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Bean to cup coffee machine reviews & test winner 2023

  • Real test reports with many images & videos
  • Best bean to cup coffee machine in any price range
best bean to cup coffee machine 2023

You feel overwhelmed by the huge selection? Then you’ve come to the right place! We have been testing bean to cup coffee machines for many years and therefore know exactly what is important and what is not. So far, we have tested 22 automatic coffee machines from Jura, Siemens, DeLonghi, Saeco, Philips, Krups and Melitta.

On our website you will find a detailed test report with video for each bean to cup coffee machine. We show you how to prepare good drinks, take a closer look at the individual parts and check how easy it is to clean the machine.

22 bean to cup coffee machines in comparison – our recommendations:

Bean to cup coffee machine test winner 2023

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 bean to cup coffee machine test winner

Rating: 98 % (excellent)

Siemens EQ.700 classic

  • 33 drinks at a touch of a button
  • extremely fine milk foam
  • all drinks in double cup option
  • DoubleShot for extra intensity
  • large touch display
  • very quiet grinder
  • no profiles (only 10 favorites)

Current value for money recommendation

Philips LatteGo 5400 bean to cup coffee machine

Rating: 90 % (excellent)

Philips LatteGo 5400

  • 12 drinks at touch of a button
  • fine & hot milk foam
  • intuitive touch display
  • Milk system without hoses
  • 4 individual profiles
  • extraShot for more intensity
  • no double cup option milk foam

Best bean to cup coffee machine for about £500

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 86 % (very good)

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo

  • 5 drinks at the touch of a button
  • fine milk foam
  • very good espresso
  • intuitive operation
  • easy cleaning
  • ideal for small households
  • fewer setting options

Best bean to cup coffee machine for about £300

DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B in the test

Rating: 83 % (very good)

De’Longhi Magnifica S

  • 2 drinks at the touch of a button
  • fine milk foam
  • very good espresso
  • Compact size
  • easy cleaning
  • affordable entry-level device
  • Froth milk yourself

Which is the best bean to cup coffee machine in test 2023?

What is the best bean to cup coffee machine of 2023?

Test winner 2023 is the Siemens EQ.700 classic with an excellent rating of 98 %. The bean to cup coffee machine convinces with very good espresso, especially fine milk foam and a high quality. The handling is simple and the menu navigation intuitively understandable. In addition, the grinder is pleasantly quiet, as is the milk system.

A very good value for money offers the bean to cup coffee machine DeLonghi Magnifica Evo (grade: 1.7). It prepares good drinks, is easy to use and is therefore ideal for small households and beginners. The best cheap bean to cup coffee machine is the Philips EP2200 with a rating of 85 % (very good). Here you froth the milk yourself with the integrated milk frothing nozzle.

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Best bean to cup coffee machines in the test

Bean to cup coffee machine test winner

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 fully automatic coffee machine review

Rating: 98 % (excellent)

Notes in detail

Espresso:96 %
Coffee:96 %
Cappuccino:100 %
Latte Macchiato:100 %
Handling:98 %
Settings:96 %
Quality:100 %
Cleaning:98 %

Siemens EQ.700 classic TP705D01

Currently best bean to cup coffee machine for home use

 Upper class 
33 Drinks Automatic milk system
10 Favorites Double cup option for all drinks
Double Shot Function App Control

“The Siemens EQ.700 classic is currently the best bean to cup coffee machine for the home. It convinces with very good drinks, extremely fine milk foam and easy handling. The bean to cup coffee machine can be operated intuitively using the touch display or app.”

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 fully automatic coffee machine review

Rating: 96 % (excellent)

Notes in detail

Espresso:96 %
Coffee:96 %
Cappuccino:100 %
Latte Macchiato:100 %
Handling:96 %
Settings:94 %
Quality:100 %
Cleaning:94 %

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 bean to cup coffee machine

Bean to cup coffee machine test winner 2022

 Upper class 
9 drinks Automatic milk system
4 favorites Double cup option for all drinks
Double Shot Function

“The Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 is a high-quality bean to cup coffee machine. It convinces with very good drinks, easy handling and intuitive operation.”

Price-performance recommendation

DeLonghi Dinamica Plus Kaffeevollautomat im Test - Coffee Tasters

Rating: 94 % (excellent)

Notes in detail

Espresso:96 %
Coffee:94 %
Cappuccino:94 %
Latte Macchiato:96 %
Handling:94 %
Settings:94 %
Quality:86 %
Cleaning:92 %

DeLonghi Dinamica Plus

Modern bean to cup coffee machine with app control

 Upper class 
12 drinks Automatic milk system
3 Profiles Double cup option for espresso
App control coffee pot function coffee

“Particularly creamy milk foam and very good espresso. You can adjust all settings either on the display or in the DeLonghi app. You can save your individual settings in 3 profiles. The DeLonghi Dinamica Plusoffers very good value for money.”

Saeco Gran Aroma bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 94 % (excellent)

Notes in detail

Espresso:90 %
Coffee:96 %
Cappuccino:94 %
Latte Macchiato:92 %
Handling:98 %
Settings:100 %
Quality:85 %
Cleaning:92 %

Saeco Gran Aroma bean to cup coffee machine

Ideal for large households: 4 profiles and precise setting options

 Upper class 
12 drinks Automatic milk system
4 profiles Double cup option for all beverages
Extra Shot function

“Very fine-pored milk foam and strong espresso. You have a lot of options when it comes to taste. The Saeco Gran Aromaoffers plenty of scope for experimentation while being easy to operate.”

Jura bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 92 % (excellent)

Notes in detail

Espresso:96 %
Coffee:96 %
Cappuccino:92 %
Latte Macchiato:94 %
Handling:94 %
Settings:90 %
Quality:90 %
Cleaning:88 %

Jura E8 Premium bean to cup coffee machine

Beautiful design & high quality

 Upper class 
10 drinks Automatic milk system
Double cup option espresso & coffee
Extra Shot function App control

“Beautiful design available in 5 colors. High quality bean to cup coffee machine. Fast preparation and very good drinks. Many thorough cleaning programs since brewing unit not removable. For a small surcharge the Jura E8 can also be controlled via app.”

Siemens EQ.500 integral fully automatic coffee machine test latte macchiato

Rating: 90 % (excellent)

Notes in detail

Espresso:96 %
Coffee:94 %
Cappuccino:90 %
Latte Macchiato:90 %
Handling:92 %
Settings:72 %
Quality:100 %
Cleaning:90 %

Siemens EQ.500 integral bean to cup coffee machine

Very good drinks without frills

 Upper class 
13 drinks Automatic milk system
Double cup option for all drinks
Double Shot Function App Control

Very good espresso and milk foam. Smaller scope for adjustments of taste – coffee-milk ratio cannot be adjusted. But always very good drinks according to original recipe and clear menu guidance. Also the Siemens EQ.500 integral offers the usual high SIEMENS quality.

Melitta Latte Select F630-201 bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 85 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:90 %
Coffee:94 %
Cappuccino:85 %
Latte Macchiato:82 %
Handling:85 %
Settings:92 %
Quality:79 %
Cleaning:83 %

Melitta Latte Select bean to cup coffee machine

Device with many possibilities & some weaknesses

 Upper class 
12 drinks Automatic milk system
6 profiles Double cup option
2 bean compartments

“Very good espresso. Milk foam a bit coarse. Quiet grinder. Many precise setting options. In some places, the device doesn’t seem as well thought out: large milk container but small collection trays. Overall, the Melitta Latte Select cannot quite keep up in the upper class.

Best bean to cup coffee machine up to £500

Delonghi Dinamica bean to cup coffee machine with latte macchiato

Rating: 90 % (excellent)

Notes in detail

Espresso:96 %
Coffee:94 %
Cappuccino:94 %
Latte Macchiato:94 %
Handling:92 %
Settings:78 %
Quality:86 %
Cleaning:90 %

DeLonghi Dinamica

Older model but very good value for money

 Middle class 
9 drinks Automatic milk system
1 Profile Double cup option Espresso

“The display is a bit “old-fashioned” compared to more modernDeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines. However, the proven bestseller delivers just as good drinks at a comparatively low price. The compact size makes the DeLonghi Dinamica a good choice for small kitchens.

Philips LatteGo 3200 bean to cup coffee machine latte macchiato test

Rating: 86 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:90 %
Coffee:86 %
Cappuccino:86 %
Latte Macchiato:86 %
Handling:94 %
Settings:74 %
Quality:82 %
Cleaning:88 %

Philips LatteGo 3200 bean to cup coffee machine

Entry-level device with easy handling

 Middle class 
5 drinks Automatic milk system
Double cup option Espresso, Coffee, Americano

Good milk foam for cappuccino and latte machiato. Good espresso. Very simple operation and at the same time flexible setting options. Aroma, espresso and amount of milk can each be adjusted in 3 levels. Easy to clean milk system without hoses . The LatteGo 3200 is our top recommendation in the middle class.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 86 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:94 %
Coffee:86 %
Cappuccino:90 %
Latte Macchiato:86 %
Handling:90 %
Settings:69 %
Quality:86 %
Cleaning:90 %

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo bean to cup coffee machine

Clear display with large drink icons

 Middle class 
5 drinks Automatic milk system
Double cup option Espresso

“Small, straightforward bean to cup coffee machine with large drink icons – perfect for older people. Good drinks with just a touch of a button without having to make complex adjustments. Hot milk foam. Easy cleaning and compact. Milk container small – therefore the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is more suitable for single households and couples.

