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The De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic is one of the best bean-to-cup coffee makers I’ve ever used – and one of the most expensive

6:00 pm | June 1, 2025

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic: two-minute review

The De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic is a premium bean-to-cup espresso machine that’s a pleasure to use, brewing exceptionally well-balanced coffee and giving you a huge array of ways to enjoy it.

Once you’ve tailored your espresso to your liking, the Primadonna Aromatic presents you with an enormous menu of hot and cold drink options so you can enjoy it any way you like. You don’t need to worry about being blinded by choice, though, because the machine will ‘learn’ what drinks you enjoy and when, and will bump them to the front of the queue depending on the time of day.

The interface is thoughtfully designed, with a chatty tone, step-by-step instructions, and diagrams and animations to walk you through everything from brewing a macchiato to cleaning the brew unit.

Iced latte macchiato made using Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

For me, there are only two drawbacks. The first is the Primadonna Aromatic’s sheer size. I've tested some big coffee makers over the past few years, but this is definitely one of the largest.

Width isn’t much of an issue because the water tank can be removed from the front, making it possible to push the machine up against a wall and only move it out for occasional cleaning. The problem is the height. At 16in / 46.3cm this is a seriously tall appliance, and if you position it on a counter under a wall cabinet, you might struggle to open the bean hopper on top when it's time for a refill. Make sure you measure your space carefully before investing.

The second issue is the price. This is one of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines I’ve ever tested, but also one of the most expensive. In fact, only the Jura J10 is pricier. You’ll need a household of coffee lovers with varied tastes to get the most out of the Primadonna Aromatic.

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic coffee machine — (Image credit: Future)

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic: price and availability

Costs £1,549.99 (about $2,100 / AU$3,300)
Launched in the UK in April 2025
Not yet available in the US (but likely to arrive soon)

The De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic launched in the UK in April 2025, priced at £1,549.99 (about $2,100 / AU$3,300). At the time of writing, it’s not yet available in the US, but I anticipate a wider release soon.

It’s one of the more expensive coffee machines in De’Longhi’s fully automatic series, sitting between the De’Longhi Primadonna Soul (which only brews hot beverages) and the top-end De’Longhi Maestosa (which has dual bean hoppers and a special milk carafe that can combine ingredients like cocoa powder).

The Primadonna Aromatic is definitely at the upper end of the price scale when it comes to home coffee makers. However, if you’re a fan of chilled espresso-based drinks, it’s a more affordable option than the Jura J10, which is also great for hot and cold drinks, but has an eye-watering price tag of £1,795 / AU$3,990 (about $2,300).

The Primadonna Aromatic is easily one of the best coffee makers I’ve tested this year, but there’s no avoiding the fact that its price will be beyond the budget of many coffee aficionados.

Value score: 4/5

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic: specifications

Name	De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic
Type	Automatic bean-to-cup
Dimensions (W x H x D)	10.3 x 16 x 18.2in / 26.2 x 40.7 x 46.3cm
Weight	28.7lbs / 13kg
Water reservoir capacity	2.3 quarts / 2.2 liters
Milk frother	Automatic, hot and cold
Bars of pressure	19
User profiles	4

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic: design

Very large, but stylish
Five-inch touchscreen and intuitive interface
Two-carafe system for hot and cold milk foam
Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe components

The De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic is a large but stylish espresso machine, with a brushed metal finish and black accents. Its most striking feature is a 5in color touchscreen that displays the menu options (there are 35 customizable hot and cold drinks to choose from), which is supplemented by four buttons: power, profile selection, hot drinks, and cold drinks.

The coffee dispenser on the front can be moved up and down to accommodate different-sized cups and has a magnetic cover that’s easy to remove when you want to clean the nozzles.

The Primadonna Aromatic comes with two milk carafes – one for hot milk and one for cold – that push into a connector on the left of the coffee dispenser. Each carafe has a dial on top that allows you to pick from three foam textures, from creamy to thick. Turning the dial all the way to the right will select cleaning mode, which you should run before returning the carafe to the fridge (the machine will remind you to do this if you forget).

Milk carafe connecting to Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — The two milk carafes push into a connector on the front of the machine, and can be stored in the fridge between use (Image credit: Future)

Both carafes have lids to keep the milk fresh while it’s refrigerated. When it’s time to give them a deep clean, they can be easily disassembled and cleaned in the top drawer of a dishwasher, or left to soak in hot, soapy water for 30 minutes and rinsed.

The water tank is also nicely designed. It has a generous 2.3 quart / 2.2 liter capacity, and unlike some others, it's large enough to get your hand inside when you want to clean and dry it. There’s also a lid with a funnel-shaped hole for mess-free filling, and the machine comes with a water hardness testing strip that helps you set it up correctly, plus a water filter that screws inside.

Water tank removed from Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — The large water tank slides into the machine from the front (Image credit: Future)

The Primadonna Aromatic will alert you when it’s time to replace the filter. New ones can be purchased directly from De’Longhi for £15.99 (about $20 / AU$35), but at the time of writing, they are discounted to £8.54 (about $10 / AU$20).

In addition to the main hopper, the Primadonna Aromatic has a chute you can use to add a scoop of pre-ground coffee when you want to drink something different from your usual beans. It’s a great feature that you’ll find on most De’Longhi machines, and is ideal if you want to switch to decaf in the afternoon.

Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker bean hopper — There's a large-capacity bean hopper on top, or you can use a scoop of pre-ground coffee if you want to switch to something different (Image credit: Future)

My only real issue with the Primadonna Aromatic’s design is its height. This mighty machine stands an imposing 16in / 407mm tall, which means there’s not much headroom between its lid and my wall cabinets. That usually wasn’t a problem, but it made refilling the bean hopper trickier than I’d like. I was just about able to remove the lid (which has a soft seal to keep your beans fresh) and slip scoops of coffee inside. It’s well worth measuring the space you have available to make sure this impressive machine will fit.

The good news is that you don’t need much room on the sides. The water tank is located on the right, but slides out from the front of the machine. If you position the Primadonna Aromatic right against a wall or cabinet (as I did), you’ll only need to move it out approximately once a month to clean the brew unit.

Design score: 5/5

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic: performance

Produces well-extracted, balanced espresso
Hot and cold milk frothing both work very well
User profiles provide smart recommendations for multiple users

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Drinks menu on Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — The drinks you make more frequently at the current time of day will be displayed first in the menu (Image credit: Future)

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User profiles on Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — You'll be prompted to create profiles for everyone who'll be using the machine during setup (Image credit: Future)

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Heating notification on Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — All instructions and other text is written in a chatty style that makes the Primadonna Aromatica more pleasant to use (Image credit: Future)

The De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic is a joy to use, and manages to nail both the fundamentals and the details.

First (and most importantly), it can brew an excellent espresso. The machine’s standard settings appear to be configured for medium roast arabica beans, because it produced a delicious, sweet, well-rounded espresso first time using my preferred beans. If the taste isn’t quite to your liking, you can delve into the Bean Adapt tool, which is accessible via a link above the main drinks menu.

Just select the type of beans you’re using, either through the machine’s touchscreen or De’Longhi’s Coffee Link mobile app, and the machine will automatically adjust its brewing settings accordingly, including the grind size. If the resulting espresso doesn’t meet your expectations, you can tinker with the options manually to achieve the optimum extraction.

Once you’ve perfected your espresso, you can take your pick from a selection of hot and cold drinks.

Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker pouring espresso — (Image credit: Future)

One of the Primadonna Aromatic’s main selling points is its ability to ‘learn’ which drinks you like at different times of day. This excellent feature helps you avoid scrolling through the vast menu every time you want to make a beverage, and is great for households with more than one coffee drinker.

User profiles for coffee machines sometimes feel a bit superfluous (after all, who’s actually replacing all the beans in the hopper when they want to brew a drink for themselves?), but with the Primadonna Aromatic, profiles are an integral part of the experience. When you first set up the machine, you’ll be asked to provide names for all the people who’ll be using it, and given the option to set different-colored profile icons. I set one for myself, and a second for my husband. You can switch between these profiles at the press of a button, and the menu will rearrange itself with that person’s preferred drinks listed first for quick selection. I test new coffee machines every month for TechRadar, and this is the first time I’ve found user profiles in an espresso maker genuinely useful.

The LatteCrema hot milk frothing system is excellent and produces some of the best results I’ve seen from an automatic espresso machine. De’Longhi advises that you’ll get the best results with whole dairy milk or plant milk, and during my tests, I found that dairy and oat produced the thickest, most stable foam. Push the milk carafe into place, tilt the dispenser so the nozzle is positioned over your cup, turn the dial to the position described on the machine’s screen, and you’re ready to begin.

Latte macchiato made using Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

Another of the Primadonna Aromatic’s key features is its ability to make tasty cold-brewed drinks. These aren’t a tacked-on extra, and are given just as much prominence in the menu as hot beverages. There are even quick-access buttons beside the touchscreen that let you filter the drink menu by temperature.

The machine comes with a silicone ice cube tray, and after selecting a cold drink, you’ll be prompted to add a certain number of cubes to your cup or glass (at least six for an iced latte macchiato, for example). For milk-based drinks, you’ll then be asked to connect the cold carafe (the one with the white lid), which should be filled with either skimmed dairy milk or a plant-based alternative for the best results.

