Decent bean to cup machine...?

[NorfolkSunset]

Which doesn't cost the earth? Are any of the less expensive ones any good? I have around £200 in John Lewis gift vouchers and could stretch to £300 as a total budget but I don't know if I'm wasting my time and should just stick to my Nespresso machine on that budget. A lot if the recommended ones on Which etc seem to be around the £700 mark.

It's a big investment which I'll be using daily so want to make the right decision!

We have a Mellita Caffeo Solo which cost about £200. It is a slightly older model and doesn't come with a milk frother but makes decent coffee and is easy to use and keep clean. Before that we had a 'pod' type machine but I prefer this. The biggest disadvantage is that once the thingy you put the beans in is filled up, you can't easily change the beans for a different type/strength/decaffeinated etc.

Had one of these for 6 years ...

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/delonghi-autentica-etam-29.510.sb-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine-silver-and-black-10209861.html

I had a Jura which ex husband took with him when he left. I’ve tried a few cheap ones and they’ve been pants in comparison so I’ve just got a filter coffee machine now and may indulge in another Jura when I can feel I can justify it.

We love our Cuisinart Grind and Brew which we use daily and which makes excellent filter coffee but it won’t be suitable if you specifically want espresso-based coffee.

I have the same machine as Serendipity. Love it

We have this one and I love it! It seems to be on offer quite a bit so you might find a cheaper version elsewhere.

https://www.johnlewis.com/delonghi-magnifica-ecam290-22-b-evo-fully-automatic-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine-black/p5795985

We liked our Delonghi.

Is the £700 machine a Sage? I confess I'd consider trading in my first born to keep my Sage machine 😅

I have the predecessor to the Sage Barista pro and its still producing ace coffee ten years later. Its worth looking to see what Sage have at the entry level of the range, especially if you drink your coffee black as you might not need features such as milk steamers.

Bean to cup machines make much better coffee than pod machines - my old pod machine has been gathering dust in the garage since the Sage arrived.

I’d second the melitta recommend if you’re not bothered about milk based drinks, it makes excellent coffee.

Sage bambino plus has an automatic milk frother and you can adjust the froth and temp - it makes lovely coffee. You would need to purchase a separate grinder if you wish to grind your own beans. The brand new sage Barista Touch Impress looks amazing though.

I have this one but I'm sure only cost £250 a couple of years ago
It's very similar to the smeg one I've seen in real life Ie exact same functions and casings just different brand and smeg one bit fancier

I wouldn't say it's amazing but i bought it for the size also and is a good compromise

https://shop.beko.co.uk/PagesPublic/ProductBrowse/product.aspx?group1=133-Coffee%20machines&group2=&group3=&group4=&product=8814253200&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8pP318LQgAMVyNtCh2LPw4AEAQYAyABEgKiAPDD_BwE

And sorry not very helpful as it doesn't look like JL have it

@C8H10N4O2 yes I think the Sage ones always come out on top in newspaper comparison articles. That's what I'm ideally after. I drink espresso / macchiato and lungo with milk so would like all those options.

@CuthbertDibbleandGrub

are you sure your 'hopper' (bit where the beans go) doesn't lift out? (You usually have to 'lock them closed first) it's better to only put the beans in you need anyway, especially if it's a clear plastic. I wouldn't risk it with anyone who can't have caffeine, but if it's just an evening preference then I'd just manually remove the few beans left & put in a spoonful of the decaf.

@NorfolkSunset

how 'manual' or 'automated' do you want it to be? I wanted an inexpensive one, then I had the use of a delonghi specialistsa for a fortnight and enjoyed grinding the beans, tamping etc & the more I've researched & thought about it, Ive decided I like the whole barista process! & watched a lot of YouTube delonghi/sage machine comparisons and have decided to go with Sage. ( but still prefer the look of delonghi & other more retro looking machines).

i prefer the amount of space the sage bambino takes up, but I want to be able to grind the beans myself and good grinders aren't cheap & are another machine on the work top (so probably a good machine (does have a milk steamer) if you don't mind not grinding you own beans & want to keep the cost down)

the ones that have more 'dial up' options & automatic milk frothers seem pretty good, but not one interactive experience im after!

remind me of that when I'm cursing the grinds everywhere!!!

it depends if you want to 'make' the coffee or press a button & have it made for you?!?!

@VinEtFromage thank you for the suggestion, I will have a look at the weekend when I have time to fiddle with it. It does quite possibly come out, I can't say I have ever checked and just assumed it was fixed! From my point of view nothing stops me sleeping so it makes no difference if the coffee is caffeinated or not but my husband is a bit more of a delicate flower and would be up all night!

If you want to make a simple pot of coffee in the morning then this is a good one. Won’t make barista style coffees but is great for wfh as you can leave it on a timer to keep it warm.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Russell-Hobbs-Chester-Machine-22000/dp/B00OZM77VY/ref=asc_df_B00OZM77VY/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=256191362105&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10948223869751283818&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046023&hvtargid=pla-421747022123&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

@VinEtFromage I want to be able to push a button! I have young DC so no time in the morning for tamping and grinding beans! I'm just a bit fed up with Nespresso pods after 15 years of my old machine and wondering if I can achieve fresher better coffee with less waste.

@NorfolkSunset

yep, there are plenty of those! It would make life easier & less messy. I just want to faff as I enjoy it 🤪

when I had 'smalls' we had a plumbed in
coffee machine. Whole large bag of beans, giant milk holder, mains water. It made lovely coffee too.

life changed.

I'll see what I can find that looks decent for the money.

https://www.delonghi.com/en-gb/ecam290-61-sb-ex-2-magnifica-evo-automatic-coffee-maker/p/ECAM290.61.SB%20EX%3A2?gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm7CPo8PUgAMV7pCDBx0vygDWEAQYIyABEgLvi_D_BwE

on special. You can use beans or grinds

I got a Sage Impress Express from an eBay store selling reconditioned/refurbished machines; it was about £150 off the normal price, plus eBay were doing an extra £60, so it was about eek £500. It does, though, make the most amazing coffee - I've stopped buying random lattes while out and about, as they're never as good as the ones I can make at home. So I'm kidding myself that that's another saving...

I've got one of these https://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/la-pavoni-europiccola-el-lplelq01eu/ while ds was still at pre-school and he's 26 now. Mind you, fabulous as the coffee is, it's a right faff particularly if you drink black coffee as I do and the Nespresso machine sitting next to it on the worktop gets far more use these days!

Another vote for Sage, mine has been excellent.

Might be worth looking at a refurbished one?

www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/l/sage-coffee-machines/777ace76-e66b-46a7-a1e7-c0ef84e49edf

Team DeLonghi here. Had one for two years now and works v well. Only problem is that the de-scaling alert went on after a couple of weeks and has never gone off...we have a water softener fitted so there is no scale!

Our Delonghi Magnifica has been going 15 years, with one period of being fixed back at the factory, and is a ‘one button’ process unless you want to froth milk. I’d recommend it, in terms of cost per cup and longevity, as well as the quality of the coffee. You can put in caffeinated beans and ground decaf (or vice versa) so that gives you two options.

I also have a delonghi, its over 10 years old now and still works perfectly. It has a milk steamer so a tad more effort than one button - but i tend to make iced coffee anyway these days.