 

Krups bean to cup coffee machine test Evidence

Rating: 86 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:90 %
Coffee:86 %
Cappuccino:94 %
Latte Macchiato:94 %
Handling:90 %
Settings:86 %
Quality:82 %
Cleaning:79 %

Krups Evidence One bean to cup coffee machine

Good mid-range bean to cup coffee machine with some special features

 Middle class 
8 drinks Automatic milk system
Double cup option for all drinks 1 profile

Good espresso and very fine milk foam – can keep up with upper class bean to cup coffee machines. Special feature in this price class: all beverages also available in double cup option. Intuitive operation – beverage quantity can still be adjusted during preparation. Individual settings can be saved for each beverage (1 profile). Brewing unit of the Krups EA895N Evidence One made of metal but not removable. Grinder somewhat loud when grinding.

Jura E6 bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 85 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:96 %
Coffee:96 %
Cappuccino:85 %
Latte Macchiato:nr
Handling:82 %
Settings:83 %
Quality:90 %
Cleaning:77 %

Jura E6 bean to cup coffee machine

Too expensive for the middle class

 Middle class 
6 drinks Automatic milk system
Double cup option espresso & coffee

“Offers 3 coffee variants (Coffee, Lungo Barista, Café Barista). Very good milk foam – but can not latte macchiato. High quality and controllable via app for an additional charge. Thorough cleaning programs. Attention: Brewing unit for Jura E6 permanently installed. Cleaning the milk system rather laborious. Overall, too expensive for a mid-range device.

Best bean to cup coffee machine up to £300

Philips EP2220 fully automatic coffee machine with latte macchiato in test

Rating: 85 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:90 %
Coffee:86 %
Cappuccino:88 %
Latte Macchiato:88 %
Handling:79 %
Settings:69 %
Quality:82 %
Cleaning:94 %

Philips EP 2220 bean to cup coffee machine

Best milk foam among the cheap bean to cup coffee machines

 Cheap 
2 drinks at the touch of a button Milk frothing nozzle

“Among the machines with a milk frothing nozzle, the Philips EP 2220 prepared the best milk foam. Frothing by hand succeeds at the first attempt. Espresso and coffee are available at the touch of a button. Intuitive operation and easy handling. Beverage quantity and coffee strength can be adjusted in 3 levels each.”

DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B in the test

Rating: 83 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:94 %
Coffee:86 %
Cappuccino:86 %
Latte Macchiato:86 %
Handling:79 %
Settings:69 %
Quality:82 %
Cleaning:90 %

DeLonghi Magnifica S bean to cup coffee machine

Precise settings for aroma

 Cheap 
2 drinks at the touch of a button Milk frothing nozzle

Very good espresso and fine milk foam with frothing nozzle. Wide choice of aroma: coffee strength adjustable in 20 levels and grinder setting in 13 levels. Easy operation and cleaning. The DeLonghi Magnifica Sis an absolute bestseller among the affordable bean to cup coffee machines.”

Delonghi Magnifica S Smart fully automatic coffee machine latte macchiato in test

Rating: 83 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:94 %
Coffee:90 %
Cappuccino:86 %
Latte Macchiato:86 %
Handling:79 %
Settings:68 %
Quality:82 %
Cleaning:90 %

DeLonghi Magnifica S Smart

Successor model to the popular Magnifica S

 Cheap 
3 drinks at the touch of a button Milk frothing nozzle

Very good espresso and creamy milk foam. For coffee lovers, in addition to “normal” coffee, there is the“Long“. This is prepared in the so-called surge brewing process and is therefore less bitter. The Magnifica S Smart is a compact bean to cup coffee machine with easy cleaning.”

Saeco PicoBaristo Deluxe SM5573/10 fully automatic coffee machine test

Rating: 72 % (satisfying)

Notes in detail

Espresso:82 %
Coffee:85 %
Cappuccino:69 %
Latte Macchiato:66 %
Handling:74 %
Settings:98 %
Quality:62 %
Cleaning:60 %

Saeco PicoBaristo Deluxe bean to cup coffee machine

There are better bean to cup coffee machines of the upper class

 Upper class 
12 drinks Automatic milk system
4 profiles double cup option espresso, coffee

Good espresso and mediocre milk foam with coarse bubbles. Extensive setting options and easy operation. Milk system is too loud in operation and cleaning the milk container is too cumbersome. We recommend the new
Saeco Gran Aroma
. Here the manufacturer has fixed all the problems”

Siemens EQ.300 bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 82 % (very good)

Notes in detail

Espresso:90 %
Coffee:90 %
Cappuccino:79 %
Latte Macchiato:79 %
Handling:79 %
Settings:63 %
Quality:90 %
Cleaning:86 %

Siemens EQ.300 bean to cup coffee machine

Offers too little for the price

 Middle class 
4 drinks semi-automatic milk system

“Milk is measured by hand and automatically foamed by milk frothing nozzle. Good drinks throughout, but few settings. In this price range, the
EQ.300
simply offers too little. If SIEMENS then rather invests a little more in the
Siemens EQ.6
invest.”

Melitta Caffeo Solo Perfect Milk fully automatic coffee machine test

Rating: 72 % (satisfying)

Notes in detail

Espresso:90 %
Coffee:86 %
Cappuccino:70 %
Latte Macchiato:63 %
Handling:66 %
Settings:65 %
Quality:79 %
Cleaning:70 %

Melitta Caffeo Solo & Perfect Milk

Only really good for espresso and coffee

 Cheap 
2 drinks at the touch of a button Cappuccinatore

“Small compact bean to cup coffee machine. Makes very good espresso and good coffee. Milk foam with quite coarse bubbles and too lukewarm – therefore no recommendation for milk foam drinks. Here, other devices are clearly better than the
Melitta Caffeo Solo & Perfect Milk

Your most frequently asked questions about bean to cup coffee machines

Which small bean to cup coffee machine is the best?

A small bean to cup coffee machine should take up little space on the work surface and be easy to operate from the front. From our test the DeLonghi Dinamica Plus best for small kitchens. This model offers everything we expect from a bean to cup coffee machine in a surprisingly compact design – many settings, creamy milk foam at the touch of a button, intense espresso and easy handling and cleaning.

If you are looking for a small and cheap bean to cup coffee machine are the Philips EP 2220/10 and the DeLonghi Magnifica S Smart are worth a look. Both are easy to use, easy to clean and have a clear menu. With the Philips, we were particularly impressed by the good milk frothing nozzle, while the DeLonghi scored with extra-intense espresso.

Which is the best cheap bean to cup coffee machine?

The best cheap bean to cup coffee machine is the Philips EP2220/10. In the test, the high quality, aromatic espresso, and fine milk foam were convincing. The design is modern and the operation intuitive. That’s why this model is our recommendation for fully automatic coffee machines under 300 euros.

Our second choice among the inexpensive bean to cup coffee machines is the
DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B
. This model convinces with aromatic espresso and easy handling.

Which bean to cup coffee machine does Stiftung Warentest recommend?

Since 2010
Stiftung Warentest fully automatic coffee machines
. A total of 75 different models. So they have an insane amount of data and experience.

In 2022, the DeLonghi Eletta Explore was named the test winner with a score of “good” 1.7 (issue 11/2022). The Saeco GranAroma bean to cup coffee machine came in second with a “good” score of 2.0. In the 2021 test, the DeLonghi PrimaDonna Soul was awarded the grade “good” 1.9 (issue 01/2022). Among the fully automatic coffee machines up to 500 euros, the Philips LatteGo EP3246/70 was mentioned positively.

What is a milk frother?

In bean to cup coffee machines with a milk frothing nozzle, you get espresso and coffee at the touch of a button. You can prepare drinks with milk foam using the integrated milk foam nozzle. To do this, measure the milk in your glass and froth it by hand. Then prepare an espresso at the bean to cup coffee machine and your cappuccino is ready.

DeLonghi Magnifica ECAM 22.110.B cappuccino milk frothing

Froth milk by hand

DeLonghi Magnifica ECAM 22.110.B Cappuccino preparation

Prepare espresso at the machine – done

Devices with a milk foam nozzle are significantly cheaper than fully automatic milk systems. However, a few more handles are necessary, which can be tedious with many drinks. In addition, froth requires some practice. But there are also automatic milk frothing nozzles that do the frothing for you. Here you only need to measure the milk beforehand.

Coffee machines test automatic milk frothing nozzle


Siemens EQ.300
with automatic milk frothing nozzle

What is an automatic milk system?

With an automatic milk system, you get all your drinks at the touch of a button. This is especially convenient if you want to prepare a lot of drinks. Automatic milk systems are convenient but also more expensive than devices with a milk frothing nozzle.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Cappuccino

all drinks at the touch of a button

Bean to cup coffee machine with milk container or milk tube?

With a
bean to cup coffee machine with milk container
you fill the milk into a tank. When you are done with the beverage cover, simply place the milk container in the refrigerator.

Bean to cup coffee machine test milk system

With milk container


Fully automatic coffee machines with milk tube
draw the milk directly from your milk carton. This saves you having to clean an additional milk container.

Siemens bean to cup coffee machine with milk tube

with milk tube

Whether milk tube or milk container is ultimately a question of appearance. For those who are not sure, we recommend a bean to cup coffee machine with a milk container, which in turn is connected with a milk tube. This way you can use both:

Saeco Gran Aroma coffee machine milk tank

What are bean to cup coffee machine profiles?

In a profile, each household member can save their individual taste settings. This is especially useful if you want to drink the same drinks but with different settings.

Bean to cup coffee machine test profiles

Bean to cup coffee machine test profiles

What to look for in a bean to cup coffee machine?

When buying a bean to cup coffee machine, there are several technical aspects that you should pay attention to.

