Since the very start, the key task of humanity was to speed up the processes that surround it. The first of these processes were very specific: how to light a fire so that people don’t freeze to death, how to hunt a wild animal so that they don’t die of starvation. Nowadays, the main goals include travelling from point A to point B as fast as possible and forwarding information at the maximum speed.
The objective of making the surrounding processes quicker is related to, first and foremost, the continuous drive of humanity towards a more comfortable life. Having understood this, the manufacturers of bean-to-cup coffee machines have been continuously perfecting their appliances, so that they’re even more convenient and able to prepare coffee that is even more delicious. Because convenience is very subjective, the variety and abundance of bean-to-cup coffee machines should come as no surprise. We often say that there’s no coffee machine that could be called the best, but if we’re familiar with your needs and wants, we can help you choose the appliance that is best for you.
In this article, we’ll discuss bean-to-cup coffee machines in meticulous detail: that is, we’ll present their components, key functions and advantages. We’ll provide you with valuable advice as to what features deserve your attention when choosing a coffee machine. In the second part of the article, we’ll compare various coffee machines and prove that every appliance can find the right buyer.
Main components and key functions of bean-to-cup coffee machines
Steel or ceramic grinder
The manufacturers of steel grinders claim that these tools are very precise (which means that their grinding quality is higher). Not only that, but steel grinders can also be sharpened, so they’re extremely durable. According to the manufacturers of ceramic grinders, they don’t make much noise, don’t heat up during grinding (hence helping you to avoid “burnt coffee”) and aren’t as sensitive to low-quality beans (i.e. the stones found in them), so they can be used for a longer period of time. As true coffee machine experts, we can state with confidence that both of them are equally good at grinding beans.
As far as noise is concerned, modern steel grinders are isolated exceptionally well, so they can be even quieter than ceramic grinders. When talking about overheated grinders, it’s important to understand that coffee machines meant for home use won’t be grinding beans continuously, so they simply can’t heat up that much. Because grinder type doesn’t impact the flavour of coffee, nor does it have an effect on ease of use or durability of your coffee machine, we believe that it shouldn’t be an important criterion when choosing a coffee machine.
What should enter into the equation though is grind adjustment. Different coffee machines will provide you with wider or narrower possibilities of adjusting the grind of your beans (more or fewer levels). The wider the choice of available grind levels, the more you can experiment with various coffee flavours.
Heating element
The purpose of this component is to heat water. Coffee machines allow you to adjust water temperature. The lower the water temperature is, the fruitier the coffee becomes, but the higher the temperature gets, the more bitterness the drink has.
Even though the maximum and minimum available temperature is pretty much the same in all coffee machines, different machines offer more or fewer temperature levels. This can be important to those who like experimenting with coffee taste and are sensitive to subtle flavours.
Pump
It regulates the pressure involved in the supply of water. In bean-to-cup coffee machines, this pressure normally fluctuates between 9 and 15 bar. During extraction, pressure of around 9 bar is used, while during the so-called “peak period”, it reaches 15 bar. Some machines are even capable of increasing pressure up to 19 bar during the “peak period”. As coffee experts, we can assure you that this doesn’t affect the flavour of coffee. As a result, you shouldn’t choose a coffee machine based on its pump.
Water tank and water filter
When choosing a coffee machine, it’s important to consider the size of its water tank, as well as its exact location in the coffee machine. If you only drink a few cups a day, it would be a good idea to go for a smaller water tank, as water used for the preparation of coffee should be as fresh as possible. If you drink large amounts of coffee daily or tend to choose milk-based drinks, then go for a larger tank. Don’t forget that coffee machines are automatically rinsed every time they’re switched on or off, as well as after each preparation of a milk-based drink.
It’s also crucial to take the exact location of the water tank into account — will you be able to take it out easily once the machine is in its designated place? Some water tanks are located on the side, others can be found in the front of the machine, while others can only be removed from above. Most water tanks have a special space for the insertion of a water filter. If you use water filters, you won’t have to descale your machine so often. Also, coffee will be prepared using softer water, and this will positively affect the flavour of coffee.
Drip tray
Drip trays are usually equipped with sensors that send a signal to the coffee machine once the tray is full — a phrase or an icon appears on the screen of a coffee machine, hence notifying you about this. We recommend emptying the tray every evening, even if your coffee machine doesn’t ask you to do this (simply for the sake of proper hygiene). In addition, if you’ve emptied the drip tray, throw out the grounds as well — otherwise, the coffee machine will think that you’ve done that and will start counting the portions of prepared coffee from zero all over again.
Coffee spout
Coffee spout with a possibility of adjusting its height. Consider the maximum height of a coffee spout and compare it to the height of your favourite cups or glasses.
Milk system
Depending on the model, a coffee machine might have an integrated steam wand, which is used for the manual frothing of milk, or an automatic milk frothing system. There are two types of automatic milk systems: one of them is equipped with a milk tube, while the other has an integrated milk container. Which of these is better? Both of them are good. However, you should pay close attention to the features of the milk system integrated in a particular model (regardless of whether it has a milk container or a tube), as they can affect the quality of frothed milk and the ease with which the system can be cleaned.
Screen
Screen, which allows you to change settings with more ease and to follow the coffee preparation process. Settings can also be changed in coffee machines with no screen, but it’s more difficult to do so (you’ll need the user manual and some patience).
Automatic rinsing
This function can be found in almost all coffee machines. When the machine is switched on or off, it’s automatically rinsed — this ensures perfect cleanliness and fresh taste of your coffee.
User profiles and possibility of creating recipes
Some coffee machines allow you to create separate profiles. This means that each family member can create their own profile, adjust the recipes of all drinks included in the machine to their liking, as well as save them. Other coffee machines have an integrated My Coffee function, which lets users create and save new recipes.
Available coffee recipes
When choosing a coffee machine, decide whether you need a variety of different recipes, or whether you enjoy beverages of one type only — this is particularly important when choosing between several coffee machine models.
Convenient operation
It was probably the abundance of buttons on the first bean-to-cup coffee machines, which could easily rival the number of buttons found in the first rockets, that gave rise to the stereotype claiming that coffee machines are extremely difficult to operate. Modern coffee machines are characterised by simple operation — the manufacturers of these appliances focus not only on various coffee preparation technologies, but also on ease of use. There’s serious competition going on as to which manufacturer will create an even bigger, smarter and more convenient screen, and which of them will produce the most advanced smart app.