One of the biggest drawbacks of most automatic espresso machines is the cleanup, which sometimes takes so long that I think I’d be better off making my coffee manually. The De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic is different. It rinses itself automatically after brewing and prompts you to rinse the milk carafe, but both processes only take a couple of seconds and seem to require very little water. I tested the machine for several weeks and never noticed any change in the taste of my drinks, so this system clearly works.

When it’s time to give the machine a deep clean, the Primadonna Aromatic provides step-by-step instructions to help you disassemble and wash the coffee dispenser components, and remove and rinse the brew unit. I found a small build-up of coffee grounds in the hatch containing the brew unit, but these were easy to wipe up with a damp cloth.

I was a little nervous about cleaning the plastic milk carafe components in the dishwasher, but they came out sparkling. Washing by hand is fine too, but it's reassuring to know they've been cleaned at a high temperature to remove residue that might harbor bacteria.

Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic?

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic: score card
Attribute	Notes	Score
Value	It's a brilliant machine, but there's no escaping the fact that the Primadonna Aromatic will be beyond the budget of many coffee lovers.	4/5
Design	Smart and stylish, with a super-intuitive interface and dishwasher-safe components to make maintenance a breeze.	5/5
Performance	Brews consistently well-balanced and tasty espresso. Both hot and cold milk foaming work well, and user profiles that 'learn' your preferences are extremely handy.	5/5

Buy it if

You enjoy cold drinks regularly

The De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic makes excellent iced espresso drinks, and its cold foam is particularly impressive. Use skimmed or plant-based milk for the best results.

You have a generous budget

This is one of the most expensive espresso machines I’ve tested. It’s a joy to use, but there’s no escaping the fact that it’s seriously pricey.

Don't buy it if

You have just a couple of favorite drinks

The Primadonna Aromatic learns your drink preferences, but if you only drink cappuccinos and double espressos (for example), most of this machine’s functions will be superfluous. There are over 30 drinks to choose from, and sticking with one or two would be a real shame.

You’re the only coffee drinker in your house

This machine’s smart user profiles are one of its best features, and if you don’t share your coffee machine with anyone else, you might be better off with a simpler machine that doesn’t offer such depth of customization.

De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic: also consider

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch

If you don't have the space or the budget for the Primadonna Aromatic, this compact semi-automatic machine from De'Longhi is well worth a look. It can automate the trickiest parts of making espresso-based drinks, or let you take control. It's much smaller than you'd expect, and very reasonably priced.

Read our full De'Longhi La Specialista Touch review

Jura J10

If money is no object and your coffee orders are so complicated they give baristas a headache, the J10 could be the espresso machine for you. Like the Primadonna Aromatic, it does an excellent job of brewing hot and cold (with only one milk carafe needed), and it can even infuse foam with a flavored syrup of your choice.

Read our full Jura J10 review

How I tested the De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic

I used the De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic for two weeks in place of my usual coffee machine, and brewed coffee using a blend of freshly roasted Brazilian and Colombian arabica beans. I set up a separate user profile for my partner to test the smart recommendations, and we both used the machine to brew a variety of hot and cold drinks throughout each day.

Coffee beans beside De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

I tested the hot milk frother with whole dairy milk and oat milk and used the cold milk frother with skimmed dairy milk and oat milk, as instructed by De'Longhi. All milk was bought fresh and used cold from the fridge.

First reviewed May 2025.

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next took me some time to master, but the delicious espresso it makes was worth the wait

11:04 am | May 5, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next: Two-minute review

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is an upgraded version of the Magnifica Evo we reviewed back in 2021, further expanding the Italian brand's range of Magnifica automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines. As a brewer of coffee, it’s excellent, delivering a delicious espresso with a lovely crema.

It can make a comprehensive selection of coffee-based drinks, each of which can be personalized and saved to profiles to ensure you get your perfect cuppa each and every time. It also uses De’Longhi’s LatteCrema milk frothing technology for making cappuccinos, macchiatos and other milk-based coffee drinks. But, despite an increasing percentage of the world’s population turning to plant-based milks, there aren’t any separate profiles for these dairy alternatives.

Day-to-day use of the Evo Next should be simple for most people, particularly those who are familiar with how fully automatic coffee machines work, although anyone new to coffee making might have to overcome a steep learning curve to get to grips with it. I was coming to the Evo Next as a user of either Nespresso pod machines or manual espresso machines, so it took me a few uses to figure out exactly how to extract the best from the Evo Next. If you’re in a similar position or have never used an automatic bean-to-cup machine before, let it be known you’re likely going to pour a few bitter espressos before you find your ideal cuppa.

The combination of the machine’s clearly laid-out buttons and bright, colorful display, however, made navigating through menus and settings a piece of cake. The only setting that did cause me some initial trouble was adjusting the grinder. I assumed I could adjust it whenever I wanted, but De’Longhi says it should only be moved when it’s in motion, which is counter to previous machines I've tested. I would have liked this instruction to have been a bit clearer. I also think the user manual could be a little clearer with regard to the effect changing the grind setting even just one increment can make on the resulting espresso. Those well-versed in coffee machines will likely already know this, but newcomers may struggle.

It’s not the smallest nor the quietest automatic coffee machine ever, nor is it even the quickest to pour an espresso shot, but once you’ve learned your way around it, the results and generous selection of available drink choices go some way to making up for these foibles, putting in contention with the best bean-to-cup coffee machines currently available.

Also helping its cause to be your next coffee machine is its low cost in comparison to similar models from other brands – although, perhaps not in the US at the time of writing.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Price & availability

List price $999.95 / £499.99 / AU$1,149
Cheaper than comparable competitor models
Can already be found with discounts

The price of the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next varies across the globe. In the UK, its list price is £499.99, in Australia it costs AU$1,149, but in the US it’s more expensive than a currency conversion or tariffs would suggest at $999.95.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen an inflated price for US customers, with the De’Longhi Eletta Explore – also an automatic coffee machine – priced higher in the US than its UK and Australian equivalents would suggest, and that’s from long before any tariff announcements were made.

When compared to the similarly specced KitchenAid KF6 ($1,199 / £1,299 / AU$1,799) though, the Magnifica Evo Next still represents remarkable value. The KF6 is much quieter in use and offers some extra maintenance features akin to professional espresso machines, but doesn’t include a milk carafe as standard, instead leaving you to place a tube into a jug or cup (or pony up for the official optional one).

Value score: 5/5

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Specs

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Design

Side water tank for easier refilling
Color display helps with navigation and setting changes
Space needed above for pouring coffee beans

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is a smart-looking coffee machine in a matte silver-and-black colourway. It’s the same size as other models in the Magnifica Evo range, including the Magnifica Evo, at 44 x 36 x 24cm (W x D x H), making it pretty big by espresso machine standards. I had it set up next to my trusted Nespresso Vertuo Pop pod coffee machine throughout the testing process and the difference in size was, well, sizeable, even on my relatively large kitchen counter. You will, therefore, need to make sure you have the space on your countertop to accommodate it.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine on a kitchen counter, next to a Nespresso Vertuo Pop. — The De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is significantly larger than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

As with other models in the series, the beans container is on the top, so you’ll need to allow for a bit of extra space above to comfortably pour in coffee beans. With wall-mounted cabinets sitting directly above the machine in my setup, there was just enough clearance to pour a 1kg bag into the hopper. Ultimately though, as the machine's hopper isn’t airtight, I settled on storing my coffee beans in a separate container and scooping them in as needed. If you’re only making a few (or less) coffees a day, I’d recommend putting in just enough for each use to preserve freshness.

There is also a small chute that accepts ground coffee, if you don't have access to whole beans – although freshly ground beans make such a huge difference that using pre-ground with a machine of this caliber is, frankly, a huge waste.

A manual control wheel for the 13 grinder settings is nestled within the beans container. It’s labelled 1 to 7 – 1 being the finest and 7 the coarsest – with increments going up by 0.5 in between. De’Longhi says the default setting of 5 should be fine for most users, but if you want to adjust the grind setting, you should only do so when the machine is grinding to avoid damage to the burrs. De’Longhi adds that you should pour at least two coffees after you’ve made any changes to make sure that they’ve taken effect.

This, coupled with the five intensity settings available for each drink (which I’ll talk about more in the performance section), can make finding the perfect combination for your own tastes quite tricky and will likely require some experimentation during your first few days of use.

Coffee bean hopper of the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

If you want a home espresso machine that reduces the grinding guesswork, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch’s Bean Adapt Technology system recommends ideal settings based on your chosen drink, although the machine on the whole requires more manual input than the Evo Next.

I experimented a fair amount with grind settings and found that when I had it set to the finest setting of 1, the machine wasn’t able to pour coffee. Instead it displayed an error message and then dumped out the ground coffee into the internal waste container. Returning the dial to its default setting of 5 gave me much better results.

Coffee is poured from two nozzles that can be physically raised or lowered to accommodate a variety of cup or mug heights, and it can be used to pour two espresso shots at once. The drip tray that sits underneath your cup(s) slides out smoothly, and also pulls out the separate internal waste bin where used coffee pucks are collected.

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A small glass under the spouts of the .De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine — The spout can move up and down to accommodate a range of cup and mug sizes. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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A large mug under the nozzles of the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The Magnifica Evo Next comes with a large 60.9 fl oz / 1.8L water tank on its right-hand side, and slides in and out of the front of the machine like a book from a bookcase. This makes refilling the tank incredibly easy when compared to models from other brands that put the tank on the rear of the machine.

However, I have also used manual coffee machines such as the Sage/Breville Oracle Jet which has an integrated water tank that you simply fill up using a jug of water via a hole in the top at the front, a method I ultimately prefer.

