De’Longhi Eletta Explore ECAM450.86.T
Our score: 7.8/10 out of 101.8 L tank · 38.5 cm tall · 2-yr warranty
Bean-to-cup machines
A bean-to-cup machine grinds fresh beans and brews at the press of a button, so most of the choice comes down to milk and maintenance. Some froth and pour milk drinks themselves from a carafe or a LatteGo jug; cheaper ones give you a steam wand. Check how the brew unit comes out for rinsing, how often it will ask to be descaled in your water, and whether it fits under your wall cupboards.
Before you buy
- Decide how you take your milk. One-touch machines froth and pour lattes from a carafe; a steam wand costs less but you froth by hand. If you drink your coffee black, don't pay for milk.
- Check your water hardness. Ask your water company how hard your water is, set that level on the machine and fit the maker's filter: both cut how often it asks to be descaled.
- Measure under your cupboards. The machines here stand about 33 to 39 cm tall, and you need room above to fill the bean hopper and tank. Measure your gap before you buy.
Still choosing a type? Which coffee machine should you buy? compares bean-to-cup with espresso, pod and filter machines, and our hard-water descaling guide covers each brand’s hardness setting and filter.
Top picks
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Best overall
De’Longhi Rivelia EXAM440.55
Two swappable bean hoppers, 16 one-touch drinks and automatic milk
- 1.4 L tank
- 38.5 cm tall
- 2-yr warranty
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Best value
Philips Series 3300 LatteGo EP3347/90
One-touch milk drinks from an easy-clean LatteGo jug, for less
- 1.8 L tank
- 37.1 cm tall
- 2-yr warranty
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Best for large households
Siemens EQ.700 classic TP715GB1
Big 2.4 L tank, two drinks at once and app control
- 2.4 L tank
- 38 cm tall
- 2-yr warranty
More machines
5 machines, sorted by our score
Siemens EQ.300 TF301G19
Our score: 7.8/10 out of 101.4 L tank · 38.3 cm tall · 2-yr warranty
JURA E8
Our score: 7.7/10 out of 101.9 L tank · 34.8 cm tall · One-touch (automatic) milk system
De’Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B
Our score: 7.6/10 out of 101.8 L tank · 34 cm tall · 2-yr warranty
Melitta Purista
Our score: 7.2/10 out of 101.2 L tank · 33.4 cm tall · 2-yr warranty
Bean-to-cup machines questions
How often does a bean-to-cup machine need descaling?
When its descale light comes on, which depends on your water hardness and on whether a filter is fitted. Melitta suggests about every three months without a filter; the JURA E8 stops asking while a CLARIS filter is in. A cycle takes 20 to 40 minutes.
Is a water filter worth it?
In a hard-water area, usually. De'Longhi, Melitta and Siemens filters last about two months, and Philips says changing its AquaClean filter when asked means up to 5,000 cups without descaling. Take the filter out before you descale.
How do I clean the brew unit?
On most machines it slides out: rinse it under the tap without washing-up liquid and let it dry. De'Longhi says at least monthly, Philips and Melitta weekly. It never goes in the dishwasher. Some, such as the JURA E8, run a cleaning programme with a tablet instead.
How do I keep the milk carafe clean?
Run the milk-clean function after each milk drink. De'Longhi's carafes can then wait in the fridge for a day or two, but take every part apart and wash it if milk has stood out for more than 30 minutes. Philips' LatteGo has two parts and goes in the dishwasher.
Can I use pre-ground or decaf coffee?
Many can. The De'Longhi Magnifica S, for example, has a funnel for a single dose of pre-ground coffee, which suits an occasional decaf. Check the product page or the manual, as not every model has one.
Does a bean-to-cup machine switch itself off?
Yes. Under the GB ecodesign rules, espresso and bean-to-cup machines must drop to low power within 30 minutes of the last drink or heating, or 60 minutes after cup preheating.
Bean-to-cup guides
- The best bean-to-cup coffee machines: our picks for most kitchens, big households, milk drinks and smaller budgets.
- De’Longhi Magnifica S or Philips 3300 LatteGo? The two mid-budget machines buyers compare most.
- Is a bean-to-cup machine cheaper than pods? How to work out the cost per cup, filters and descaler included.
Other types of machine: espresso machines, pod machines and filter coffee machines.
