Best bean to cup coffee machines: Philips, De'Longhi, Sage and Melitta compared
A bean to cup machine grinds fresh beans and brews at the touch of a button, and the better ones froth the milk for you too. Here are seven popular models on Amazon.co.uk, from a simple machine with a steam wand to a two-hopper machine for households that can't agree on beans.
Quick picks
- Best overallPhilips 3300 Series bean to cup coffee machine with LatteGo (EP3347/90)Check price
- Best budgetPhilips 2200 Series bean to cup coffee machine with classic milk frother (EP2220/10)Check price
- Best classicDe'Longhi Magnifica S automatic bean to cup coffee machine (ECAM22.110.B)Check price
- Best for varietyPhilips 5400 Series bean to cup coffee machine with LatteGo (EP5446/70)Check price
- Best for two kinds of beansDe'Longhi Rivelia automatic bean to cup coffee machine (EXAM440.55.B)Check price
- Best for coffee enthusiastsSage Barista Express Impress espresso machine with grinder (SES876)Check price
- Best slim machineMelitta Purista F230-101 slim bean to cup coffee machine, silverCheck price
How we chose: We compared popular bean to cup coffee machines on Amazon.co.uk, checking the milk system, number of one-touch drinks, grinder settings, power and dimensions from listings and manufacturers. We looked for recurring themes in Amazon.co.uk owner feedback, especially reliability and how easy the milk system is to clean, and drew on expert buying advice from Which?, BBC Good Food and the Guardian's Filter. We have not personally tested these products; this is a research-based roundup. Our research process.
Bean to cup machines are the most expensive type of home coffee machine, Which? says, but you're paying for convenience: they grind whole beans, tamp and brew automatically, so a fresh espresso or americano takes one press of a button. The big difference between models is milk. Cheaper machines have a steam wand (often called a frother or Panarello) that you hold a jug under, while pricier ones froth milk automatically and pour a cappuccino or latte straight into the cup.
Our picks range from a simple machine with a classic frother to automatic LatteGo and LatteCrema models, plus the Sage Barista Express Impress for people who want to learn proper espresso technique. All take whole beans and are sold on Amazon.co.uk. If you mainly drink black coffee, the cheaper models are all you need. If it's for a present, a smaller coffee gift like the AeroPress in our gifts for him guide is a lot less of a commitment.
Who this guide is for: Coffee drinkers who make two or more cups a day and want fresher coffee than pods or instant, without learning barista skills. Households that drink lots of lattes and cappuccinos should look at the automatic milk models. If you love the ritual of making espresso, the Sage is the hands-on option. For other kitchen upgrades, see our air fryers and gifts for cooks guides.
Black Friday tip: Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026, and Amazon UK has opened its Black Friday Week sale about a week earlier in recent years. Before you buy, check the product’s price history: our Black Friday home buying guide explains how to spot a genuine deal and which picks to watch.
Comparison table
| Pick | Milk system | Drinks | Best for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 3300 LatteGoBest overall | LatteGo automatic (2 parts, no tubes) | 6 hot and iced drinks | Easy automatic milk drinks | Check price |
| Philips 2200Best budget | Classic frother (steam wand) | 2 one-touch drinks | Simple, affordable bean to cup | Check price |
| De'Longhi Magnifica SBest classic | Manual milk frother (steam wand) | Espresso, coffee, two cups at once | Long-running, proven design | Check price |
| Philips 5400 LatteGoBest for variety | LatteGo automatic | 12 one-touch drinks | Variety and user profiles | Check price |
| De'Longhi RiveliaBest for two kinds of beans | LatteCrema Hot automatic carafe | 16 one-touch drinks | Bean switching and personalisation | Check price |
| Sage Barista Express ImpressBest for coffee enthusiasts | Manual steam wand with temperature-control jug | Espresso-based, made by hand | Hands-on espresso | Check price |
| Melitta PuristaBest slim machine | None | Espresso and café crème, adjustable 25–220ml | Narrow spaces, black coffee | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 20 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
Philips 3300 Series bean to cup coffee machine with LatteGo (EP3347/90)
Best for: Latte and cappuccino drinkers who hate cleaning milk tubes
- Milk system
- LatteGo automatic (2 parts, no tubes)
- Drinks
- 6 hot and iced drinks
- Best for
- Easy automatic milk drinks
Philips's LatteGo milk system is the main reason to buy this machine. It's a two-part jug with no tubes that froths milk automatically and pours it straight into the cup, and Philips says it's the fastest milk system it makes to clean. You get six hot and iced one-touch drinks on a touchscreen, a 12-step ceramic grinder, adjustable strength, length and milk froth level, and Philips's SilentBrew technology for quieter brewing. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners say it's easy to set up and use and makes great-tasting coffee at a good temperature, though some are disappointed with coffee quality and value. Like all Philips bean to cup machines, the brew group lifts out for rinsing under the tap.
