Best bean-to-cup coffee machines 2024 UK

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For many, a cup of freshly ground coffee is the only way to start the day. And short of hiring your own in-house barista, investing in one of our best bean-to-cup coffee machines is the easiest way to whip up a delicious brew at home.

If you’re not sure which style of coffee machine is best suited to your needs, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have also reviewed pod machines and espresso machines, while our coffee machine buying guide covers everything you need to know before you buy.

However, if you already know bean-to-cup is the brewing method for you, we’ve tested models from major brands, including De'Longhi, Gaggia and Sage, to bring you our pick of the best.

Here are our top-rated machines at a glance, but read on for our detailed reviews:

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These machines have one simple goal: to produce the freshest coffee possible. The fresher the coffee, the more full-flavoured the shot. By doing it all, from grinding the coffee beans and extracting maximum flavour to preparing your espresso, bean-to-cup machines are able to make some of the tastiest at-home coffees around. However, this premium performance doesn’t come cheap, with prices ranging from £300 up to nearly £2,000.

They can also look a little intimidating, due to their size, shiny chrome exterior and plethora of variable options, but most bean-to-cup coffee machines are simple to use. Their best feature is that they do almost everything for you (from grinding beans to making more complex coffees) at the touch of a button. On most models, there’s no need for tamping either.

We want to know whether you can rely on these machines to deliver the coffee you enjoy, every time. To do this, our experts at the GHI make a series of single and double espressos, using the same coffee beans for every machine. We look for the presence of a crema and measure the volume of liquid produced, to analyse how consistent the machine is.

Our experts also analyse how well each model steams milk, and how effective the grinder is, as well considering how much control the user has over the settings.

Finally, each machine is assessed on its ease of use, design and instructions. These are our top performers for your morning brew.

Score: 95/100

Sweeping in to take the (joint) coffee-making crown is Sage's latest model. This outstanding machine takes control of everything from the grinding to the tamping to the milk frothing, making it extra easy to get your hands on a delicious morning coffee. Our experts raved about its clear instructions, quick 30-second heat-up time and generally easy-to-use design, which produced consistent espressos every time.

As with all bean-to-cup coffee machines, some features take a bit of getting used to – in this instance, it’s adjusting the volume of drinks and finishing the milk steaming process. But these are only temporary niggles – we’d welcome this high scorer into our kitchens in a flash.

Score: 95/100

Claiming joint top spot in our line-up is no small feat, but De’Longhi’s latest innovative model deserves its place. Sporting a 3.5” full-touch colour display, 16 automatic drink settings, and a personalised coffee menu for different times of the day, this machine acts like your own private barista, offering a coffee experience that’s completely tailored to you. Seriously cool.

Quick to pre-heat, it proved consistent and efficient at making espressos (it didn't drop a single mark in our lab tests). For milky coffees, our testers found the frother easy to adjust, and it only failed to reach the target temperature within the claimed time on one recipe. It made a great cappuccino, taking just two minutes to produce good foam at the optimum temperature.

There are only seven grind sizes, which isn’t the biggest range; however, you should still be able to find the right setting for your tastes. Plus, if you’re a fan of cold brews, you can add on the LatteCrema Cool upgrade set when shopping online. Containing a carafe, four glasses, and a recipe book, our testers loved this refreshing add-on – certainly worth the extra cost in our opinion.

Score: 94/100

Note, this machine is currently out of stock, but you can enter your email on the Ninja website to be notified when more stock arrives.

Taking its first step into the coffee machine market, Ninja’s Luxe Cafe three-in-one machine for espresso, filter coffee and cold brew did not disappoint.

While the option of 25 grind sizes may sound overwhelming if you’re new to at-home coffee making, this machine’s grinder is automated with built-in scales, simplifying the brew-making process. Then there’s the Barista Assist technology – it will recommend grind settings based on your tastes, creating perfect pucks using a spring-loaded assisted tamper, and auto-adjusting settings depending on the basket you use.

But did the drinks live up to the hype? In short, yes. Each espresso was consistent (although larger than the average volume) and always topped with a smooth, rich layer of crema. The four presets on the automatic milk frother were a hit with our testers too – choose between steamed milk, or thin, thick, or cold froth for fuss-free milky drinks just to your taste.

