Bean to Cup Coffee Machines

What is a bean to cup coffee machine?

A bean to cup coffee machine is an automatic coffee machine with a built-in grinder. It grinds fresh beans, doses, tamps and brews at the touch of a button, and most premium models texture milk for you too. It’s the easiest way to enjoy fresh espresso, lattes and cappuccinos at home without learning barista skills.

Fully automatic or semi-automatic?

Fully automatic coffee machines such as the Jura Z10 Diamond Onyx, Jura E8 Bean to Cup Machine, Black, Jura ENA 8 Metropolitan Black and Siemens EQ.9 s300 Bean to Cup Machine do everything, including milk. Sage’s Oracle range, including the Sage Oracle Touch, Brushed Stainless Steel, Sage Oracle Jet, Black Truffle and Sage Oracle Dual Boiler, Stainless Steel, is semi-automatic: it grinds and tamps for you, but you lock in the portafilter and can steam milk by hand. Choose fully automatic for convenience and speed, or a semi-automatic machine if you’d like a more traditional, café-style experience.

What makes a premium coffee machine with grinder worth it?

• A better grinder: steel or ceramic burrs with more settings give a more even grind and better flavour.
• Brewing unit quality: a well-designed brew unit extracts more evenly and lasts longer.
• Milk system: automatic frothing with adjustable temperature and texture makes perfect flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos.
• Drinks menu and profiles: save each person’s favourite at the touch of a button.
• Easy cleaning: automatic rinse and cleaning cycles keep the coffee tasting fresh.

Best for milk drinks

If lattes and cappuccinos are your thing, look at the De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul, De’Longhi Eletta Ultra and Sage Barista Touch Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel. All three have excellent milk systems and plenty of drink options, and the Eletta Ultra handles hot and cold milk foam.

Best for espresso lovers

The Sage Oracle Dual Boiler, Stainless Steel pairs automatic grinding and tamping with a proper dual boiler and 58mm portafilter, while the Jura Z10 Diamond Onyx uses a grinder that adapts to each recipe. Both make espresso that stands up to a café.

Choosing the right coffee beans

Very dark, oily beans can clog the grinder over time. Medium roast espresso blends such as Union Original Blend Espresso Beans, 1kg or Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Beans, 1kg taste rich and keep the machine happy. Browse more in our coffee beans.

Coffee machine with grinder vs separate grinder

A coffee machine with grinder built in saves space and makes fresh coffee effortless. A separate grinder and espresso machine gives you more control and better results if you enjoy the craft. For most households wanting barista-quality lattes, cappuccinos and espresso at the touch of a button, a premium bean to cup coffee machine is the ideal choice.

Grind settings, strength and temperature

Premium automatic coffee machines let you adjust grind settings, coffee strength, cup size and brewing temperature, then save each drink as a profile. Look for a grinder with plenty of settings, a touch screen that’s easy to use and a programmable timer so the machine is warm and ready when you are.

Prices, warranty and delivery

Every coffee machine in this range is sold via Amazon UK, with prices checked regularly. You’ll get the manufacturer’s warranty, Amazon’s returns policy and Prime delivery on eligible orders.

Coffee machine prices explained

A premium bean to cup coffee machine usually costs between £800 and £2,500, with flagship models such as the Jura Z10 above that. The price reflects the quality of the built-in coffee grinder, the brewing unit, the milk system and the materials. Spending more generally buys quieter, more consistent grinding, better milk texture, more drink options and a machine built to last for years. Every price on this page is checked regularly against Amazon UK, so you can compare models side by side.

Built-in coffee grinder or separate grinder?

The built-in coffee grinder is the heart of any bean to cup machine. Premium models use steel or ceramic burrs and offer several grind settings, which is plenty for great espresso and milk drinks. If you want ultimate control, a traditional espresso machine such as a Gaggia, Lelit or Rocket paired with a separate coffee grinder lets you fine-tune every shot, but it takes more time and practice.

Water, cups and capacity

• Water tank: look for 1.8 litres or more if you make several cups of coffee a day, and use a water filter cartridge to reduce limescale.
• Bean hopper: 250g to 500g means fewer refills; smaller hoppers keep beans fresher.
• Cup height: an adjustable spout fits everything from espresso cups to tall latte glasses.
• Two-cup brewing: handy for couples and families who want two coffees at once.

Can a bean to cup machine make filter coffee?

Many fully automatic machines offer a long coffee, Americano or ‘café crème’ setting that’s close to filter coffee, and some Jura models have a dedicated filter-style option. If black filter coffee is your main drink, though, a dedicated drip machine will give a cleaner cup. See our filter coffee machines for Moccamaster, Ratio and Fellow.

Smart features and timers

Many of the machines in this range have app control, smart profiles and a programmable timer, so the machine can warm up before you come downstairs. Some even suggest when it’s time to clean or descale, which helps keep the coffee tasting fresh and the machine running perfectly.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of coffee machines do cafés use?

Most cafés use traditional commercial espresso machines with separate grinders, operated by trained baristas. Busy offices, hotels and self-service venues often choose commercial bean to cup coffee machines instead because anyone can use them. For home, a premium bean to cup machine or a prosumer espresso machine gives café-quality results.

Which coffee machine is best for home use?

If you want great coffee with minimal effort, a fully automatic bean to cup coffee machine like the Jura ENA 8 Metropolitan Black or De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul is ideal. If you enjoy the craft, look at our espresso machines.

Are coffee machines with grinders worth it?

If you drink two or more coffees a day, yes. Freshly ground beans taste far better than pods or pre-ground coffee, and the cost per cup is much lower.

What is the difference between a bean to cup coffee machine and an espresso machine?

A bean to cup machine grinds and brews automatically. A traditional espresso machine needs a separate grinder and more hands-on skill, but gives you more control over every shot.

Which coffee machine is best for lattes and cappuccinos?

Machines with automatic milk systems, such as the De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul or Jura Z10 Diamond Onyx, make the creamiest milk drinks with no effort.

How often should I clean a bean to cup machine?

Empty the drip tray and grounds daily, rinse the milk system after each use, and run the cleaning and descaling programmes when the machine asks.

See our full guide to the best bean to cup coffee machines.

Related buying guides

• The best value bean to cup coffee machines
• Jura E6 vs E8 vs Z10
• The best De’Longhi coffee machines
• Smeg coffee machines guide