De’Longhi also supplies a water hardness testing strip so you can determine which water hardness setting to choose during the initial setup, as well as a water filter that screws into the bottom of the tank.

The Magnifica Evo Next comes with both a hot water spout and a 9.4 fl oz / 280ml milk carafe to froth milk using the company’s LatteCrema system. Both of these attach to a small connection slot on the front left of the machine, and you can only use one at a time. If you want to make a milk-based drink or a tea, for example, you’ll need to factor in time to swap the attachments around.

The milk carafe and its various parts are easy to remove and clean. They’re dishwasher safe, too, to make things even easier.

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The water tank of the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine removed half way. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine with its milk carafe attached. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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Hot water spout attachment for the .De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

You control the machine via an array of soft-touch buttons along the top, each of which has a symbol for a specific drink. There are also a couple of arrows that are used to adjust the size and intensity of your drink and an OK button to confirm your selections.

If you want to customize a drink, your options are extensive. Not only can you set a preferred intensity, but you can override the standard volumes poured for each style and size of coffee, including milk. This feature is accessed by pressing the ‘my’ button on the touch panel, and allows for three user profiles per drink.

When creating a custom profile, the machine will begin and continue pouring coffee until you tell it to stop when it reaches the desired level. The same goes for milk. With your settings saved, the next time you come to make the same drink, you’ll see ‘my’ listed next to the size. Press OK and the Evo Next will pour to your exact specifications.

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Drink selection menu on the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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Drink choices on the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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Your selections are displayed on a clear, central 2.4-inch TFT screen that provides a good range of information, including color images of what your coffee can expect to look like once it’s finished pouring. It also gives you remarkably polite written feedback, including telling you you’re becoming a pro after you’ve poured a large number of drinks.

As I’m based in Australia, I found some of the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next's drink names slightly unfamiliar, as they reflect the brand’s Italian heritage. For instance, my usual choice of a flat white isn't a standard Italian coffee and so isn’t an option. The closest alternative available is the Cappuccino Mix, which provides frothed milk, though it's less foamy than a traditional cappuccino.

Design score: 4.5/5

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Performance

Extensive selection of customization options
Delicious espresso with good crema
Noisy in use

As I’ve already mentioned, the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next will consistently produce great-tasting coffee, but only after you’ve figured out which settings are best for you. I experimented a fair amount with grind and intensity settings – initially with poor, unusable results – but once I found the best settings for my taste, there was no stopping me from making excellent coffee after coffee.

Espresso coffee in a glass — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I was happy with the thickness of the crema produced, and I think it will suit most coffee drinkers. If, however, you like a particularly thick crema on your espresso or coffee, then you may want to check out the KitchenAid KF6 instead.

The Magnifica Evo Next can make 11 different coffee-based drinks, each with its own options for customization, such as the strength, temperature and volume. The options offered are:

• Espresso
• Cappuccino/Cappucino+
• Coffee
• Long
• Americano
• Doppio/Doppio+
• Latte Macchiato
• Cappuccino Mix
• Espresso Macchiato

You can also dispense hot water and hot milk from the machine; however, unlike some other newer espresso machines we've tested, there’s no option for cold brewing.

During my testing, I found the default settings for my preferred cappuccino mix drink weren’t as strong as I would have liked – the intensity was set to 3, on a scale of 1 to 5. I had to increase it to the maximum 5 and this returned a much more flavorful brew.

The higher intensity setting refers to the fact that more beans are ground and packed into the internal puck, resulting in a stronger, more potent espresso.

There aren’t any settings to adjust the foam level or milk temperature, although the type of milk you use will dictate the level of foam returned. For example, I drink oat milk in my coffees and found that attempting to use standard (i.e. non-barista) oat milk produced disappointing results.

That’s not to say the results weren’t foamy – in fact I was impressed with what the Evo Next could muster – but it produced a thicker foam when I switched to a barista brand with higher fat content.

While I’m quite easygoing when it comes to milk, users who are particular will likely need to experiment with different milk types and brands yo achieve the desired results.

I was less enthused with the way the milk comes out the spout, though. It’s more a ‘spit out’ than a ‘flow out' – not something I’d expect from a more premium machine like this.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine main logo.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

For time-conscious coffee drinkers, you’ll want to know that pouring an espresso at intensity level 5 – which grinds the largest amount of beans – took around 40 seconds. Larger drinks, such as my cappuccino mix, took longer at nearly 1 min 30 seconds, including dispensing milk. This time is on par with the Magnifica Evo automatic coffee machine, but there are faster machines that are cheaper, so it's a slight shame that De’Longhi hasn’t been able to speed up the brew time with this model. If you want your coffee fast, a Nespresso machine can cut those times down considerably – my Vertuo Pop, for example, takes around 30 seconds to pour a 150ml pod.

I also found the Magnifica Evo Next quite noisy in use. It bothered me so much that I took a reading with the Decibel X app on my phone and, when placed next to the machine, it reached 82dB when grinding beans (nearly 20dB louder than the Quiet Mark-certified KitchenAid KF6), 72dB when tamping and emptying the coffee puck, and 66dB when pouring a coffee.

Coffee brewing progress bar on the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next coffee machine. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Where the Magnifica Evo Next makes less of a fuss is maintenance. After each milk-based drink, the machine asks you to run a quick-rinse cycle, which uses water from the tank to flush any buildup from the carafe’s spout. You’ll also be notified on the display when it’s time to empty the drip tray and grounds container.

For more thorough cleaning, a dedicated Maintenance menu can be found in the settings, with options to run water through the machine to rinse it and run a descaling cycle (the machine will let you know if a descaling is necessary). You can also check the status of the water filter, run a more thorough cycle for the milk carafe when it’s connected, and drain any water from the system if you’re planning to transport it.

Finally, a panel on the right-hand side of the machine, accessible when you remove the water container, houses the brewing unit. This detaches easily with a pinch of the two red-colored clips and can be run under a tap to remove any buildup of coffee.

Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next

Buy it if

You want some control over your coffee

While it’s automatic, the Magnifica Evo Next still gives you plenty of options for personalization, which can all be saved to multiple user profiles.View Deal

You enjoy a variety of coffee-based drinks

With 11 drinks to choose from, most coffee connoisseurs should be catered to, or it can even help you discover something new. View Deal

Don't buy it if

You’re short on counter space

The Magnifica Evo Next isn’t the biggest automatic coffee machine ever, but it certainly can’t be called compact.View Deal

You drink plant-based milk

This machine doesn’t discriminate against plant-based milks, but there aren’t any specific foaming or temperature profiles for dairy alternatives either.View Deal

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next: Also consider

Smeg BCC13

This is our favorite bean-to-cup espresso machine due it being a joy to use. It’s truly automatic, delivers tasty coffee and looks the absolute business.

Read our full Smeg BCC13 reviewView Deal

De’Longhi La Specialista Touch

If you’re tempted by a manual bean-to-cup machine instead, the La Specialista Touch from De’Longhi is a great option, especially for beginners. It’s semi-automated but with the option for better manual control and helps guide you through the more complex processes of espresso brewing. Plus, it’s cheaper than the Evo Next.

Read our full De'Longhi La Specilista Touch reviewView Deal

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next: How I tested

I used the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next at home with the same supermarket-brand coffee beans that we use in the TechRadar Australia office (in a Breville Oracle Jet), so I’m already familiar with the flavor. I followed the setup instructions by first testing the water hardness (hard) and configured the machine accordingly, which included needing to insert the supplied water filter.

I used the machine to pour a variety of the available drinks to assess the crema, flavor and time required. I also used the LatteCrema carafe to froth fridge-cold oat milk, of both the barista and non-barista varieties.

First reviewed May 2025

The Philips Barista Brew espresso machine is good-looking and well priced, but it’s challenging to master (and a bit messy, too)

6:30 pm | May 4, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Europe, US | Comments: Off

Philips Barista Brew: two-minute review

The Philips Barista Brew is an espresso machine that can either hand-hold you through brewing espresso by automating part of the process, or leave you to do everything manually once you’ve built up your confidence. It’s a nice idea that should help smooth out the typical learning curve.

The machine heats quickly, and has a useful pressure gauge on the front that lets you see whether you’ve achieved the optimal pressure while pulling a shot of espresso. The controls are simple to understand and use, and although the Barista Brew takes longer to master than some other machines I’ve tested recently (such as the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch), once accustomed to its idiosyncrasies, you’ll be able to create consistently good coffee with minimal fuss (and only a scattering of grounds on your kitchen worktop).

For me, the Philips Barista Brew had two main drawbacks: the automatic dosing and the tamper. Both issues are solvable, though; but they do mean that this is a good coffee machine rather than a great one.

On its default settings, the Barista Brew ground far too much coffee for a double shot of espresso, and I needed to reduce the grind time by half to get an appropriate dose. Changing settings isn’t too difficult using the instruction booklet, but I can’t help but feel that the presets should be better configured, since making big changes to the standard settings may be outside the comfort zone of people new to coffee-making.

Pressure meter on Philips Barista Brew coffee maker — I found it hard to achieve the optimum pressure using the Philips Barista Brew with its "calibrated" tamper, and my coffee tended to extract too quickly – even when very finely ground. Swapping to a conventional solid tamper solved the problem, however. (Image credit: Future)

My other issue was the tamper, which is spring-loaded and limits the amount of pressure you can put on the coffee puck. Despite the coffee being finely ground, my shots often poured too fast, and the pressure gauge on the front of the machine showed that it was failing to reach the optimal nine bars.