If we’re being picky, the control panel feels a little cluttered, but coffee-lovers will appreciate all the information provided, including the progress bar that tracks your drink.

Score: 94/100

This coffee machine was super easy to use and impressed across the board in our lab tests. Everything from set-up to selecting your preferred beverage is simple and efficient. And if you do struggle to adjust the settings, the manual is easy to follow.

When it came to making barista-style espressos, it didn’t drop a single mark. The extraction time was fairly average, but the shots stayed consistent and had a wonderful crema on top.

One of its best features is that it removes the faff of having to steam your own milk. Its innovative LatteGo technology consistently froths both normal and plant-based milks to the right temperature and makes the perfect micro-foam. However, you can’t move the spout, which meant our testers experienced a few spills when the milk was being dispensed into the cup.

It also features four user profiles so you can save your preferred aroma and volume settings to create the perfect cup every time. Overall, it’s a brilliant buy, particularly if you’re a beginner wanting café-quality coffees at home.

Score: 93/100

With ten drinks available at the touch of a button, Smeg’s latest coffee machine is all about creating a quick, hassle-free barista experience. It powered up quickly and delivered consistent espressos with a steady average temperature.

There isn’t a specific programme for double espressos, but we found you could easily pour back-to-back espressos without the machine needing to rebuild the temperature so this shouldn’t be an issue.

Prepping milk was just as fuss-free – one touch of the button pours the right ratio of milk to coffee, and when you’re done, the portable milk container can be popped in the fridge to keep fresh. Very handy.

Score: 93/100

If you still class yourself as a beginner when it comes to perfecting the art of your morning coffee, this Beko machine has a “no frills” design that performed well across our in-house tests. Featuring a dual nozzle, integrated steamer, and a sleek touch-screen menu, our testers found it easy to use, with an espresso only taking an average of 25 seconds to brew.

Milky coffee-lovers may find the automatic steaming function tricky to get to grips with at first, as the steam takes a few seconds to shut off after pressing the button. However, once our testers got used to the timings, they created some delicious cappuccinos and lattes.

The grinder has 13 settings, so you should be able to find one to suit your tastes. All in all, this machine impressed across the board, with testers also declaring it easy to clean and adjust – plus, it’s a cheaper alternative to many of our other top-scoring machines.

Score: 92/100

Another stellar offering from Sage, this coffee machine was a real multitasker on test, serving up our quickest cappuccino in just 93 seconds, thanks to its ability to steam milk while simultaneously brewing an espresso. Plus, the steam wand did its job in as little as 48 seconds. It delivered outstandingly consistent espressos, too.

Unlike the Sage Express Impress above (which looks more like a typical espresso machine), this model has an LCD screen that shows your drink settings. It also has five more grind settings and tamping is done manually. Sage has coffee experts on hand to support you from purchase through to brewing, too.

Our one note is that if you like to use taller glasses, you may struggle to fit them under the dispenser, and opening the water tank and removing filter baskets can be fiddly. But again, these are only small drawbacks – this is another thoughtfully designed and high-quality buy from Sage.

Score: 92/100

For larger households, this is a smart pick. It has a 2.2-litre water tank, 40 pre-set drinks, and six user profiles for saving shortcuts to your go-to coffees. Testers appreciated that it could dispense two cups at the same time, but it had to reheat the water before serving the next two. This didn’t slow things much though as they only waited an extra minute.

Each shot was consistent in weight and temperature and had a nice layer of crema. Our experts found the automatic steam system frothed milk easily too, and the plant-based mode made enjoying oat lattes simpler than ever.

Needless to say, it's an expensive machine, and it took up a considerable amount of our counter space, but it has all the features a coffee buff could wish for.

Score: 90/100

Sage has cemented its spot as one of the best brands to go to for at-home brewing perfection. This one costs substantially more than the brand's other models on our list, so what does your investment give you?

Well, this premium machine works at the touch of its easy-to-read screen. With its set coffees, everything is automated – from grinding, dosing and tamping to its outstanding steam wand – so the temperature and milk texture perfectly suits your chosen coffee. The results were notably consistent too. You can also use the machine manually, if you'd prefer.

It’s also worth noting our tester found removing the coffee puck messy, even with the accompanying knock box, and its portafilter was drippy. But otherwise, it’s a smartly designed machine that can deliver drinks guaranteed to impress any guests.

