I've tested the best bean-to-cup coffee machines from the likes of De'Longhi, Sage, Breville — these are the 12 I always recommend

One of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines unlocks the most elevated cup of coffee possible at home, save from hiring a live-in barista.

That's why once I reviewed a bean-to-cup coffee machine, I got hooked on not just the taste of the coffee but the overall experience. Whether you brew a fresh espresso or a tasty cappuccino, these machines are the way to ensure that your coffee straight from the bean is as freshly ground as possible.

Within this list, there are two types of machine - automatic and manual bean-to-cup coffee makers. The Rivelia, for example, (which I think is the very best) is automatic and grinds your beans and froths your milk for you at the touch of a button. That's opposed to a manual bean-to-cup machine, like the Sage Barista Express Impress which involves hands-on input at each stage, perfect for those who want to tweak their brews down to the finest detail.

You won't be shocked to hear this type of the best coffee machine tends to be the most expensive. That's why I've compared the ease of assembly and grinding and extracting of every machine and cross-referenced specialist features, as well as looked at each machine's capacity and milk frothing ability.

Based on that, these are my top recommendations.

The best bean to cup coffee machines in the UK

Looking for the most efficient way to shop for the best bean to cup coffee machine? This quick list, lets you see the pros and cons of these products at a glance.

Best fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine

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Our expert coffee machine tester Helen McCue was won over to using a bean-to-cup machine by the De'Longhi Rivelia - that's how good it is.

She likened this machine to having a barista ready and waiting for you in your kitchen, with a menu of 16 choices and an automatic milk frothing wand.

It's one of the priciest choices on this list, yes, but it's the most capable, and the automatic features take away essentially all of the guesswork when making coffee. Helen found testing the settings to create her perfect coffee was straightforward, with no need to spend hours poring over an instruction manual.

Once you've perfected your settings, you can save your preferences too. Timings-wise, Helen found this machine took 1 minute 30 seconds to dispense a flat white or a cappuccino. Her experience with the automatic milk frother was seamless, with the wand able to dispense milk to create glossy peaks in a cappuccino too, not something all milk frothers can do.

Every espresso that this machine dispensed had a good, thick crema according to Helen, and had a great fruity taste, one that she rated as even better than her manual espresso machine. The hot water dispenser on this machine is also a fast worker, and is perfect for heating up your coffee cup before your brew. Helen recorded the overall grind volume as 78dB, reporting that it didn't feel overly loud.

In short, this machine is pretty much perfect if you're looking for an automatic choice that can really do it all. You won't regret it if you take the plunge!

Read our De'Longhi Rivelia review for the full details.

Best value bean-to-cup coffee machine

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The Ninja Luxe Café got my pick as the best coffee machine overall in our longer, all types-encompassing list. That's because I think it has such excellent value for what it is - a manual bean to cup machine with an automatic milk frothing wand.

Those looking for a do-it-all-for-you, hands-off machine might not be as interested in the Luxe Café. Though there is great technology to assist in picking the right grind size, the process of grinding and pulling the shot of espresso is down to the user, which is more involved than just pushing one button (like you get with the Rivelia).

Despite that, this is not a complicated machine to use. It borrows all of those lovely user-friendly features from the best Ninja air fryers and transplants them onto this very shiny stainless steel machine, which a beginner could get a grip on in under an hour.

The 'Barista Assist Technology' is particularly brilliant, helping you to navigate loading in new coffee beans to your hopper. But the crowning jewel with this machine is the automatic milk frother, which has settings for plant milks too as they become more and more popular.

Though the price-tag is still big at over £500, for the quality and functionality of this machine, I'd actually expect it to cost far more.

Read our Ninja Luxe Café review for the full details.

The best bean to cup coffee machine for under £1000

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It can be common for people to shy away from bean-to-cup machines due to the level of involvement you need to put into operating one. That's where automatic machines really come into their own, like this, the De'Longhi Eletta.

There's no complication needed with the Eletta, which according to our expert reviewer Helen McCue is 'effortless' to use and set up. And not only is it perfect for hot drinks, but it also has an extensive in-built menu for cold brew and iced coffee. So if you're an iced latte lover even in the colder months, look no further.

