Bean-to-Cup Single-Serve Coffee Machines Review

by Whole Latte Love Updated: August 25, 2023 4 min read
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Bean-to-Cup espresso machines have been a hot commodity in the market as people are swapping out capsule machines for super-automatics. These machines have been Europe’s little secret, incredibly popular across the pond. And why? Well, compared to capsule machines, they’re just as fast, more convenient, more capable and don’t produce plastic waste.

Cost

On top of all that, the cost per cup is about a third of what it is from a capsule machine. You know those capsules? Well, most of the cost is for the plastic and not the pre-ground coffee inside. Kinda crazy huh?

Capabilities

So let’s talk capabilities with a bean-to-cup machine. Do you like lattes and cappuccinos? Well, these machines make them. How about espresso? They do that too. All your favorite coffee beverages from a quick travel mug to beautifully layered milk-based drinks all made from fresh ground whole beans at the touch of a button.

On top of that, you can control your coffee strength, the temperature and you can adjust the grind size to get the most flavor out of those fresh ground whole beans. All are easily programmable to deliver exactly the amount of coffee you want.
So at Whole Latte Love, you can choose from basic, low-cost machines right on up to top of the line models ready to serve 100 plus beverages a day in a busy office.

Favorite Bean-to-Cup Machines

A great option for those of you looking for a more affordable and entry-level friendly bean-to-cup machine is the Gaggia Velasca. This one-touch super-automatic can brew and froth some of the hottest espresso and milk-based drinks compared to any other bean-to-cup machine. An admirable feature for many coffee and espresso drinkers. The Velasca features customizable one-touch brewing giving you the option to alter the strength of your coffee and the temperature to your preference. Now, cleaning the Velasca couldn’t be simpler for an entry-level user. The automatic machine alerts the user when it’s time to descale and even better when you install the Mavea Intenza Water Filter, you’ll preserve the taste of your coffee and improve your machine’s longevity.

If you’re looking for a medium-level bean-to-cup machine with a bit more versatility, we recommend the Anima’s successor, the Anima Prestige. One of the biggest differences between the Anima and the Anima Prestige is the detachable milk carafe. The Gaggia Anima has it’s notable Pannarello Wand, however, the Anima Prestige allows users to store milk in a detachable milk carafe. Milk never passes through the machine so you won’t need to worry about milk clogging the machine or a wand. The Prestige runs through an automatic rinse cycle after every use ensuring that things are kept clean and hygienic. Once you’re done brewing your favorite milk-based drink, simply detach the carafe and store it in the fridge for next time.

For the effortless barista, you might be looking into a more high-end super-automatic that makes grinding, tamping and brewing a breeze. The JURA GIGA 6 is sweeping the bean-to-cup machine market off its feet. You’ll get double the fun with dual hoppers, dual grinders, and two spouts to whip up a frothy and velvety cappuccino for you and a friend, all with no wait time. What we love about the GIGA 6 is its ability to give users an unparalleled personalized experience. Through the 4.3-inch screen display, users can customize and rename their own drinks for easy access and as long as you’ve got a mug under the spouts, you can utilize JURA’s J.O.E app to brew your favorite beverage from the comfort of your couch.

Temperature Settings

There are 3 temperature settings on the Anima Prestige and the Velasca, so can have your coffee as hot as you want with 5 customizable coffee strengths. On the Anima Prestige, you have the option to adjust the pre-infusion for more control and flavor prior to extraction.

On the Velasca, users won’t have to wait long on sleepy mornings, with an impressive 45-second heat up — double click the espresso and lungo buttons for the automatic double-brewing feature and you’ll have a hot cup of joe in no time.

A truly impressive innovation on the GIGA 6 are the 10 milk temperature options available to users so you’ll truly be in control of crafting your preferred beverage. With 28 drink specialties available on the GIGA 6, we’re sure you’ll have a great time customizing your coffee and espresso to your liking.

So what do you think? Are you ready to move up to better coffee made from whole beans ground fresh for every cup? Would you enjoy easy lattes and cappuccinos? How about all the convenience of a capsule machine with less waste and a lower cost per cup?

If that’s you, it’s time to check out automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines at Whole Latte Love. Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll come back soon for more of the good stuff on everything coffee.