Score: 89/100

Preparing reliably delicious coffees is a doddle with this De'Longhi, which scored full marks in our espresso tests. It was one of the easiest machines to use, thanks to helpful QR codes in the manual that take you to extra information online about set-up and functionality. De’Longhi even has a YouTube channel where you can learn how to conquer latte art!

The model comes with dosing and tamping tools to help reduce coffee waste, plus it has a tamping mat and a storage compartment on top. The steam wand worked quickly too, although it was a little stiff to move and could have been more powerful. Its milk jug was also on the small side.

Aspiring baristas may find it frustrating that there’s no information on how much coffee the grinder has dosed, so for maximum precision you would need to empty the coffee and weigh before brewing. That said, our tester did find it consistently effective, making it a dependable addition to your kitchen.

Score: 86/100

With an innovative, professional-style steam wand, this machine is a standout if you love milky coffees and want more control than most offer. It reaches a range of temperatures quickly and will help you whip up any style of drink in a jiffy.

You’ll have to wait for it to power up after extracting an espresso, and it only moves from side to side, but if it’s lattes or flat whites you like to start your day with, it will definitely please.

Don’t let the professional descriptor put you off either; it’s a thoughtfully designed machine that comes with clear instructions and an intuitive digital interface and controls. You can also adjust the settings to suit your taste.

While it delivered consistent single espressos, it struggled to deliver identical doubles, with the finished volume varying. Our tester also would also have liked more detail on how to dose coffee and different brew temperatures. The grinder lacked finer settings and was tricky to clean, too. Overall, however, it’s a compact and efficient machine.

Score: 85/100

This De’Longhi machine comes with plenty of great features if you’re looking to take the next step in your brewing journey. There are eight grind settings to play around with and three infusion temperature profiles, as well as a dosing and tamping station to keep the process mess-free.

It takes a little trial and error to find the right settings for your preferred tastes, but once set, the machine delivered fairly consistent espressos with crema present across each. Testers liked that it could make three cups at a time before needing to rebuild pressure too.

The milk frother isn’t automatic but the manual includes detailed instructions on how to steam and our experts easily achieved microfoam on everything from lattes to cappuccinos. There's even a cold brew preset for days when you fancy something more refreshing.

Score: 82/100

Wake up, pick up your phone and tell this smart coffee machine to start brewing. This WiFi-connected model has an accompanying app, so you can choose between 32 pre-programmed beverages from your phone. Our tester awarded it full marks for its consistent espressos and enjoyed its flat white and cappuccino too.

In general, it was intuitive to use. The sizeable machine has a clear digital display and responsive touch screen. While its milk steamer could have reached higher temperatures and was noisy, its grinder was notably quiet. Refilling the tank was easy, thanks to a fold out handle, while the cup warmer on top of the machine is a nice extra touch.

It’s on the fiddly side to clean, but this machine doesn’t sacrifice functionality for frills, making it a well-designed and clever buy – one that would suit coffee novices and aficionados alike.

Score: 82/100

If you’re buying your first coffee machine, this may not be the best pick. But if you’re looking to develop your skills, this premium machine has a lot to offer. A QR code on the packaging takes you to how-to videos, making set-up stress-free. The controls are also easy to use and effective. It’s comparatively compact, and its high quality wooden tamp is a nice detail.

Changing the espresso volume is effortless, as is re-programming the grinder dose. The latter didn’t always deliver consistent quantities, but the espressos themselves were reliable, arriving quickly too. Its steam wand, while short and not the most powerful we tested, allows for precise control when preparing milk. But if you tend to make longer coffees, the milk jug is fairly small.

There’s ample room for most mugs, and if you get stuck while using it, it comes with excellent troubleshooting guidance. Note, the grinder was a tad messy, spraying coffee around, and there are a few tricky components to clean.

Score: 82/100

From the moment you unbox this coffee machine, it will impress. It’s robust and looks like a mini version of one you’d find in your local café. It’s got some nifty design features too; our tester liked the accessory compartment, hidden away underneath the drip tray, as well as the responsive buttons and clear digital display.

It aced our milk tests, serving up perfect flat whites with a velvety texture. If you’re new to steaming milk, it comes with a useful guide that covers how to make different drinks and get the texture right. The steam wand is agile, too.