It's quite a bulky machine yes, but it took barely any time at all to set up, and arrives at your home pretty much ready to go. There is an app you'll need to download in order to make use of the bean adapt brewing technology, and from there you can adjust the machine's setting to your hearts content. Our reviewer found the app helped immensely with getting the ideal settings for the grinder.

The touch screen has images of the drinks the machine can make, and you can save your favourite profiles for later, too. You get a complimentary travel cup when you buy the De'Longhi (which, if you're paying close to £1000 is to be expected) and the spout on the machine moves up and down to accommodate to the size. You can also brew carafes of coffee in one go.

The long story short is the Eletta was a huge hit with our reviewer and easily earned five stars. It's seriously pricey yes, but it takes all of the work out of accessing delicious coffee at home. For automatic quality drinks, it won't do you wrong.

Read our De'Longhi Eletta review for the full details.

Best bean-to-cup espresso machine

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At-home espresso machines with a built-in grinder are not cheap. That's why I was in a happy state of shock when I saw the price of this ProCook machine. At just £399, it's packed with features that you usually see in machines with a much higher price tag and has the stainless steel look of other coveted brands, too.

It has its flaws, including a tamp and a portafilter that could feel a little heavier and of higher quality, but it's an overwhelmingly enjoyable machine to use, too. That's in large part thanks to the screen on the front, which guides you through the process of making coffee and descaling, so that even beginners won't feel lost in the process.

As far as hands-on prep for your coffee goes, this machine is far from a one-touch wonder like our top-ranked option at #1. No, instead you'll need to get to grips with grinding beans, tamping, pulling an espresso shot and tamping milk. But if that is something you're willing to take a stab at, then it's a bargain that you can have a go for as little as this machine costs.

This machine is not as swish or tactile as the Sage machine at #5, but I still awarded it 5 stars for its relatively phenomenal value for money. If you have under £400 to spend, pick this ProCook machine, but if you want to level up, then our next entry on this list might be more appealing.

Read my ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine review for the full details.

The best Sage bean to cup coffee machine

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This is the best Sage coffee machine money can buy. The one-armed bandit is the real star of the show and the overall quality of the coffee you can produce with it is simply exquisite.

Yes, it's expensive, with an RRP of £729.00, but if you're looking to invest in your coffee set-up, then the investment will prove worth it even if it takes a lot of saving up.

Our reviewer rated the coffee from this machine an easy 10/10. And after using it as my daily machine for over two years myself, I simply have to agree. Though it took a little getting used to at first, once set up with the perfect grind size and pressure level, the made espressos were perfectly well-balanced and creamy.

You can tell when you hit the right point by looking at the pressure dial on the front of the machine. If you are new to steaming milk, this will be a great machine to get you started on making your own lattes and cappuccinos too, thanks to the wand.

If you need a cheaper espresso machine like this, take a look at ProCook's offering above. Or, if you want a machine like this but with an automatic milk frother (because mastering latte art isn't for everyone), then the Ninja Luxe Café is also gorgeously good value and makes great coffee.

Read our Sage Barista Express Impress review for the full details.

The best easy to use bean to cup coffee machine

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If you're new to grinding beans for the perfect cup of coffee, then the Breville Barista Signature Espresso machine will appeal, with features to make getting used to the process that bit easier. And if you're a dab hand, then don't look away just yet, as this machine also has plenty of customisation options if you already know exactly what you want, and want to access those settings with ease.

Our reviewer Amy Lockwood had never tried a bean to cup machine before this one and found using this Breville to be the perfect introduction. She gravitated towards the default settings, but there are 30 grind settings to experiment with once you're more familiar. When Amy got to extracting, she initially found getting the portafilter into place a bit troublesome due to stiffness, but over time did find that it loosened up.

Amy found the milk frothing up to standard too, with the wand offering good manoeuvrability and access to a good steaming angle. The auto-shut-off feature (also present in the Sage Impress Express) is fab too.

The Breville Barista Signature Espresso Machine yeilded such great results that it's completely converted our first-time reviewer to bean-to-cup machines!

Read our Breville Barista Signature Espresso machine review for the full details.