When choosing a coffee machine, consider the way in which its buttons are arranged, the clarity of its icons, the convenience of its screen, the arrangement of the menu, available menu languages (is your native tongue there?) and the possibility of controlling the machine via a smart app. The latter can be used not only to prepare drinks straight from your smart device, but also to change settings, run maintenance programs and receive valuable advice.
Design and finishes
The outside of a coffee machine must be both convenient to use and pleasant to look at. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so manufacturers try to please lovers of various styles. Keep in mind that the same model often comes in a variety of colours, so if the colour of a particular model doesn’t suit you, ask if other colours are available.
As far as the finish is concerned, consider whether the surface of a coffee machine isn’t too demanding, i.e. if it doesn’t stain or scratch too easily. A more demanding surface will require more thorough cleaning and maintenance. In such a case, all you have to do is purchase a special microfiber cloth.
The invisible side of a coffee machine
Convenience is important not only when controlling the appliance’s functions — it also plays an important role in the invisible, dark side of a machine. Bean-to-cup coffee machines have three key components that have to be taken out quite frequently, and one (often forgotten) that doesn’t need to be removed as much. The first three are a water tank, drip tray and used grounds container, while the last one is the so-called coffee brewing unit.
Let’s start with the water tank. As we’ve mentioned earlier, it’s important to consider its size when choosing a coffee machine. Based on the number of cups you drink daily, pick a smaller or a larger tank, while keeping in mind that it would be a good idea to change water every day (fresh water means delicious coffee). If you enjoy milk-based drinks, go for a larger tank, as lots of water will be used for rinsing the machine after each prepared portion.
It’s also important to take the location of the water tank into account — your choice depends on where your coffee machine will be placed. Different water tanks are removed from different sides: left, right, front or from above. You’ll be taking out your water tank quite frequently, so doing this should be convenient.
When it comes to the drip tray, it’s always preferable to have a tray that doesn’t allow the liquid to spill all over your legs once you remove it from the machine. The deeper the tray, the better.
Convenience of the coffee grounds container may not be the most important thing, but you should still take its size into account. If you drink a large amount of coffee daily, it would be a good idea to go for a coffee machine with a larger container, so that you don’t have to empty it so often. However, if you only drink a few cups each day, we recommend choosing a smaller container, as it’s advisable to empty it out daily (for the sake of hygiene).
The last component is the coffee brewing unit. This unit is a press-type mechanism residing at the very heart of the machine. Its importance in the coffee preparation process cannot be overestimated. Coffee is ground into it and then pressed by the unit, hence forming a coffee tablet. Once the capsule fills up with water, this water is pushed through the pressed coffee tablet. With the help of high pressure, the water flows straight into your cup. Although this is a closed system, coffee grounds often cover the mechanism, ground coffee spills onto its sides and water drops can be found around it. As a result, it’s necessary to remove the press once a week and clean it thoroughly under a tap.
For this reason, it’s good to have a press that can be removed with ease. There are some coffee machines that make the removal of this unit seem like an unsolvable puzzle. However, the majority of modern machines allow you to do that extremely easily. In some top-class models, the coffee machine shows the entire sequence of actions involved in the brewing unit maintenance on the screen.
Maintenance of a coffee machine
Ultimately, convenience is paramount when talking about the cleaning functions of a coffee machine. Even though cleaning and descaling programs are quite similar in all coffee machines, what often differs is the sequence of actions involved in performing them. This is especially true of machines that aren’t equipped with an opening for ground coffee — this is where the cleaning tablet is normally inserted. In such appliances, the tablet is inserted straight into the coffee brewing unit, which has to be taken out first.
It’s also worth pointing out that in top-class models, maintenance programs are easier to perform, as the entire sequence of actions involved in the program is shown on a big colour screen. If your machine has no screen, you’ll simply have to pick up the user manual and perform the necessary steps one after the other.
The biggest differences are observed in the cleaning of the milk system, which depends on the machine’s manufacturer. What enters into the equation here is not only the system used in the appliance, the place from which the milk cleaning liquid is dispensed and the method of emptying the machine of used liquid, but also the construction of the milk frother itself. It must be easy to remove and just as easy to put back on — otherwise, once you start preparing a milk-based drink, more milk will be poured around the cup than into it.
It’s important to remember that if you’re a dedicated fan of black coffee drinks and the milk preparation function isn’t relevant to you, you can always purchase a coffee machine without it. Not only will this help you save money, but the maintenance of such an appliance will be a great deal simpler too.
Tanks and containers
It’s extremely important to pay special attention to the sizes of bean containers, water tanks and grounds containers. Pick them according to the number of cups you drink each day. If the number is large, choose a coffee machine with bigger containers, so that you don’t have to fill them up and then empty them out so frequently.
When trying to work out which container size is right for you, don’t forget that a coffee machine is rinsed after being switched on or off, as well as after each preparation of a milk-based drink. If you only drink a couple of cups a day, you’d be wrong in thinking, “The more, the better.” It’s recommended to change water used for coffee preparation daily so that it stays fresh, while storing your coffee beans in a container that is not completely airtight will make them lose their aroma and flavour faster.
Another aspect that should be kept in mind when choosing a water tank or a bean container is their location in the machine. In other words, you must ask yourself whether these containers won’t be obstructed by other objects in your kitchen, hence making it difficult to fill them up. If there’s nothing above your coffee machine, then the location of these containers is irrelevant to you, but if you’ve got a shelf there, it’s extremely important to consider this.
Drink recipes
Let’s move on to the functions of a machine and aspects of coffee preparation. The first thing to consider when thinking about the available recipes is whether the machine only prepares black coffee drinks or whether it makes milk-based beverages too. The first machines usually prepare espresso and black coffee only, while the second ones are capable of making cappuccino, latte and variations of the two.
Black coffee recipes
All bean-to-cup coffee machines prepare two main coffee recipes: espresso and black coffee. The main difference between these two drinks lies in their quantity. The quantity of espresso is 35–45 ml, while black coffee will provide you with 100–150 ml of dark, delicious liquid. When adjusting drink quantities, most machines pour coffee into the cup and allow you to stop them once the desired amount has been dispensed. The appliance remembers this time period and keeps on preparing the drink according to this setting.
If you enjoy large portions (bigger than 150 ml), instead of increasing the amount of water, we recommend pouring a double portion into the same cup or adding some hot water to the prepared drink (by using the hot water function). Why? Coffee is not a soluble drink, so its preparation stops not once it has dissolved, but once all features of the drink have been absorbed from the grounds. If you keep pushing pressurised water through the coffee grounds for a very long time, not only does the drink turn bitter, but water eventually becomes unable to seep through the wet grounds and starts dripping all over the place.