What owners and reviewers like
- Easiest automatic milk system to clean
- Iced drinks
- Quiet SilentBrew
Watch-outs
- Fewer drinks than pricier models
- Mixed reliability reports
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Philips 2200 Series bean to cup coffee machine with classic milk frother (EP2220/10)
Best for: Black coffee drinkers and an occasional cappuccino
- Milk system
- Classic frother (steam wand)
- Drinks
- 2 one-touch drinks
- Best for
- Simple, affordable bean to cup
A straightforward bean to cup machine with two one-touch coffees (espresso and coffee), adjustable grind, strength, quantity and temperature, and a classic milk frother that you hold a jug of milk under. The frother has two dishwasher-safe parts. Philips's AquaClean water filter, which cuts limescale and descaling, works with this machine but isn't included. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners say it makes good coffee without fuss and the frother works well, and many consider it good value, though some say it isn't worth the money. Reliability gets mixed comments, with a few reporting early breakdowns. It's a sensible first bean to cup machine if you mostly drink espresso or americano.
What owners and reviewers like
- Simple to use
- Easy-clean frother
- Good value
Watch-outs
- Only two one-touch drinks
- AquaClean filter not included
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
De'Longhi Magnifica S automatic bean to cup coffee machine (ECAM22.110.B)
Best for: People who want beans and ground coffee in one machine
- Milk system
- Manual milk frother (steam wand)
- Drinks
- Espresso, coffee, two cups at once
- Best for
- Long-running, proven design
One of the longest-running bean to cup machines on sale. It has a quiet integrated grinder with 13 settings, can brew two cups at once and, unusually, also takes pre-ground coffee, which is handy for decaf. The manual milk frother combines steam, air and milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It's 1250W and is sold by a third-party seller.
Owners say it makes great coffee quickly, is easy to use and clean, and the frother is easy to master. Reliability is mixed: some machines last for years, while others break down within months. Amazon pools reviews across Magnifica versions, so take owner comments as a guide to the range rather than this exact model.
What owners and reviewers like
- Takes beans or ground coffee
- Proven design
- Two cups at once
Watch-outs
- Basic controls
- Third-party seller
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Philips 5400 Series bean to cup coffee machine with LatteGo (EP5446/70)
Best for: Busy households with different favourite drinks
- Milk system
- LatteGo automatic
- Drinks
- 12 one-touch drinks
- Best for
- Variety and user profiles
A step up from the 3300 with 12 drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, americano, ristretto, café au lait and iced americano, a larger touch display and user profiles so everyone can save their own settings. It has the same easy-clean, two-part LatteGo milk system and a 12-step ceramic grinder. It's 1500W and sold by Amazon.
Owners say it makes coffee-shop-style drinks with frothy milk, sets up easily and rinses itself after use, and they like the range of drinks and the profiles. Reliability gets mixed comments, and some feel it's overpriced.
What owners and reviewers like
- 12 drinks
- User profiles
- Easy-clean LatteGo
Watch-outs
- Pricier
- Some faulty-unit reports
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
De'Longhi Rivelia automatic bean to cup coffee machine (EXAM440.55.B)
Best for: Households that switch between regular and decaf
- Milk system
- LatteCrema Hot automatic carafe
- Drinks
- 16 one-touch drinks
- Best for
- Bean switching and personalisation
De'Longhi's Rivelia has interchangeable bean hoppers (the Bean Switch System), so you can swap from regular to decaf or between two different beans without emptying the machine. Bean Adapt technology adjusts settings to suit each bean. There are 16 one-touch drinks on a 3.5" colour touchscreen, user profiles and an automatic LatteCrema Hot milk carafe that cleans with one touch. An optional LatteCrema Cool set (sold separately) adds cold-foam drinks. It's 1450W and sold by a third-party seller.
Owners praise the espresso, the intuitive screen and the profiles. Some find it expensive, and reliability and maintenance get mixed comments, with owners noting it needs frequent cleaning. Buy from a seller with a clear returns policy.
What owners and reviewers like
- Switch beans easily
- 16 drinks
- Excellent espresso, say owners
Watch-outs
- Expensive
- Third-party seller
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Sage Barista Express Impress espresso machine with grinder (SES876)
Best for: People who want to learn barista skills and flat-white microfoam
- Milk system
- Manual steam wand with temperature-control jug
- Drinks
- Espresso-based, made by hand
- Best for
- Hands-on espresso
Not a push-button machine: this is a traditional espresso machine with a built-in conical burr grinder (25 settings) that grinds straight into the portafilter. Sage's Impress system doses and assists tamping, so it's more forgiving than a classic setup. PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion help consistency, and the manual steam wand makes proper microfoam for flat whites. A Temp Control milk jug is included. It's 1850W and sold by a third-party seller.