I found a few solutions. Grinding the coffee more coarsely means it takes up more space (imagine the difference between a bucket full of sand and one full of rocks), with it usually resulting in a faster pour because water will find its way through the grounds more quickly. But here, if you dial the grinder just right, you may be able to tamp hard enough to cancel out that effect.

Another option is to simply grind more coffee, so there's more for the tamp to compress; but this feels like a waste of beans. As with any espresso machine, add too much to your basket and it will make contact with the brew head when you insert the handle, which will stop the water passing through properly.

Philips Barista Brew coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

Finally, you can stick with your preferred grind size and dose, and use a simple third-party tamper to compress the puck rather than Philips' spring-loaded unit. While this one feels nice in the hand, I can’t help but feel it’s over-engineered.

Nevertheless, it’s important to bear in mind the price of the Barista Brew when you’re comparing it to others in the same category. Although I found the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch easier to master, the Barista Brew is much cheaper at its currently reduced price when you buy direct from Philips. If you don’t get along with the "calibrated" tamper, you can buy a good-quality unit separately and still pay a lot less.

It’ isn't perfect, but the Philips Barista Brew is very good for the price, and is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a compact, all-in-one espresso machine that won’t break the bank.

Philips Barista Brew: price and availability

List price $649.99 / £580.99 (about AU$1,000)
For sale in US and Europe
Dual-hopper version also available

The Philips Barista Brew launched in January 2024, with a list price of $649.99 / £580.99 (about AU$1,000). However, it can often be found at a discount if you shop around – for example, at the time of writing, it’s available direct from Philips for £449.99. You’ll find all today’s best prices below.

That’s about average for a semi-automatic espresso machine of this type, and is almost exactly the same price as the similarly specced De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo. If you want a machine that will hold your hand with features such as automatic milk texturizing or a color touchscreen (like the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch), for example, you should expect to pay a little more.

This version of the Philips Barista Brew comes with a single bean hopper, but there’s also a model with a dual hopper that can hold two different beans at once and switch between them on-the-fly. That model is slightly more expensive at $699.99 / £624.99 (about AU$1,100) before discounts.

Value score: 4.5/5

Philips Barista Brew: specs

Philips Barista Brew: design

Stylish-looking and compact
Easy-to-use controls for coffee and milk
Grinder is messy to use

The Philips Barista Brew is quite compact compared to most of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, and surprisingly light, too. This is largely down to its chassis, which is made mostly from black plastic, with brushed stainless steel only on the front. It’s a stylish appliance, and will look quite at home in a modern kitchen.

The machine is operated using a series of buttons found along the front, with a dial on the side for dispensing hot water and steam. There are three drink options (single espresso, double espresso, and americano), and you can adjust the brew time and coffee dosage manually by following the clear guidance in the instruction booklet.

Control panel on Philips Barista Brew coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

The version of the Philips Barista Brew I tested comes with a single bean hopper, but there's also a version with a two-part hopper that allows you to switch between different beans on-the-fly – a welcome feature for those of us who prefer decaf in the afternoon. The dual-hopper version is only a little more expensive, and is well worth considering.

The hopper sits on top of a ceramic burr grinder that offers 15 grind settings, which are adjusted by rotating the hopper. The burrs move smoothly, and dismantling the grinder for cleaning proved straightforward. The machine comes with a small cleaning kit that includes a brush for this purpose.

Philips Barista Brew coffee maker grinding coffee into portafilter handle — Even with the powder ring fitted on the handle, coffee tended to fly out of the grinder (Image credit: Future)

The grinder can be set to dispense a timed dose of coffee, or operated manually by pushing the portafilter handle against the back of the machine (tilting it slightly upwards to hit a switch).

The water tank sits on the back of the Philips Barista Brew, and is easy to lift off using its robust handle. Some other reviewers have called it narrow and difficult to clean, but it’s actually wider than those of many other coffee machines I’ve tested this year, and it was perfectly possible to get my hand inside with a cloth and towel. The only downside is that it isn't supplied with a water filter.

The steam wand has a good range of motion, and can be adjusted using a cool-touch silicone handle. Should it become clogged, you’ll find a double-ended pin tool for clearing any blockages tucked away behind the drip tray, where it’s unlikely to be found by children, or become lost. The sharper end of the pin even has a safety cap to protect your fingers.

The Barista Brew comes with a 48mm portafilter and four filter baskets – single and double-walled, for single and double shots. The double-walled (pressurized) baskets are more forgiving if you haven't quite nailed your coffee-making technique just yet, and make it easier to make a consistently well-extracted shot.

The portafilter handle has a rubberized area at the front of the basket, which makes it easy for you to stabilize it on the edge of your kitchen counter while tamping, without the need for a separate mat. It also has a powder ring that twists onto the basket that’s intended to keep things tidy during grinding, although I found it didn't prevent grounds flying out.

You also get the usual stainless steel milk pitcher, which is perfectly well made, and a "calibrated" tamper that only lets you compress the ground coffee a certain amount. It's an interesting idea, but in practice I struggled to get a properly extracted coffee because it wasn't tamped down hard enough.

Finally, the Barista Brew has a cup-warmer on top – something I always appreciate, but which is usually missing from espresso machines in this price bracket.

Design score: 3.5/5

Philips Barista Brew: performance

The Philips Barista Brew is fundamentally a very good coffee machine, and once you’re familiar with its quirks you’ll be able to make consistently good espresso. However, its guided brewing features aren't quite as straightforward as it might first appear – and in some cases, it’s easier to do things yourself.

The Barista Brew heats quickly, and its set of clearly labelled buttons are intuitive to use once it’s up to temperature. The standout design feature is the large central pressure gauge, which lets you see how well your coffee is extracted before you even taste it. Some higher-end coffee makers I’ve tested will determine whether the pressure was too high or too low and offer feedback on a color touchscreen, but the analog pressure meter does the job just as well.

The machine’s pump is quiet in operation, too, averaging 60dB during use (about the same as a dishwasher or normal conversation). Some coffee makers can reach up to 70dB, so the Barista Brew definitely sits towards the more comfortable end of the scale.

Philips Barista Brew coffee maker portafilter with powder ring attached — The powder ring is a nice addition, but doesn't fully prevent coffee spraying out during grinding (Image credit: Future)

My main issues with this machine involve grinding and tamping. The Philips Barista Brew offers a grind time setting to help with dosing. Just turn a dial on the front of the machine to decide how much coffee to dispense, hold the grind button to toggle between single and double shots, and tap it again to start grinding. Unfortunately, even when turned down to one of the lowest settings, the machine ground far more beans than I actually needed – even though I was using one of the finest grind sizes. I had to scoop out a good portion of grounds before I could consider tamping them down.

It was much easier to ignore the dosing button and do things the old-fashioned way: use a digital scale to weigh the handle, zero the scale, push the handle against the back of the machine until the dosage looked right (about 18g for a double espresso), weigh it again, and make any tweaks to achieve the correct weight.

Espresso made using Philips Barista Brew coffee maker — The Barista Brew can pull a well-balanced espresso, once you're used to its quirks (Image credit: Future)

The grinder was also a bit messy. The Philips Barista Brew has a powder ring that twists onto the top of the basket before grinding, which should direct ground coffee inside. However, in use I found that ground coffee still had a tendency to shoot out onto my work surface and the rest of the machine. Coffee grounds were particularly prone to accumulating on the funnel directly below the grinder, which needed wiping after every use. It seems this issue is likely caused by static electricity.

According to Philips, the spring-loaded tamper is calibrated to help you create a perfect puck; but during my tests, I found it didn’t apply as much pressure as I'd like. As a result, water ran through the grounds too quickly, and the machine failed to reach the optimum nine bars of pressure, even with very finely ground coffee (as shown on the pressure gauge).

Therefore, the resulting drinks were often under-extracted and a little sour-tasting –something verified by my colleague Peter Berenski, the resident coffee-buff at TechRadar’s sister site, Tom’s Guide. The video below shows a typical under-extracted double espresso pouring in just 15 seconds rather than the ideal 28 seconds.

You can get around this issue by using a third-party 58mm tamper; the "calibrated" unit supplied with the machine feels like a solution in search of a problem. The machine would be better with something simple. You can also try grinding your coffee more coarsely, so that the same weight of grounds take up more space, or simply use more beans – but this feels like a waste.

On a happier note, the machine’s steam wand is excellent. You don’t have precise control over the pressure (the dial on the side of the machine simply lets you choose between steam and water), but once it’s up to temperature, it maintains good pressure for the length of time it takes you to texturize your milk.

Automatic milk systems can be a nice touch for new users, but a manual wand delivers more flexibility, letting you adjust your technique for dairy or non-dairy milks.

Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Philips Barista Brew?

Buy it if

You’re looking for an affordable espresso machine

The Philips Barista Brew is often available at a healthy discount, and is one of the most affordable bean-to-cup machines you can buy.

You’re already comfortable with the fundamentals

If you already know how to dose, tamp and steam, the Philips Barista Brew will be a piece of cake to use.

Don't buy it if

You’re intimidated by manual controls

The Philips Barista Brew offers guided brewing features, but in my experience it works best when you take coffee-making into your own hands. If you want more assistance, a model such as the Ninja Luxe Café may be a better option.

You want to keep your kitchen pristine

The Philips Barista Brew’s grinder has a tendency to propel coffee across your worktop, and grounds accumulate around the chute. A barista towel will be invaluable.

