A bean-to-cup coffee machine does what it says on the tin. You pour fresh beans into the top of the machine, add water to the tank, put milk in the frother, and it does the rest.

 

Yes, that includes grinding the coffee, brewing it with the water, frothing the milk to suit your drink, and pouring the coffee into your cup - hence, bean to cup. Some machines will even add the frothed milk for you, so all you have to do is drink.

 

If you’re after a fresh cup of good coffee that takes almost zero effort to make, a bean-to-cup machine could be the one for you. It’s great for variety too, with a range of drinks to choose from and customisable settings to suit your taste.

 

If you’re thinking about investing in one, there are a few things to bear in mind:

 

●      They tend to be the more expensive option.

●      They’re quite bulky so you need enough space.

●      You’ll need to clean and maintain it regularly (though some do this automatically).

For true barista-quality at home, an espresso machine could be your best bet. You add ground coffee to a filter basket, then hot water passes through it and into your cup.

 

You’ll need to control how fine the coffee grind is, manage water temperature, and learn to use the milk frother (which is often included for lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, etc.) - unless you’re getting it purely for the espressos, of course.

 

For these machines, you can usually use ready-ground coffee bought at the supermarket (make sure you get espresso grinds), or you can get the freshest flavour by using a separate grinder to grind your own beans at home.

 

A cheaper option than bean-to-cup machines, espresso machines create the most authentic cafe-style coffee and give you the satisfaction of knowing you crafted your own brew. But just remember that:

 

●      Out of all household coffee machines, they’re the hardest to master - learning how to make good coffee can take practise.

●      You might need to buy a separate grinder and frother, depending on which machine you choose.

●      You’ll need to give it a daily clean and weekly maintenance.

Coffee pod machines use small, vacuum-packed capsules of ready-prepared coffee stored in foil packaging. This keeps the coffee inside fresh for months. Just pop the pod in the machine, choose the size of your drink, and the machine does all the hard work for you.

 

They mainly make black coffees, but some pods contain milk powder, and some machines can inject steam and milk to create cappuccinos and the like.

 

Arguably the easiest coffee machine to use, it creates great coffee with minimal effort, and it’s the most affordable machine upfront. Before you add one to basket, just remember:

 

●      You might be ‘locked in’ to one brand’s pods.

●      They create quite a bit of waste through the packaging, though some brands have recycling services.

●      In the long run (a few years down the line), the combined cost of buying pods means they work out more expensive than buying beans or grinds for an espresso or bean-to-cup machine.

1. The cost of the coffee itself

 

Will you be buying beans, grounds or pods?  It’s the coffee pods that tend to be most expensive per drink, especially when they’re bought from big brands.

 

The amounts can vary widely, but as a ballpark figure, coffee pods work out at about 50p a drink (£182.50 a year, assuming one cup a day), whereas supermarket beans or ground coffee will be closer to 20p (£73 a year, assuming one cup a day).

 

2. Buying a grinder

 

This is mainly a consideration for anyone tempted by an espresso machine. Some will already have grinders built in, but if not, you may want to buy one to get the finest coffee from your machine.

 

Of course, it isn’t essential - you can just get ready-ground espresso coffee at the supermarket. But if you want the freshest flavour, a grinder is an extra expense worth making - it can cost anywhere from £15 to £200+, depending on the quality you’re after.

 

3. A milk frother

 

Most bean-to-cup machines have a milk frother built in, and some espresso machines too (these are known as 2-in-1 machines). But not all do, so check before you buy - you may need to get a separate one if you want to create the foam for lattes and cappuccinos.

 

Pod machines rarely come with a frother, and while some pods can contain milk powder, you’ll get a nicer flavour with this handy gadget. If milk-based coffees are your favourite, consider adding a frother to your wishlist - it can set you back anywhere from just £5 to over £150.

Ultimately, choosing between coffee machines is about weighing up what you want from it and how it’ll fit into your lifestyle.

 

As our tips have been percolating through your thoughts, you might already have an idea about which is best for you. Double-check here, then get ready to find your perfect coffee-making companion.

 

● Bean-to-cup coffee machines make a range of drinks quickly and easily - from espressos to cappuccinos and more. They tend to be the most expensive option and have a medium level of maintenance, but they do most of the hard work for you.

 

● Espresso machines let you make barista-level drinks at home. The preferred option for true aficionados, it can take time and energy to learn how to make the perfect coffee. It’ll take a little while to make each drink,  and there’s a fair amount of cleaning involved, but they’re known for creating a fabulous cup of fresh coffee.

 

● Pod machines are the fastest, most convenient, and lowest-maintenance way of making good-quality coffee at home. They’re perfect if you just want your caffeine kick now, but you could be limited by one brand’s pods. They also create the most waste.

Getting a coffee machine isn’t about just making a half-decent brew. It’s about getting the day off to the best start - whatever that looks like for you.

 

Luckily, at JD Williams, our range of coffee machines includes the biggest brands around, from De’Longhi to Nespresso, Ninja to Breville, and more. So, whether you pick a pod or bean-to-cup, you know you’ll be getting a machine that delivers your essential caffeine kick the freshest way, day after day.

 

Browse our coffee machines and enjoy barista-quality coffee from the comfort of your own kitchen.