Our expert tested 12 bean-to-cup coffee machines, including fully automatic and assisted models, to find the best for home baristas. The machines were assessed on ease of use, coffee quality, design, temperature, noise, and speed.
Top picks include the De'Longhi Magnifica Start as best overall and budget option, the De'Longhi Rivelia under £1,000, and the Sage Oracle Jet for connoisseurs. Each model grinds beans fresh and brews espresso, with varying levels of automation for milk-based drinks.
Manufacturers define 'bean-to-cup' broadly. Superautomatic machines have a milk carafe and produce milk-based drinks with one button. Semi-automatic models require manual milk steaming via a wand. Assisted machines offer a middle ground with some automation but more user control.
Testing involved side-by-side taste tests for espresso, black coffee, and milk drinks. Noise levels were measured with the Decibel X app, and coffee temperature with a Thermapen. The expert has reviewed coffee machines for eight years, testing hundreds of kilograms of coffee.