In addition to these two recipes, coffee machines of a higher class contain a variety of other black coffee drinks. These are, in fact, variations of the classic espresso, which differ from one another only in the quantity of the drink, the pouring of additional hot water and the sequence of adding coffee and water.
The most popular and most frequently encountered recipes include ristretto, double ristretto, double espresso, lungo and americano. There are less common recipes as well, such as black eye, read eye, dead eye and cold brew.
Milk-based drinks
Most bean-to-cup coffee machines with a milk system prepare two main milk-based beverages: latte and cappuccino. The key difference between these recipes is the frothing and quantity of milk. There’s more milk and less foam in a cup of latte, while a cup of cappuccino consists of one third of foam, one third of milk and one third of espresso. In some coffee machines, these recipes differ only in the quantity of milk, as not all coffee machines are able to adjust milk frothing (density). If you’re a lover of various milk-based coffee drinks, or if you enjoy simple non-frothed milk, make sure that this function — adjustable milk foam size — is available in your chosen coffee machine.
You’ll find numerous other milk-based recipes in coffee machines of a higher class. All of them differ from one another in the quantity of espresso and milk, coffee to milk ratio, as well as milk consistency (milk frothed more or less intensely, or non-frothed, simply heated milk). The most popular recipes include espresso macchiato, flat white, latte macchiato, latte macchiato doppio and cappuccino doppio.
A useful tip for those who dream about milk foam that is as beautiful as it is delicious: always keep your milk/milk container in the fridge and take it out right before making a milk-based drink. To ensure that your milk froths well, it’s recommended to use cold milk. By the way, if your milk is stored at room temperature for long enough, not only will it be harder to froth properly, but it may also go bad.
The technologies of milk systems differ in machines produced by different manufacturers, but coffee machines that are within the same price range tend to prepare drinks of similar quality. So, as we’ve mentioned earlier, the most important aspect to consider is the maintenance of the milk system, i.e. whether it can be disassembled with ease and whether the automatic rinsing of this system is convenient enough.
Fresh milk or milk powder
Clients often inquire about coffee machines that make milk-based drinks from milk powder, as they’ve heard that they’re easier to maintain. This might be disappointing, but bean-to-cup coffee machines meant for home use are unable to make drinks from powder (when powder is poured into the coffee machine). This function is only available in professional coffee machines that are, sadly, both too large and too inconvenient for home use. However, the good news is that professional baristas and coffee connoisseurs unanimously agree that natural, fresh milk is always better than milk powder.
Advantages of bean-to-cup coffee machines
- Speed and convenience. As we’ve mentioned earlier, bean-to-cup coffee machines were invented to help us prepare delicious coffee quickly and easily. Although some people associate coffee preparation with a long coffee-making ritual, many of them can turn the preparation of coffee with the help of a bean-to-cup machine into a ritual too. The key part of this ritual is the enjoyment of delicious coffee. Speed and convenience also come in handy when you’re entertaining guests at your house — in a matter of minutes, you can prepare completely different drinks according to everyone’s individual taste. Of course, this applies to large families too: each member can save their recipes in the memory of the machine and make their favourite drink at the touch of a button.
- High-quality coffee. Some people believe that good coffee can only be prepared by a professional barista using a professional coffee machine. There are also some who even decide to purchase a professional semi-automatic coffee machine without learning the art of coffee-making or taking a few important things into account, such as the time it takes for such a machine to heat up (from half an hour to an hour), as well as the time and skills needed to prepare coffee in this kind of appliance. Baristas often require a few months of intense training in order to be able to prepare high-quality coffee or froth milk properly. In our opinion, a bean-to-cup coffee machine is suited perfectly for those who want to enjoy delicious coffee quickly and easily. Due to the newest technologies installed in bean-to-cup coffee machines, the flavour of coffee prepared using these appliances matches the taste of drinks made by professional baristas.
- You can find all of the necessary components in a single place. In other words, a bean-to-cup coffee machine has everything that you could need to prepare delicious coffee — from the grinder to the milk system. Even though this is the very essence of a bean-to-cup machine, it’s also the main advantage of such an appliance over other coffee machines.
- Possibility to change settings. Let’s start with the fact that the flavour of your coffee is affected by each and every touch of the bean — starting from the side from which the sun fell on the growing coffee tree and ending with the weather outside your window during the moment of preparation (interestingly, the weather does impact the flavour of your coffee, as its moisture levels and interaction with water is affected by air pressure). Let’s go back, however, to the conditions that we can control. First of all, you should set the desired water temperature — depending on the coffee machine model, you’ll be able to choose from several levels. Water of different temperatures reveals different features of your coffee’s flavour. Experiment and discover the temperature that is perfect for you. You should also keep in mind that if you’ve purchased coffee that is slightly more acidic, you can make it a little bit more bitter and lower its acidity by increasing water temperature. If your coffee is too bitter, lowered water temperature should make this feature less intense. Another aspect that can be adjusted is the grind of your coffee. The finer it is, the stronger your coffee gets, while if the grind is coarser, the drink will be lighter and fruitier. By the way, manufacturers don’t recommend choosing the finest grind: not only does it keep water from seeping through the grounds properly and so damages the press slightly, but fine particles can also get into places that are difficult to clean. As a result, you should only choose extremely fine grind if you know what you’re doing and are able to maintain your machine well. The last aspect is the portion of your drink — just trust your individual taste and desires here. However, it’s important to remember that the manufacturers of coffee machines pick the ideal drink or recipe proportions, which result in a perfectly balanced flavour. This doesn’t mean that you can’t experiment and discover new delicious combinations though!
- Choosing the best design. You can choose between different manufacturers, but keep in mind that even the same model produced by the same manufacturer often comes in different colours or even various configurations.
Disadvantages of bean-to-cup coffee machines
- Price of a coffee machine. Since people often view the price of bean-to-cup coffee machines as a disadvantage, we included this point in our list. However, in the long run, this investment provides quick returns. It’s worth pointing that although other coffee makers, which prepare drinks using pre-ground coffee or coffee capsules, are indeed cheaper, both pre-ground coffee and coffee capsules are a lot more expensive than coffee beans. We must also remind you that coffee made from freshly ground coffee beans is always more aromatic and delicious.
- Maintenance products. Like any other more complex appliance, coffee machines require maintenance. Special maintenance products are needed for this purpose: cleaning tablets, grease for the coffee brewing mechanism, a descaling product and/or water filter, a product for cleaning the milk system. If you maintain your coffee machine properly, it will last for a long time and will always brighten your day with the help of delicious coffee.
