drinks to your desired taste.
The water tank, which can be removed from the front, is also particularly space-saving here. The bean compartment and milk nozzle are also easy to reach from the front. At the same time, the cleaning effort is very low, as the milk frothing nozzle can simply be pulled off.
The Magnifica S has been the absolute bestseller among small bean to cup coffee machines for almost a decade. In the meantime, the design has become a bit outdated, but it still offers a top price-performance ratio overall. You can read our experiences in our test report on the DeLonghi Magnifica S read about it.
Slim mini bean to cup coffee machine
- Espresso & coffee at the touch of a button
- separate milk frother
- modern touch display
- Water tank rear
- extra narrow only 18 cm wide
This mini bean to cup coffee machine is one of the smallest on the market. With just 18x32x40 cm (WxHxD), it is very slim and space-saving. At the touch of a button, it prepares coffee and espresso for you. Due to its small size, it does not have an integrated milk frothing nozzle, but an external milk frother .
The operation via the touch buttons is intuitively understandable. You can freely set the beverage quantity from 25 to 250 ml. You can choose from 5 levels for the grinder setting. Unfortunately, the water tank is located at the back and is removed upwards. This is a bit more cumbersome, but you should still have no problems as long as the distance between the countertop and the wall cabinet is at least 50 cm.
So far we have used the
Tchibo Esperto Caffe*
not yet tested, but it is at the top of our list =)
Rating: 72 % (satisfying)
- Espresso & coffee at the touch of a button
- Available with / without milk frother
- only 20 cm narrow
With a width of only 20 cm, the Melitta Caffeo Solo & Perfect Milk is one of the narrowest on the market. In our test he scored with very good espresso and coffee. We were less convinced by the milk foam. It could have been finer and creamier. For those who only drink espresso or coffee anyway, we therefore recommend the
Melitta Caffeo E950-103*, an identical model without milk system.
– an identical model without milk system.
The bean to cup coffee machine is easy to operate. You can continuously adjust the beverage quantity via a dial. You can choose from 3 levels for the coffee strength and 5 levels for the grinder setting. Overall, the quality of this small bean to cup coffee machine is convincing. The grinder is even relatively quiet. The only drawback: the water tank is located at the back left (due to the narrow design). To fill it, lift it slightly and bring it forward over the side.
You can read our complete experiences in our test report about the Melitta Caffeo Solo can be read.
How big is a small bean to cup coffee machine anyway?
In terms of width and height, a bean to cup coffee machine is no bigger than a
coffee maker with grinder
. A small bean to cup coffee machine is between 20-25 cm wide, about 35-38 cm high and about 40-45 cm deep. So the depth is the biggest difference compared to the coffee maker. In terms of dimensions, a bean to cup coffee machine nevertheless fits on (almost) any countertop.
Small bean to cup coffee machine compared to coffee maker
The following question is much more important: Where is the water tank and how is it removed? There are significant differences between the various manufacturers here. A tank that you can simply pull out to the front is optimal. A water tank that you remove from the side requires some space on the side. It becomes impractical when the tank is located at the very back and can only be removed upwards. This can be a real problem, especially with wall cabinets.
The collection trays (for coffee pucks and water) can also be pulled out from the front of most bean to cup coffee machines. This saves space and nerves during cleaning. We directly omitted models that can only be cleaned from the side with difficulty.
Very good – the drip trays can be pulled out to the front
Do small bean to cup coffee machines have fewer features?
Not necessarily. Some small bean to cup coffee machines can keep up with large models in terms of settings and beverage variety. After all, the size does not necessarily have anything to do with the range of functions and the price. There are significant differences and it depends on what you are looking for. We will now briefly explain the most important points.
Milk foam – at the touch of a button or froth it yourself?
Most small bean to cup coffee machines belong to the budget price category and cost around £300. They are usually equipped with a milk frothing nozzle. This nozzle allows you to prepare your own milk foam for cappuccino or latte macchiato. You must measure out the milk beforehand and then froth it yourself. It takes a little practice, but the milk foam turns out pretty well after all.
Frothing via milk nozzle – easier than you think
In the £500-700 price range, there are compact bean to cup coffee machines that froth your milk at the touch of a button. This ensures even and creamy milk foam. So in a small kitchen you do not have to sacrifice comfort. For models with a milk container, make sure that it can be removed from the front. Just like the water tank.
Mini bean to cup coffee machine delivers milk foam at the touch of a button
Beverage variety – small device = small selection?
No, that does not apply either. The cheaper bean to cup coffee machines usually only offer espresso and coffee at the touch of a button, but you can also prepare cappuccino & co. via the milk foam nozzle. For all pure espresso and coffee lovers who can do without milk foam, there are even models without milk foam system.
If you choose a model with a milk container, there are 4-12 drinks at the touch of a button. Here, the desired amount of milk is frothed directly into your cup. You can prepare a cappuccino with it fully automatically. So, it mainly depends on what you expect from your bean to cup coffee machine and how much you want to spend.
Small bean to cup coffee machine and large beverage selection – no problem
Setting options
You can directly influence the taste of the beverages via the grinder setting, the coffee strength and the amount of water. In our
bean to cup coffee machine test
almost all compact models also offer enough setting options. So a small bean to cup coffee machine has no disadvantages here.
For the grinder setting (how finely the coffee powder is ground) and for the coffee strength (how much powder per cup), you should have about 5 levels to choose from. Ideally, the water volume can be set in at least 3 levels or freely programmed. If, in addition, the brewing temperature can be controlled, you already have a lot of room for experimentation.
