Home LivingAppliancesKitchenCoffee Machines5 things I wish I’d known before buying a bean-to-cup coffee machineThinking of investing in a bean-to-cup coffee machine? There are a few things I think you’ll want to know aboutWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingAppliancesKitchenCoffee Machines5 things I wish I’d known before buying a bean-to-cup coffee machineThinking of investing in a bean-to-cup coffee machine? There are a few things I think you’ll want to know aboutWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Thinking of investing in a bean-to-cup coffee machine? There are a few things I think you’ll want to know about
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sage)
(Image credit: Sage)
If you’re currently thinking, “should I buy a bean-to-cup coffee machine?”, and have been perusing T3’sbest bean-to-cup coffee machinesbuying guide, then I think I can help you make up your mind if one is right for you.
This is because I’ve been using a bean-to-cup coffee machine for a few years now and, during that time, I’ve learned a few things, both good and bad, about these all-in-one coffee-making servants.
As such, here are the 5 key things I wish I’d been told before I bought a bean-to-cup coffee machine.
1. You get maximum coffee making freedom
Ok, the good news with bean-to-cup coffee machines is that they grant more freedom in how you make your coffee, what beans or grounds you use, and what drinks you can make when compared to, say, one of thebest espresso machines.
Not only do bean-to-cup coffee machines allow you to choose your own beans or grounds, rather than being stuck with what is offered in pods, but as these systems also come with grinders, tampers and milk steaming wands, you can have greater control in just how your beverage of choice is made.
I have loved being able to, say, go away on a mini-break to somewhere new, spot a place that sells unique coffee beans, and then be able to buy them safe in the knowledge that I’ve got a machine that can process them for me and make me avarietyof coffees from them.
2. But get ready to do a lot of cleaning
However, with that greater flexibility and machine complexity comesa lotmore mess. Bean-to-cup coffee machines need regular (like every week) cleaning, with their drip tray emptying multiple times, spent grounds container emptied and cleaned, and milk container and wand washed after every use.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Fail to do any of this and, within weeks, you’ll be faced with a filthy machine that is overflowing dirty coffee-stained water onto your kitchen top, infesting your machine’s internals with mold-covered coffee grounds, and caking your milk dispenser with smelly, gone off milk residue.
And that’s sayingnothingabout the descaling that needs to place 2 or 3 times a year either. Basically, prepare to get cleaning if you buy a bean-to-cup coffee machine.
3. Connected bean-to-cup coffee machine apps are silly
A lot of the most modern bean-to-cup coffee machines on the market today take pride in advertising how they have a connected app which, so the marketing goes, will let you remotely command your coffee bot to make your favorite beverage while you are remote, pictured often with your feet up.
But the reality is that you’ll hook your app up to the machine, use it once to see it work, and then you’llnever use it again. Why? Because, one, the vast majority of the time you’ll need to physically go to the machine to fill it with water and milk and, two, you’ll remember that the bean-to-cup machine can’t bring you the drink.
4. They pay for themselves… eventually
We don’t recommend anyone really buy a bean-to-cup coffee machine that rings in at under $500/£500 as that way poor quality grinders, tampers and coffee lie. So to really get started with bean-to-cup you need to drop around half a grand, and that’s a pretty big investment.
However, I would argue that after a few years at most, if you drink a decent amount of coffee each week, bean-to-cup coffee machines pay for themselves. For example, if we say an average coffee is $3/£3 to buy at a coffee house, then you’d have to buy 166 coffees to hit our suggested $500/£500 spend on a machine.
So, if you theoretically buy a coffee a day from a coffee shop during a working week, then you’re spending £15 a week on coffee. Do that for 33 weeks and you’ve spent your bean-to-cup coffee machine money. For the record, there are 52 weeks in a year, so this means you’d pay off your investment in just over half a year. Drink less coffee each week, maybe with just 2 or 3 bought? Then you’re still likely to have paid off the cost in under two years.
5. You absolutely should tinker with settings
Finally, while these all-in-one machinesdodo everything for you, from grinding the beans, to tamping the grounds, to heating and pressuring the water, and onto steaming and frothing any add-in milk, youwillneed to play with the machine’s settings to get the best coffee.
So, yes, don’t think that the machine comes out of its box with optimal settings, and don’t be afraid to experiment with its options menu.
Today’s best DeLonghi La Specialista Arte dealsNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DeLonghi La Specialista Arte dealsNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DeLonghi La Specialista Arte deals
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price information
No price information
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Never run out of coffee again with Nespresso’s convenient subscriptionWith multiple benefits and zero hidden catches, it’s an easy choice
With multiple benefits and zero hidden catches, it’s an easy choice
Unbeatable Christmas coffee gifts that’ll make any barista jealousMarvellous machines to help with caffeine
Marvellous machines to help with caffeine
YETI Rambler 34 oz French Press review: attractive design with incredible insulationIs YETI’s French Press more style over substance?
Is YETI’s French Press more style over substance?
De’Longhi Eletta Explore review: a bean to cup coffee machine I can no longer live withoutThe De’Longhi Eletta Explore has been a staple in my kitchen since it arrived…and I think it’s here to stay
The De’Longhi Eletta Explore has been a staple in my kitchen since it arrived…and I think it’s here to stay
The YETI French Press is exactly what I needed on my last camping tripYETI’s new French Press is the perfect companion for camping and hiking trips
YETI’s new French Press is the perfect companion for camping and hiking trips
Dreo unveils world’s smartest milk frother, and it can make latte art with any type of milkThe BaristaMaker is set to revolutionise home coffee preparation
The BaristaMaker is set to revolutionise home coffee preparation
Coffee expert reveals how to make latte art at home with 3 simple designsMake a barista-quality brew with these 3 latte art designs
Make a barista-quality brew with these 3 latte art designs
Philips' new bean to cup coffee machine makes the ‘perfect brew' – I can’t wait to try itThe 5500 Series Latte Go can make a range of 20 different hot and iced coffees
The 5500 Series Latte Go can make a range of 20 different hot and iced coffees