- Time spent maintaining the machine. Even though modern coffee machines are equipped with automatic maintenance programs, performing them still requires some time. It’s important to mention that the maintenance of top-class coffee machines is becoming ever easier and simpler — it’s fully automatised, so this fact alone makes it worthwhile to consider purchasing a more expensive machine.
When choosing a coffee machine, it’s best to group them according to price. We present you with four separate price groups. In each of them, we’ll discuss which coffee machine suits which sort of client best.
First group: machines costing less than 350£
| Specifications | Coffee machine “De’Longhi ECAM 22.110.B” | Coffee machine “Saeco Lirika” |
Coffee machine “Melitta E950 Solo” |
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| General features | |||
| Recipes | Espresso, Black coffee, Steam, Hot water | Espresso, Black coffee, Steam, Hot water | Espresso, Black coffee |
| Type | Automatic/with a steam wand | Automatic/with a steam wand | Automatic/without a milk system |
| Manufacturer | De‘Longhi | Saeco | Melitta |
| Colour | Black | Black | Black or silver |
| Guarantee period | 24 months | 12 months | 24 months |
| Type of coffee used | Coffee beans/Ground coffee | Coffee beans | Coffee beans |
| Milk system type | Steam wand | Steam wand | – |
| Coffee grinder type | Steel | Ceramic | Steel |
| Power | 1450 W | 1850 W | 1400 W |
| Water pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Country of origin | Romania | Romania | Germany |
| Operation | |||
| Display | LED icon display | LED icon display | LED icon display |
| Menu language | – | – | – |
| Type of operation | Buttons | Buttons | Buttons |
| Tanks/containers | |||
| Water tank | 1.8 l | 2.5 l | 1.2 l |
| Coffee bean container | 250 g | 500 g | 125 g |
| Maximum height of adjustable spout | 14.2 cm | 14.5 cm | 13.5 cm |
| Coffee grounds container (portions) | 14 | 15 | 8 |
| Settings | |||
| Number of black coffee portions | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Number of milk-based coffee portions (with a single touch) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adjustable grind (levels) | 13 | 3 | 3 |
| Portion size | Programmable | Programmable | Adjustable |
| Coffee strength (levels) | 5 | – | 3 |
| Coffee temperature (levels) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Maintenance programs | |||
| Descaling program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning program | No | No | Yes |
| Automatic rinsing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions and weight | |||
| Depth | 43 cm | 42.9 cm | 45.5 cm |
| Height | 34 cm | 37 cm | 32.5 cm |
| Width | 23 cm | 21.5 cm | 20 cm |
| Weight | 9 kg | 8 kg | 8 kg |
Coffee machine “De’Longhi ECAM 22.110.B”
This is one of the most popular home bean-to-cup coffee machines of all time. It can make espresso and black coffee from freshly ground coffee beans or even pre-ground coffee (not all coffee machines in this price category are equipped with this additional function). Using the steam wand, you’ll be able to froth splendid milk foam for your milk-based drinks. An undoubtable advantage of this machine lies in the fairly wide possibilities of adjusting coffee flavour: there are 5 levels of coffee strength, 4 temperature levels, as well as a wide range of grinding levels. Portion size can be programmed for up to 4 buttons. A lot of people are also impressed by the modern design of this coffee machine, which is universal and suits a variety of interiors. The only disadvantage of this machine (which is found in other appliances of this price category as well) is a settings menu that is a bit more difficult to figure out. If you want to adjust water temperature, change the settings of water hardness, choose automatic shutdown time or run the descaling program, you’ll have to refer to the user manual and push certain button combinations in the required order.
Coffee machine “Saeco Lirika”
While “De’Longhi ECAM 22.110.B”, which has been described above, is one of the most popular appliances in the category of home coffee machines, “Saeco Lirika” is a true legend amongst coffee machines designed to be used in small offices. Coffee machines manufactured by “Saeco”, as well as their ceramic coffee grinders and entire construction, are renowned for their longevity and durability. This model, which belongs to the line of professional coffee machines, is equipped with bigger containers, so it’s suited perfectly for those places where coffee flows freely. Because of this, it’s also beloved by big families. Just like “De’Longhi ECAM 22.110.B”, “Saeco Lirika” has a steam wand, which can be used to froth milk. The coffee machine has a more powerful heating element, so it heats up much quicker and can prepare numerous cups one after the other, with no breaks in between. This coffee machine won’t allow you to adjust settings as freely as “De’Longhi ECAM 22.110.B” will: coffee strength cannot be changed, the number of grinding levels is smaller (you can choose from 3 levels) and there are less temperature levels (3 levels). There’s also no possibility of making drinks from pre-ground coffee. This is understandable, as this machine is designed for places with lots of coffee drinkers — it’s certainly unlikely that each of them will feel like opening up the machine to adjust individual settings or pour pre-ground coffee into it. The machine has been regulated in advance to prepare coffee that is characterised by balanced flavour and temperature. It’s worth pointing out that because this machine belongs to the professional line, it has a shorter guarantee period typical of such machines, i.e. 12 months. In addition, the maintenance of the coffee brewing mechanism is slightly more complicated — once it has been washed, it must also be lubricated with special grease.
Coffee machine “Melitta E950 Solo”
The extremely elegant “Melitta E950 Solo” coffee machine is designed for those who don’t have much space for a coffee machine and tend to enjoy several cups of espresso or black coffee daily. With a width of just 20 cm, this appliance is one of the narrowest coffee machines in the world. To tell you the truth, however, this narrowness comes at a price of smaller internal containers: the machine has a water tank of as little as 1.2 l, a bean container of 125 g and a grounds container of 8 portions. Nevertheless, we’ve already mentioned that if you tend to drink a few cups of coffee a day, you shouldn’t go for bigger containers, as it’s recommended to empty them out and fill them up again daily. In such a case, smaller containers are actually more convenient. You can adjust the flavour of your coffee by changing coffee strength (3 levels), coffee temperature (3 levels) and its grind (3 levels). Portion size cannot be programmed in this machine, but you can easily adjust it with the help of a dial located on the front of the appliance. It’s worth mentioning that this machine is not equipped with a steam wand for the frothing of milk, hot water function or a possibility of making drinks from pre-ground coffee. The latter is not a serious disadvantage though, as we already know that the most delicious coffee is made from freshly ground coffee beans.