Owners say it makes coffee-shop-quality espresso, looks great in brushed stainless steel and is less fussy than machines with digital screens. Most find it reliable, though some report problems. It takes practice, so it's best for someone who enjoys the process.
What owners and reviewers like
- Best espresso potential here
- Assisted tamping
- Great microfoam
Watch-outs
- Manual: takes practice
- Third-party seller
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Melitta Purista F230-101 slim bean to cup coffee machine, silver
Best for: Small kitchens and black coffee drinkers
- Milk system
- None
- Drinks
- Espresso and café crème, adjustable 25–220ml
- Best for
- Narrow spaces, black coffee
Just 20cm wide, this is one of the slimmest bean to cup machines you can buy, so it fits in narrow gaps between appliances. It has three strength settings, a rotary dial to set the volume from 25ml to 220ml, a favourite coffee button and a double-cup mode. There's no milk system, so it's for black coffee drinkers or people happy to use a separate frother. The water tank is 1.2 litres and the bean hopper holds 125g. It's 1400W and sold by Amazon.
Owners say it makes great coffee, from strong espresso to longer cups, is simple to set up and quiet, and is excellent value. The main concerns are reliability, with several reports of breakdowns after about nine months, and the small water tank, which needs frequent refilling.
What owners and reviewers like
- Very slim
- Quiet
- Simple controls
Watch-outs
- No milk frother
- Small water tank; reliability concerns
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Steam wand or automatic milk?
| Milk system | How it works | Good for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | Black coffee only | Espresso and americano drinkers | No lattes without a separate frother |
| Classic frother / steam wand | You hold a jug under a steam nozzle | Occasional milky drinks, cheaper machines | Takes a bit of practice; you wipe the wand |
| Automatic (LatteGo, LatteCrema) | Milk is drawn from a jug or carafe and frothed into the cup | Daily lattes and cappuccinos | More parts to clean; pricier |
| Manual espresso (Sage) | You grind, tamp and steam yourself | Coffee hobbyists | Slowest; learning curve |
Which? notes that cheaper bean to cup machines usually come with a steam wand, while more expensive ones automate milk. If you drink one cappuccino a week, a wand is fine. If everyone in the house has a latte every morning, automatic milk is worth paying for.
What to look for
- Grinder: ceramic and steel burr grinders both work well. More settings let you fine-tune for different beans.
- Removable brew unit: Philips and De'Longhi machines let you take the brew unit out to rinse it, which helps keep coffee tasting fresh.
- Water filter: in hard-water areas, a filter (like Philips AquaClean) means less descaling. Check whether it's included.
- Size: measure under your wall cupboards. Bean to cup machines are deep, and you need room above to fill the bean hopper.
- Second bean hopper: useful if someone drinks decaf. Which? notes some machines have two hoppers; the Rivelia uses interchangeable ones.
Cleaning and running costs
Bean to cup machines need regular care to keep working: empty the drip tray and grounds container, rinse the milk system after every use, clean the brew unit weekly and descale when the machine asks. Use the manufacturer's descaler and filters to protect your warranty. Mixed reliability comments appear on almost every machine's reviews, and limescale and old milk are common culprits.
Fresh beans usually work out cheaper per cup than pods. Avoid very oily, dark-roast beans in automatic machines, as they can clog the grinder over time. Check the manual for what your model recommends.
Is now a good time to buy?
Coffee machines are a regular Black Friday category, and we're tracking the strongest picks in our Black Friday home buying guide. Check the price history before you buy, and remember that "was" prices aren't always what the machine usually sells for.
FAQs
What is the best bean to cup coffee machine?
For most people, the Philips 3300 LatteGo is a good balance of automatic milk drinks, easy cleaning and simplicity. If you mostly drink black coffee, the cheaper Philips 2200 or De'Longhi Magnifica S is plenty, and coffee enthusiasts may prefer the Sage Barista Express Impress.
Are bean to cup machines worth it?
If you drink several coffees a day, yes: fresh beans taste better than instant and are usually cheaper per cup than pods. They cost more upfront than other types, Which? notes, and need regular cleaning and descaling.
What's the difference between a bean to cup and an espresso machine?
A bean to cup machine grinds, doses, tamps and brews automatically at the touch of a button. A manual espresso machine, like the Sage, needs you to grind, tamp and steam the milk yourself, which takes practice but gives more control.
Can you use ground coffee in a bean to cup machine?
Some models have a bypass chute for pre-ground coffee, such as the De'Longhi Magnifica S. Many others only take whole beans, so check the listing.
How often should I descale a bean to cup machine?
Follow the machine's prompts, which depend on your water hardness and whether you use a water filter. Rinse the milk system after each use and clean the brew unit weekly.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through our links, Amazon may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which products we include. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Sources we consulted
- Which?: best bean-to-cup coffee machines
- Which?: coffee machine reviews
- BBC Good Food: best bean to cup coffee machines
- The Guardian, The Filter: best bean-to-cup coffee machines
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, tell us.