Our tester’s experience with the grinder was mixed. Although impressed by the selection of sizes and the way the screen indicates if the grind size is too high or low for your chosen brew, they found its dosage inaccurate. Overall though, the machine gives you a lot of control over your coffees, without the big price tag of other models we tried.

Score: 80/100

De’Longhi always delivers premium machines, and this is no exception. It’s not as advanced as the La Specialista Arte but it’s still thoughtfully designed. Largely packaged in cardboard, it comes with detailed product information that makes getting to grips with it a smooth process.

You can’t programme it to deliver both a single and double espresso, but it produced the former consistently. Cappuccinos were its stand-out drink. While the steam delivery wasn’t always continuous and the wand was on the short side, the system was efficient, reaching a variety of milk temperatures quickly.

It’s not the easiest to clean, as there are a few small dirt traps, but in use it’s fairly intuitive. A great entry-level machine.

Score: 78/100

Dropping just one mark on its design score, this Jura doesn’t come cheap but has a lot to offer. For a start, its manuals arrive in sleeves and a fabric pouch so you can keep them protected over time. The rest of its packaging is cardboard, too.

Set-up proved lengthy, but there are plenty of resources online if you need additional assistance. These proved helpful, as the touch panel buttons aren't the clearest.

Once set up, it’s efficient, heating up in a rapid 48 seconds. Its milk dispenser (sold separately) also did a stellar job on test; it produces a great selection of drinks quickly and automatically serves the right volume of milk for the drink selected. It can only reach a maximum temperature of 51.6C though so if your order includes extra hot milk, it’s not for you.

Clean-up was also a mixed bag on test. Handily, it flushes itself, but this can fill the drip tray quickly. There are also a lot of small parts that need cleaning separately, extending the chore. It’s a modern machine though, with looks to match.

Before you invest in your new at-home barista, these are the key features to consider.

Milk frother

If you enjoy a milk-based coffee (such as a cappuccino, latte or macchiato), then you’ll want to look for a bean-to-cup coffee machine with a milk frother.

There are three types of milk frother, with most bean-to-cup models coming with an automatic one.

Personalisation

Most bean-to-cup coffee machines allow you to adjust the drink size, coffee strength and sometimes the strength of the aroma, too. On some models, you can save these settings, so you can repeat your favourite combinations.

If you're less concerned with embracing your inner barista, and more interested in enjoying fresh coffee quickly, look for a machine that has a pre-set drinks menu alongside its manual controls. Offering the likes of a cappuccino or flat white, the settings mean that when you're in a hurry, the machine does all the work for you.

Smart controls

Some coffee machines can be controlled via an app on your phone. You will need to make sure you're prepared, though, by having enough beans in the container, water in the tank and a mug ready under the spout. If it’s all set, you’ll be able to make a coffee without having to get out of bed – a dreamy way to wake up!

Automatic cleaning

No one enjoys cleaning out a coffee machine; it’s a bit messy and there are a lot of parts that need to be disassembled. Plus, it’s difficult to manually clean the internal parts. An automatic cleaning function will cleanse your coffee machine in less than 20 minutes, with some getting the job done in under half this time.

A few models also run an auto rinse program when the coffee machine is turned on, flushing out the system to make sure you’re making coffee with fresh water.

Our two joint winners put in an impressive performance in our tests. We think Sage’s The Barista Express Impress machine is a great pick for delivering high-quality, speedy coffees to start your day off right.

However, De’Longhi’s Rivelia Automatic machine won our geeky hearts with its personalised coffee menu for different times of the day. Whichever machine you settle on though, you’re sure to achieve barista-level results.

And if you’re trying to keep costs down – because bean-to-cup machines certainly aren’t cheap – our favourite more affordable pick, the Beko CaffeExperto is still a great buy.

We’ve been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for 100 years, so we know quality when we see it. Our homes writer, Megan Geall, has written about hundreds of household products and is committed to finding the best bean-to-cup coffee machines to fuel her own coffee addiction as well as yours.

Our testing team has rigorously reviewed each bean-to-cup coffee machine in this list, measuring their performance against our detailed protocols, so you can shop with confidence.

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.

Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market. When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her cooking, running and exploring London’s foodie hotspots – or trying to make friends with every dog she passes. Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall and on X @megan_geall

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.

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