  • brewing unit
  • Grinder
  • Milk system
  • Display
  • Pump pressure
  • Water filter

The brewing unit of a bean to cup coffee machine can be either fixed or removable. A removable brewing unit can be cleaned under running water. With a fixed brewing unit, cleaning is performed by an automatic program.

For the grinder, there are different types (conical or disc) and materials (ceramic or metal). A disc mill is a bit quieter in operation, with the same housing insulation. Conical burr grinders are somewhat more compact, usually made of hardened metal and somewhat more robust.

The milk system is divided into three types. There are models with a milk frothing nozzle where the milk is frothed manually. In bean to cup coffee machines with milk containers, the milk foam is prepared fully automatically. The same applies to bean to cup coffee machines with milk tubes. Here, a the milk is filled into an external container or drawn directly from the milk carton.

The display is either equipped with a small screen or only keys.

The pump pressure of a bean to cup coffee machine is either 15 or 19 bar. Higher pressure allows even finer coffee powder to be extracted, which usually provides a more intense flavor.

A water filter can be installed directly in the water tank. You should pay attention to the price differences between original and alternative before buying.

What to expect of an bean to cup coffee machine for £300, £500 and £700?

Which bean to cup coffee machines can you recommend?

Our bean to cup coffee machine test criteria

Inhaltsverzeichnis

For our tests, we defined 54 test criteria and divided them into 5 categories. Of course, the taste of the drinks is particularly important. Here we go into espresso, coffee and the milk foam. We also check which setting options the bean to cup coffee machine offers and how easy it is to use.

We also rate the general quality of the casing, the interior and the grinder’s volume. We’ll also take a look at how easy cleaning really is. We will now report to you in detail about our concrete test methods:

Drinks

To ensure that all models have the same chances in our bean to cup coffee machine comparison, we always use the same coffee beans and organic UHT milk with 3.8% fat. Then the only thing that matters is the “skill” of the respective bean to cup coffee machine.

Espresso

Espresso is the main component in almost all drinks from the bean to cup coffee machine. Its quality decisive for the taste of all drinks.

Light brown crema:

The first thing we check is the appearance of the crema. This is the foam layer that forms on the espresso shortly after brewing. Ideally, the crema is shimmering golden brown and uniformly fine-pored.

A crema that is too light indicates a brewing temperature that is too low or a grinder setting that is too coarse. Conversely, a crema that is too dark indicates a brewing temperature that is too high or a grinder setting that is too fine. If the crema is “torn” and not uniformly fine, the brewing process may have been too fast. If there is too little crema, the grinder setting is too fine, the pump pressure is too low, or the machine is using too little coffee powder. If the grinder setting is too coarse, the crema will dissolve too quickly.

You see, it’s a science to brew the perfect espresso. Here we always try to adjust the grinder setting and temperature accordingly. If we still can’t influence it, e.g. because the pump pressure is too low or the brewing process is too fast, we’ll deduct some points in our test.

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 fully automatic coffee machine test

the perfect espresso – evenly fine, golden brown crema –
Siemens EQ.6

Temperature:

The recommended drinking temperature for espresso is between 67 and 70°C. Therefore, the temperature should be at least 70 °C shortly after brewing – otherwise there are deductions in our test.

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 espresso temperature

the espresso temperature should be above 70 °C

Taste:

Of course, taste is always a subjective test criterion. Since we now have a lot of experience in comparing bean to cup coffee machines, we can give you a good assessment. We also always use the same coffee beans for all devices. Therefore, we can directly compare intensity and aroma.

First, we always prepare an espresso in the default settings, i.e. 40 ml at medium coffee strength and preset grinder setting. In the next step, we try to set the bean to cup coffee machine so that we get the strongest and most aromatic espresso possible. To do this, we set the degree of malting as fine as possible and the coffee strength upwards. But not all bean to cup coffee machines can manage these settings. We have already had devices in our test whose pumps were simply too weak. There was only a little espresso dripping into the cup….

Espresso taste in bean to cup coffee machine test

 

Cappuccino & Latte Macchiato

Cappuccino and latte macchiato are your favorite drinks from the bean to cup coffee machine. Both consist of different parts espresso and milk foam. If the espresso does not taste good, the cappuccino cannot taste good either. The milk foam should also have the perfect consistency.

Milk foam consistency:

The perfect milk foam has a slight sweetness in taste and a
creamy consistency
. The bubbles should be uniformly fine and the head should shimmer slightly. That sounds complicated? Don’t worry who drinks as many cappuccini as we do recognizes the differences immediately 😉

First, we perform our “spoon check” on each drink. To do this, we take some milk foam on the spoon and check if it sticks when we turn it over. If the milk foam sticks, it is definitely not too liquid. Then it’s on to the “bubble check”. For a creamy consistency with a slight shimmer, the bubbles must be as fine and uniform as possible .

Spoon test for milk foam from bean to cup coffee machine

perfect milk foam with very fine bubbles

Some bean to cup coffee machines overdo it with the foam and add air. Then the cappuccino was more reminiscent of a bubble bath in the bathtub. The larger the individual bubbles, the worse the result in our test.

Melitta Caffeo Solo Cappuccino Milchschaum - Coffee Tasters

for comparison: much too coarse milk foam

We also check how long the foam crown stands without collapsing.

Temperature:

From 60 °C, the milk reaches the so-called “sweet spot” and tastes slightly sweet. Above 70 °C, however, it can already taste burnt. Most bean to cup coffee machines are set to not exceed this temperature.

With espresso, a cappuccino should have around 67 °C. For latte macchiato, the temperature is between 60 and 65°C due to the higher milk content.

Taste test:

Here we check that the flavors of the espresso are well accentuated and underlined by the slight sweetness of the milk. Accordingly, the milk must not overpower the espresso. We always try to find the optimal settings for cappuccino and latte macchiato. If the bean to cup coffee machine already prepares good drinks in the factory settings, there are plus points.

With latte macchiato, 5 times the amount of milk foam is added to 40 ml of espresso. Very important are the 3 typical layers. The hot milk settles at the bottom, the espresso above it, and fluffy milk foam at the top.

For a cappuccino, 30 ml of espresso is added to 3 to 4 times the amount of milk foam . Additional points are awarded if the bean to cup coffee machine prepares the cappuccino in the correct order (first espresso, then milk foam). Most bean to cup coffee machines do it the other way around for looks. In terms of taste, however, the order has little influence.

 

Coffee from the bean to cup coffee machine

Many of you want good coffee from the bean to cup coffee machine. This is understandable, but there is a problem here: bean to cup coffee machines also prepare coffee using the espresso method. Here, the ground coffee powder is compacted into a coffee puck. Hot water, under high pressure, is then forced through the puck. This releases various aromas from the coffee powder.

Coffee puck from the bean to cup coffee machine

Coffee puck from the bean to cup coffee machine

For espresso, use about 40 ml of water. For normal coffee 150 ml or more. Cleverly solved, you might think – but there’s a catch: the more water is pressed through the coffee puck, the more bitter your coffee tastes. You see coffee is not the strong point of the bean to cup coffee machine. So if you only want to drink “normal” coffee, you’re better off with a
coffee maker with integrated grinder
better advised. These work classically with the filter method.

But everyone else need not worry. Manufacturers are well aware of the “coffee problem” and have brought some technical improvements to the market. For example, SIEMENS machines use two coffee pucks for one cup of coffee. This shortens the extraction time of a coffee puck and dissolves fewer bitter substances.
Delonghi fully automatic bean to cup coffee machines
offer the so-called surge brewing process with the “Long”. Here, the water is forced through the coffee puck in small bursts with less throughput.

A good alternative to coffee is the Americano – an espresso blended with hot water. To do this, the bean to cup coffee machine first prepares an espresso and then adds hot water. In our tests, the Americano resembles filter coffee.

Coffee Americano in test

best choice for good coffee from the bean to cup coffee machine – Americano

For the coffee, we set a medium-fine grinder setting and a medium coffee strength. We then assess the coffee in terms of flavor and bitterness. If the bean to cup coffee machine has special aroma functions, we use them. If it can also prepare an Americano, we rate this as well. We also check the temperature -it should be at least 70 °C.

Settings

The inexpensive models differ from the expensive ones, especially when it comes to the setting options. With top-of-the-line bean to cup coffee machines, you can set everything precisely and even create personal taste profiles. Therefore, they usually score better in our test in terms of “settings”. The question is always what you need. Some of you even deliberately choose an uncomplicated device.

We will now introduce you to all the setting options. We will explain what is important and what is a nice gimmick. Then you can decide for yourself which functions you want to have.

Beverage selection

The absolute standard drinks include espresso and coffee. With the exception of the Jura E6, all bean to cup coffee machines in our test can also make cappuccino and latte macchiato. Of course, it’s always varied when a bean to cup coffee machine has even more to offer.

For those who like coffee, we recommend the Americano – an espresso prolonged with hot water. This resembles filter coffee and tastes better to us than “normal” coffee from the bean to cup coffee machine. If you like coffee with a lot of milk, you should try latte. This is because the milk is heated here, making your drink hotter overall. You are more the cappuccino type? Then maybe the Flat White is for you – an Australian version of the cappuccino. Some of you would like to have a bean to cup coffee machine that simply prepares hot milk (e.g. for cocoa).

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 bean to cup coffee machine under test

Flat white, cappuccino, latte macchiato and latte coffee

Tip:

With a wide selection of drinks, you can experiment and try something new. However, always keep an eye on your budget and ask yourself which drinks you really need. With some devices, you can even save quite a bit if you take a smaller selection of drinks. For example, with the models of the
Philips LatteGo series.

