If you’re looking for even more coffee inspiration, you can also check out Good Food’s broader guide to finding the best coffee machine.
Best bean-to-cup coffee machines at a glance
5/5 stars
- Best semi-automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine: Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series ES701UK, £699.99
- Best Sage bean-to-cup machine: Sage the Oracle Jet, £1,699.95
- Best bean-to-cup coffee machine under £2,000: KitchenAid Automatic Espresso Machine KF8, £1,899
- Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for cold brew: De’Longhi Eletta Explore, £999.99
- Best affordable bean-to-cup coffee machine: De’Longhi Magnifica S Smart, £304
Best of the rest
- Best fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine: De’Longhi Rivelia, £749.99
- Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for good looks: Smeg BCC13, £799.95
- Best value bean-to-cup coffee machine: Sage the Barista Express, £529.95
- Best bean-to-cup coffee machine under £500: Breville Barista Max, £299.99
- Best bean-to-cup coffee machine with automatic milk frother: Philips 5400, £499
Jump to:
How we tested bean-to-cup coffee machines
Photography: Natalie Bass / Good Food
Myself and the team brewed a standard set of drinks when testing bean-to-cup coffee machines: single espresso, double espresso, cappuccino, latte and americano. If a machine has specialist functions, like cold brew, we tested those, too.
We marked each machine out of five using the criteria below, which then determined the product’s overall star rating:
- Ease of assembly: We scored the machines on how easy they were to put together.
- Quality of build: The overall standard of the coffee machine materials, be that metal or plastic.
- Ease of use: How simple is the mechanism and how helpful is the manual?
- Value for money: Does the bean-to-cup coffee machine offer a good return on investment?
- Sustainability: We assessed the packaging to see how much could be recycled, then considered whether we thought the amount of non-recyclable materials (if any) was excessive. We also looked at how easily the machine can be recycled at the end of its life, and whether the manufacturer provides spare parts or a repairs service.
- Finished results: The taste and consistency of coffee, including the freshness, quality of the crema, extraction and strength of flavour.
Photography: Natalie Bass / Good Food
These criteria also played into our decision making process:
- Quality of the grind: Does it effectively process the whole coffee beans?
- Extra functions: How many added features are included – is there a milk frother and temperature control, and does the machine make different coffee types?
- Water tank: Is the water chamber easy to refill and how often do you need to do it?
- Kitchen footprint: How bulky is the bean-to-cup coffee machine?
- Ease of cleaning: We scored both everyday wipe cleaning and more intensive deep cleaning for long term maintenance.
Why you can trust Good Food reviews (and me, the reviewer)
We take product reviews seriously at Good Food and every product is scored using our trusted matrix format. Each coffee machine the team and I test is put through its paces in the Good Food Test Kitchen, which is designed to replicate the average home kitchen rather than a lab or testing facility. That means you can trust that, if an appliance performs well in our kitchen, it should perform well in yours, too.
We also never share product reviews with manufacturers or retailers before publication, and we don’t accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, either.
As for me specifically, aside from working as barista for several years, I’ve also tested around 20 bean-to-cup coffee machines since joining the Good Food reviews team three years ago. I’ve also trained at the London School of Coffee, plus I have a qualification from Specialty Coffee Association – so, I know my way around a coffee machine and can determine whether or not it offers good value for money.
Best bean-to-cup coffee machines to buy in 2025
Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series ES701UK
Available from Amazon (£549.99), Currys (£599.99), Very (£699), Ninja (£699.99), Argos (£700)
Best semi-automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine
Pros:
- Capable of brewing espresso, cold brew and filter
- Displays recommended grind size
- Sleek stainless-steel design
- Produces the perfect milk texture for lattes and cappuccinos
- Mostly recyclable packaging
Cons:
Star rating: 5/5
We know Ninja can perform when it comes to air fryers, ice-cream makers and food processors, but what about coffee machines? The Luxe Cafe Pro is an all-singing, all-dancing appliance that doesn’t just brew espresso, but also filter coffee and cold brew, setting it apart from other machines on the market.