Summary
“De’Longhi ECAM 22.110.B” is a great choice if:
- You need a coffee machine that is suited for several coffee drinkers (internal containers of standard capacity)
- You enjoy drinking espresso and black coffee, but also reward yourself with drinks topped with milk foam from time to time (a convenient steam wand)
- You like experimenting with various coffee flavours (a wide range of opportunities to adjust coffee settings)
- You like having all the necessary tools close by (there’s a special cup stand on the coffee machine)
- Your friends gift you some ground coffee from time to time and you want to use it in your coffee machine
“Saeco Lirika” is a great choice if:
- You’re looking for an extremely durable coffee machine — a true “workhorse” for a small office or a big family (containers of increased capacity)
- You enjoy drinking espresso and black coffee, but also reward yourself with drinks topped with milk foam from time to time (a convenient steam wand and a more powerful heating element)
- You want your coffee machine to simply prepare delicious coffee and you’re too busy to experiment with different flavours (the optimal coffee strength has already been set and there’s no possibility of adjusting it)
“Melitta E950 Solo” is a great choice if:
- You don’t have much space, so you’re looking for an extremely narrow coffee machine (with a width of just 20 cm, this is the narrowest coffee machine on the market)
- You enjoy drinking several cups of high-quality espresso and/or black coffee daily (smaller containers)
- You appreciate minimalist design
Second group: machines costing less than 500£
| Specifications | Coffee machine “De’Longhi ECAM 350.15.B” | Coffee machine “Saeco Lirika One Touch | Coffee machine “Melitta Purista Series 300 Silver |
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| General features | |||
| Recipes | Espresso, Lungo, Black coffee, Long black, Hot water, Steam | Espresso, Black coffee, Cappuccino, Latte macchiato, Hot water, Milk foam | Espresso, Black coffee |
| Type | Automatic/with a steam wand | Automatic/with an automatic milk system | Automatic/without a milk system |
| Manufacturer | De‘Longhi | Saeco | Melitta |
| Colour | Black | Grey | Grey |
| Guarantee period | 24 months | 12 months | 24 months |
| Type of coffee used | Coffee beans/Ground coffee | Coffee beans | Coffee beans |
| Milk system type | Steam wand | Automatic milk system with a tube | – |
| Coffee grinder type | Steel | Ceramic | Steel |
| Power | 1450 W | 1850 W | 1450 W |
| Water pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Country of origin | Romania | Romania | Germany |
| Operation | |||
| Display | LED icon display | LED icon display | LED icon display |
| Menu language | None | None | None |
| Type of operation | Touch buttons | Buttons | Buttons |
| Tanks/containers | |||
| Water tank | 1.8 l | 2.5 l | 1.2 l |
| Coffee bean container | 300 g | 500 g | 125 g |
| Maximum height of adjustable spout | 13.5 cm | 14.5 cm | 13.5 cm |
| Coffee grounds container (portions) | 14 | 15 | 10 |
| Settings | |||
| Number of black coffee portions | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Number of milk-based coffee portions (with a single touch) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Adjustable grind (levels) | 13 | 5 | 5 |
| Portion size | Programmable | Programmable | Adjustable |
| Coffee strength (levels) | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Coffee temperature (levels) | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Maintenance programs | |||
| Descaling program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning program | – | – | Yes |
| Automatic rinsing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions and weight | |||
| Depth | 42.9 cm | 42.9 cm | 46.0 cm |
| Height | 34.8 cm | 37 cm | 33.4 cm |
| Width | 23.6 cm | 21.5 cm | 20 cm |
| Weight | 9.5 kg | 8 kg | 7.9 kg |
Coffee machine “De’Longhi ECAM 350.15.B”
This coffee machine belongs to a higher class than the aforementioned “De’Longhi ECAM 22.110.B”. Not only is it made from more durable materials, but its design and operation are also more modern. The display is wider and clearer, while the buttons are touch-sensitive. The “De’Longhi ECAM 350.15.B” coffee machine has several additional recipes for the lovers of black coffee. In addition to espresso and black coffee, it also prepares lungo (espresso with more water) and a unique recipe that can only be encountered in “De’Longhi” machines, which is called “long coffee”. Much lower pressure (as little as 3.5 bar) is used in the preparation of this drink, so the resulting beverage is similar to filter coffee. Just like its predecessor, this machine will provide you with a fairly wide range of opportunities to adjust coffee flavour (coffee strength, coffee temperature, grind), which makes this model stand out from the other coffee machines in this category. This machine is also suited for those who drink black coffee most frequently, yet reward themselves with some milk foam once in a while. It’s equipped with a steam wand for the frothing of milk, so you’ll be able to froth milk yourself. However, the steam wand of this model is characterised by a more convenient shape. The wand is metallised as well, so it’s both easier to use and more durable. In addition, you can make drinks from pre-ground coffee.
Coffee machine “Saeco Lirika One Touch”
This coffee machine is different from the appliances of the first category, as well as the machines of this category, in that it’s designed both for the lovers of black coffee and for those who enjoy milk-based drinks. At the touch of a single button, you’ll prepare not only espresso and black coffee, but also cappuccino and latte macchiato. It’s worth pointing out that the integrated automatic milk system with a tube is easy to use and clean. Like its predecessor from the first category — “Saeco Lirika” — this machine is characterised by durability and longevity, has a more powerful heating element and bigger containers, and belongs to the line of professional coffee machines designed for small offices or big families. Unlike “Saeco Lirika”, however, this machine enables you to adjust coffee strength — you can choose from 3 levels. The main disadvantage of this machine lies in the fact that its guarantee period is shorter — 12 months instead of 24. This is because “Saeco Lirika One Touch” belongs to the professional line. It’s also worth pointing out that the maintenance of its coffee brewing mechanism is slightly more complicated (the unit must be lubricated with special grease from time to time).
Coffee machine “Melitta Purista Series 300 Silver”
In comparison to “Melitta E950 Solo” from the first category, this coffee machine belongs to a newer generation and has several key improvements. Perhaps the most important of these is the integrated new-generation steel grinder that works extremely quietly. You’ll be able to prepare coffee early in the morning, without fearing that it might wake your loved ones up. Another additional function is the favourite drink button, which can be programmed by choosing the desired coffee strength and quantity. All you’ll have to do next time is press a button and that’s it! The menu has also been improved: to make the settings and maintenance programs easier to access, a separate Service button has been created and placed on the front of the appliance. Just like the aforementioned “Melitta” coffee machine, this one is designed for the lovers of espresso and black coffee (there’s no milk system in it). It’s also equipped with small containers, but this makes the machine extremely compact and narrow (as little as 20-cm-wide).
