Best 10 Bean-To-Cup Coffee Machines

Are you a coffee lover? Do you appreciate a good coffee when you have one? Then, you are in the right place! Nowadays, the choices we have for a coffee machines are endless, from pod machines to filter coffee machines to espresso machines and everything in between. So, feeling overwhelmed is only natural. Don’t fret, though, as we are here to help.

If you love the barista kind of coffee, you are going to fall in love with these machines! Bean-to-cup coffee machines are all-in-one coffee makers, from grinding to brewing and milk frothing. If you want to enjoy the richer aromas in every sip you take, these are the best coffee machines you can purchase! Stay with us, as we are about to tell you all you need to know about these coffee machines to help you make an informed decision that you will never regret! 

What is a bean-to-cup coffee machine?

Bean-to-cup coffee machines are designed to brew not only espresso-based coffee but also grind whole coffee beans and froth milk. They have an integrated hopper to place the coffee-oh-so-aromatic-beans and grinder, a control panel with buttons to set your preferred dose, a water tank and a spout that extracts coffee straight in your cup. Another essential feature is the drip tray, which helps you keep the area clean without spills.

The main advantage of owning such a coffee machine is that it grinds the coffee beans on demand the moment you want to make your cup of amazing coffee. Coffee aromas are volatile, and when they come in contact with oxygen, they oxidise. Plainly, coffee aromas of ground blends tend to deteriorate fast; as a result, the quality of our final cup is inferior to what you would expect. If you want to enjoy the rich aroma and flavours, it is best to grind the whole beans just before brew. That’s why bean-to-cup coffee machines should be your go-to coffee makers! Now, let’s find out more about why it’s a worthwhile investment.

Why do you need a bean-to-cup coffee machine?

Some of you might be thinking: “Wow! That’s a lot of money for a coffee machine!”. And we agree that some particular models are quite the investment. But for a coffee shop-like cup of coffee at the comfort of your home, who can beat that? Not only you won’t have to wait in long lines anymore for your favourite cappuccino, but you would also save some money from deliveries. Let’s have a closer look at the reasons why it is wise to purchase a bean-to-cup coffee machine. 

1. Make quality coffee at home.

You may not be a barista, but your coffee can be as good! There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of freshly ground coffee in the morning. And when the aromas match the taste, it's heaven! Bear in mind that the fresher the coffee, the more flavourful the shot is. Why settle for less when you can make excellent coffee without stepping out of your front door? Think about that while we analyse the rest of the reasons. 

2. Brew your favourite type of coffee.

With just one machine, you can brew so many espresso-based coffees with or without milk and use any coffee type you like, from balanced blends to unique single estates. You can brew ristretto, espresso, lungo and americano by adjusting the doses from the control panel or you can choose to make milky coffees. Make automatic milk and create velvety, smooth foamed milk for cappuccino, flat white, latte or latte macchiato. You can literally hold a coffee shop’s menu on your kitchen’s countertop.

3. Save money and time.

Have you ever considered the amount of money you spend on coffee daily? If you order coffee at least twice a day from a local coffee-making shop, you spend approximately as much as a coffee machine costs. So, basically, it pays itself! You can buy the best beans to take home and enjoy instead of overspending on a takeaway cup of coffee. Plus, you no longer have to wait in line to order your drink. You can walk straight into your kitchen and brew your dose with a touch of a button. 

What to look for when buying a bean-to-cup coffee machine

Finding the perfect coffee machine for you is challenging. This is why knowing what you need to consider to buy the best one is essential. Here is our list of features to keep in mind when you browse the bean-to-cup coffee machines.

1. Personalisation

All bean-to-cup machines support user profiles. You can save your favourite coffee drinks in memory so you don’t waste time adjusting them before each dose. If you have more than one person using the coffee machine, this is particularly useful. Consider how many people are going to need a user profile to choose accordingly, as some support up to 8 different users! 

2. Milk Frother

Some models have a steam wand, while others come with an automatic frother. If you are sceptical about this part and its complexity, opt for a coffee machine that prepares your milk automatically. These machines have a plastic or glass jug that takes care of everything. Cafe’s use machines with steam wands to insert steam into the milk and create the right texture for each drink - smooth foam for cappuccino and elastic cream for a latte. If you are up for a challenge, then you should totally give it a try.