Despite its sophisticated and seemingly ‘techy’ interface, the ES701UK is a good option for beginners as it walks you through each part of the process, from set-up to completion. Each espresso shot we pulled was perfectly balanced and topped with a glossy, caramel-coloured crema.
Photography: Natalie Bass / Good Food
Where the Luxe Cafe Pro really sang was the automatic milk steaming, which produced the silkiest, creamiest microfoam for our lattes and cappuccinos – something that’s difficult to achieve when you don’t steam the milk manually. This is because the extra-large jug has a whisk inside it that rotates the milk as it heats up, creating the whirlpool motion you need to achieve the perfect texture.
Wattage: 1650W
Functions: 25 drink settings, 25 grind settings
Weight: 17.25KG
Capacity: 2L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 1.9p (based on 25.73p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
Available from:
Sage the Oracle Jet
Available from Sage (£1,699.95), Currys (£1,699.99), Lakeland (£1,699.99)
Best Sage bean-to-cup machine
Pros:
- Ultra versatile
- Intuitive five-inch display, plus light and dark modes
- Fully recyclable packaging
- WiFi-enabled for remote software updates
Cons:
Star rating: 5/5
This is Sage’s most high-spec coffee machine to date, and in test we found it an absolute dream to use. It combines full automation with great adjustability, meaning both beginner baristas and coffee experts alike will have what they need to make quality espresso every time.
This model bears some resemblance to the Oracle Touch, including automated dosing, grinding and tamping. It’s also a chunky appliance, but roughly 3cm smaller (in height and width) and almost 8kg lighter than the Oracle Touch. Plus, it has lockable wheels so you can easily move it around the worktop.
Cold brew is a new offering for Sage, with two drink options featuring alongside classics like cappuccinos and lattes, plus customisable steam settings for dairy, oat, almond and soya milks.
Perhaps one of the most impressive features, though, is that this model can perform software updates with little intervention from the user. All that’s required is a WiFi connection, and whenever there’s an update available (for example, a new drink option), simply hit the ‘install’ button and your machine will take care of the rest.
Wattage: 1400-1600W
Functions: 14 drink options, 45 grind settings
Weight: 12.1KG
Capacity: 2.3L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 1.7p (based on 22.36p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
Trying to choose between Sage coffee machines? Our friends at olive magazine have tried and tested the entire range to help you find the best Sage coffee machine.
KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8
Available from Harts of Stur (£1,689.95), KitchenAid (£1,899), Harrods (£1,899)
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine under £2,000
Pros:
- Clear controls
- Fully automatic functions
- Modern design
- Innovative display
- Little user-knowledge needed
Cons:
Star rating: 5/5
If you’re looking for a completely automatic machine that can be used by people with varying skills levels, the KF8 is a good option. With an RRP of £1,899, there’s no getting around the fact this is an expensive machine, but for your money you get all the bells and whistles in terms of technology – with 12 coffee options to choose from, plus warm milk, frothed milk, hot water and green tea.
This machine is a breeze to use — all you need to do is put coffee beans in and espresso will come out. However, there are other features that make it user-friendly, including a hidden compartment in which used the coffee grounds go, as well as a floating column that indicates when the drip tray needs to be emptied. If you have the budget and it’s simplicity you’re after, this machine produced delicious coffee with no prior knowledge or coffee expertise needed from the user.
Wattage: 1450W
Functions: 40+ drink options, 7 grind settings
Weight: 12.7KG
Capacity: 2.2L
Warranty: 3-year guarantee, 10-year reparability
Cost to run: 1.2p (based on 22.36p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
De’Longhi Eletta Explore
Available from De’Longhi (£919.99), Lakeland (£999.99)
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for cold brew
Pros:
- Intuitive digital display
- Versatile, with 33 drink options on offer
- Good-looking
- Quality espresso
- Lots of accessories included
Cons:
- Large footprint
- Higher price tag
- Excessive non-recyclable packaging
- More expensive to run than other models
Star rating: 5/5
While many bean-to-cup machines come with iced drink options, only a handful have explored the art of cold brew coffee. That’s what makes this De’Longhi machine – featuring Cold Brew technology – stand out from the off: our cold brew cappuccinos were creamy and refreshing, and exactly what you’d want to cool you down on a hot day.
