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Best bean to cup coffee machines up to £500 in the test
Even bean to cup coffee machines under £500 prepare good drinks at the touch of a button. What a lot of people do not know: brewing unit, grinder and milk system are often the same from the same manufacturer – regardless of whether it’s a bean to cup coffee machine for £500 or £1,000.
Often, the more expensive models simply have a slightly larger beverage selection, more setting options or a large touch display. If that is not so important to you, you can save quite a bit of money.
We had a total of 12 bean to cup coffee machines in our test that are available for around or under £500. We’ll now tell you which of them are the best. For each bean to cup coffee machine you will find a detailed test report including a video in which we demonstrate the machine.
Best bean to cup coffee machines under £500 in test:
- DeLonghi Magnifica Evo (Rating: 86 %)
- Philips LatteGo 2200 (Rating: 86 %)
- Krups Evidence One (Rating: 86 %)
- Philips LatteGo 3200 (Rating: 86 %)
- Philips EP 2220 (Rating: 85 %)
- DeLonghi Magnifica S (Rating: 83 %)
- DeLonghi Magnifica S Smart (Rating: 83 %)
- Siemens EQ.300 (Rating: 82 %)
Overall, the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo offers a good value for money and is currently the best bean to cup coffee machine around £500. The display is very clear and can be easily operated via large beverage icons.
The bean to cup coffee machine is very suitable for small households that want to prepare good drinks and hot milk foam quickly and easily.
Rating: 86 % (very good)
The Magnifica Evo prepares 5 drinks at the touch of a button and is one of the best bean to cup coffee machines under £500 in our test. The espresso has a very fine crema and is intense in flavor. For all coffee drinkers, Long Coffee is the best choice. Due to the surge brewing process (low pressure) and 2 coffee pucks per cup, it becomes nice and intense and less bitter than regular coffee.
We were also impressed by the cappuccino and latte macchiato. The milk foam is uniformly fine and slightly sweet in taste. All drinks, especially the milk foam, were hot enough.
The display is clear and easy to understand thanks to large symbols. You can adjust the aroma 3 levels and the grinder setting 13 levels. There are no levels to choose from for beverage quantity. All drinks have a fixed preset quantity according to the original recipe. You can reprogram these if you want to. The setting options are deliberately kept simple. For this reason, the bean to cup coffee machine is particularly aimed at beginners who want to prepare good drinks with just a few clicks.
uniformly fine milk foam
fine-pored milk foam
clear display
We were also impressed by the easy handling and cleaning. A highlight is the “My Latte” function. Here, the bean to cup coffee machine always uses all milk from the milk container. You can then rinse it directly or put it in the dishwasher. In addition, there are several automatic cleaning programs available and the brewing unit can also be removed.
As usual in this price range, the Magnifica Evo is also mainly made of plastic. However, it is solidly made and the conical burr grinder has a pleasant volume. The device is the right choice for small households looking for an uncomplicated bean to cup coffee machine that prepares good drinks quickly. Check out our video if you want to learn more. You can also read our experiences in our test report on the Magnifica Evo read about it.
The Philips LatteGo 2200 convinced with good drinks and hot milk foam in the test. The operation is intuitive and the display is clear.
We particularly like the easy cleaning of the milk system. It consists of only 2 parts, comes without hoses and is allowed in the dishwasher.
Rating: 86 % (very good)
The Philips LatteGo 2200 has a compact design, making it ideal for small kitchens. It prepares 3 drinks for you at the touch of a button, including a cappuccino with hot milk foam. The espresso is well balanced and has a light brown crema. We were also convinced by the taste of a small cup of coffee – an aromatic pick-me-up.
The operation via sensor touch is intuitive and the display is very clear. You can set the coffee strength in 3 levels and the grinder setting even in 12 levels. You can adjust the beverage quantity in 3 levels. The highest level can be programmed freely and can thus be adjusted exactly to your cup.
Hot, slightly creamy milk foam
simple milk container without hoses
Clear and easy to use
In our bean to cup coffee machine testthe LatteGo 2200 convinced us with its easy handling and quick cleaning. All parts are accessible from the front and many are also dishwasher safe. The simple milk system does not require hoses and is therefore particularly easy to clean.
The device is especially suitable for beginners and all those who want to prepare milk foam as cheaply as possible at the touch of a button. In our Test report on the Philips EP2231/40 or our video you can learn even more about the details.
The Krups Evidence One is a real insider’s tip among fully automatic coffee machines under £500.
Here you get functions that are otherwise only found in the upper class: 8 drinks at the touch of a button, many setting options and the double cup option for cappuccino and the like.
Rating: 86 % (very good)
The Krups Evidence One is a compact bean to cup coffee machine that allows you to prepare 8 different drinks. The espresso is strong and has a light brown crema. We were particularly impressed by the very fine milk foam – the likes of which are rarely found in this price range.
The touch display can be operated intuitively. You can set the coffee strength in 3 levels and the grinder setting in 9 levels. Especially practical: You can adjust the amount of beverages during preparation. The amount of espresso in milliliters and the amount of milk foam in seconds. You can save each drink as a favorite once. All milk foam beverages can also be prepared in the double cup option – a real special feature for a bean to cup coffee machine around £500.
The bean to cup coffee machine draws the milk directly from your milk carton via a milk tube. This is convenient, because it saves you the extra washing up of a milk container. The bean compartment is easy to reach, but the water tank is on the back (which could be a problem with wall cabinets).
compact bean to cup coffee machine under £500
very fine milk foam
innovative touch display
As typical in this price range, the device is mainly made of plastic . On the other hand, the bean to cup coffee machine has a robust brewing unit made of metal. The conical burr grinder is also made of stainless steel and was slightly louder than other bean to cup coffee machines from our test.
The Evidence One offers many cleaning programs, including for the milk system and the fixed brewing unit. Special cleaning agents from Krups are always required here – but the cleaning is very thorough.
Apart from a few weaknesses, this device is a great bean to cup coffee machine for around £500. You can read our complete review either in our test report of the Krups Evidence Oneor watch our video:
The Philips LatteGo 3200 convinced in the test with good drinks and very easy handling.
Cleaning is particularly easy because the milk system is integrated in the milk container. You can disassemble the container into 2 parts and simply put it in the dishwasher.
Rating: 86 % (very good)
The Philips LatteGo 3200 fits perfectly in small kitchens due to its compact size. It prepares 5 different drinks at the touch of a button and makes a good, creamy milk foam. The espresso is strong and has a light brown crema. We were particularly convinced by the Americano – it reminds us of filter coffee in terms of taste.
The sensor display is clearly arranged and can be operated intuitively. You can set the coffee strength in 3 levels. You can even choose from 12 levels for the grinder setting. You can also set the amount of espresso and milk foam in 3 levels (little, medium, much). You can also freely program the highest level to suit your cup.
good drinks at the touch of a button
Milk container consists of 2 parts
Display with intuitive operation
In our bean to cup coffee machine testthe LatteGo scored with its easy handling. All parts are easy to reach and most of them can be put in the dishwasher. The innovative milk system convinces us the most, because the device does completely without hoses and is therefore easy to clean .
The machine is particularly suitable for beginners who are looking for an uncomplicated bean to cup coffee machine. Tip: Just take a look at our detailed review of the LatteGo 3200 or our video if you want to learn more.