Don’t be fooled by advertising promises like “30 drinks at the touch of a button.” Some manufacturers count double cup options (2 espressos), hot water, tea (?) or just milk foam as an additional beverage. We therefore look very closely in our tests. In each of our reviews, you will find a list of all the drinks that the respective bean to cup coffee machine can prepare.

Adjust coffee strength

You can influence the amount of coffee powder used via the coffee strength. The more coffee powder used, the stronger and more intense your espresso (or coffee.) Each bean to cup coffee machine has at least 3 levels to choose from. We givefull points for 5 levels or more. If you like to experiment a lot with the taste, you should choose more levels accordingly. Some models even offer you 20 levels.

By the way, most devices have a compartment for ground coffee. With this, you can use decaffeinated coffee from time to time. However, this compartment is not suitable for regular use, because it must be kept clean otherwise there is a risk of mold.

Adjust grinder setting

You usually set the grinder setting directly in the bean compartment. The finer the gr inder setting, the finer your coffee powder will be ground. The finer the coffee powder, the slower the water flows through the coffee puck and absorbs more aroma. You can therefore directly influence the taste via the grinder setting.

For espresso (and all espresso-based beverages such as cappuccino), a fine grinder setting is suitable. The roast of your coffee beans also plays a role. A dark roasted bean should be ground coarser than a light roast. Real gourmets therefore own a fully automatic bean to cup coffee machine with 2 grinders.

In our test, we make sure that a bean to cup coffee machine gives you as much leeway as possible. We therefore assume at least 5 levels. From 7 levels, a device receives the full score. Some models have even more than 10 levels. We also check how fine and how evenly the coffee powder is ground at the finest levels. If the levels are too coarse, there will be deductions.

Caution: You should only adjust the grinder setting during the grinding process, otherwise the grinder may be damaged. You should also only adjust 1-2 levels during each grinding process. Some bean to cup coffee machines even have a built-in lock that is only released during operation. This protects the grinder from damage. Such little things always please us especially. Because that’s how we notice that the manufacturer thinks along with us.

Adjust beverage quantities

Especially for small and large cups it is helpful to adjust the beverage quantity. We once had a bean to cup coffee machine in the test where we could not adjust anything at all. If the cup was not full or even overflowed we simply had bad luck!? This is an absolute no-go.

Other bean to cup coffee machines have fixed programmed amounts for each drink that you can reprogram. Here, the bean to cup coffee machine will continue to dispense the beverage until you press a button. For cappuccino and the like, do this first for the milk foam and then for the espresso. This is a bit cumbersome but at least it’s something.

It’s easier if you have multiple drink levels – for small, medium and large cups.

Delonghi Dinamica Plus Set beverage quantity

the Dinamica Plus has 4 levels to choose from (top left)

In most cases, however, you will not be given any specific milliliters for the levels. Sometimes there are hints in the instructions. If not, try out which level is suitable for which cup. Don’t worry if you make a mistake – you can cancel the purchase at any time. Exact milliliter specifications are even better. These are usually available for devices in the upper or premium class.

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 display favorite beverage quantity

exact milliliters for the beverage quantity

When making bean to cup coffee machines, such as the
Jura E8
or the
Krups Evidence One
you can adjust the beverage quantity during preparation and then save it. This is especially handy if you don’t know exactly how much will fit in your cup.

The easier it is to adjust the beverage quantity to your cups, the more points a bean to cup coffee machine receives in our test.

By the way:

If you select espresso as the beverage, you influence the amount of water used with the beverage quantity. The less water used for the same amount of coffee powder, the more intense your espresso will be. The ratio of water to coffee powder is also referred to as the “brew ratio”. For a really intense espresso, use the following settings: Coffee strength at maximum and water volume at minimum. At best, 30 ml of water is then used for every 10 g of coffee powder. This is pretty much in line with the 1:3 brew ratio recommended by baristas.

Adjust espresso to milk ratio

According to the original recipe, a cappuccino consists of 1 part espresso and 4 parts milk foam. Thus, for every 40 ml of es presso, there is 160 ml of milk foam . If you like it a little stronger, you can increase the proportion of espresso. If you like it milder, increase the milk content. However, this is not so easy with all bean to cup coffee machines.

With some devices you cannot influence – like e.g. with the
Siemens EQ.500
. The drinks are always prepared according to the original recipe. You can only adjust the total amount of your drink in several levels.

In other devices, again, there are multiple levels for both espresso and milk foam quantity. Mostly there are 3 levels each. However, you don’t know exactly what the amount is for each level. You’ll just have to try it out a bit:

Coffee milk share in bean to cup coffee machine test

at Philips LatteGo 3200 you have 3 levels each for espresso & milk foam

It gets easier from the upper class upwards. Here you can set the exact milliliters for the espresso and milk content. This gives you plenty of room to experiment:

Saeco Gran Aroma Display Cappuccino Milk Quantity

very beautifully goes that with the
Saeco Gran Aroma

We like the option on the Siemens EQ.6 best. Here you set the milk content for each drink as a percentage. This sounds very mathematical, but it makes sense: According to the original recipe 1:4 (espresso:milk foam), the milk content is 80%. If you like it a bit stronger now, lower it to 70%.

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 display coffee-milk ratio

at
Siemens EQ.6
you set the milk content in %.

The advantage: even if you change the cup size, the coffee-milk ratio always remains the same.

The easier you can adjust the coffee to milk ratio , the more points the bean to cup coffee machine gets in our test. Devices with a milk frothing nozzle have a clear advantage. Because here you have to measure the milk yourself anyway and can vary.

Extra Shot / Double Shot

Some bean to cup coffee machines have an extra (or double) shot function. Then you will receive a second small espresso for your drink. This is very popular with latte macchiato. By the way, for the second espresso, the machine uses a second coffee puck.

This is better than simply increasing the amount of espresso, where more water is simply forced through the coffee puck. Because as you already know: the more water is pressed through the puck, the more bitter your espresso tastes. So if you like it particularly intense and strong, you can pay attention to this function. However, it is not absolutely necessary. You can finally add an espresso to your latte macchiato just like that 😉

Extra Shot in test

Extra Shot function for intense aroma

Set milk foam consistency

At bean to cup coffee machines from DeLonghi you can adjust the consistency of the milk foam in 3 levels. Then you will get either hot milk (level 1), creamy (2) or fluffy foam (3).

DeLonghi Dinamica Plus consistency milk foam setting

Set consistency of milk foam in 3 levels

Also the
Saeco GranAroma
also offers you this function. Here you set it in 4 levels directly on the display. Our conclusion: It’s a nice gimmick but not really necessary. Most of the time we only use the middle levels anyway. Therefore, this function was not evaluated in our test.

Adjust temperature

To get the most out of your coffee beans, it is important to adjust the brewing temperature. Most bean to cup coffee machines offer 3 levels. We like it when we can set the temperature for each drink separately. We like to prepare espresso at the highest level, while a medium level is ideal for coffee. Between each level the difference is most 3 °C. By the way, you cannot set the temperature of the milk foam on bean to cup coffee machines.

The more precisely the brewing temperature can be adjusted on the bean to cup coffee machine, the more points it scores in our test. We also check whether the temperature of the drinks actually changes.

By the way:

For espresso, the recommended brewing temperature (not drinking temperature) is between 92 to 96°C. If it is lower, it tastes sour. If it is higher, more bitter substances are dissolved. Here, too, it depends on your coffee beans. The darker the roast, the sooner you should approach the 92°C. Lighter roasts can be brewed a little hotter (maximum 96°C). By the way, you can find a detailed experiment on temperature at Kaffeemacher.

Create personal profiles

A bean to cup coffee machine is often shared by several people. It always saves the settings that you made for the respective beverage during the last draw. But especially in large families, shared flats or offices, everyone has their own taste preferences. Accordingly, it would be practical if each user could create their own profile with their own drink settings. For each beverage, coffee strength, beverage quantity, coffee-milk ratio can be called up at the touch of a button. Some bean to cup coffee machines even allow you to create individual beverage recipes.

Bean to cup coffee machine profiles in test

Whether you need individual profiles depends on how many people want to use the bean to cup coffee machine. If your household consists of one espresso and one cappuccino lover, for example, you won’t need profiles anyway. If several people like the same drink in different settings, profiles could be useful.

Some bean to cup coffee machines offer you beverage favorites. This is the “slimmed down” version of a profile, so to speak. Here you have the possibility to save a certain drink with individual settings (as a favorite).

Handling

Since you will be using the bean to cup coffee machine on a daily basis, ease of use is especially important. After all, it is annoying in everyday life when the water tank is difficult to remove or the device takes three minutes until it is ready for use.

Milk system

For cappuccino, latte macchiato and the like, the bean to cup coffee machine needs a milk system. The easier the operation of the milk system, the more points the bean to cup coffee machine receives. We like it when only a few hand movements are necessary. In our test, we roughly distinguish between 3 types: the fully automatic milk system, the milk frothing nozzle and the cappuccinatore. We will now present the exact differences.

Fully automatic milk system:

With an automatic milk system, you don’t have to worry about anything. You get all the drinks at the touch of a button. To do this, simply fill the milk container with cold milk and connect it to the bean to cup coffee machine. Since the complete preparation is taken over by the machine, you always get consistent results. A real bean to cup coffee machine😉 You still have the choice between a bean to cup coffee machine with milk container or with milk tube.

Handling bean to cup coffee machine test

fully automatic milk system – cappuccino at the touch of a button – here:
Jura E8

Milk frothing nozzle:

If you have a machine with a milk frothing nozzle, you must first measure out the milk. For example, for a cappuccino 100 ml. Then dip the milk nozzle into the milk and froth it by hand. The longer you froth, the hotter the milk foam will be.