The Eletta Explore handles the basics well too, producing dark, rich espresso with silky crema. Features like temperature, grind settings, and auto switch-off can be adjusted to your liking, and there’s a self-cleaning setting that rinses the spout each time you use the machine.
It has a large footprint, so better suited to those with bigger countertop space. It also came packaged in a lot of non-recyclable plastic, but there is lots of advice on how to clean and prolong the life of your machine, which is a plus on the sustainability front.
Cost to pull one double espresso each day for one week: 12.6p (based on 16.6p/kWh)
Wattage: 1450W
Functions: 50+ drink options
Weight: 15.3KG
Capacity: 1.8L
Warranty: 1 year standard, 2 years upon registration
Cost to run: 12.6p (based on 16.6p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
De’Longhi Magnifica S Smart Automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine
Available from Currys (£304), De’Longhi (£319.99)
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine under £500
Pros:
- Produces quality espresso
- Stylish
- More affordable than many
- Intuitive controls
- Water tank pulls out from the front
Cons
- Fewer settings than other machines
Star rating: 5/5
If you simply want great espresso and you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a higher-spec machine, this De’Longhi model nails the basics. With five functions on offer – lungo, espresso, flat white, hot milk, and latte – it’s smooth and smart-looking, with a 1.8-litre water capacity and speedy, if a little noisy, grinder.
Its user-friendly credentials are worth applauding too. The spout is height-adjustable, so it can accommodate a range of cup sizes, and the water tank conveniently pulls out from the front, removing the need to pull out and fill the machine each time. We also liked that the steam wand manoeuvres forwards, making it easy to achieve silky microfoam or creamy cappuccino froth.
Where this machine really shone, though, was the quality of the espresso it produced: aromatic and well-rounded with glossy, caramel-coloured crema, delivered at the perfect temperature.
Wattage: 1450W
Functions: 4 drink options, 13 grind settings
Weight: 11KG
Capacity: 1.8L
Warranty: 1 year standard, 2 years upon registration
Cost to run: 1.1p (based on 16.6p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
Smeg BCC13 bean-to-cup coffee machine
Available from AO (£799), Smeg (£799.95)
Best-looking bean-to-cup coffee machine
Pros:
- Quality espresso
- 10 drink options
- Iconic Smeg 1950s style
- Lightweight and easy to set up
Cons:
- Milk texture is a little thin
- Some non-recyclable packaging
Star rating: 4.5/5
The brushed aluminium finish, matte pastel shades and iconic 1950s style of Smeg’s new bean-to-cup coffee machine aren’t the only reasons we love this model. Launched as an upgrade of the brand’s original BCC02 coffee machine, this gadget’s diminutive footprint carries all the flair of a modern, statement coffee machine without the intrusive depth, height and width of these traditionally-chunky appliances.
10 drink options are available to select through its interface, with two menus that you can flit between. Unlike the BCC02, this model has automatic milk frothing rather than a steam wand, offering a more hands-off approach. That said, as experienced coffee machine testers, we found the quality of the microfoam isn’t quite what you’d get from steaming it yourself, and we found our cappuccinos and lattes were on the thin side.
The outlet is height-adjustable to accommodate a variety of cups and to protect the precious crema from dripping out – a detail coffee experts will appreciate. At just under £800, we think it’s an excellent mid-range bean-to-cup with handy automation.
Wattage: 1470W
Functions: 5 drink options
Weight: 9KG
Capacity: 1.4L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 1.4p (based on 22.36p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
De’Longhi Rivelia
Available from Hughes (£699), De’Longhi (£749.99), AO (£750)
Best fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Attractive design
- Seamless automatic functions
- Customisable user profiles
- Quality espresso with thick crema
Cons:
- Excessive non-recyclable packaging
- Limited information about spare parts or recycling
- Large footprint
Star rating: 4.5/5
This is an extremely user-friendly piece of kit from De’Longhi, and we found it a joy to use. It strikes a nice balance of automation – all the dosing, tamping and milk-steaming is done by the machine – and customisation, offering the user control over coffee intensity, frothing options and drink sizes.
