Bean to Cup Coffee Machines 2021

Soldato
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25 Nov 2020
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Hi all,

Our 7 year old DeLonghi Caffè Corso is showing signs of giving up. It's always had a bit of a problem with where to put the grounds as some tends to miss the collection tub.

We're looking to move that machine on and get something else.

At the moment our possible purchase list includes:
1. Sage Barista Express - around £500
2. DeLonghi La Specialista - around £600
3. Melitta Caffeo TS - around £500

A) Has anyone here any experience with the above?

B) Any other bean to cup coffee machines to throw in the mix?

C) And finally - which bean to cup machine do you have and how do you rate it?
 
Soldato
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We have had the Sage BE around 2 years now and it hasn't skipped a beat. Given we have been working from home for 18 months and having 2 coffees a day each as well had to do nothing outside normal maintenance. Its defo one of the easier machines to use as well.

If you get one I would recommend eBay, the only authorized Sage refurb seller is on there. Ours cost £275 you can get an oracle for like 700 from too
 
Soldato
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Bristol
We have the Sage BE and no complaints really.

If you have the budget I'd say get something with a dual boiler but you'll certainly be happy with the BE!
 
Soldato
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Thanks both for your responses. I think we'd prefer to go new rather than refurb.

The Sage BE seems best value for money, even at inflated pandemic pricing.

@Junglist why would you go for dual boiler? Is it for the milk frothing or are there other benefits?
 
Associate
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Currently have a 5 year old Jura but can't remember model number (£1250 when new) It's waiting to go in for repair (won't compact coffee into puck). Have been quoted a fixed price of £200 from Jura for repair. Coffee O.K but wish it was hotter. Wouldn't buy a touch screen model again. Jura Rep offered £250? trade in for current replacement model listed at £1500. Wouldn't buy another Jura coffee machine.
 
Soldato
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if you dislike, supposedly, recon'd , well maybe box just got banged, BE's
looks like the duo pro is back on sale at £300 - I get that and and better grinder like Eureka facile , rather than a BE at £550.
Eureka grinder is a safe investment.

Unfortunately looks like the facile is just in black livery, unlike next up in their range
 
Caporegime
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We have the Sage BE and no complaints really.

If you have the budget I'd say get something with a dual boiler but you'll certainly be happy with the BE!

Same here, had to replace the grouphead gasket just after 2 years in but other than that it's been flawless.

I've got a hotel chocolat velvetiser so I just use that whenever I fancy one with milk. I mostly just have americano though.
 
Pet Northerner
Don
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Currently have a 5 year old Jura but can't remember model number (£1250 when new) It's waiting to go in for repair (won't compact coffee into puck). Have been quoted a fixed price of £200 from Jura for repair. Coffee O.K but wish it was hotter. Wouldn't buy a touch screen model again. Jura Rep offered £250? trade in for current replacement model listed at £1500. Wouldn't buy another Jura coffee machine.

Jura's are terrible in my experience. My old office had one and it constantly broke down, leaked or had other issues.
 
Soldato
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So far I'm almost certain we're getting the Sage BE - thanks everyone for their comments.

It seems I have an additional pickle to solve:

I've got a hotel chocolat velvetiser
Tell me more. Is it worth it? I do enjoy a frothy coffee and the occasional mocha.
 
Pet Northerner
Don
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Newcastle, UK
So far I'm almost certain we're getting the Sage BE - thanks everyone for their comments.

It seems I have an additional pickle to solve:


Tell me more. Is it worth it? I do enjoy a frothy coffee and the occasional mocha.

They make great hot chocolate

:p

But in all seriousness they do warm milk to that perfect drinking temp so it's easy to just drop a shot of coffee in there, or use a sachet or something.
 
Soldato
OP
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They make great hot chocolate

:p

But in all seriousness they do warm milk to that perfect drinking temp so it's easy to just drop a shot of coffee in there, or use a sachet or something.

Looks like we're getting a Sage BE and HC Velvetiser too! Time to move our DeLonghi unit on to a new home.
 
Soldato
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Sage BE landing today. Bought on Amazon For £479. Was £599 with a £120 voucher. Pretty chuffed. Looking forward to setting it up and giving it a whirl.

@montymint I'm not allowed a velvetiser, even when they're on a deal for £65ish. Sad times.
 
Soldato
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Sage BE landing today. Bought on Amazon For £479. Was £599 with a £120 voucher. Pretty chuffed. Looking forward to setting it up and giving it a whirl.

@montymint I'm not allowed a velvetiser, even when they're on a deal for £65ish. Sad times.

You'll be happy with it!

Sorry for not responding to your earlier question. The only reason I want a dual boiler next is because I'm impatient and hate waiting the 15-20 seconds or so until the steam is ready. It's a massively first world problem that shouldn't be taken seriously

Enjoy the machine!
 
Pet Northerner
Don
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Location
Newcastle, UK
Sage BE landing today. Bought on Amazon For £479. Was £599 with a £120 voucher. Pretty chuffed. Looking forward to setting it up and giving it a whirl.

@montymint I'm not allowed a velvetiser, even when they're on a deal for £65ish. Sad times.

Booo!

I'm hoping to pick up a Sage BE later this year, just need to wait to get into the new place (current kitchen is a postage stamp)
 
Associate
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Jura's are terrible in my experience. My old office had one and it constantly broke down, leaked or had other issues.
In terms of reliability it's been fine but then again it's in a home environment rather than an office. When we got it, full on bean to cup machines were pretty rare so choice was pretty limited. Everyone we knew had gone for a (Swiss made) Jura so that's what we went for. The reason I wouldn't buy another is that everything about it is pretty average yet the prices are anything but. Not a single other Jura user I know has become a repeat Jura customer. As competition has hotted up it's really highlighted Jura's poor value for money. The cheapest with milk machine £1650? Says it all really.
 
Soldato
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I'm hoping to pick up a Sage BE later this year, just need to wait to get into the new place (current kitchen is a postage stamp)
they're not so large, and if anything the newer (bambino, be pro etc) model has a poor reputation(thermojet), so this may explain some deals,
the non-refurb, open-box ones on ebay sub 300 seem a good deal
 
Soldato
Joined
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15,762
Jura's are terrible in my experience. My old office had one and it constantly broke down, leaked or had other issues.

+1

My old office had Jura machines. Fairly old ones, but also replaced with brand new machines with an office refurb.

They're all crap. Constantly clogging up and needing dismantling.

The only saving grace was that they had a chute you could use to put your own ground coffee in, so could grind some fresh in the morning and have decent coffee at work. When the machine was working...
 
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