Philips Barista Brew: also consider

De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685

If you’re on a tight budget, this little manual coffee maker is one of the best you can buy. You’ll need a separate grinder, but that will deliver greater flexibility because you can choose one with a wider range of grind settings.

Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 review

Breville Barista Touch Impress

Want an espresso machine that offers more of a helping hand than the Philips Barista Brew? The Barista Touch Impress (branded as Sage in the UK) will assist you in creating the perfect puck, with a lever-operated smart tamping system. It’s much pricier than the Philips machine, though.

Read our full Breville Barista Touch Impress review

How I tested the Philips Barista Brew

I put the Philips Barista Brew through its paces for a week, using both the pressurized and single-wall baskets to compare the results. I dialled in the grinder to achieve good extraction, and used both the automatic dosing system and manual grinding options. I used fresh arabica beans from a local coffee roaster, and chilled whole milk bought immediately before testing.

I compared coffee made using the Philips Barista Brew to coffee made with my own Gaggia Classic manual espresso maker and Dualit ceramic burr grinder.

For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products on TechRadar.

First reviewed May 2025

The De’Longhi Linea Classic is a budget-friendly, entry-level espresso machine that makes you the barista

11:00 pm | April 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine: two-minute review

The De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine might be one of the best espresso machines for new and experienced baristas alike. The reasonable price tag, simplicity of use, and relatively compact size make it an appealing choice for just about anyone.

While it's not completely automated like a capsule system or a high-end machine that includes a coffee bean grinder and touch screen, it's simple enough to use and takes some of the guesswork out of brewing espresso. A totally manual espresso machine requires you to measure and heat your water to just the right temperature and decide the right amount of pressure to use for your brew. The De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine eliminates the need for any of that; just fill the water tank with cold water; the water quantity, temperature, and pressure is decided for you. Just load up the portafilter with enough finely ground coffee for one or two shots of espresso, insert the portafilter, and press a button for either a single or double shot. Within seconds, you have a beautiful espresso (or two.)

It's all pretty straightforward, though it's important to tamp your coffee grounds just right. Tamping too firmly causes the water to brew through too slowly, and the espresso will be too intense and bitter. Tamping too loosely lets the water through too fast, and your brew will be too light and sour. If you don't like the automatic setting for water quantity, you can can change the factory setting to allow more or less water to be used.

The frothing wand froths or steams your milk of choice. A setting on the wand lets you choose between frothing and steaming milk. You can also dispense hot water though the wand, which is perfect for making an Americano (espresso with added hot water.) After using the frothing wand, the machine will be too hot to brew espresso; you'll need to run a cooling cycle or give it time to cool down.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine brewing — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine: price and availability

Available at many online and brick-and-mortar retailers
Retails for $199.95 (£154 / AU$313)
Discounted on Amazon

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine is available directly from De'Longhi as well as most big box retailers both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. The retail price is $199.95 (about £154 / AU$313) but you can find a slight discount on Amazon. At the time of writing it's only available to buy in the US.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine brewing two espressos — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine: specs

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine: design

Small footprint and lightweight design
Everything you need except coffee and cups included
Fairly straightforward to use but not foolproof

The De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine is an attractive blend of shiny chrome and plastic. All of the pieces are just heavy enough feel like high quality. It looks nice in my kitchen and would likely look good with just about any decor.

On the front of the machine, you see a pressure gauge and four buttons. On the right side are your power button and frothing wand selection button. On the left are the single espresso and double espresso buttons. The frothing wand control dial is on the right side of the machine and the water tank is at the back.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine with espresso and cappuccino — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

At just 8.89 x 11.14 x 12 inches (22.6 x 28.3 x 31 cm), the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine doesn't take up a ton of space in your kitchen. It's lightweight, too, at just nine pounds (4.1 kg), which is handy if you need to store it away and take it out every time you use it. The water tank has a pretty decent capacity, 57.48 fluid ounces (1.7 liters). I was able to brew a lot of espresso before I needed to refill the tank.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine with everything included flat lay — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The portafilter and two filters (single and double espresso-sized) are included in the box. The portafilter is the device with the handle that holds the filters. The scoop that comes in the box is perfectly-sized for a single espresso brew, just use two scoops to make a double. The other end of the scoop is your tamper, which you will use to press the grounds firmly but gently, forming a puck of coffee in the filter. If you tamp too hard or not hard enough, the espresso won't taste very good.

None of the parts of the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine are dishwasher-safe, so you'll need to wash all of these by hand after each brew.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine tamping coffee into portafilter — The water tank has a capacity of 1.8qt / 1.7 liters, and slots onto the back of the machine (Image credit: Karen Freeman Future)

If you want to get fancy, you can buy endless accessories, such as a coffee bean grinder, food scale to weigh your coffee, frothing mug, and of course fancy cups and spoons. None of that is included, nor are they necessary to get you started.

On the back of the machine is the water tank, which can easily removed, refilled, and replaced as needed. The wand can be adjusted to dispense hot water, heat your milk, or heat and froth your milk at the same time. It pulls apart for cleaning, which you'll need to do every time you use it.

The drip tray prevents a mess on your counter. It's easy to remove and clean, which you'll only need to do once in a while. Like all of the other parts, it's hand-wash only.

Design score: 4.5/5

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine: performance

Produces beautiful espresso drinks with ease
Frother is effective
Getting brew just right takes trial and error

The De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine performs perfectly in the sense that you load up your coffee in the portafilter, press a button, and beautiful espresso brews every time. However, espresso is a little bit more complicated than that. Taste is highly subjective, but some of my brews were definitely better than others. Getting it just right isn't easy.

If you're not a fan of the factory settings, you can change them to brew your espressos with more or less water than standard. I stuck with the factory settings for my testing.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine packed portafilter — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I'm not a trained barista myself, my usual daily espresso comes from my favorite Nespresso machine. So I called upon my middle child, who has taken a class in brewing espresso. He has a fully manual espresso machine at home, so he was excited to try the much easier-to-use De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine. He gave me some tips for brewing better-tasting espresso, such as loosening up the grounds after scooping but before tamping. He was thrilled with the results.

We did a blind taste test with him, my oldest daughter, my husband, and I, comparing espresso from the Linea Classic to a Nespresso capsule. The results were split down the middle. Everyone's tastes are so different, it's hard to say definitively what is a good espresso and what isn't.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine and cappuccino — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

There are definitely some quirks with the milk frother. It is quite effective in both steaming and frothing milk, both dairy and non-dairy. It also dispenses hot water, which is handy for making Americano-style (diluted) espresso. However, it doesn't click into place, nor does it click when switching from "hot milk" to "cappuccino" mode. I like to have that confirmation click on devices like this, but you get used to it.

Press the steam button to go into frothing wand mode, and then turn the dial on the side to operate the wand. The biggest quirk about this frothing wand is that once you use it, you can't brew espresso again immediately.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine frothing milk — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Once you've frothed or steamed some milk, the machine will likely be too hot to brew espresso again right away. Before you can brew again, you'll need to run a cooling cycle by opening the steam dial to dispense steam and hot water until the heating element has cooled. Alternatively, you can wait for the heating element to cool down on its own.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine brewing cappuccino — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Cleanup is pretty easy. After brewing, you'll need to dump out the used coffee puck, I used a plastic utensil to scrape out most of it and a paper towel to wipe out the rest before washing. You'll want to be careful not to let grounds go down your sink drain, even if you have a disposal. Coffee will clog your pipes like cement, so compost or throw away the used coffee grounds. Then just hand wash all of the parts you used. You'll also need to descale the machine periodically, as per the manufacturer's instructions.

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De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine in action — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

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Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine?

Buy it if

You want to make authentic espresso drinks with ease

In just a few minutes from start to finish, you can make real espresso and espresso-based beverages like cappuccino. It's quicker and easier to use than similarly-priced fully manual machines.

You want to make real espresso on a budget

At less than $200, the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine is a solid entry in the home espresso machine market.

You don't have a ton of space

The lightweight and compact De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine fits into just about any kitchen. It's similar in size to a small, no-frills drip coffee machine.

Don't buy it if

You don't want to put in more effort than pressing a button

While brewing espresso with the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine isn't hard, it's certainly not as easy as just popping in a pod or pressing the button on a fully automatic machine.

You want a super consistent taste

While the factors of water and pressure are taken care of for you, you still need to grind, measure, and tamp your coffee just right to get the best taste.

De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine: also consider

Breville Bambino Plus

This is one of the best espresso machines currently on the market. While pricier, this highly customizable machine makes amazing espresso and espresso-based drinks. In the UK, Breville products are known as Sage.

Read our full Breville Bambino Plus review

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch

This semi-automatic espresso machine has a frothing wand, coffee bean grinder, and a touch screen so you can make nine different custom drinks with the touch of a button.

Read our full De'Longhi La Specialista Touch review

How I tested the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine

I brewed a bunch of espressos and made a few cappuccinos with the De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine over the course of several weeks. I carefully cleaned the machine before use and between each use. The coffee I brewed was De'Longhi's own espresso blend. I used filtered water from my refrigerator's water dispenser, refilling the water tank as needed. For the cappuccinos, I tried both low-calorie almond milk and whole dairy milk, cold from the refrigerator.