Available in four colours and built with smooth, rounded edges, the Rivelia is easily the most aesthetically pleasing coffee machine that De’Longhi has produced. That said, it’s still a very large appliance and you need relatively deep countertops for it to fit comfortably in your kitchen.
Everything is ultra-personalised and you can set up a maximum of four user profiles to save your favourite settings. We also love that there’s an extra bean hopper included, so you can switch between coffee beans to experiment with different varieties.
Wattage: 1450W
Functions: 16 drink options
Weight: 12.7KG
Capacity: 1.4L
Warranty: 1 year standard, 2 years upon registration
Cost to run: 2.4p (based on 28.62p/kWh – one coffee each day p/week)
Sage the Barista Express
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£529), Amazon (£529), Sage (£529.95), Lakeland (£529.99)
Best value bean-to-cup coffee machine
Pros:
- Well-priced
- Large capacity
- Quality design
Cons:
- Slightly complex settings
Star rating: 4.5/5
This machine from reputable electronic brand Sage has a mid-range price point and easy-to-use interface, making it a good choice for everyday use if you’re a coffee lover but not quite an aficionado. The challenge is in logging the preset functions, as there are lots to choose from.
Once you’re set up and away, you will be spoilt for choice, whether you want an espresso with a perfect crema or homemade flat white to rival your favourite coffee shop.
Read our full Sage the Barista Express coffee machine review.
Wattage: 1850W
Functions: 2 espresso settings, 16 grind settings
Weight: 10.6KG
Capacity: 2L
Warranty: 2 years
Breville Barista Max
Available from Amazon (£267.69), Very (£299)
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine under £500
Pros:
- Cleaning accessories provided
- Accompanying stainless steel milk jug
- Robust and sleek design
Cons:
- Tall on countertop
- Single-height cup holder means espresso sometimes splashes
Star rating: 4.5/5
This sleekly designed bean-to-cup by Breville shares the same brushed-metal exterior of much more expensive counterparts and comes with most of the trimmings required for building basic barista skills. It’s great value for money.
Single and double shot settings are on offer, as is a 200ml manual mode, ideal for americanos. Paired with the stainless steel milk jug, it’s possible to achieve silky, expertly steamed milk using the steam wand. Single-cup programs work better than double-cup options. Read our full Breville Barista Max review.
Wattage: 1100W
Functions: 2 espresso settings, 30 grind settings
Weight: 7.75KG
Capacity: 2.8L
Warranty: 1 year
Philips 5400 bean-to-cup coffee machine
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine with automatic milk frother
Pros:
- 12 drink options on offer
- Simple to use
- Quick to set up
- Offers individual profiles for different users
Cons:
- Expensive and large if you don’t use all the functions
- Materials are quite plasticky
- A lot of plastic packaging
Star rating: 4/5
If freshly brewed espresso at the push of a button is what you’re after, this Philips machine fits the bill perfectly. 12 drink options, both hot and cold, are selectable on the digital touchscreen, and while it’s perhaps not the most attractive-looking model on the market, it’s easy to use and does the job well.
For households in which a few people will be using the machine, you can create up to four user profiles (plus a guest option) and save favourites or set specific preferences, like strength or volume. The espresso we brewed was well balanced with a good amount of oomph, and our frothed milk was creamy without being too thick.
The machine is expensive if you don’t intend on using all the settings, but if you enjoy trying different drinks and want an almost entirely hands-off experience, it offers good value for minimal effort.
Wattage: 1500W
Functions: 12 drink options
Weight: 8KG
Capacity: 1.8L
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run: 2.03p (based on 24.5p/kWh– one coffee each day p/week)
Other bean-to-cup coffee machines tried and tested
- Jura Z10, £2,327.50
- Miele CM 5510 Silence, £949
- KitchenAid semi-automatic espresso machine, £699
- Sage the Oracle Touch espresso machine review, £2,099.95
- De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro review, £999
- Jura ENA 8 review, £949
- Gaggia Naviglio review, £349
- Melitta Caffeo Cl review, £645.99
- Gaggia Magenta Plus review, £549
- Melitta Purista review, £310
How to choose the best bean-to-cup coffee machine
All bean-to-cup coffee machines share the basic qualities of having a compartment or hopper for storing whole coffee beans. Depending on the space you have in your kitchen, plus your budget, favourite coffee and interest in the process, there are three main types of bean-to-cup coffee machine to choose from:
Automatic bean-to-cup machine
These tend to have one-touch operation with a menu of different drink options and some customisation settings – simply select which coffee you’d like and the machine does the rest. Beyond emptying the drip tray, used coffee grounds, and filling the water tank, it’s a pretty hands-off experience.
