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Classic black and white is a tried and trusted colour combination that has endless appeal, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular colour choices for kitchens. Black and white kitchen ideas can lend themselves to most settings, from traditional and country-style kitchen-diners, to edgy industrial kitchens or more modern, contemporary set-ups.

When it comes to black and white kitchen ideas, if you go for an entirely monochrome scheme, make one shade dominant rather than giving each equal prominence. A predominantly white kitchen colour scheme with accents of black can look chic and modern, but don’t overlook the elegance of a dark scheme with white used as the secondary colour.

Black and white kitchen ideas

A monochrome scheme can be quite bold, so will usually benefit from some form of texture and a mix of finishes to prevent it from feeling too stark. Mix gloss and matt surfaces, opaque and dense, to build up layers, add extra interest and soften any harshness.

Bringing in accent colours is another way of adding interest to a black and white kitchen. Whether you opt for bright primaries and bold tones to make a monochrome palette pop, or calm neutrals and muted pastels to add softness. Monochrome also works well with all tones of timber, natural stone and luxe marble.

1. Create balance with equal helpings of black and white

Image credit: Future PLC

While black kitchen cabinets might be overpowering in a small kitchen, in an open-plan space, there is enough surrounding white wall space to balance out the effect.

Finish is a key consideration when deciding on kitchen cabinets. A high-shine gloss finish on white cabinetry works well in most kitchens, making the space feel bigger and brighter. But a black gloss finish used over a large area can have the reverse effect and feel quite dated, so is best avoided.

Opt for matt black door fronts or textured wood finishes in ebony, which feel tactile and look warmer than a black high-gloss finish. Counter black cabinets with natural surfaces, from marble and stone worktops to natural timber flooring.

2. Go for gold with a statement feature

Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson

Stylewise, it’s hard to go wrong with a classic, all-white kitchen idea, but introducing black into the mix can take it up another level. The addition of a black marble-topped island adds wow to a simple white kitchen and gives the space a striking focal point.

The mix of old and new is key here, with sleek, white cabinetry in contrast to the vintage island with its aged black paintwork. Gold accent details help pull the scheme together too, from old gold-finish drawer pulls and cabinet handles to polished gold bar stools and a stunning vintage brass cooker hood.

3. Lighten the look with a run of glazed cabinets

Image credit: IKEA

Make black the grounding force in an open-plan kitchen with all-black cabinets along one wall teamed with a central island. Dark tones can help to draw in a room and make it feel cosier, which is great for larger spaces or open-plan layouts that can sometime feel a bit too open and lofty.

Counter dark cabinet doors by introducing a row of glass-fronted display units on the upper level. Painting the insides white will lighten the look and draw the eye upwards so that the kitchen feels less top-heavy. White interiors will also create a brighter backdrop for items on display.

4. Use black as an accent in a country kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Black and white kitchen ideas can veer towards the more modern, monochrome look. But there’s no reason why you can’t use this classic colour combination in more of a rustic setting too.

Warm shades of white, ivory and off-white suit a country setting perfectly and feel less-harsh than solid black, especially in low-ceilinged spaces and rooms without much natural light. Team warm white kitchen cabinets with black granite worktops to add definition and edge. Worktops offer an easy way to add colour to an all-white kitchen.

Working in natural tones will also bring more colour and warmth to a black and white scheme. Introduce timber accents on worktops and trims or try country-style flagstones to add colour underfoot.

5. Make a standout floor the star

Image credit: Future PLC/Ben Anders

When it comes to cabinetry, white is often the colour of choice in a small kitchen as it will reflect light, make walls recede and increase the sense of space. But don’t rule black out of the equation completely when it comes to small kitchen ideas.

Making the floor the focal point is a trick that can make small kitchens feel bigger and more spacious too. Geometric floor tiles are a chic way of bringing black and white into a scheme and a small-scale, all-over pattern will create the illusion of depth in a small kitchen or tight space and make it feel larger than it actually is.

