In this post, I’m exploring the 17 best bean to cup coffee machines of 2022 in the UK.
This includes comparisons of features, but also my own thoughts on each machine based on my knowledge of bean to cup coffee machines, and based on the experience I’ve had with each machine.
I’ve used most of these machines myself, usually quite extensively for my individual blog post reviews and YouTube reviews, and any that I’ve not yet got my hands on as of yet, I will do soon and I’ll update this post accordingly.
So if you’re shopping for a bean to cup coffee machine and you wanted some ideas and comparisons by someone who knows a bit about the machines in question, then this is for you.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m shopping for anything, and I’m searching Google for “the best <whatever>”, I get slightly frustrated when I come to the realisation that I’m reading a scraped together list of sales blurb that I could have found myself, and the article doesn’t actually help me in any way.
So this isn’t one of them – this is, hopefully, the most helpful guide on the web for when it comes to the best bean to cup coffee machines available in the UK. This post also contains a big bean to cup coffee machine FAQ, so scroll down to the bottom of this post for that.
My aim is to provide the reader with real insight into which of these bean to cup machines may be best for you, including reviews from my own experience whenever possible.
I’m working my way through these machines in terms of actually having them in my kitchen for a week or so, to help me to give even more useful insight than would be possible with research alone.
I’ve used an increasing number of these machines, there are only a few bean to cup coffee machines I’ve not yet used, and when it comes to these I’m going purely from research, but I do put quite a bit of time into doing this research. You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you just how long I spend researching these machines…
So all of this info should be helpful and insightful even if the machine in question isn’t one I’ve personally reviewed as of yet.
Best Bean to Cup Espresso machines.
Just to point out, I’m specifically referring to the best bean to cup espresso machines, and doesn’t include bean to cup filter coffee machines, for these machines, see:
Best Filter Coffee Machines
Why Buy a Bean to Cup Machine?
If you want true espresso at home, or in the office, or both if you work from home as many of us do at the moment, you only really have two options, a semi-automatic traditional espresso machine with a grinder, or a bean to cup espresso machine (generally referred to as fully automatic or super automatic espresso machines across the pond).
Going the traditional route with an espresso machine doesn’t just mean buying a coffee machine, it also means developing the necessary home barista skills.
There’s no doubt about it, if you want to be able to produce drinkable espresso and espresso-based coffees using a traditional espresso machine, this means embarking upon the home barista hobby, which is great if that’s what you’re setting out to do.
But if all you want is a coffee machine capable of espresso-based coffees at the touch of a button, then it’ll be a bean to cup coffee machine you’re after.
If you’ve landed on this page searching for a coffee machine, and at this point, you’re not sure which is the best type of coffee machine for you, I’d recommend this post:
How To Choose The Best Coffee Machine For Any Budget
Something often overlooked when it comes to buying a coffee machine is the importance of the quality of coffee that you choose to use. It doesn’t matter how good or expensive the machine is, you need to use decent coffee beans if you want decent coffee. Another way to put this is, put crap in, get crap out ;-).
I buy coffee beans from loads of different sources, all freshly roasted high-quality coffee of course, and we’re really lucky in the UK with the sheer number of small-batch coffee roasters here now, most of which you’ll find in my UK coffee roasters directory.
But a while back, I was helped by my fellow coffee botherers (this is what I refer to my readers as, so that’s you now since you’re here reading this) to put together a small range of special coffee beans, just for them, focusing on the flavour profiles that were requested the most. This grew into The Coffeeworks, which is now a thriving business supplying a range of (at the time of writing) 16 freshly roasted coffees.
Why not give them a go, and use the discount code below if you do:
Use discount code CBNC25 for 25% off your first order at Coffeeworks
What Kind of Bean to Cup Espresso Machine?
The main types of bean to cup machine are manual milk frothing, and auto milk frothing. The latter are often referred to as “one touch” bean to cup machines or “one touch cappuccino” machines.
The difference is that the standard, manual milk frothing machines come with a steam wand, and the user has to steam and pour the milk themselves.
Auto milk frothing “one touch” bean to cup machines do everything for you including steaming and pouring the milk, you just press a button.
There are pros and cons for both, but the main pro for fully auto one-touch machines is convenience, and for semi-auto the main pros are cost (they’re cheaper), and you have more control over the quality of milk drinks.
With some practice, humans can create way better milk texture and pour much better cappuccino & latte, and particularly flat whites, than is possible with a machine.
Some of the better one touch machines do a fairly good job of cappuccino, latte & latte macchiato at the touch of a button, but I’ve not come across one as of yet that will make a proper flat white. Then again, most baristas can’t make a proper flat white either, but that’s a topic for a future post ;-).
So let’s get on with it, starting with the lowest price bean to cup machines and moving our way upwards from there. If you want more info on bean to cup coffee machines in general, just scroll to the bottom where you’ll find my FAQ.
Check Price - Amazon UK
Features:
- 1 touch bean to cup (coffee only, not 1 touch milk drinks)
- Front loading easy access water tank: 1.2 litres
- 13 grind settings
- Large dishwasher safe drip tray
- Decent steam power
This has been among the best selling bean to cup machines on Amazon for several years, and as a result, there are a massive number of answered questions.
So this machine has a lot going for it in terms of the user being able to find out all of its quirks & pros and cons before deciding whether it’s the right bean to cup machine for them. By the way, by far the best answered question in my humble opinion, is this one:
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