Manual bean-to-cup machine
These machines require a bit more involvement from the user, with steps like dosing the grounds, locking in the portafilter, tapping out used coffee or steaming milk.
Semi-automatic bean-to-cup machine
These machines offer a middle ground between the two types above – with features like assisted tamping and auto dosing, plus some hands-on operation like milk steaming.
What to look for in a bean-to-cup coffee machine
Adjustable grind settings: different cups of coffee require different grind levels to achieve the right brew and intensity of flavour. For example, espressos require a fine grind while americanos cope better with a coarser grind.
Milk steam wand: if milky classics like cappuccinos or lattes are your thing and you’d like to build some basic barista skills, a milk steam wand is a feature to look for.
Dual-height drip tray or adjustable spouts: not only useful for accommodating your favourite mug, but also important for preventing espresso from being brewed from too highly above the cup and splashing out.
Photography: Natalie Bass / Good Food
Coffee pre-sets: whether manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic, the best bean-to-cup coffee machines will have saved (and adjustable) coffee settings to help you get the best coffee every time.
Ground-coffee option: an excellent back-up for if you run out of coffee beans.
How to make the perfect bean-to-cup coffee
A good bean-to-cup machine should make brewing speciality coffee at home effortless. But if you want to elevate your morning cup of java, there are a few steps you can take.
Choose the right beans: Think about the flavour profile and type of coffee you like to drink – medium-to-dark roasts tend to be better for making espresso (and therefore ideal for bean-to-cup machines), whereas lighter roasts are more suited to filter coffee. Read our guide to the best coffee beans and best coffee subscription for inspiration.
Grind settings: For optimal freshness, it’s best to grind your coffee beans just before brewing. Adjust the grinder settings to achieve the desired coarseness for your brewing method – you may find you need to adopt some trial-and-error before you settle on a preference. Most bean-to-cup machines come with in-built grinders, but for those that don’t, see our best coffee grinders guide for recommendations.
Use filtered water: The quality of the water you use can also affect the taste of your coffee, but filtered water will help you avoid any impurities that might impact the flavour. Some models come with a water-hardness test kit and inbuilt filters, or you can find product suggestions our guide to the best water filter jugs.
Get the ratio right: Maintain a coffee-to-water ratio that suits your taste. As a general guideline, aim for a ratio of 1:15 (1 part coffee to 15 parts water) for a medium-strength brew, then adjust accordingly to achieve your preferred strength.
Temperature and timing: Ensure that your coffee machine brews at the optimal temperature for extracting the best flavours. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for ideal temperature settings and brewing times.
Milk frothing: If your bean-to-cup machine has a steam wand, you can master the art of creating silky-smooth milk foam for lattes and cappuccinos. Experiment with different techniques to achieve the desired texture and consistency. If your machine comes without a wand, see our top picks for the best milk frothers.
Coffee recipes and tips
How to make cold brew coffee
How to make iced coffee
Coffee types explained
How to recycle electricals and appliances
More gadget reviews
Best coffee machines
Best espresso machines
Best filter coffee machines
Best cafetières
Best coffee grinders
Best iced coffee makers
Best coffee gadgets
Best reusable coffee cups
Best kettles
Best toasters
Best bullet blenders
Best bread makers
Best food processors
Best Nespresso machines
Best coffee scales
Best De’Longhi coffee machines
How long do coffee beans last?
Best coffee kit essentials
How to clean a coffee machine
More appliance deals
Air fryer deals
Coffee machine deals
Microwave deals
Fridge freezer deals
Dishwasher deals
Stand mixer deals
Pizza oven deals
Breadmaker deals
All costs-to-run calculations were done against the variable tariff at the time of testing, which is updated regularly – read more on the current energy price guarantee rates.
If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