Summary
“De’Longhi ECAM 350.15.B” is a great choice if:
- You need a coffee machine that is suited for several coffee drinkers (internal containers of standard capacity)
- You enjoy drinking black coffee and appreciate new recipes (additional lungo and long recipes), while drinks with milk foam are an occasional pleasure for you (a convenient steam wand)
- You’re interested in experimenting with coffee flavours (a wide range of opportunities to adjust coffee settings)
- Your friends gift you some ground coffee from time to time and you want to use it in your coffee machine
- You like modern design
“Saeco Lirika One Touch” is a great choice if:
- You’re a lover of milk-based drinks — at the touch of a single button, you’ll prepare cappuccino and latte macchiato
- You want to prepare these drinks not only quickly, but with minimal maintenance — the milk system is easy to rinse and disassemble
- You’re looking for an extremely durable coffee machine — a true “workhorse” for a small office or a big family (containers of increased capacity)
“Melitta Purista Series 300 Silver” is a great choice if:
- You don’t have much space, so you’re looking for an extremely narrow coffee machine (with a width of just 20 cm, this is the narrowest coffee machine on the market)
- You’re looking for a machine that works extremely quietly (integrated new-generation grinder that makes less noise)
- You enjoy drinking a few cups of high-quality espresso and/or black coffee daily (smaller containers)
- Simplicity and convenience are important to you (separate buttons for your favourite drink and settings on the front of the appliance)
- You appreciate minimalist design
Third group: machines costing less than 1000£
| Specifications | Coffee machine “Siemens TI923309RW” | Coffee machine “De‘Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.95.T” | Coffee machine “Melitta F86/0-100 Barista TS Smart SST” |
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| General features | |||
| Recipes | Ristretto, Espresso, Espresso doppio, Black coffee, Espresso macchiato, Cappuccino, Latte macchiato, Caffè latte, Hot milk, Milk foam, Hot water | Espresso, Double espresso, Espresso macchiato, Black coffee, Long black, Jug of coffee, Cappuccino, Cappuccino doppio, Cappuccino mix, Latte macchiato, Latte, Flat white, Hot water, Milk foam, Hot milk | Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo, Double espresso, Double ristretto, Caffè crema, Double caffè crema, Americano, Americano extra shot, Long black, Cappuccino, Espresso macchiato, Latte, Café au lait, Flat white, Latte macchiato, Latte macchiato extra shot, Latte macchiato triple shot, Red eye, Black eye, Dead eye, Hot milk, Milk foam, Hot water |
| Type | Automatic/with an automatic milk system | Automatic/with an automatic milk system | Automatic/with an automatic milk system |
| Manufacturer | Siemens | Saeco | Melitta |
| Colour | Black | Titanium | Stainless steel/Black |
| Guarantee period | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months |
| Type of coffee used | Coffee beans/Ground coffee | Coffee beans/Ground coffee | Coffee beans/Ground coffee |
| Milk system type | Automatic milk system with an integrated milk container | Automatic milk system with an integrated milk container | Automatic milk system with a tube |
| Coffee grinder type | Ceramic | Steel | Steel |
| Power | 1500 W | 1450 W | 1450 W |
| Water pump pressure | 19 bar | 19 bar | 15 bar |
| Country of origin | Slovenia | Romania | Germany |
| Operation | |||
| Display | Colour | Colour | Colour |
| Menu language | Ukrainian, Turkish, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, Norwegian, Italian, Greek, French, Finnish, English, Dutch, Danish, Czech, Arabic | English, German, Italian, French, Czech, Slovenian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian | English, Danish, Estonian, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Latvian, Polish, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Dutch, French, Russian, Finnish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, German |
| Type of operation | Buttons | Touch-sensitive | Touch buttons |
| Smart app | – | Yes | Yes |
| Tanks/containers | |||
| Water tank | 2.3 l | 1.8 l | 1.8 l |
| Coffee bean container | 290 g | 300 g | 2 x 135 g |
| Maximum height of adjustable spout | 14 cm | 13.5 cm | 14 cm |
| Coffee grounds container (portions) | 14 | 14 | 16 |
| Settings | |||
| Number of black coffee portions | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Number of milk-based coffee portions | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Adjustable grind (levels) | 6 | 13 | 5 |
| Portion size | Programmable | Programmable | Programmable |
| Adjustable milk foam size | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee strength (levels) | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Coffee temperature (levels) | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| User profiles | 6 | 3 | 8 |
| Cup illumination | Yes | – | Yes |
| Maintenance programs | |||
| Descaling program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning program | Yes | – | Yes |
| Automatic rinsing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions and weight | |||
| Depth | 47 cm | 42.9 cm | 46.7 cm |
| Height | 39.2 cm | 34.8 cm | 37.2 cm |
| Width | 29.9 cm | 23.6 cm | 25.9 cm |
| Weight | 11.5 kg | 9.5 kg | 10.8 kg |
Coffee machine “Siemens TI923309RW”
One of the biggest advantages of this model produced by the German manufacturer “Siemens” is the fact that it works extremely quietly. Indeed, it must be acknowledged that this coffee machine is one of the quietest appliances on the market (this is mainly due to the ceramic grinder that makes very little noise). Another important feature is the extremely convenient automatic milk system. Not only is it able to prepare two milk-based drinks at once (normally, coffee machines only prepare one), but it’s also equipped with a splendid automatic milk system rinsing program. In addition, this milk system is universal — although the machine has an integrated milk container, you can purchase a special adapter and prepare milk-based drinks using a tube that can be immersed straight into the milk packet. This machine is also perfect for the lovers of extra strong and delicious coffee. The installed AromaDouble Shot function allows you to prepare extremely strong coffee that is not at all bitter. Select this function with the touch of a single button and your drink will be prepared using a double process, i.e. in two separate grinding and coffee preparation cycles. As a result, coffee will be extremely strong, but there will be no unpleasant, bitter notes in it (which would certainly appear if you simply let water seep through a large amount of ground coffee for a long time). The machine has as many as 6 user profiles, so even if you have a big family, each member will be able to create their own individual menu. Another lovely detail that aesthetes will appreciate is cup illumination.