3. Control Panel

An easy to use control panel is best for anyone, whether you are a pro or you’ve never before made coffee in your life. Most have icon buttons that are straightforward in use, whereas there are others with touch screens. If you keep your coffee machine in your kitchen and try to operate it with moist hands, a touch screen will be harder to handle than the buttons. Also, buttons tend to last longer, while the TFT displays may start to get stuck after a while if you don’t operate them thoughtfully. Think of what would work best for you and go for it! 

4. Automatic Cleaning

This is probably one of the most important aspects of a bean-to-cup coffee machine and the most sought after. All models come with automatic cleaning, and most have auto descaling as well. Look for an auto-cleaning function in your coffee machine and dishwasher safe parts, like the milk jug, drip tray and hopper. Otherwise, it is a pretty time-consuming process to clean your coffee machine properly. But it is a necessary one if you want to produce high-quality results every time you brew. 

5. Size

Undoubtedly, bean-to-cup machines have a large footprint. This can pose a problem if you have limited countertop space in your kitchen. Thankfully, there are brands that have taken into account this factor and created more compact models. Before purchasing one, make sure the size fits in your kitchen. Also, keep in mind, some have all the operational buttons and parts in the front so that you can put other stuff around your coffee machine.

How many cups of coffee can a 250g of coffee beans brew?

It is advisable to buy the amount of coffee you will use weekly in order to enjoy fresh coffee each time. So, a bag of 250g will approximately brew about 10 to 12 cups of coffee. It also depends on the drinks themselves, for instance, if you drink single espressos or double espressos. A bag of 250g is, in most cases, plenty for someone drinking about two coffee cups per day. If you think that 250g is not enough for you, opt for more. Bear in mind that once you purchase whole coffee beans by a silo, you should head home and put the beans in an airtight container.

Pros tip: Keep it away from oxygen, sunlight, odours and moisture to maintain your coffee fresh and enjoy flavourful cups with full aromas daily. 

Can I use pre-ground coffee in a bean-to-cup coffee machine?

Not always. Some models support whole beans and ground coffee, but many don’t. This function is helpful if you occasionally drink decaf coffee and you don’t want to ground the coffee each time you want a dose. Or you want to try a new single estate, but you don’t want to empty and clean the hopper every time you want to try something new. If you are interested in this functionality, make sure you keep an eye on it. 

How much should you spend on a bean-to-cup coffee machine

It is important to consider your budget and the features you want before reaching a decision. The more technologies and automation a bean-to-cup coffee machine has, the more you need to spend. But more budget-friendly options are great candidates as well. Let’s discuss:

• Affordable

Some models cost less and maybe more compact than others, which is great if you don’t want to invest big and you have limited space on your countertops. For such an espresso machine, you will have to spend around £250 to £350. If you consider the quality of your coffee compared to any other coffee machine and the time you save as they brew coffee with a touch of a button, it is safe to say that they are a worthwhile investment for any coffee lover. 

• High-End

More sophisticated models that, in most cases, are fully automated can cost anywhere from £400 to over £1.000. These types of machines give you only high-quality results. Enjoy freshly ground blends every day in the comfort of your own home with cups that have dense espresso cremas, rich aromas and flavourful cup profiles. Feel the chocolatey, nutty, fruity or floral notes in your tongue and make your taste buds dance with joy with every sip you take. They may cost a bit more, but they are so worth it!

Closure

In a good cup, it is as important to brew with the best beans as it is to use quality water. This is why all professionals use water filters. Water can greatly affect how your coffee tastes, so make sure you check your water quality and use filters. Now, all you have to do is enjoy that Italian style espresso you so long for with a bean-to-cup appliance! Have an amazing coffee experience one room away from your bedroom. 

At the same time, save time and money from your coffee budget while brewing tasteful coffee cups every time. You and your friends are going to love your new acquisition. Show off your skills and sip delightful cups of coffee from now on without stepping off your front door. Have you found the best bean-to-cup coffee machine for you yet?