Handling milk system under test

Frothing by hand with the milk frothing nozzle

You should froth until the cup is warm to the touch (65-70°C). Only then does it develop a slight sweetness. If the milk foam gets any hotter, it will collapse or taste burnt. Once you have finished frothing, stop the process and place your cup under the coffee spout. Then prepare an espresso and your cappuccino is ready.

The correct estimation of the amount of milk and milk foam temperature require some practice. Compared to the fully automatic bean to cup coffee machine, more manual operations are required here. The susceptibility to errors is also somewhat higher as it is more difficult to achieve consistent results. In direct comparison, fully automatic systems are easier to operate. On the other hand, coffee machines with milk frothing nozzle are cheaper.

By the way, there are also devices with automatic milk frothing nozzle. Here you just dip the nozzle into the milk. The rest is done by the bean to cup coffee machine itself. It froths the milk on its own and then adds the espresso.

Bean to cup coffee machine with semi-automatic milk system

automatic milk frothing nozzle –
Siemens EQ.300
.

Cappuccinatore:

A cappuccinatore is a tube that you dip into your milk carton. The bean to cup coffee machine draws in the right amount of milk, froths it up, and then pipes it into your cup. Then you slide the cup under the coffee spout and prepare an espresso. Your drink is ready. Here, usually only a second handle is necessary. The Cappuccinatore will estimate the amount of milk and temperature for you.

Bean to cup coffee machine milk system under test

Cappuccinatore

There are cappuccinators where you don’t have to adjust your cup again because it is under the milk and coffee spout at the same time. In principle, this is similar to the fully automatic milk system. At the same time, there are also cappuccinators that do not automatically suck the right amount of milk. Here again you have to cancel the process yourself. As you can see, we have to look very closely at bean to cup coffee machines with cappuccinatore.

Bean compartment

The bean compartment should be dry, dark and not too warm. Because air, light, heat and humidity damage the flavor of your beans in the long run. Therefore, the perfect bean compartment has a rubberized edge and a darkened lid . In operation, bean to cup coffee machines heat up quite a bit. To ensure that as little heat as possible reaches the beans, the bean compartment should be well shielded. The better the beans are protected, the better the bean compartment performs in our test.

We also check the capacity of the bean compartment. At least 250 g of coffee beans should find their place here. The bean compartment should be easy to reach and have a large opening. Also, we look to see if the beans are sliding towards the grinder on their own and no beans can get stuck anywhere.

Coffee machine bean to cup coffee machine test

Water tank

You must fill the water tank daily or at least every second day. At least if you use the bean to cup coffee machine as often as we do. In addition to the drinks, the rinsing processes also consume water again and again. The water tank must therefore be easy to reach and easy to remove. It should also fit at least 1.5 liters in the tank so you do not have to constantly refill.

It is best if the tank can be pulled out to the front. Then there is no need for additional space around the machine. Often, the water tank can be removed from the side or upwards. It needs a bit more space for this, which leads to slight deductions in our test. If the tank is hard to reach or difficult to remove, fewer points will be awarded accordingly. There are hardly any points for a permanently installed tank, because then filling is very cumbersome.

Dinamica Plus coffee machine water tank filling test

this water tank can be filled well from the front –
DeLonghi Dinamica Plus

Milk container

The milk container should be easy to reach and easy to fill. The capacity should be enough for at least 3 to 4 milk foam drinks. It is optimal if the milk container can be sealed airtight and easily stored in the refrigerator.

Coffee machines test handling

Fully automatic coffee machines with milk tube do not have a milk container. Here you just have a milk tube that you hang directly into your milk carton. Practical, because it saves you the extra washing up of a milk container.

Siemens EQ6 plus s700 Milchschlauch in Milchkarton - Coffee Tasters

the Siemens EQ.6 is optionally available with milk tube or milk container

Coffee and milk spout

Bean to cup coffee machines have one outlet for espresso and one for milk foam. Ideally, the espresso and milk spout should be close together so that nothing splashes off. They should also be adjustable in height so that a large latte macchiato glass fits underneath. We have found that between 7-14 cm is optimal. However, if something splashes past or our glasses do not fit underneath, there are deductions in our test.

Siemens EQ6 plus s700 coffee spouts latte macchiato glass test

under this coffee spouts fits without problems a large latte macchiato glass

Preparation time

After switching on, bean to cup coffee machines heat up briefly and perform a rinse cycle. Ideally, you can prepare the first drink after 45 seconds. If it takes longer, points will be deducted. Especially in the morning, you don’t have much time to wait.

For a 40 ml espresso, the bean to cup coffee machine should incl. Grinding process should not take longer than 45 seconds. We expect a 150 ml coffee in our cup in no more than a minute. For cappuccino and latte macchiato, additional milk must be foamed. They should be ready after 2 minutes at the latest – if not there will be deductions. Incidentally, the record holder in terms of preparation time is the
Jura E8
. Here you can get a cappuccino within 56 seconds. This is twice as fast as other bean to cup coffee machines.

If several drinks can be prepared one after the other without delay, this is a plus. Some bean to cup coffee machines, for example, have to reheat again and again. This is annoying, especially when you have visitors and want to drink coffee together. Most bean to cup coffee machines can also prepare two drinks at the same time. Mostly, however, this only applies to espresso and coffee. However, some devices also prepare two cappuccinos or lattes at the same time. They then each have two milk and espresso outlets. This special feature earns a bonus point in our test.

Krups EA895N coffee spouts double cup option cappuccino

Cappuccino in double cup option

Display

An understandable display can be operated intuitively. We therefore look at every bean to cup coffee machine without reading the instructions first. Clear labeling and a sensible arrangement of the various functions are particularly important to us. We find displays with clear text or unambiguous symbols best. The basic settings for coffee strength, beverage quantity and grinder setting should be immediately comprehensible. If even we with our experience do not see through it, there are deductions.

The display is used by you every day. The individual buttons, touch elements and/or rotary controls should therefore be sufficiently large and easy to operate. For very small or wobbly buttons, there are correspondingly fewer points. Large buttons with a clear pressure point or touch buttons that react even with wet fingers are ideal. The font and symbols should also be sufficiently large.

The bean to cup coffee machine is on the countertop in the kitchen for most. Therefore, the display should also be easy to read from above. At best, it’s slightly slanted so you don’t have to bend over every time.

Saeco Gran Aroma Display

Easy to read display with clear instructions

Another point in our test are error messages. If the bean to cup coffee machine ever goes on strike, it should be immediately clear what the problem is. For typical “errors” such as an empty water tank or a necessary descaling, there should be clear indications, e.g. a red illuminated LED. As far as we know, this is standard for all devices. If an automaton does not express itself clearly, deductions will be made here as well.

Quality

A good bean to cup coffee machine should last as long as possible. That’s why we look very closely at the quality and workmanship of the equipment. Does it make a robust impression or does it seem rather rickety? We are also interested in the inner workings – especially the brewing unit and the grinder. Many of you value a quiet bean to cup coffee machine. Therefore, we measure the volume of the grinder and milk system.

Housing processing

Most bean to cup coffee machines today are made primarily of plastic. Only SIEMENS uses a stainless steel housing for bean to cup coffee machines (with the exception of the cheapest models). Whether plastic or stainless steel is rather a matter of taste when it comes to the case. There are now very high-quality plastics that are extremely robust against scratches. A lot has also changed in terms of appearance: they are available in stainless steel look or matte look. This looks much higher-quality than the familiar high-gloss plastic.

There is no general answer to the question of whether stainless steel or plastic is better. For this reason, we look at the details. All individual parts must fit together without gaps, should not jam andbe robustly processed. Are there parts that could break off over time? Does the housing rattle during the grinding process? Are there parts that could break off over time? Do all the parts fit together well? Does the cup tray scratch?

brewing unit

We are also interested in the inner workings of the devices. Above all, this includes the heart of the bean to cup coffee machine – the brewing unit. Here, hinges and rails should ideally be made of stainless steel to last as long as possible. After all, these parts are subjected to daily wear and tear and should therefore be particularly robust. Deductions are made for brewing units that are predominantly made of plastic.

Bean to cup coffee machine test groups

Brewing units in comparison

Generally, manufacturers calculate the service life of fully automatic bean to cup coffee machines at around 7-10 years. If damage occurs beforehand, it is usually worth repairing. According to the network of independent workshops, it is worthwhile in 84 percent of cases.

Grinder

Basically, there are three types of grinders: impact, cone, and disc. These differ in form and function. You are probably familiar with an impact grinder from a stand mixer. Rotating blades grind everything at high speed. Such grinders are not suitable for a bean to cup coffee machine. This is because the coffee powder does not become uniformly fine here and a lot of heat is generated (bad for aroma). Therefore, you will not find bean to cup coffee machines with impact grinders in our test.

Much more suitable are cone and disc grinders. They operate at a lower speed and are therefore much quieter. In addition, the coffee powder is ground much finer and more evenly . They are available in ceramic or hardened steel. Ceramic is mostly used in more expensive bean to cup coffee machines and is often advertised as “premium”. In our tests, however, we found that it’s less about the material and more about the workmanship. There are good and not so good grinders – whether ceramic or steel makes no difference.

Bean to cup coffee machine review

Hardened steel conical burr grinder

Therefore, when we grind, we examine the ground material. To do this, we set the grinder as fine as possible. After preparing a few drinks, we remove a coffee puck, let it air dry, grind it, and analyze the grind in detail. The finer and more uniform the coffee powder, the better our rating.