Coffee machine “De‘Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.95.T”
This machine is different from the “De’Longhi” coffee machines in the previous categories, as it has an automatic milk system with an integrated milk container. The container is unique: it is thermal, so your milk stays cold for longer. As we’ve mentioned earlier, this is key when ensuring the quality of milk frothing. The milk system is easy to rinse. Another special feature of the “De’Longhi” milk system is a special regulator placed on the milk container and used to adjust milk stiffness. As a result, you can decide whether the prepared milk will have lots of foam, less foam or no foam at all. Along with 3 additional profiles, the main novelty in the machine’s operation is the possibility to control it via the “De’Longhi Coffee Link” smart app. Lovers of new technologies will absolutely love it. With the help of the app, you can create drinks and change their settings straight from your smart device. The app also will also provide you with useful advice and suggestions related to the maintenance of the coffee machine. Operating the appliance is hence even easier and simpler. The uncomplicated maintenance of “De’Longhi” coffee machines is also worth mentioning: unlike other machines, this one has a fairly small coffee brewing mechanism, which is easy to remove and maintain. In addition, “De’Longhi” coffee machines have no integrated additional cleaning program performed with the help of cleaning tablets. This means that you don’t have to run the program or purchase the tablets. Due to its compactness, this appliance will suit those who don’t have much space (the milk container and water tank are located in the front of the machine, so there’s no need for additional space on the side).
Coffee machine “Melitta F86/0-100 Barista TS Smart SST”
This model is a true revolution both in the category of “Melitta” coffee machines and in this price range. It has many features and advantages that other coffee machines lack. First of all, there are two separate coffee bean containers in this appliance, which means that you can use two different types of beans. This is especially relevant if the members of your family have different tastes — and let’s not forget that it’s nice to drink one type of coffee in the morning and enjoy a different one after lunch sometimes. Another key advantage is a wide range of coffee recipes. This “Melitta” coffee machine prepares as many as 21 recipes: in addition to classic drinks, you can enjoy new ones, such as red eye, black eye or dead eye. Besides, just like the “Siemens” model discussed above, this machine can prepare two milk-based drinks at once. The automatic milk system with a tube is extremely easy to use and clean. You’ll find a milk container included in the full set of this machine — the tube can be connected to it or immersed straight into the milk packet. Lovers of strong coffee will appreciate the IntenseAroma function, which will enable them to prepare coffee that is extremely dense and strong (without changing the amount of coffee or water). The machine is also equipped with an extremely quiet grinder, which received the “Quiet Mark” seal of approval. Lovers of innovations will also appreciate the opportunity to control their coffee machine via a smart app — straight from their smart device! Like other coffee machines in this category, this one also has user profiles (there are as many as 8). When it comes to true aesthetes, they’ll love the cup illumination function.
Summary
“Siemens TI923309RW” is a great choice if:
- You’re looking for the quietest coffee machine on the market
- What’s important to you is an extremely convenient, universal milk system that is one of the easiest to clean and that will enable you to prepare 2 milk-based drinks at once
- You enjoy coffee that is extremely strong (AromaDouble Shot function)
- Your coffee machine will be used by several people with different tastes (6 user profiles)
- You’re a true aesthete and a detail like cup illumination is no small matter to you
“De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.95.T” is a great choice if:
- You’re looking for a compact coffee machine that is operated mainly from the front
- You enjoy milk-based drinks and you want to be able to adjust milk consistency
- Your coffee machine will be used by a few people with different tastes (3 user profiles)
- You like innovations and are ready to control your coffee machine straight from your smart device via a downloaded smart app
- You’re looking for a machine that is extremely easy to maintain and doesn’t require lots of maintenance products
“Melitta F86/0-100 Barista TS Smart SST” is a great choice if:
- You like trying out different coffee beans or your family members have different tastes (the machine has two separate bean containers)
- You enjoy having lots of recipes to choose from (this coffee machine has one of the widest drink selections)
- You’re looking for a convenient milk system with a rinsing process and a possibility of preparing 2 milk-based drinks at once
- You’re a lover of strong coffee (IntenseAroma function)
- A quiet coffee machine is important to you
- Your coffee machine will be used by several people with different tastes (as many as 8 user profiles)
- You like innovations and are ready to control your coffee machine straight from your smart device via a downloaded smart app
- You’re a true aesthete and a detail like cup illumination is no small matter to you
Fourth group: machines costing less than 1700£
| Specifications | Coffee machine “Siemens TI9573X9RW” | Coffee machine “PrimaDonna Elite Experience ECAM 650.85.MS” | Coffee machine “Siemens TI9553X1RW” |
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| General features | |||
| Recipes | Ristretto, Espresso, Espresso doppio, Black coffee, Black coffee XL, Espresso macchiato, Cappuccino, Latte macchiato, Latte, Flat white, Cortado, Americano, Jug of coffee, Hot milk, Milk foam, Hot water | Espresso, Double espresso, Espresso macchiato, Black coffee, Long black, Americano, Cappuccino, Cappuccino doppio, Cappuccino mix, Latte macchiato, Latte, Flat white, Cold coffee, Hot chocolate, Hot water, Cold milk foam, Milk foam, Hot milk, Steam, Hot water for white tea, Hot water for green tea, Hot water for oolong tea, Hot water for black tea | Ristretto, Espresso, Espresso doppio, Black coffee, Black coffee XL, Espresso macchiato, Cappuccino, Latte macchiato, Latte, Flat white, Cortado, Americano, Jug of coffee, Hot milk, Milk foam, Hot water |
| Type | Automatic/with an automatic milk system | Automatic/with an automatic milk system | Automatic/with an automatic milk system |
| Manufacturer | Siemens | De’Longhi | Siemens |
| Colour | Black/Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Guarantee period | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months |
| Type of coffee used | Coffee beans/Ground coffee | Coffee beans/Ground coffee | Coffee beans/Ground coffee |
| Milk system type | Automatic milk system with an integrated milk container | Automatic milk system with an integrated milk container | Automatic milk system with an integrated milk container |
| Coffee grinder type | Ceramic | Steel | Ceramic |
| Power | 1500 W | 1450 W | 1450 W |
| Water pump pressure | 19 bar | 19 bar | 19 bar |
| Country of origin | Slovenia | Italy | Slovenia |
| Operation | |||
| Display | Colour | Colour | Colour |
| Menu language | Ukrainian, Turkish, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, Norwegian, Italian, Greek, French, Finnish, English, Dutch, Danish, Czech, Arabic | English, German, Italian, French, Czech, Slovenian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian | Ukrainian, Turkish, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, Norwegian, Italian, Greek, French, Finnish, English, Dutch, Danish, Czech, Arabic |
| Type of operation | Touch buttons | Touch-sensitive | Touch buttons |
| Smart app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tanks/containers | |||
| Water tank | 2.3 l | 2 l | 2.3 l |
| Coffee bean container | 2 x 260 g | 400 g | 290 g |
| Maximum height of adjustable spout | 14 cm | 14 cm | 14 cm |
| Coffee grounds container (portions) | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Settings | |||