First reviewed April 2025

If your kitchen is as small as mine, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch is one of the best espresso machines you can buy

5:00 pm | March 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: US | Comments: Off

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch: two-minute review

The De'Longhi La Specialista Touch is one of the best espresso machines for those taking their first steps into the world of coffee and wanting a guiding hand along the way. It's one of the most affordable models around with a built-in grinder, and is surprisingly compact considering just how many features are on offer. Don't let its small plastic chassis fool you – this is a seriously good coffee machine.

De'Longhi's Smart Bean system helps tailor brew settings to suit your preferred beans, without the need for any specialist knowledge, while the smart dosing and tamping system will see you create a well-measured, even puck without any channelling or cracking, which can lead to poor extraction.

The results are reliably excellent, and tinkering is encouraged once you've built up some confidence, with room for nine custom drinks alongside the extensive menu of customizable options.

The steam wand is another standout feature, with options for manual and automatic milk texturizing. Its integrated temperature probe helps new users avoid overheating their milk when steaming freehand, and the auto frother includes options for both dairy and plant-based milk.

The only real drawbacks I found concerned cleaning and maintenance. After a while, the grinder started to feel a bit sticky when dialling in settings, but De'Longhi's manual and instructional videos don't show how to disassemble and clean it (they only show cleaning the exterior). There also doesn't seem to be an option to flush the group head after brewing an espresso.

The cold brew function is fine, but doesn't produce such a well-rounded and full-bodied drink as the Jura J10 I reviewed recently. However, this machine is a fraction of the price of the J10, and aimed at a very different user. If you're considering investing in your first coffee maker, the La Specialista Touch is definitely worth your consideration.

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch: price and availability

Launched in March 2025
Costs £699.99 / $1,099 (about $900)
Not yet available in the US

The De'Longhi La Specialista Touch launched in March 2025, and has a list price of £699.99 / AU$1,099 (about $900). At the time of writing, it isn't yet available in the US.

The price puts this coffee machine in the middle of the La Specialista range, costing less than the La Specialista Opera and Maestro, but less than the La Specialista Arte, Arte Evo and Arte Compact. As the name suggests, what differentiates this machine from the others is its touchscreen, which makes it super easy to operate and especially well suited to beginners.

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine on kitchen counter — The De'Longhi La Specialista Touch is surprisingly small, and won't dominate your kitchen counter (Image credit: Future)

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch: specs

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch: design

Compact and lightweight, with a metallic-finish plastic case
Large touchscreen and user-friendly interface
Includes tools to assist with dosage and tamping

The De’Longhi La Specialista Touch is compact for such a fully featured semi-automatic coffee machine. In fact, it’s the smallest in the La Specialista range, measuring just 17.5 x 15 x 14.6 inches / 44.5 x 38 x 37cm. I should note that the photos in this review were shot in TechRadar's roomy test kitchen, not my small apartment. Its case is made mostly from plastic with a metallic silver finish, which keeps the weight down considerably compared to stainless steel, and is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

It’s operated via a vivid 3.5in color touchscreen, which is responsive and surprisingly resistant to fingerprints. The interface is well designed, with menus supported by diagrams and illustrations, and additional information available at every stage via a "Help me" button, which gives new users extra guidance without adding visual clutter.

Selecting bean roast on De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — The machine is operated via a bright 3.5in color touchscreen (Image credit: Future)

The water tank slots neatly onto the back of the unit, and the machine is supplied with a testing strip so you can configure it to suit the hardness of water in your area (this is important, because limescale build-up can affect the performance of the probes that detect the water level in the coffee machine’s boiler). The tank is easy to fill and carry thanks to its built-in handle, but you’ll need a long-handled brush to clean inside; it’s too narrow for all but the smallest of hands.

The portafilter handle feels reassuringly weighty in the hand, and I particularly liked the knurled metal at the end. It’s supplied with two non-pressurized, single-walled baskets: one for single shots and another for doubles.

Water tank removed from De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — The water tank has a capacity of 1.8qt / 1.7 liters, and slots onto the back of the machine (Image credit: Future)

Unlike some other machines in this price band, the La Specialista Touch doesn’t have a pull-down tamper that will add just the right amount of pressure to your coffee grounds. You have to take things into your own hands, but there’s a set of tools to make that less daunting for new users.

These include a dosing and tamping guide that attaches above the basket before grinding to funnel grounds neatly into the basket; a rubber tamping mat that sits on your work surface and keeps the filter handle steady; and an "advanced tamper" that lets you see when you’ve achieved the perfect dosage, and whether you need to add or remove some ground coffee. If you need to remove some, there’s a handy dose adjustment tool that you can place on top of the basket and twist to take a little off the top.

Accessories for De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — You get a set of accessories to help you dose your coffee consistently without using scales (Image credit: Future)

It’s a smart system that reduces the risk of user error by eliminating the need to weigh anything, although it’s also worth noting that you can’t use the grinder without the guide in place.

The La Specialista Touch is designed to accommodate different-sized cups, with a little platform that you can place on top of the drip tray when using espresso cups. This helps to avoid splashing and preserve the crema as you pull your shot.

On the right-hand side you’ll find the steam wand, which has both manual and automatic settings, and is partnered with a temperature probe to help new users avoid creating custardy, overheated milk. There are automatic settings for both dairy milk and plant-based substitutes, which is a welcome addition. Things are changing, but some machines are still set up exclusively for dairy.

Drip tray from De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — The drip tray is thoughtfully designed and practically impossible to spill when you're carrying it to the sink (Image credit: Future)

The only accessory I'd have appreciated is a knock-box for disposing of used pucks, since new users can easily knock the basket out of the handle and into the bin – but that’s a small wish. Everything supplied here feels solid and dependable.

The drip tray is also particularly well designed. It’s mostly enclosed until you choose to disassemble it for cleaning, with a pouring spout at the back for easy emptying.

Design score: 5/5

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch: performance

Guided brewing with auto adjustments for different beans and roasts
Milk texturizing is excellent (manual and automatic)
Rinsing and cleaning features could be better

The De’Longhi La Specialista Touch guides you through the process of brewing a perfect shot of espresso one step at a time, helping you achieve the consistent results that are the hallmark of a good coffee maker. The Bean Adapt Technology system automatically recommends ideal grinding and dosing settings to suit your chosen coffee, and takes the mystery out of setting up the optimum brewing process.

After loading your beans into the hopper, you’ll be asked a few basic questions about what you’re using: arabica or robusta, and the roast. The machine then uses this information to adjust the water brewing temperature and pre-infusion length (how long the grounds are allowed to soak before the shot is pulled).

Using grinder on De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — Twist the tamping guide onto the portafilter and push it underneath the grinder to dispense your coffee without mess (Image credit: Future)

Many other machines stop there, but the La Specialista Touch goes further, giving you a hand with dosing your beans as well. When you’re ready to start, twist the tamping guide onto the basket, then push it under the grinder until it hits a button at the back of the machine and hold it still until grinding stops automatically.

Once the dose has been dispensed, you’re prompted to use the "smart tamper" to press down evenly (using the rubber mat for stability) and make a note of where the guide line ends up. If it reads +1 or +2, you have too much coffee and need to use the dosage adjuster to trim a little off the top. This twist-on tool is excellent, and allows you to remove just a few grounds without disturbing the whole coffee bed.

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Using smart tamper from De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — The tamper lets you see whether you have an appropriate dose of coffee, or if you need to add some more or trim a little off the top (Image credit: Future)

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Coffee puck prepared using De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — It's easy to produce a perfectly even bed of coffee (Image credit: Future)

If the smart tamper reads "OK" then you’re ready to proceed to the next step, and if it reads -1 or -2 then you need to top it up a little. Push the handle under the grinder again to dispense some extra coffee, then tamp again. Dosing beans by volume rather than weight seems strange if you’re used to using scales, but it’s a valid method of dosing and the tools supplied with the La Specialista Touch make it pretty foolproof.

When you’re done, just enter the name of your beans using the on-screen keyboard, and you’re all set. Experimenting with different beans is part of the joy of coffee-making, so I appreciate the ability to create multiple profiles for different beans.

The machine’s grinder has 15 settings, and when brewing each drink, you’ll be prompted to dial it in. Your preset options are:

Espresso
Cappuccuno
Cold brew
Latte macchiato
Latte
Flat white
Hot milk
Long black
Americano

The machine can also dispense hot water, and in addition to customizing any of the presets, you can also create profiles for nine personal recipes. You’re not bombarded with options, but you are encouraged to tinker and experiment with brewing times and grind sizes to achieve the taste you prefer.

I was curious to test the cold brew function, particularly after experiencing the impressive results of the Jura J10, which was able to create a drink with a strikingly similar flavor profile to coffee brewed cold the traditional way, overnight.

Before starting the cold brew process, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch will run cold water through its circuit to bring the temperature down (a sensible choice), then the water is passed slowly through the freshly ground coffee at low pressure. This machine doesn’t use the same "pulsing" brewing method as the J10, as you can see from the steady dripping in the video below.

The resulting cold brew americano (in this case) was smooth, but didn’t display the richness of the same drink made using the J10, with a thinner mouthfeel. It was okay, but not on the same level as traditionally cold-brewed coffee.

However, milk texturizing was excellent, with the Auto LatteArt system preparing your milk according to the drink you’ve chosen from the menu. Simply fill the pitcher to between the "maximum" and "minimum" lines, then select the option for dairy or an alternative. Next place the pitcher under the wand, adjust the wand to the angle marked "A" and you’re ready to begin. The wand will automatically incorporate air into the milk, then heat it to the correct temperature.