Grinder setting for bean to cup coffee machines under test

at the finest level, the grinder setting should be uniformly fine (top left)

Volume

The volume of the grinder is an important criterion for you. For those who have never heard an electric grinder, a bean to cup coffee machine may seem a bit noisy at first. We have noticed: there are quite big differences between the individual models. In our experience, 70 decibels is average. For comparison: a stand mixer even reaches up to 90 decibels. Fully automatic bean to cup coffee machines are therefore much quieter. The higher the quality of the grinder and the workmanship of the housing, the quieter the machine will be in operation. If you are looking for a quiet device, you should go for Jura or SIEMENS. In our tests, these models had just over 60 dB. Mahlwerk Lautstaerke Melitta - Coffee Tasters

When frothing milk, you will initially hear a short loud hiss. This is what happens when hot steam meets cold milk. On average, we measure around 65 decibels. Bean to cup coffee machines with an external milk system are somewhat noisier than machines with the hoses inside.

For our tests, we always measure the volume of the grinder and milk system from the same distance. This allows us to directly compare the different models.

Cleaning

Regular cleaning is extremely important. Most problems with bean to cup coffee machines can be traced back to poor or incorrect cleaning. Limescale and coffee residue can affect the taste of your espresso. In addition, the device can break down more quickly.

But who likes to clean? Therefore, we look at how elaborate cleaning is. Many bean to cup coffee machines try to make your work easier with automatic cleaning programs. But how good are these programs really?

Cleaning the milk system

The milk system is particularly important, because bacteria quickly settle here. Therefore, you should clean all parts that come into contact with milk daily. It is always better when there are few hoses. This will make cleaning easier for you.

External milk system:

Devices with an external milk system are easy to clean – such as bean to cup coffee machines from DeLonghi or from
Philips from the LatteGo series
. In both, the milk system is integrated directly into the milk container. You can take it apart for cleaning, rinse it by hand or put it in the dishwasher.

Milch aus dem Philips LatteGo - Coffee Tasters

external milk system from
Philips (LatteGo 3200)

Philips LatteGo Milchbehaelter reinigen - Coffee Tasters

the milk container can be easily disassembled into 2 parts

Bean to cup coffee machine cleaning milk system test

typical milk container from
DeLonghi

Integrated milk system:

In bean to cup coffee machines with an integrated milk system, the milk is fed into the bean to cup coffee machine via a hose. There, it is foamed with steam and enters your cup via the milk spout .

Melitta bean to cup coffee machine in test

integrated milk system –
Melitta Latte Select

Fully automatic bean to cup coffee machines with integrated milk system usually have a cleaning program. To do this, fill a cup with water and some detergent (usually from the manufacturer) and insert the milk tube. Then you put a bowl and start the program.

Krups Evidence One milk system cleaning

Milk system cleaning program

The bean to cup coffee machine now draws the cleaning agent from the cup and flushes the lines hot. However, these cleaning programs do not always really remove all milk residues. Therefore, it is always better if you can remove the milk adapter and rinse it again by hand.

Disassemble Melitta Latte Select coffee spouts

removable milk adapter

Depending on the manufacturer, you should perform the thorough cleaning program once a day to once a week. Some units also have a milk system r inse function that rinses the lines with hot water (at the touch of a button).

Other fully automatic bean to cup coffee machines automatically steam after each milk foam withdrawal. As you can see, the manufacturers have come up with a few ideas to make cleaning easier. The easier it is to clean the milk system, the more points the bean to cup coffee machine receives in our test.

If you have a
bean to cup coffee machine with a milk container
you should clean the container every 2 to 3 days. It is best to fill it completely with milk once. Under no circumstances should you keep refilling milk, because even refrigerated milk must not be older than 3 days.

Ideally, the milk container is hermetically sealed and can be stored in the refrigerator. Once the container is empty (or after 3 days), rinse it thoroughly with hot water. Some milk containers are even allowed in the dishwasher – which of course gives extra points in our test.

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 milk tank rinse

Rinse milk container every 3 days

Simpler are
bean to cup coffee machines with a milk tube
where you plug the hose directly into your milk carton. This saves you the additional cleaning of the milk container. By the way, this works with all bean to cup coffee machines where the milk system is not integrated in the milk container.

Siemens EQ6 plus s700 Milchschlauch in Milchkarton - Coffee Tasters

Milk tube directly in milk carton

Milk frothing nozzle:

Cleaning is particularly easy on bean to cup coffee machines with a milk frothing nozzle. Once the nozzle has cooled, you can simply remove it, disassemble it into 2 parts, and rinse it.

Cleaning bean to cup coffee machine milk frothing nozzle under test

removable milk frothing nozzle
Philips EP2220

Coffee grounds tray and drip tray

After you have prepared a beverage, the coffee puck lands in the coffee grounds tray. The bean to cup coffee machine then briefly flushes the lines. The rinsing water ends up in the cup tray under the drip tray.

You must empty the containers for coffee pucks and rinsing water regularly. On most bean to cup coffee machines, a message appears on the display as soon as the coffee grounds tray is full.

Delonghi Dinamica Plus coffee grounds container empty

Note in the display

The drip tray for rinse water often has a small “float“. When he looks up through the cup tray, the tray is full.

Siemens EQ.500 Abtropfwanne Schwimmer - Coffee Tasters

when the drip tray is full, this float is upwards

In almost all fully automatic coffee machines, the drip tray and coffee grounds tray can be pulled out together to the front.

Kaffeevollautomaten Abtropfwannen - Coffee Tasters

Collecting container of various bean to cup coffee machines

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo cleaning coffee grounds container test

Coffee puck container

How often you need to empty the containers depends on their size and how many drinks you prepare. So if you are a large household, you should choose a bean to cup coffee machine with larger containers. On the other hand, small containers force you to clean up – after all, you don’t want to risk mold. 😉

After 3 days at the latest, you should empty the drainer , even if it is not yet full. Otherwise, a greasy layer will form. In addition, after a week, the first coffee pucks could become moldy. Therefore, do not forget to empty it before you go on vacation.

You should always empty the coffee grounds tray and the drip tray at the same time and only when the bean to cup coffee machine is switched on. The device counts the coffee pucks and resets the counter as soon as you pull out the trays. If you empty only the water tray and not the coffee grounds tray, the bean to cup coffee machine will get confused. Then the container will overflow and you will not see a message on the display.

Once you have emptied the containers, you should clean them briefly with detergent. Some models even allow you to put them in the dishwasher. This is very practical and gives plus points. Some containers have corners that are difficult to reach with a sponge.

Siemens EQ.6 plus s700 drip trays dishwasher

with some bean to cup coffee machines everything can be put in the dishwasher

Some bean to cup coffee machines will not report until the trays are full to the brim. Then the way to the sink becomes very long. Others, in turn, report far too early. Of course, this results in fewer points in our test. We assess not only the cleaning effort but also the “risk” that something could go wrong.

We also check in our tests whether rinsing water and coffee pucks are neatly separated. In some appliances, coffee residues end up in the interior or in the drip tray that do not belong there. This will make cleaning more difficult for you.

Cleaning the brewing unit

In the brewing unit, the freshly ground coffee powder is compressed into a puck. Hot water is then forced through the coffee puck under high pressure and your espresso is brewed. The puck is then pushed into the coffee grounds tray via a mechanism.

Unfortunately, the entire coffee puck is not always disposed of. Sometimes small amounts of coffee powder get stuck in the brewing unit. To ensure that older coffee powder does not affect the taste, you should clean the brewing unit. On most bean to cup coffee machines, you can remove the brewing unit via a service door. You should rinse them 1x per week with clean water. After that, let them air dry completely.

Test how easy it is to clean brewing unit

dirty brewing unit after one week

In our test, we first look at whether and how easy it is to remove the brewing unit. With some manufacturers (Jura and Krups), it is generally permanently installed and can only be cleaned via an automatic cleaning program. How thorough this program is is difficult to judge from the outside. Therefore, we would always prefer fully automatic coffee machines with removable brewing unit.

Brewing units without many corners and edges are best, so that only a little coffee powder can get stuck. For some models we need a toothbrush or brush. For others, a little water and a damp cloth is enough. The dirtier the brewing unit and the more time-consuming the cleaning, the fewer points the bean to cup coffee machine receives in our test.

Decalcification

In many cities, the tap water is very chalky. Over time, limescale builds up in the hoses and water tank of your bean to cup coffee machine. This can lead to various problems. Either the water does not get hot enough during the brewing process or too much steam is formed. Therefore, regular descaling is mandatory.

It is important to us that manufacturers explain exactly how to decalcify. An automatic indication of when decalcification is required is also standard for us. Otherwise, most of us would certainly forget about it. To make this possible, you should set the water hardness on the device. Most bean to cup coffee machines come with a water hardness test strip.

In our test, we check whether the device reminds you to descale in time and how thoroughly the descaling is performed. We also estimate how time-consuming decalcification is. How long does it last? How often does water need to be refilled? How often do you need to actively intervene?

Water filter:

So that you have to descale less often, most manufacturers offer a suitable water filter. This is installed directly in the water tank and filters the water even before it enters the machine. With some manufacturers, the first filter is already included in the scope of delivery.

However, the bean to cup coffee machines also work without a filter, of course. We recommend you to use a water filter in very calcareous cities, because lime also affects the taste of your drinks. By the way, you don’t need to descale some devices if you use them with a filter.