6. Mix it up with black, white and naturals

Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore

Give an off-white kitchen added focus by introducing black as an accent colour. Pepper your scheme with accessories, from black dinnerware and serving dishes to kitchen textiles and storage baskets. Then work in warm naturals and tactile textures to add softness, from wooden chopping boards and baskets to copper pans, rustic ceramics and glassware.

Add a playful touch by painting a chalkboard panel above a splash back. It’ll make a bold backdrop for a decorative display of kitchenware plus a handy spot for the family to chalk up reminders.

7. Fashion a retro vibe with playful patterns

Image credit: Carpetright

Black and white schemes can feel flat and lifeless without any kind of pattern, texture or colour to bring relief. Tiles offer the perfect opportunity for introducing a splash of pattern into a plain kitchen, whether as a splash back, tiled floor or both.

Mixing the size and scale of patterns is a tried and trusted trick that designers often use, contrasting a large-scale pattern with a small, all-over design to play with scale. A larger format tile as a splash back looks striking teamed with simple white kitchen units. And replacing wall units with a long run of shelving allows the design to be shown off to full effect.

8. Go halves with a black and white kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme

There’s no doubt that wall units do have their uses (in terms of storage and hiding away clutter), but losing cupboards in favour of open shelving is a great way of making a small kitchen feel more spacious.

Black base units with plenty of white wall space above creates more of a balanced scheme that will make a small kitchen feel lighter and brighter. And having a curated collection of kitchenware on display will give the space more character than wall to wall units.

Bring warmth to a black and white scheme by bringing in rustic elements, from exposed brickwork on a chimney breast, to weathered timber shelving, woodgrain worktops and antique-style patterned floor tiles.

9. Double up with a two tone kitchen

Image credit: Mereway

Black kitchen or white? If you can’t decide between the two, then compromise with a two tone kitchen. The latest kitchen trend lets you incorporate bolder tones with calmer shades, so you can enjoy the benefits of both.

Two tone kitchen ideas can mean a half-and-half split, with one colour on base units and a second on wall units. Or dividing the kitchen up into distinct blocks of colour is another way of achieving the two-tone look. Try it with a freestanding island in a matt black finish against white units or consider a bank of black floor-to-ceiling cabinets as an accent feature in an all-white scheme.

Marble work surfaces and back splashes are a stylish way of marrying up a black and white scheme, with a luxurious dark-veined surface that ties in both colours.

10. Perk up plain cabinets with powder pink

Image credit: Life Kitchens

Worried that a black and white kitchen might look too clinical? Introducing a contrast colour into the mix is the perfect way of getting around this. Avoid bright primary shades which can feel too stark and instead go for chalky pastels or muted neutrals to add a softer look.

Reserve your accent colour for a statement piece. Highlight a central kitchen island by choosing a perky shade of powder pink or pick out the paintwork on a display cabinet in a rosy hue. Kitchen stools are another way of working in an accent colour, whether lacquered, painted or upholstered in your chosen shade.

What colours go with a black and white kitchen?

Black and white can be classed as neutrals, so pretty much any other colour will work with them. But in a kitchen, it really depends on the look you’re trying to create.

Bright primary colours, like red, yellow and blue are a bold choice in a kitchen and can feel quite stark, so use these colours sparingly and in a contemporary setting for best results.

Muted shades sit well with black and white, whether that’s soft greens, duck egg, chalky pinks and mellow mustard, as do true neutrals such as taupe, beige, mushroom and shades of grey.

How do you soften a black and white kitchen?

One of the downsides of a black and white kitchen is that they can feel a bit cold and clinical if not done carefully. One of the ways around this is to bring in a mix of textures and tactile materials that will soften the harshness.

Natural materials will help to soften a black and white kitchen visually, used on work tops, splash backs, tiles, flooring and accessories. Think weathered timber and blonde woods, marble, granite and quartz work tops in warming tones or kitchen flooring in rustic flag stones, slate or tactile wood-effect vinyl.