Foaming milk using De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — The Auto LatteArt system works well to create different milk textures (Image credit: Future)

Achieving different textures for different drinks can be tricky, and I was impressed by how well the Auto LatteArt system managed to create different proportions of foam and steamed milk for various drinks. I’d say that the foam on my latte macchiato was a bit too aerated for my liking, but cappuccinos and caffe lattes turned out consistently well.

I also appreciated the temperature probe for manual steaming. Strictly speaking, it isn't necessary (I usually just use my hand on the side of the pitcher to judge temperature), and there will always be a degree of latency before temperature changes in the pitcher register on the machine’s display. Nevertheless, it’s a thoughtful addition for a machine designed to give new users a helping hand.

The only area where the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch seems to be lacking is maintenance. After some time I found that the grinder was becoming trickier to adjust – a sign that it had started to collect debris and coffee oils, and therefore required cleaning. De’Longhi’s instruction manual and cleaning video only describe cleaning the hopper and outside of the grinder using the brush supplied with the machine, so I’ve contacted the company to find out whether it’s possible to disassemble the grinder to access the burrs. I’ll update this review once I’ve heard back.

Having browsed through all the menus, I also haven't found a setting for rinsing the groupset between brews, and there’s no button to purge old grounds from the grinder if you’re changing the grind size – both of which are surprising.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch?

Buy it if

You're looking for your first espresso machine

The De'Longhi La Specialista Touch will help you brew great espresso, even if you're a complete beginner. Using it you'll develop your coffee-making skills so you can move to the next level. It's a machine that can grow with you, or let you stay in your comfort zone.

You're a little intimidated by technicalities

It's not fully automated, but the La Specialista Touch doesn't assume prior knowledge and makes brewing espresso a simple process.

You have a small kitchen

A fully manual machine such as the Gaggia Classic will take up even less space, but if you want a semi-automatic espresso maker then this is one of the most compact models available today.

Don't buy it if

You're time-poor

Dosing correctly using the smart tamping tools takes time, so if you want your coffee as quickly as possible then a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine would be a better choice.

You already use a coffee grinder

If you're already happy dialling in, grinding, and dosing your coffee, then you won't need all the features offered by the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch.

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch: also consider

Breville Bambino Plus

You'll need a separate grinder, but this is one of the best small espresso machines around. In fact, it's the one the trainer recommended when I completed my SCA training. Note that Breville products are branded as Sage in the UK.

Read our full Breville Bambino Plus review

Breville The Barista Touch Impress

A more premium semi-automatic espresso machine, the Barista Touch Impress is larger and pricier than the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch, but gives you even more of a helping hand to create the perfect drink thanks to its Impress puck system. One of the best coffee makers around.

Read our full Breville The Barista Touch Impress review

How I tested the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch

I used the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch with my favorite Burundi and Panama Winter Blend from local coffee shop Mokoko, fresh that week. I tested the water in the TechRadar test kitchen (hard) and configured the machine accordingly during the startup process. I used fresh water each time I began using the machine, and emptied the tank at the end of the day.

I used the Bean Adapt Technology system to configure the machine for my coffee, and dialled in the grinder so an espresso shot was extracted in about 28 seconds.

Latte prepared using De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine — (Image credit: Future)

I tested the milk frother using unhomogenized whole milk, freshly bought the same day and fridge-cold.

First reviewed March 2025

I tested the Sage Oracle Jet for a month, and it delivers top-notch espresso with minimal effort

8:47 pm | March 17, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Europe | Comments: Off

Sage Oracle Jet: two-minute review

The Sage Oracle Jet is a serious contender in the world of high-end espresso machines, offering an impressive mix of automation and precision. Designed to cater to both beginners and seasoned coffee enthusiasts, this high-tech machine helps simplify the often-fiddly process of making high-quality espresso, offering consistent results with minimal effort.

One of the Oracle Jet’s standout features is its high-precision burr grinder. With 45 settings, it allows for ultra-fine adjustments to the grind size so that you can get the consistency you need from your coffee beans. This is a really valuable feature, especially since I’ve found many of the best espresso machines require a lot of trial and error to get this right, which wastes time (and coffee). Sage’s latest model really doubles down on this, providing real-time feedback on extraction, and guiding you in getting the perfect shot every time.

Cup of coffee made using Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

While the automatic tamping system serves up a uniform coffee puck time and time again, I did find that the grinder could be a little messy, occasionally leaving stray grounds on the portafilter and even on the worktop around the machine, but nothing a quick wipe won’t sort out.

The machine makes up for this minor inconvenience with its sizeable, intuitive touchscreen, which makes the entire brewing process not only feel super premium, but truly effortless. It walks you through drink selection, grinding, extraction and milk frothing in a really fluid and enjoyable way, making it almost impossible to get a bad coffee. And the Auto MilQ steam wand automatically textures milk to the right consistency for your drink of choice, even adjusting settings based on whether you're using dairy or plant-based alternatives – a rare but certainly welcome feature in the world of home espresso makers.

Person using touchscreen control panel on Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

Despite its many conveniences, Sage’s impressive machine does have some drawbacks. It’s quite bulky and heavy, so you’ll need ample kitchen worktop space. And the lack of simultaneous brewing and milk steaming can slow things down a bit, especially when making multiple drinks. And, of course, the £1,699.95 / $1,999.95 / AU$3,199 price tag makes it a serious investment.

Still, for those who want top-tier espresso without the hassle, the Sage Oracle Jet delivers. It offers barista-level quality at the touch of a button, making it what I believe to be one of the most advanced and user-friendly coffee machines on the market today.

Sage Oracle Jet: price and availability

Available to buy now, priced at £1,699.95 / $1,999.95 / AU$3,499
Sold as Breville outside Europe
More expensive than most competitors

Sold under the name Breville outside of Europe and Sage in the UK, the Oracle Jet launched in October 2024, priced at £1,699.95 / $1,999.95 / AU$3,499. Available from the brand's official web store as well as John Lewis and other major retailers, it comes in Truffle Black and Stainless Steel in the UK, while buyers in the US and Australia get an additional Sea Salt White option.

Compared to Sage’s other high-end models, the Oracle Jet sits between the Barista Touch Impress (£1,199 / $1,499 / AU$1,999) and the flagship Oracle Touch (£2,099 / $2,799.95 / AU$3,699), making it a solid high-range option.

When stacked up against rival machines, the Oracle Jet holds its ground well. There’s the Ninja Luxe Café ($499 / £400 / unavailable in Australia), which offers a semi-automatic espresso setup with some smart features at a fraction of the price, but lacks the same precision and customization.

Meanwhile, the ProCook Barista Elite Bean to Cup Espresso Coffee Machine (£599 / $775 / unavailable in Australia) is another alternative, offering a very similar experience at a much lower cost, but it doesn’t feature the same level of automation, grind adjustment or cold brew functionality as the Oracle Jet.

Value score: 4/5

Sage Oracle Jet: specs

Sage The Oracle Jet: design

High-end build with sleek finish
Intuitive touchscreen for easy navigation
Clever built-in features like hidden wheels

The Sage Oracle Jet is a serious piece of kit. Right out of the box, everything about it screams premium, and just shy of £2,000, you’d like to think so, too. With a brushed stainless steel finish, it has a sleek, pro feel that will certainly look the part in any kitchen, given it’s got the space for it. That’s the thing – this isn’t some compact coffee maker you can tuck away in the corner of your kitchen. It’s just under 50cm wide and 40cm deep, so you’ll need plenty of free worktop space to fit this beast in comfortably. It's also pretty weighty, weighing in at over 12kg, so you might even need someone to help you lift it out of the box.

Once you've got it set up and pride of place, it’ll be hard not to immediately fall in love with the 5-inch touchscreen, which dominates the front of the machine, and for good reason – it’s your guide through the entire coffee-making process. Whether you’re brewing a classic espresso or frothing milk for a cappuccino, the Oracle Jet serves clear, easy-to-follow instructions through text and images. It even has light and dark modes, which is a nice touch depending on your kitchen lighting. The interface is smooth and responsive, which is a relief since the screen on Sage’s last machine, the Barista Touch Impress, was frustratingly sluggish. It now works as expected, making swiping between different drinks options a dream.

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Touchscreen control panel on Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

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Sage Oracle Jet coffee machine touchscreen — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

One of the Oracle Jet’s most, let’s say, thoughtful features is the front-fillable 2.3L water tank. If you’ve ever had to awkwardly shuffle a big ol’ espresso machine around just to access and refill the tank, you’ll definitely appreciate this design feature, as it means you can just fill it up via the access point on the top with a jug straight from the tap. There’s also a window just above the tray so you can peek at the water level, which is always welcome.

Another handy feature is the addition of hidden wheels. Given its size and weight, you might expect the Oracle Jet to be a hassle to move, but a simple swipe of the lever under the drip tray lifts the machine onto its 360-degree wheels, making it incredibly easy to reposition. It’s a small detail, but one that shows Sage has really considered its usability for its customers.

The grinder and portafilter system also boast brilliant build quality, with automatic grinding and tamping, which take the guesswork (and the effort) out of making espresso, but I’ll talk more about that in the performance section. The 58mm portafilter is barista-standard for even extraction, but it also feels well-built and weighty in the hand, like it should.