Bean to cup coffee machines by function

Siemens EQ.500 Bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 96 % (excellent)

  • 9 Drinks at the touch of a button
  • large touch display
  • best SIEMENS quality
  • very quiet grinder
  • Double cup option for all beverages

Bean to cup coffee machine test winner

– Siemens EQ.6 plus s700

This model is a proven bestseller and the main reason why Siemens stands for high quality in bean to cup coffee machines. A lot of stainless steel is used and the handling is well thought out. The grinder and milk system work reliably and particularly quietly. In our bean to cup coffee machine test, the bean to cup coffee machine was convincing in all categories.

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You can prepare 9 different drinks via a very large touch display. In terms of taste, the espresso convinces with clear aromas and the cappuccino with very fine milk foam. All drinks can also be prepared in double cup option. By the way, you can use the bean to cup coffee machine with milk tank or milk carton.

You can adjust the aroma in 5 levels and even activate a double shot (2nd coffee puck). The beverage quantity can be set with ml accuracy. You can then save your 4 favorite drinks and then retrieve them with a few clicks. Unfortunately, app control is not possible.

Overall, an absolutely convincing bean to cup coffee machine in the upper price range. What the
Siemens EQ.6 plus s700
and how you can best set it up, you can find out in our test report. However, you will get the best impression in our detailed test video.

Delonghi Dinamica ECAM 370.95.T Test - Coffee Tasters

Rating: 94 % (excellent)

  • 12 drinks, incl. Can function
  • super fine & creamy milk foam
  • 3 individual profiles
  • very many setting options
  • Control via app possible

Bean to cup coffee machine with app control

– DeLonghi Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.95.T

With the Dinamica Plus, you can prepare 12 different beverages at the touch of a button. In the test, we were particularly impressed by the intense espresso and the creamy milk foam – the best prerequisites for excellent cappuccino. The gently prepared long is particularly intense and at the same time digestible due to fewer bitter substances. A classic among DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machines.

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The device convinces with a sophisticated design and easy handling. The touch display can be operated intuitively. You can even control the bean to cup coffee machine via app. There are many settings to adjust the taste of the drinks (aroma, beverage quantity, temperature, milk foam quantity and consistency).

You can save your settings in 3 individual profiles and access them at any time with just a few clicks. The cleaning is done quickly . At the touch of a button, the milk system cleans itself with hot water and steam. The complete milk container including the hose can even be put in the dishwasher.

It is already hard to find weaknesses in this model. We did find something, though: the double cup option. You can only prepare 2 cups of espresso at the same time. All other drinks can only be prepared one after the other. However, the coffee pot function compensates for this disadvantage.

Overall, the bean to cup coffee machine convinces with top marks in almost all test criteria, which is why we give it a clear buy recommendation. Find out what else you need to know in our review of the DeLonghi Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.95.T. There you will also find a video in which we demonstrate many drinks and show how the control via app works.

Saeco Gran Aroma bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 94 % (excellent)

  • 14 Drinks at the touch of a button
  • all drinks in double cup option
  • 4 individual profiles
  • very many setting options
  • 3 aroma profiles in the “CoffeeMaestro

Best bean to cup coffee machine for large households

– Saeco Gran Aroma SM6580/10

With the Gran Aroma, you can prepare a total of 14 drinks – all of them also in the double cup option. The touch display is easy and intuitive to operate. Here you can make very precise settings for aroma, beverage quantity and milk foam. You can also adjust the brewing temperature for each drink individually and even set how much milk foam you want on your drinks.

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You can save all settings in your personal profile. You have a total of 4 profiles to choose from. Another special feature is the flavor profiles of the CoffeeMaestro. Here, the bean to cup coffee machine suggests exact settings – depending on whether you prefer it mild, strong or really intense. This is very practical and a nice inspiration.

The bean to cup coffee machine was consistently convincing when it came to the taste of the beverages. The espresso is strong and intense and the milk foam is very fine-pored and creamy. The device scores with very easy handling and quick cleaning. The milk system cleans itself automatically after each use and many parts can be put in the dishwasher.

So this model is the best bean to cup coffee machine we’ve tested so far, and for good reason. You want to learn more? Then take a look at our detailed review of the
Saeco GranAroma SM6580/10
at. There you will also find a video in which we show you many drinks and settings exactly.

Jura E8 EB in bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 92 % (excellent)

  • 10 drinks at the touch of a button
  • extra fine milk foam
  • many autom. Cleaning programs
  • App control (at extra cost)
  • top design – 5 colors available

Bean to cup coffee machine with the most beautiful design

– beautiful, timeless design & very quiet in operation

Jura is known for beautiful design and high quality. The Jura E8 perfectly combines design and quality with aromatic drinks. Therefore, this model is also the bestseller of the Swiss manufacturer. In total, you can prepare 10 coffee specialties, including latte macchiato and 3 coffee variants.

The milk foam is really convincing, because it is very fine and creamy sweet in taste. The espresso is really intense and aromatic. That’s why cappuccino & co. also turn out perfectly. You can either use a nice glass milk container or a milk carton.

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The milk system and also the grinder are quite quiet in operation. Overall, the quality is consistently high, although the casing is mostly made of plastic. Everything is very precisely processed and the bean to cup coffee machine can be operated intuitively. For a small surcharge, control via app is also possible.

You can adjust the drinks all very precisely according to your wishes. The aroma can be adjusted in 10 levels and you can adjust the beverage quantity ml-exactly. You can even create 14 of your own drinks in the app, program them and call them up with just a few clicks.

When it comes to cleaning, Jura offers you a few automatic programs. You can clean the milk system or the brewing unit with special cleaning agents at the touch of a button. Everything very simple and well explained in the display. Overall, the
Jura E8
is the perfect blend of beautiful design, good quality, aromatic beverages, and ease of use. More details and a video can be found in the review.

Siemens EQ.500 Bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 90 % (excellent)

  • 13 Drinks at the touch of a button
  • best SIEMENS quality
  • Quietest grinder in the test
  • Control via app possible
  • Double cup option for all beverages

Super quality in bean to cup coffee machine test

– Siemens EQ.500 integral TQ507DF3

The fact that the Siemens brand stands for high quality was confirmed in our test. All Siemens models receive top marks in this area, because they have a particularly high-quality build. The grinder grinds very fine and is nice and quiet. When it comes to handling, we immediately notice that the manufacturer already has a lot of experience with fully automatic coffee machines.

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You can prepare up to 13 coffee specialties via the touch display. Control via app is also possible for an additional charge. We were consistently delighted with the taste of the drinks. The machine prepares both intense espresso and very fine-pored and creamy milk foam . The absolute highlight is the double cup option for all beverages.

The bean to cup coffee machine saves your individual settingsfor the next time you use it. You can set the beverage quantity to the milliliter. However, you cannot create profiles with the EQ.500. The cleaning process has been carefully thought out. Automatic cleaning programs reduce the effort and many parts can be put in the dishwasher.

All in all, the bean to cup coffee machine offers a very good overall package in the mid-price segment. Find out what else is convincing about the appliance in our review of the
SIEMENS EQ.500 integral
. The best thing to do there is to watch our video in which we demonstrate the device and show you all the drinks.

Delonghi Dinamica bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 90 % (excellent)

  • Middle class bestseller
  • 9 Drinks at the touch of a button
  • very good coffee (little bitterness)
  • fine, creamy milk foam

Fully automatic bean to cup coffee machine bestsellers of the middle class

– DeLonghi Dinamica ECAM 350.55.B

This model is a discontinued model which was replaced by the successor DeLonghi Dinamica Plus . Since the price for the older model has even increased in the meantime, we can no longer recommend buying it. In our review of the Dinamica ECAM 350.55.B, we present several alternatives.

The DeLonghi Dinamica prepares 9 specialty coffees at the touch of a button. In addition to popular classics such as cappuccino and latte macchiato, the popular Flat White is also on board. Both the espresso and the milk foam were consistently convincing in the test.

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When it comes to “regular coffee,” the Long Coffee is a real insider tip. Here, DeLonghi uses the surge brewing method to ensure that particularly few bitter substances get into the coffee. This model is operated via touch buttons and a display with clear text that always shows the current settings.

The bean to cup coffee machine is easy to clean – many parts can be put in the dishwasher. To adjust the drinks to your individual taste, you can set the grinder setting, aroma and beverage quantity in many levels and save them permanently. Unfortunately, multiple profiles cannot be created . There is also no app control or coffee pot function. Overall, this model scores good or very good in all test categories. For more details, you can read our detailed review of the
Dinamica ECAM 350.55.B
take a look.

Delonghi Dinamica bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 85 % (very good)

  • 12 drinks at the touch of a button
  • All drinks in double cup option
  • 2 bean compartments á 135 gram
  • 6 individual profiles
  • relatively silent grinder

Bean to cup coffee machine with 2 bean compartments

– Melitta Latte Select F630-201

The Melitta Latte Select prepares 12 drinks at the touch of a button. A special feature are the two bean compartments – so you can switch, for example, between a lighter and darker redness. The device convinces with precise settings that you can save in up to 6 profiles. A double cup option is also possible for all beverages (exception: Americano).

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The espresso and coffee were convincing in the test. Cappuccino & Co. were good overall – however, the milk foam could still be minimally finer. The max. speed is somewhat tight. Milk foam quantity of 220 ml. Unfortunately, a large latte macchiato glass is not quite full.

Otherwise, the device scores with very easy handling and many automatic cleaning programs. The grinder was one of the quietest in our bean to cup coffee machine test. You want to learn more? Then take a look at our test report including video on the Melitta Latte Select.

Philips LatteGo 3200 bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 86 % (very good)

  • 5 drinks at the touch of a button
  • very good price performance
  • consistently aromatic taste
  • Milk system without hoses
  • modern look, simple operation

Bean to cup coffee machine for beginners

– Philips LatteGo 3200 EP3246/70

The Philips LatteGo 3200 bean to cup coffee machine gives you 5 drinks at the touch of a button. The espresso has a fine, light brown crema and the Americano is pleasantly mild in taste. For cappuccino and latte macchiato, the bean to cup coffee machine prepares a good and creamy milk foam.