If you’re going for an entirely black-and-white scheme, make one shade dominant rather than giving each equal prominence. A predominantly white scheme has fresh appeal, but don’t overlook the elegance of a dark scheme with hints of white.

Alternatively stick to accessories for a softer finish. Monochrome works with all tones of timber, as well as greys and pure shades, such as emerald green.

Matching shades of white across different surfaces can be tricky. For example, a wallpaper with a white background may look more like cream next to a white table, so try to keep them apart, using black accessories as punctuation.

A monochrome scheme can be bold and will usually benefit from some texture and a mix of surface finishes. Gloss and matt, opaque and dense build up layers to add extra interest and soften any harshness.

The post Black and white kitchen ideas for monochrome schemes appeared first on Ideal Home.

If you love freshly-brewed espresso each and every day, the best bean-to-cup coffee machines will keep you topped up on delicious drinks. With in-built bean grinders and either automatic or manual milk steaming, these barista-ready machines can be used to make all manner of hot drinks. That includes americano, flat white, and even latte macchiatto.

Featuring well-known brands such as De’Longhi and Sage, as well as some lesser-known models from Cuisinart, Beko and Dualit, our best bean-to-cup coffee machine has an option for every budget. Many of the best coffee machines are available for around £100, but at the more premium end of the coffee machine spectrum, a bean-to-cup is a seasonal investment that will see you through pumpkin spice season and back into iced latte mode. Because they often come with milk wands of even automatic milk dispensers, bean-to-cup coffee machines also make tasty mochas and cappuccinos with the touch of a button. All you need is a sprinkle of cocoa powder to finish it off!

While it wouldn’t be quite right to describe any bean-to-cup coffee machine as cheap, we have made an effort to review some of the more affordable options on the market alongside premium models that make great gifting. Our top 10 features machines that come in at £250, right through to models that cost well over £1,000!

Why should I buy the best bean-to-cup coffee machine?

While we’ve been in the grips of pod coffee machines when it comes to convenience and easy cleaning, people are increasingly turning to bean-to-cup machines to work on their latte art or simply find a more sustainable way of making a morning brew. You can empty out your coffee grounds into your food waste without any worries about single-use plastic, and there are even ways to use them in the garden to make your plants happy!

Another great advantage of bean-to-cups is the freedom they bring to your brew. You can experiment with all different types of beans, and even try out a coffee bean subscription, to make the most of the freshly ground goodness you’ll be drinking every morning.

And it’s not just the controls that make the difference – the cleaning is easier, too. Instead of wiping and rinsing after every drink, you just need to empty it from time to time and refill the beans and water containers as required.

After thoroughly testing these models, we had just one concern: some are just too good. That sounds like a nice problem to have, but the ease with which you can make latte after latte means there is a risk of descending deeper into caffeine addiction. Proceed with caution. Or sometimes detox with decaffeinated beans.

Best bean-to-cup coffee machines

1. De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine overall

Milk wand: No, adjustable dispenser
Water capacity: 1.8 litres
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Can be controlled remotely
• Quality milk frother
• Sensitive bean grinder
• Adjust to your own preferences

Reasons to avoid:
• The milk container needs to be cleaned regularly

With modes for cappuccino, flat white, and even latte macchiato, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370 is a premium coffee machine that delivers on automatic systems with hands-free brewing. The menu allows you to adjust the drinks to different sizes and aromas, and you can completely customize the coffee-to-milk ratio by making a preset just for you.

The water tank sits at the front of the machine, and so does the grounds container. Both are very easy to access, and the bean dispenser sits at the top back which makes pouring easy. You’ll need to clean the milk dispenser after every use, but all this requires is switching the dial to the self-clean mode.

If quality espresso is your top priority, you’ll love the automatic grinding, which is sensitive for different types of beans. You can also pour grounds into a different dispenser for making decaff without emptying out the bean container. It’s an expensive machine, but you’ll often find it on sale, and it ticked every box in our testing.

Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370 review

2. Cuisinart Veloce

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for automatic brewing

Milk wand: No, milk is automatic
Water capacity: 1.25 litres
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• A smart machine that offers a full menu of drink options
• Very good value
• Easy to top up water

Reasons to avoid: 
• You need to clean the milk wand after every latte or cappuccino

The Cuisinart Veloce makes some of the more high-end bean-to-cup features relatively accessible. It’s by no means cheap, but you do get all the perks of a digital display and complete coffee menu. We enjoyed saving our custom drink preferences onto the menu, which made for easy coffee rounds.

It’s got a small water tank, but on the plus side it’s front-facing and incredibly easy to remove and refill. The same can be said for emptying the coffee grounds, and the display comes up with instructions and prompts to stay on top of maintenance.

We found that the machine needed adjusting before we got that perfect espresso. It required grind adjustments, which can be done at the top of the machine where you keep your coffee beans. The milk wand can be inserted into the side container via a rubber tube, and this makes fully adjustable lattes or cappuccinos completely hands-free. You can even choose your froth level and the temperature of your drink.

The milk wand needs to be placed in a cup of water after each use, after which it will run a quick self-clean. If you plan on making long coffees and americanos though, the self-clean is fully automatic.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Cuisinart Veloce coffee machine review

3. Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro

Best bean-to-cup machine coffee shop style

Milk wand: Yes, manual
Water capacity: 2.8 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Easy to use and clean
• Fully adjustable settings
• Barista-style design

Reasons to avoid:
• No water level indicator

The Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro has a more classic coffee machine style, allowing you to grind and tamp your own beans before adding to the espresso machine insert. Then, froth up some milk using the attached milk wand. It’s got 30 grind settings on the bean grinder, which is more than some actual coffee grinders, and because it’s see-through you’ll always know if it needs topping up.

The display is appealing, with black panels and a stainless steel frame. The Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro also has a very generous water tank, meaning even caffeine addicts won’t need to top up regularly. That said, it has no reminder to top up the tank, and because it’s at the back you may find that you run out unexpectedly.

We found that the coffee grinds can get a little messy after tamping, so regular wiping will be necessary. It does make you feel like a proper barista to do this all yourself though, as opposed to some of the bean-to-cup coffee machines in our guide which simply require you to press a button.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

4. De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul

Best premium bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 2.2 litre
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy: 
• App-controlled
• 21 coffee settings to choose from
• Excellent milk frothing

Reasons to avoid:
• That price tag

If you’re going to buy a coffee machine that costs over £1,000, it had better be perfect. Well, we scored this one a smooth 100% for its smart design and flawless operation. We were able to make drinks from the next room using the app (tip: don’t forget to leave a mug on the tray if you plan on doing this) and it offers a whopping 21 presets for just about any coffee drink you could wish to make. This includes cortado, flat white, espresso and even just babyccino for little ones.

The machine guides you through setup using the touch-screen controls. It allows you to flick through the settings and choose coffee-shop quality drinks that are made in an instant. The 19-bar pressure creates some dreamy coffee, with frothy crema that stays long after your first sip. You can choose your coffee strength, and as for the LatteCrema dispenser, cleaning is straightforward because it runs an automatic steam cleaning setting after each use.

The De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul is very large, so be prepared to dedicate a decent portion of your kitchen to it. Once it’s there though, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars

5. Beko CEG5311

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine on a budget

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.6 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• It’s a great alternative to much more expensive models
• Slimline

Reasons to avoid:
• Its milk wand is not fully automatic

Sometimes you’re testing a group of products and realise that two are very similar to each other. What’s even more interesting: sometimes they’re priced very differently. So it was with the Beko and the Dualit. Both machines have a narrow footprint (the Beko is 24cm) and use a 19-bar pressure pump to make deep, full-bodied coffee. They both have touch controls on the top, with simple icons to select your drink.