The best bean to cup machine for long drinks

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With modes for cappuccino, flat white, and even latte macchiato, the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus is a premium coffee machine that delivers on automatic systems with hands-free brewing. It can be compared to the Rivelia at #1 but it comes in at a cheaper price (especially if you can find it on sale) and lacks some of the sleek features and looks.

Like the Rivelia, I liked how this machine had user profiles that you can program with your favourie settings, so you don't have to faff around with it for every cup. The automatic milk frother is also just excellent for everyday use, especially if you're grabbing a coffee before you dash out the door. You'll need to clean the milk dispenser after every use and though the plastic-y feel of the carafe is not my favourite, it is fortunately dishwasher safe.

If quality espresso is your top priority, you'll love the automatic grinding, which is sensitive for different types of beans. This is till an expensive machine, but you'll often find it on sale, and it ticked pretty much every box in our testing.

Read our De'Longhi Magnifica Plus review for the full details.

The best bean to cup coffee machine with a large drinks menu

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The Philips 550 Series got a solid four-star rating from our expert reviewer Helen after our testing process.

It makes an impressive brew, but it's not quite as streamlined as other options higher up this list, such as products from De'Longhi and is still rather pricey. Helen thought it had a very busy looking control panel, with a design that's not as palatable as other options on this list.

On the plus side, it's one of the more customisable coffee machines we've ever tested, and if you're willing to do some fiddly button-pushing it's very adjustable for your specific coffee preferences, which you can save to the machine. The menu selection is also truly extensive, and features hot and cold drinks. For a handsfree option with plenty of choice, this Philips machine will impress.

Read our Philips 5500 Series LatteGo Bean To Cup Coffee Machine review for the full details.

Best budget bean to cup coffee machine

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It seems insane to put the Breville Barista Max Espresso Machine into the category of a 'budget buy' considering that it has an RRP of £479.00, but in the world of bean-to-cup coffee machines, that actutally is on the more affordable side.

It's also a very capable coffee machine, with heaps of customisable controls that will allow budding baristas to really take control of their brewing process. When reviewing the Breville Barista Max+ our tester, Millie, was struck by just how stylish this machine was, with a design that would fit nicely into most kitchens. Our tester also found the set up of this machine very straightforward, making it perfect for beginners.

After having it at home for a while, our tester did think the machine would benefit from an auto-dosing grounds feature. While it is not a cheap coffee machine by any means, I do think it is one of the more reasonably priced barista-style coffee machines on the market.

Read our Breville Barista Max+ review for the full details.

Best looking bean-to-cup coffee machine

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I think one of the main reasons to buy this coffee machine is its appearance, but it's most definitely not the only reason.

Aside from the beautiful bold colours available and the style points it'll bring to your kitchen, it's also a stellar bean-to-cup coffee machine.

Our tester, Helen, thinks that once you get the settings perfected on this machine that it can produce top-quality rich espressos. Plus the integrated bean grinder is great. The portafilter and tamp are also of the kind of quality you'd ideally want and the large water tank means that you won't have to refill on the reg. The steam wand on the right of the machine has two froth levels for manual use too, which is great.

However, there is no getting away from the price - it is expensive and bulky too. But as long as you’re okay with the fact that you are paying a premium for the trendy retro style, then go for it.

Read our Smeg EGF03 Espresso Machine review for the full details.

The best luxury bean-to-cup coffee machine

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During our tester, Millie's, months of use, she was consistently impressed by how well this machine steamed milk in particular, with a steam wand that is unbelievably clever and compatible with plant milks too. It also turned out some seriously tasty espresso.

If you're someone who wants the best of the best, and doesn't mind a more mindful process, you'll love how finely the Sage Barista Touch Impress adjusts depending on your specific bean and brew type. It's kitted out with a touch screen too, which recommends adjustments for different settings.

Of course, the price is astronomical. Anything over a grand will always require a huge amount of consideration, but what you get in return is a real top-of-the-range machine. It combines everything people love about home brewing with the convenience of a smart machine that will take the guesswork out of every espresso you pull.

Read our Sage Barista Touch Impress review for the full details.

Best adjustable Sage bean to cup coffee machine

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I highly rate Sage machines, as you well know if you've read right to the end of this list. The Barista Express BES875UK is a machine less commonly found than the Express Impress, and is a little more involved in user experience than even something like the Express Impress.