| Number of black coffee portions | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Number of milk-based coffee portions (with a single touch) | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Adjustable grind (levels) | 6 | 13 | 5 |
| Portion size | Programmable | Programmable | Programmable |
| Adjustable milk foam size | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee strength (levels) | 15 | 5 | 15 |
| Coffee temperature (levels) | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| User profiles | 10 | 6 | 10 |
| Cup illumination | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cup warming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maintenance programs | |||
| Descaling program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic rinsing | Yes | – | Yes |
| Dimensions and weight | |||
| Depth | 47 cm | 47 cm | 47 cm |
| Height | 39.2 cm | 34.8 cm | 39.2 cm |
| Width | 29.9 cm | 26 cm | 29.9 cm |
| Weight | 12.7 kg | 12.4 kg | 11.3 kg |
Coffee machine “Siemens TI9573X9RW”
Not only is “Siemens TI9573X9RW” the most expensive coffee machine in this price category, but it’s also equipped with the biggest number of various possibilities. We’d like to emphasise that the more expensive a coffee machine is, the more functional, convenient and exceptional it gets. Like “Siemens TI923309RW” from the previous category, this model is one of the quietest on the market, is capable of preparing extremely strong coffee that is not at all bitter at the touch of a button (AromaDouble Shot function) and can make two milk-based drinks at once. Now let’s move on to its unique features. In addition to two bean containers, this coffee machine also has two separate grinders. Not only will you be able to prepare coffee using two different types of beans, but you’ll also avoid mixing them, as the beans will be ground by separate grindstones. Another feature, which will be appreciated by those who love experimenting with various flavours, is the Barista Mode function. Prior to each preparation of a drink, it will allow you to choose its coffee strength, quantity, temperature, milk to coffee ratio and preparation speed. There are as many as 15 coffee strength levels! This model is certainly one of the most technologically advanced. As many as 10 different users can create their own individual profiles. You’ll be able to control the appliance straight from your smart device via the “Home Connect” smart app. By selecting the coffeeWorld function, you’ll discover 17 additional drink recipes. Lots of other recipes with coffee in them can be found in the app too (for example,crème brûlée). The Coffee Playlist function allows you to select several drinks in a row and prepare them automatically one after the other. The app also contains lots of useful information about coffee, as well the machine’s user manual. When maintenance programs are being performed, you can track the entire process on your smart device and get a notification when you need to go to the machine. If any problems arise, you’ll be able to immediately receive a remote consultation. When it comes to maintenance, this machine has a self-cleaning milk system, so there’s no need to disassemble the milk system each day and perform additional cleaning. Like all coffee machines in this category, this model has cup illumination and cup warming functions.
Coffee machine “De‘Longhi PrimaDonna Elite ECAM 650.85.MS”
This “De‘Longhi” coffee machine stands out from the others in its category and is truly unique because it prepares not only numerous hot coffee drinks, but also cold coffee and even hot chocolate! The latter two can be made by using the special Mix Carafe included in the full set, as well as different wands (an ice cube mold is also included). When creating this coffee machine, its manufacturers also thought about the lovers of tea. In the drink menu, users can choose from 4 different water temperature levels used to unveil the best features of different kinds of tea: white, green, oolong and black. This coffee machine has a thermal milk container that keeps your milk cold for longer— we’ve already mentioned that this is important for the quality of milk frothing. In addition, like in all “De‘Longhi” coffee machines with an automatic milk system, the milk container is equipped with a dial for adjusting milk consistency — more foam, less foam or no foam at all. This coffee machine has 6 user profiles and can be controlled straight from your smart device via a smart app. With the help of this app, you can create drinks and adjust their settings, as well as receive advice and suggestions related to the maintenance of your coffee machine. Last but not least, instead of being operated with the help of buttons, this machine lets you control it via an extremely modern, touch-sensitive display. In addition, like all “De’Longhi” coffee machines, this one is characterised by particularly simple maintenance of its internal mechanism: the coffee brewing unit is fairly small, so it’s easy to remove and clean it. As a result, there’s also no need for an additional cleaning program performed using cleaning tablets.
Coffee machine “Siemens TI9553X1RW”
This model matches the features of “Siemens TI9573X9RW”, which also belongs to this category, almost exactly. The only difference lies in the fact that this coffee machine has one bean container and one coffee grinder.
Summary
“Siemens TI9573X9RW” is a great choice if:
- You’re looking for one of the quietest coffee machines on the market
- You like trying out different coffee beans or your family members have different tastes (the machine has two separate bean containers and even two separate grinders)
- You like experimenting with coffee flavours and are sensitive to subtle differences of taste (Barista Mode function)
- You drink lots of milk-based beverages (the machine prepares 2 portions at once and has a self-cleaning milk system)
- You enjoy extra strong coffee (AromaDouble Shot function and as many as 15 coffee strength levels)
- You love new technologies and are keen on controlling your coffee machine via a smart app
“De’Longhi PrimaDonna Elite Experience ECAM 650.85.MS” is a great choice if:
- Hot coffee drinks aren’t enough for you — you want to enjoy cold coffee and even hot chocolate too
- Not only are you a lover of coffee, but you also like different kinds of tea (4 different water temperature levels for different kinds of tea)
- You’re looking for a compact coffee machine that is operated mainly from the front
- You enjoy milk-based drinks and you want to be able to adjust milk consistency
- You’d like to control the appliance via a touch-sensitive display
- You like innovations and are ready to control your coffee machine straight from your smart device via a downloaded smart app
- You’re looking for a machine that is extremely easy to maintain and doesn’t require lots of maintenance products
“Siemens TI9553X1RW” is a great choice if:
- You’re looking for a machine that is identical to “Siemens TI9573X9RW”, but you don’t need a second bean container and coffee grinder
Conclusions
Of course, when choosing an automatic coffee machine or a similar appliance, you’re going to consider the sum that you’re able/willing to spend. However, you should also keep in mind that a coffee machine is meant to serve you longer than one year. This appliance will brighten your mood with a cup of delicious coffee day in and day out, and this means that you’ll be using it daily. Once you’ve identified your needs and wants, choose a coffee machine responsibly, so that you don’t have to feel disappointed after purchasing an appliance that isn’t right for you. If you want to save some precious time, contact our consultants, who will carefully analyse your needs/wants and provide you with offers that suit you best. Once you’ve purchased a coffee machine, don’t forget that the flavour of coffee depends not only on the machine, the technologies integrated in it and the available settings, but also on the coffee beans themselves. They should be fresh and of high quality. The bean assortment at “Coffee Friend” is extremely wide and designed for automatic coffee machines, so alongside a machine, we’ll pick out the beans that will suit your taste perfectly too. We’re eagerly waiting for your calls and letters!