Out of the box, the coffee was a bit mild, but there’s a dial to adjust the grinder. Once the grind was finer, coffee was tastier with a better crema. Meanwhile the froth from the steam wand was excellent. Features are very similar to the Dualit: touch controls on the top select from a limited drinks menu, the coffee dispenser slides upwards to accommodate mugs, and it self-cleans when turned on or off.

Like the Dualit, you can adjust the grind but not the length of coffee shots: instead, if you want a longer drink you top it up with hot water from the wand. And again its pre-brewing system wets the dose of coffee for a richer extraction, releasing oils to maximise aroma and depth.

We found the light-up touch controls on the top hard to see in bright sunlight from the skylight above. But that was our only niggle: this coffee maker is hard to fault in terms of bangs (beans?) for the buck. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, or take up too much worktop space, buy the Beko.

Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars

6. Gaggia Anima Prestige

Best mid-priced bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes, dispenser
Water capacity: 1.8 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Sleek controls
• Compact dimensions

Reasons to avoid:
• Feels cramped when you add the milk frother

The Gaggia’s setup was comical as we followed the instructions, switched it on and it self-cleaned… before having attached the milk frother (this came on a later page). A jet of hot water spluttered out and we dived for the power button.

But after this hiccup, setup went fine and we were left with an impressive compact machine. It’s a similar size to the Dualit or Beko, taking up most of the depth of a worktop but only 22cm wide, but features are more automated. Instead of using a steam wand to heat or froth milk manually, you attach a reservoir of milk.

The machine feels roomy if you only want an espresso or espresso lungo. Add the milk frother, for cappuccino or latte, and it’s suddenly cramped. But it works well. When you press the button for a milky coffee, you’re prompted to slide out a spout from the milk pot. Milk is automatically frothed and dispensed, then the coffee shot is added afterwards. The milk jug works well and you can stow it in the fridge when not in use.

The machine cleans itself when you turn it on and off, and after each cuppa. A small amount of water comes out and lands in the drip tray, assuming there’s no cup in the way. The drip tray is well designed. Firstly, it extends under the whole machine, for a bigger capacity (empty it less often). Secondly, the bin for coffee grinds slides out at the same time, encouraging you to empty both.

There are just four choices of drink, with no manual controls: espresso, espresso lungo, cappuccino and caffe latte. They tasted great, the espressos flavoursome with a good crema and just the right level of bitterness, the milky coffees delicious and moreish.

But with a machine at this price, more options would have been good.

If a steam wand is too much hassle but you don’t want the expense, or worktop space, of a premium machine, this mid-priced model is well worth considering.

Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars

7. Miele CM5300 Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine

Best bean-to-cup machine for a small office

Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 1.3 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Smart design
• Supreme control
• Can do pots as well as mugs

Reasons to avoid:
• It needs regular emptying and water refills

At 24cm, the Miele isn’t wide but it feels more imposing. It has a neat, contemporary design. It achieves the clean lines thanks to a rubber tube that you attach to the side of the nozzle whenever you want to froth milk. The double nozzle dispenses either single or double coffees, so you can make two drinks at once (or just make a giant coffee). There’s a central dispenser for hot water to make long coffees.

The display is easy to read and gives you supreme levels of control, to adjust grinder, coffee quantity, brewing temperature, pre-brewing, portion sizes. You can even tell it your water hardness. And there’s the option to use a dose of pre-ground coffee instead of beans. You can make everything from ristretto to caffe latte to a coffee pot. The entire front head slides up a long way, to accommodate not just mugs but coffee pots of up to 750ml. You can also create two user profiles, with menus of your favourite drinks.

The coffee was superb. It made an outstanding lungo from a single shot: tasty with a sturdy crema, you get a lot from a single dose.