Sage calls it a 'hands-on' machine, and our tester Amy found this to be true, with more effort needed to figure out grinding beans and using the trimming razor than with the Express Impress. For some, more involvement and customisation will be welcome news, while those looking for the most straightforward experience should look to other Sage models.

When she tested it, she found it is fundamentally tricksier than the other choices that I've rated more highly. It allows for fine-tuning of a brew perfectly but that also brings with it more mess and fuss than our tester was necessarily looking for. Our tester, who had tried the Breville Barista model at #3, also found it was louder than the Breville, and more time was needed to allow the steaming wand to heat up too.

Despite the extra effort Amy found this machine takes, she was very impressed by the taste tests she conducted - it extracted espresso with an eventual smooth, velvety texture. It also has the classic Sage look which makes up many people's kitchen daydreams, and can more often be found on sale than the Express Impress. It's one for the coffee enthusiasts for sure.

Read our Sage The Barista Express BES875UK Espresso Coffee Machine review for the full details.

How we test the best bean-to-cup coffee machines

In line with Ideal Home's testing protocol, either I or a member of the team have extensively tested every single machine in this lineup for at least two weeks and in most cases a few months.

The process starts with unboxing and setting up, which is an important thing for a brand to get right. After all, if you can't put a machine together with the included instructions, using it might pose a bit of a problem.

So, from there, we then get to grips with the controls of each machine, getting into the grind settings, the process of brewing and using the milk wand, if there is one included.

After thoroughly testing these models, I had just one concern: some are just too good. That sounds like a nice problem to have, but the ease with which you can make latte after latte means there is a risk of descending deeper into caffeine addiction. Proceed with caution. Or sometimes detox with decaffeinated beans.

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Who tested these bean-to-cup coffee machines?

Molly Cleary

Molly is Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, which comes with the fortunate job of drinking lots of coffee on the job. She's a certified Consumer Expert when it comes to coffee machines, which means she's qualified to test coffee machines both at home and at Future's dedicated testing facility - a very fun job indeed.

Her machine for everyday use is the Sage Barista Impress Express – at this point, she couldn't live without it.

Is there a bean-to-cup machine you'd like Ideal Home to test before you buy? Email molly.cleary@futurenet.com with your suggestions.

FAQs

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

The RRP of pretty much every bean-to-cup coffee machine is high, even the dedicated budget options on this list, including one for £399. But in sales periods, including times like Black Friday, you can often enjoy hundreds of pounds off that price. So if you're intent on bagging a bargain, wait for a sales period to crop up before you spend.

Above that, sense-check whether the machine actually does more or makes things easier. Sometimes you’re paying for the design or the brand. Isolate the specific features you want and crucially whether you want a manual or an automatic version and then find your best matched machine from there.

If you do end up spending a few hundred pounds, which is a huge amount of money, one way that you can rationalise it is thinking about spending £1-2 a day for a year on your at-home coffee experience. Not bad if you’re weighing it up against buying a fancy coffee on the way to work every morning.

How do I clean my bean-to-cup coffee machine?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch and there’s no such thing as a coffee machine that doesn’t need cleaning. But there are machines that need cleaning less. All machines here except the Sage automatically dose themselves with ground coffee and then deposit the used grounds in a bin, so you’ll need to empty the bin regularly.

You’ll also need to empty the drip tray – the water from self-cleaning ends up in it. Beyond that, you’ll want to give the machine a proper clean once a week to ensure it’s hygienic and tastes great.

Are there any downsides to bean-to-cup machines?

Aside from having to clean the things, other caveats are worktop space (they tend to use much of the depth of a worktop, but the width varies) and cost. And finally, note the above concern about some being too good: so easy to use that you can drink frothy but highly caffeinated drinks all day long. Of course, one of the best milk frothers will do a (very) similar job. Note that the milk frothers are great for making soothing hot chocolates, too...

What coffee should I use in a bean to cup machine?

It's all down to personal prefence which sort of beans will suit you and your machine best. In our tests trying out the best bean to cup coffee machines, we've tried Ueshima (available at Ocado), Grind (available from the brand's website), as well as Pact coffee, which is a subscription service. We'd recommend all of them!