We were particularly impressed by the milk system. It does not require any hoses and is very easy to clean: simply disassemble the milk container into 2 parts and rinse or place in the dishwasher.

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In our test, the bean to cup coffee machine also scored with very good handling. All parts are easy to reach and most of them can be put in the dishwasher. There are small deductions in the settings. Here the device is deliberately kept simple. Aroma and beverage quantities can be adjusted in 3 levels. You cannot create individual profiles with the LatteGo 3200. On the other hand, the display is clearly arranged and easy to use. Those who want more setting options and beverages should take a look at the
LatteGo 5400*
have a look at

All in all, the bean to cup coffee machine is stripped down to the essentials – good drinks, modern looks and easy operation. It fits you perfectly if you are looking for a simple bean to cup coffee machine with good value for money . You want to learn more? Then take a look at our test report on the Philips LatteGo 3200 at.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM 292.81.B under test

Rating: 86 % (very good)

  • 5 drinks at the touch of a button
  • hot enough milk foam
  • new, compact milk system
  • Very simple operation
  • modern design & display

Ideal bean to cup coffee machine for elders

– DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM 292.81.B

With the Magnifica Evo, DeLonghi is launching a new, compact milk system. It is ideal for beginners and small households. You can prepare up to 3 cappuccini or 2 latte macchiato with one filling. In total, you have 5 different drinks to choose from. The espresso is nice and intense and the milk foam is relatively fine and creamy.

We also particularly liked the clear display with the large, colored drink symbols. The display is self-explanatory and makes it much easier to operate the bean to cup coffee machine.

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The settings are kept relatively tight. You can adjust the aroma in 3 levels and the grinder setting in 13 levels. You can freely program the beverage quantity and adjust it to your cup. Everything is easy to understand and you can easily prepare good espresso and cappuccino with just a few clicks.

The casing of the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo looks high-quality due to the matte plastic. All parts fit together exactly and are easily accessible from the front. You can read more details in our detailed review and find a video in which we prepare all drinks and reveal the best settings.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM 292.81.B under test

Rating: 86 % (very good)

  • 8 drinks at the touch of a button
  • very good milk foam
  • all drinks in double cup option
  • Metal brewing unit
  • super simple operation

Mid-range bean to cup coffee machine with high-end features

– Krups EA895N Evidence One

The Krups Evidence One is an insider tip in the mid-price range. Because this bean to cup coffee machine offers you a few rare highlights. You can prepare 8 different drinks with it, all of them also in double cup option. Also, you can use a milk carton or a milk tank.

For this inexpensive bean to cup coffee machine, the milk foam is surprisingly good and very creamy. At the same time, the operation is really simple and ideal even for beginners.

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You can operate the bean to cup coffee machine by touch and always get a clear indication in the small display. A highlight: it is even possible to program the switch-on time. Separate for weekdays and weekends. You can adjust the aroma in 3 levels, the grinder setting in 9 levels. The beverage quantity can be set with ml accuracy and the amount of milk can be adjusted very precisely.

The housing of the
Krups EA895N
is made of a matte, black plastic. It appears to be of higher quality than the price suggests. The brewing unit is made entirely of metal. Overall, an underrated bean to cup coffee machine and definitely worth a look. More details and tips on the settings can be found in the test report.

Philips EP2220 bean to cup coffee machine test

Rating: 85 % (very good)

  • best value for money
  • fine & creamy milk foam
  • Double cup option espresso & coffee
  • Very simple operation
  • many parts dishwasher safe

Best cheap bean to cup coffee machine

– Philips EP2220/10 bean to cup coffee machine

With the Philips EP2220/10, you can make espresso and coffee at the touch of a button. Both drinks convinced us with an intense aroma. You can prepare milk foam for cappuccino and the like via the integrated milk nozzle. We succeeded directly in the first attempt very fine and creamy milk foam. In our opinion, the best and easiest milk frothing nozzle of all the testers.

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The bean to cup coffee machine is very easy to operate using the sensor toch buttons and is good to use. We would have only wished for more levels for the coffee strength and aroma. In return, the grinder setting can be adjusted very precisely via 12 levels. We very much like the easy cleaning. Many parts, including the milk nozzle, can be put in the dishwasher. The brewing unit can also be removed and rinsed.

Overall, the device scores well in all test categories. Because the quality also leaves nothing to be desired. Everything looks sturdy and the workmanship is flawless. The
Philips EP2220/10
offers a very good value for money and is our top tip among the affordable bean to cup coffee machines. We also regularly recommend this model among friends.

Delonghi Magnifica S fully automatic coffee machine test

Rating: 83 % (very good)

  • Bestsellers up to 300 Euro
  • intense espresso & coffee
  • many aroma settings
  • good, creamy milk foam
  • very easy to clean

Best sellers among the cheap bean to cup coffee machines

– DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B

The Magnifica S has been the absolute bestseller of all DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines for many years and is overall the most popular model up to 300 euros. You can use it to make espresso and coffee, each with a double cup option. You prepare the milk foamfor cappuccino yourself using the milk nozzle. With a little practice, it becomes nice and fine and creamy.

You can set very precisely how strong your coffee will be. There are more than 20 levels to adjust the aroma. Moreover, you can program the beverage quantity exactly to your cups.

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The casing is well-made and both the water tank and the drip trays can be pulled out to the front. For this price, of course, mainly plastic is used. But it is installed without any gaps.

Overall, the DeLonghi Magnifica S is easy to use and prepares aromatic drinks for you. And that for a really fair price. In our test report you will find a video with detailed tips and impressions of the drink preparation.

Delonghi Magnifica S Smart bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 83 % (very good)

  • intense espresso & coffee
  • many aroma settings
  • good, creamy milk foam
  • very easy to clean
  • super value for money

Cheap bean to cup coffee machine ideal for coffee drinkers

– DeLonghi Magnifica S Smart ECAM 230.13.B

The Magnifica S Smart prepares 3 drinks at the touch of a button – espresso, coffee and long coffee. In our test, the espresso and long coffee were particularly convincing. The espresso is intense and aromatic, while the long is pleasantly mild and digestible. You can adjust the grinder setting and the aroma in many levels.

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You prepare the milk foam for cappuccino yourself with the milk nozzle . With a little practice, the milk foam turned out pretty well for us – it becomes creamy and fine. You are in control of the temperature of the milk foam. The longer you froth, the hotter the milk foam. It is a bit more complex than an automatic milk system, but you can experiment more.

In our bean to cup coffee machine test, this model also convinces with easy handling and cleaning. You can rinse the milk nozzle and the brewing unit directly under running water. The display is clear and limited to the essentials. Unfortunately, you cannot create profiles here. The
DeLonghi Magnifica S Smart ECAM 230.13.B
is suitable for you if you like to drink aromatic espresso, want to prepare milk foam yourself and are looking for good quality at a reasonable price.

Siemens EQ.300 Bean to cup coffee machine review

Rating: 82 % (very good)

  • fine milk foam at the touch of a button
  • Espresso & coffee double cup option
  • Usual high Siemens quality
  • beautiful design & easy cleaning
  • Quiet grinder & milk system

For beginners who value quality

– Siemens EQ.300 bean to cup coffee machine

The Siemens EQ.300 is the entry-level model of the current Siemens range. With it, you can prepare 4 drinks at the touch of a button – espresso, coffee, cappuccino and latte macchiato. This model automatically prepares the milk foam for cappuccino. Simply place a cup half-filled with milk underneath and push the milk nozzle down. The rest is done by the bean to cup coffee machine. Taste-wise, all drinks are really good and the milk foam becomes very fine and creamy.

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Overall, the device has a very high-quality build. The ceramic grinder is, compared to other bean to cup coffee machines, quite quiet. We are also convinced by the easy handling and the comprehensible display with plain text. You always know exactly what to do, because the display shows, for example, “water tank empty”.

Unfortunately, the settings are quite limited. In return, the device is very clear and easy to use. Even in the default settings, the bean to cup coffee machine delivers reliably. If you just want to drink good espresso and cappuccino, you’ll find what you’re looking for with the
Siemens EQ.300
is the right choice. However, if you have great fun experimenting, other models are more suitable.

Melitta Caffeo Solo Perfect Milk fully automatic coffee machine test

Rating: 72 % (satisfying)

  • very good espresso & coffee
  • Coffee & espresso double cup option
  • with milk frother
  • very narrow – only 20 cm wide

Narrowest bean to cup coffee machine in the test

– Melitta Caffeo Solo & Perfect Milk

With the Melitta Caffeo Solo, you can prepare espresso and coffee at the touch of a button. Here you even get one of the best espressos from our bean to cup coffee machine test. But the coffee also convinced us. Because although the settings for aroma and grinder setting are relatively limited , the drinks become intense and aromatic.

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We were convinced by the simple cleaning and easy operation. The grinder is also relatively quiet in comparison. Overall, the quality is definitely good and with a width of 20 cm, this model is also suitable for small kitchens.

To be able to prepare milk foam we have chosen a version with cappuccinatore – model “
Melitta Caffeo Solo & Perfect Milk
“. Here, the milk is pulled directly from the carton and frothed into your cup. Actually very cool, but we were unfortunately not convinced by the milk foam. It was not fine and creamy enough.

We can recommend the Melitta Caffeo Solo to all espresso and coffee fans, because it convinces on the whole line. However, if milk foam is important to you, you should choose a different model.