Your cleaning burden is low because it thoroughly cleans itself every time it turns on or off. Thanks to its long menu of drinks and ease of use, we could see this being a firm favourite in a small office or co-working space, or the kitchen of someone who has everything. Your architect would definitely approve of the machine’s good looks.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

8. Dualit Bean to Go Coffee Machine

Best slimline bean-to-cup coffee maker

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.2 litre
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Makes an impressive flat white and cappuccino
• Five grind levels
• Adjustable dispenser

Reasons to avoid:
• It’s similar to the less expensive Beko

Dualit’s first bean-to-cup coffee machine proves that they don’t have to take up lots of worktop space. Its 18cm wide footprint doesn’t impose much, even in smaller kitchens where space is at a premium.

There are five levels of grind and three modes: quick (no pre-brewing), standard (which moistens the grounds before extracting for a fuller flavour) and eco (no light and the machine automatically shuts off sooner). The coffee dispenser slides upwards 3cm to accommodate mugs.

Press the touch controls on the top to select a style of coffee. Its espressos, lungos and double shots were very good: perhaps not quite as tasty as pricier machines on test, but good enough. If you weren’t doing a comparison, you wouldn’t complain.

Unusually you can only use coffee beans, there’s no option to add a scoop of ground coffee directly into the machine. The machine also serves up hot water and steam from a wand, so you can heat or froth milk. It made impressive flat whites and cappuccinos.

The coffee-making side of the machine cleans itself but you’ll need to wipe the wand down after each use. It alerts you when the grinds bin is full. The drip tray needs emptying regularly too, thanks to the small footprint. Some bean-to-cup machines do even more of the work for you, but the Dualit is smaller and more affordable. The only major thing going against it is that the Beko is almost identical and costs even less.

Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars

9. Krups EA907D40

Best high end bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.7 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• 17 drink options
• Advanced self-cleaning

Reasons to avoid:
• An expensive choice

The Krups isn’t cheap but you feel like you get lots for your money because it’s gadget-packed. That means you can make better, and fancier, coffees with even less effort than budget machines. And it looks so cool, guests will marvel as it does its thing.

There are nice premium touches, for example it comes with an attractive pair of glass coffee cups. Its party trick is being the first bean-to-cup machine with a self-cleaning steam wand. This motorised marvel descends into your cup of milk to froth it. Then the machine adds coffee shots on top. It’s amazing and actually reduces effort and cuts the cleaning burden.

You pop your cup, containing the right amount of milk, in one place and the machine does it all. You won’t need to clean a milk jug, you won’t even need to wipe the wand.

There are 17 automated programmes, all of them conveyed simply on the colour touch screen. You can tailor them and the machine remembers your preference for next time. There are also eight user profiles for personalised recipes, so you can design your own perfect coffee. You can adjust the grind level and temperature. You can also use single doses of ground coffee.

The milky coffees, including cappuccino and latte, are effortless and delicious. In fact, they’re moreish: this machine is so good that you could find yourself drinking too many. Our only criticism is that the grinder is noisy, the back of the machine even shakes as it grinds.

The cleaning burden is minimal. Everything is automatic but you’re in control. The steam nozzle cleaning happens internally and doesn’t make a mess. The drip tray is large enough that it doesn’t need emptying too often, despite the self-cleaning. The Krups isn’t cheap, but you feel you’ve got something very special.

Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars

10. Sage The Barista Pro SES878BSS coffee machine

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for wannabe baristas

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 2 litres
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy: 
• Allows you to take control of the Barista process
• Smart control panel
• Steam wand is very powerful

Reasons to avoid:
• It’s a bit of work

Some coffee lovers want a machine to do all the work and dispense the perfect drink. Others enjoy and take pride in the process of making coffee. The Sage is more for the latter audience. This isn’t an effortless bean-to-cup machine, it’s more like a grinder and coffee machine combined. Everything you need in one unit, but you are the barista.

First up: the grinder. Weirdly it senses when you put the portafilter under it, then it automatically dispenses a dose of freshly ground coffee. You tamp the grounds and then use the supplied razor to ensure the perfect quantity. The instructions teach you a lot about how to judge what needs adjusting, in which direction. For example, we made the grinds coarser (it goes from 0-30, we dialled it up from 15 to 20). And the portafilter seemed too full, but after tamping we realised that the dose of ground coffee was perfect.

Then you attach the portafilter to make your coffee, telling the machine whether it’s one or two shots. And finally there’s the steam wand for frothing milk plus a separate hot water tap.

The controls are easy to use and the coffees tasted delicious but it’s a large machine (35cm wide) and doesn’t save you much effort. Cleaning is a chore too: you need to empty the portafilter each time, wipe the steam wand and probably wipe up spilled coffee grounds.

We felt the Sage missed the point of a bean-to-cup machine, but it does make good coffees. Plus, some people enjoy being more part of the process: one of our testers fell in love with this machine.

Ideal Home rating 4 out of 5 stars

11. De’Longhi Maestosa

Best luxe bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 2.1 litres
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Smart connectivity
• Multiple bean options

Reasons to avoid:
• That immense price tag

It was always going to be hard to justify such an expensive coffee maker. You could buy a decent second-hand car for less. But the De’Longhi at least does much more than rival bean-to-cup machines.

First, unusually, it has dual bean hoppers so you can have two preferred types of coffee bean (caffeinated and decaf? everyday and specialty? breakfast and after dinner? yours and theirs?) plus you can dose it with a measure of ground coffee for a third way. The machine also makes tea and has dual water heaters at two different temperatures, so there’s no compromise.

The De’Longhi has a five-inch colour touch screen and Bluetooth, connecting it to a smartphone app where you can tailor personal recipes. The screen works brilliantly: tap on a drink and hit the plus sign to tailor its length, aroma (dose), temperature, froth. The dispenser slides up and down, so you can also make a carafe of between 250 and 750ml.

The milk container is an insulated pot that you plug in when requested. Impressively a milk nozzle pivots from the front and ends up just in front of the coffee spouts, so once it’s in place you can just press a button to make a latte, cappuccino or similar. After making a cuppa it asks whether you want it to self-clean the milk nozzle.

Alternatively, attach the Mix Carafe for cold coffees, cocktails and more. You can add small ice cubes and sugar to make blended cold coffees. Or add the choco stirrer attachment for an impressive hot chocolate: on-screen instructions talk you through everything.

We found it easy to use and never needed the manual, despite the complexity, but it is pricey and multiple accessories means stuff to store. It’s a boxy design that takes up lots of worktop depth and 29cm width. The results are impressive but ultimately we felt that the pricey De’Longhi was over the top. That said, if you love the idea of blended cold coffees and money’s no object then you won’t be disappointed by this luxe machine.

Ideal Home rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

How to buy the best bean-to-cup coffee machine for you

How much should I spend on a bean-to-cup coffee machine?

The bean-to-cup coffee machines tested here start from a compelling £250 and you can certainly get great machines for under £600. Above that, sense-check whether the machine actually does more or makes things easier. Sometimes you’re paying for the design or the brand.

It’s a lot of money, but to look at it another way, it’s £1-2 a day for a year. Not bad if you’re weighing it up against buying a fancy coffee on the way to work every morning.

Too much for your budget? Check out Best pod coffee machines

image credit: Sage

How do I clean my bean-to-cup coffee machine?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch and there’s no such thing as a coffee machine that doesn’t need cleaning. But there are machines that need cleaning less. All machines here except the Sage automatically dose themselves with ground coffee and then deposit the used grounds in a bin, so you’ll need to empty the bin regularly. You’ll also need to empty the drip tray – the water from self-cleaning ends up in it. Beyond that, you’ll want to give the machine a proper clean once a week to ensure it’s hygienic and tastes great.

Are there any downsides to bean-to-cup machines?

Aside from having to clean the things, other caveats are worktop space (they tend to use much of the depth of a worktop, but the width varies) and cost. And finally, note the above concern about some being too good: so easy to use that you can drink frothy but highly caffeinated drinks all day long. Note that the milk frothers are great for making soothing hot chocolates, too…

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