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Portafilter handle for Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

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Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker drip tray removed — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

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Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker water tank — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

The Auto MilQ steam wand is another standout. It automatically textures milk to the consistency required for whichever type of drink you’re making – and the neat thing here is that you can input which type of milk you’re frothing, whether that’s your standard dairy or plant-based alternatives like soya, oat or almond. Coffee-brewing control freaks will be pleased to hear they still have the option to steam manually, too.

However, the machine’s biggest drawback is perhaps that you can’t brew and steam at the same time. If you’re making multiple milk-based coffee drinks, you’ll have to wait for one process to finish before starting the other, which can seriously slow things down. This is due to the machine’s single ThermoJet heating system. Unlike dual-boiler machines, which have separate boilers for brewing and steaming, the Oracle Jet uses one heating element for both tasks. If it’s a dealbreaker for you, Sage’s slightly pricier (but not quote as smart) Oracle and Oracle Touch machines are the firm’s only espresso makers that feature a dual heating system, so it might be worth considering those.

Design score: 4.5/5

Sage The Oracle Jet: performance

Automatic grind and tamping give top results, time and time again
Fast heating and smooth espresso extraction
Cold brew and iced coffee options

The Sage Oracle Jet is built to take the hassle out of home espresso, and after using it for just over a month, replacing my usual espresso maker, I can confidently say it delivers on that promise. From grinding to milk frothing, almost everything is automated, making it ideal for anyone who wants great coffee without the faff.

Let’s start with the grinder. It has 45 settings, which means you can seriously fine-tune your grind size to whatever beans you're using. The smart thing about this is that the machine even tells you if your shot is under- or over-extracted, so you know whether to adjust the grind next time. This is a game-changer if you’ve ever struggled with dialling in a manual espresso machine and haven’t been able to nail the extraction.

The automatic tamping system also works really well here as it means you don’t have to worry about pressing too hard or too soft – you can just let the machine do the work. That said, it does have a habit of leaving a few stray coffee grounds behind, which isn’t a huge deal but does mean a bit of extra clean-up.

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Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker bean hopper — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

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Person using dial on side of Sage Oracle Jet coffee maker — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

When it comes to pulling a shot, the dual ThermoJet system heats up almost instantly, so there’s no waiting around like with cheaper machines. I found espresso extraction to be smooth and consistent, with rich, balanced flavours – whether you’re using high-end beans or just grabbing something from the supermarket. I used Lidl’s Deluxe range Colombian Supremo beans at one point (costly just over £2 per bag) and these proved equally satisfying in my morning coffee, offering a lovely full-bodied and smooth taste. I suspect this was down to the machine making the most of how they were brewed.

The real-time shot timer on the touchscreen is also worth a mention. It’s probably one of my favourite features on this machine—turning green if your shot is timed perfectly and red if something’s off, giving you immediate feedback. It’s so impressive!

The Auto MilQ steam wand also adds to the top performance experience of the Oracle Jet. The milk textures it produces are always silky smooth, and ideal for making latte art if you’re into that (not that I could produce anything worth looking at, but that’s certainly down to my lack of skills). While manual milk frothing is an option, most people will probably prefer the automatic setting and it will produce great results.

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Sage Oracle Jet coffee machine on kitchen counter — (Image credit: Lee Bell)

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One of the more unique features on the Oracle Jet is its cold brew and cold espresso modes. Cold espresso is perfect for iced lattes, keeping the flavours bold without melting the ice too quickly. The cold brew function isn’t quite the same as traditional overnight steeping, but it still produces a smoother, less acidic coffee in a fraction of the time.

Cleaning is another area where the Oracle Jet makes life easy. Despite the mess the grinder can make, it has automatic cleaning cycles for the steam wand and internal components, so there’s not much hands-on maintenance. You’ll still need to rinse the portafilter and wipe down the drip tray, but overall, it’s much lower effort than most espresso machines, I’ve found.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Sage Oracle Jet?

Buy it if

You want barista-quality coffee without the effort

The Oracle Jet automates most of the process, ensuring consistent results every time

You’re happy to pay extra for a top quality appliance

If you’re one for appreciating the finer things in life and don’t mind paying extra for the privilege of a well-built and stylish machine, then you’ll be right at home with the Oracle Jet.

You love cold coffee
The cold brew and cold espresso functions are rare on machines of this type.

You want smart guidance

The real-time extraction feedback and grind adjustment tips help you master espresso-making and makes you feel like a pro with very minimal effort.

Don't buy it if

You’re on a budget

At nearly £1,700, the Oracle Jet is certainly not a casual purchase. It’s an investment that will last you years to come, so definitely more aimed at those who are serious about creating a barista-quality coffee at home.

You need a compact machine

It’s large and it’s pretty heavy, so not ideal for smaller kitchens or those tight on space.

You want to brew and steam at the same time

The single ThermoJet system means you have to wait between brewing and milk steaming, so not ideal for those who want to make a swift cup of coffee before dashing off to work.

Sage The Oracle Jet: also consider

Ninja Luxe Café

Price: £400 / $499 / AU$750

A more affordable bean-to-cup option that still offers some automation, including guided espresso pulls and an automatic frother. However, it lacks the fine-tuned grind settings and high-end build of the Oracle Jet.

Read our full Ninja Luxe Café review

Sage (Breville) Barista Touch Impress

Price: £1,199 / $1,499 / AU$2,299

A slightly less expensive alternative from Sage with many of the same automation features, including Auto MilQ milk frothing and guided espresso adjustments. However, it lacks the cold brew and cold espresso options and the digital display just isn’t quite as swift as that on the Oracle Jet.

Read our full Sage (Breville) Touch Impress review

De’Longhi Eletta Explore

Price: £999.99 / $1,899.99 / AU$1,799

An accomplished bean-to-cup coffee machine that’s perfect for coffee lovers who don’t have the time to maintain an espresso machine. Plus, it can make both hot and cold beverages and comes with everything you might need for a fully operational caffeination station.

Read our full De’Longhi Eletta Explore review

How I tested the Sage The Oracle Jet

I used the Sage Oracle Jet for just over a month at home, making two coffee drinks per day using a mixture of high quality Lavazza decaf and fully caffeinated coffee beans. During testing, I noted flavors, consistency, temperature, time to brew, and noise levels. Beyond drinking the espresso and coffee black, I tried the different milk frother presets with both dairy and plant-based milk, observing the foam levels and differences between settings. In the end, I tested almost every setting on the machine and observed how it performed during every step.

First reviewed: March 2025

I tested the Sage Oracle Jet for a month, and it delivers top-notch espresso with minimal effort

8:47 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Europe | Comments: Off

Sage Oracle Jet: two-minute review

Sage Oracle Jet: price and availability

Available to buy now, priced at £1,699.95 / $1,999.95 / AU$3,199
Sold as Breville outside Europe
More expensive than most competitors

Sold under the name Breville outside of Europe and Sage in the UK, the Oracle Jet launched in October 2024, priced at £1,699.95 / $1,999.95 / AU$3,199. Available from the brand's official web store as well as John Lewis and other major retailers, it comes in Truffle Black and Stainless Steel in the UK, while buyers in the US and Australia get an additional Sea Salt White option.

Compared to Sage’s other high-end models, the Oracle Jet sits between the Barista Touch Impress (£1,199 / $1,499 / AU$2,299) and the flagship Oracle Touch (£2,099 / $2,799.95 / AU$3,699), making it a solid high-range option.

When stacked up against rival machines, the Oracle Jet holds its ground well. There’s the Ninja Luxe Café ($499 / £400 / AU$750), which offers a semi-automatic espresso setup with some smart features at a fraction of the price, but lacks the same precision and customization.

Meanwhile, the ProCook Barista Elite Bean to Cup Espresso Coffee Machine (£599 / $775 / AU$1,225) is another alternative, offering a very similar experience at a much lower cost, but it doesn’t feature the same level of automation, grind adjustment or cold brew functionality as the Oracle Jet.

Value score: 4/5

Sage Oracle Jet: specs

Sage The Oracle Jet: design

High-end build with sleek finish
Intuitive touchscreen for easy navigation
Clever built-in features like hidden wheels

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Design score: 4.5/5

Sage The Oracle Jet: performance

Automatic grind and tamping give top results, time and time again
Fast heating and smooth espresso extraction
Cold brew and iced coffee options

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Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Sage Oracle Jet?

Buy it if

You want barista-quality coffee without the effort

The Oracle Jet automates most of the process, ensuring consistent results every time

You’re happy to pay extra for a top quality appliance

If you’re one for appreciating the finer things in life and don’t mind paying extra for the privilege of a well-built and stylish machine, then you’ll be right at home with the Oracle Jet.

You love cold coffee
The cold brew and cold espresso functions are rare on machines of this type.

You want smart guidance

The real-time extraction feedback and grind adjustment tips help you master espresso-making and makes you feel like a pro with very minimal effort.

Don't buy it if

You’re on a budget

You need a compact machine

It’s large and it’s pretty heavy, so not ideal for smaller kitchens or those tight on space.

You want to brew and steam at the same time

The single ThermoJet system means you have to wait between brewing and milk steaming, so not ideal for those who want to make a swift cup of coffee before dashing off to work.

Sage The Oracle Jet: also consider

Ninja Luxe Café

Price: £400 / $499 / AU$750

Sage (Breville) Barista Touch Impress

Price: £1,199 / $1,499 / AU$2,299

Read our full Sage (Breville) Touch Impress review

De’Longhi Eletta Explore

Price: £999.99 / $1,899.99 / AU$1,799

Read our full De’Longhi Eletta Explore review

How I tested the Sage The Oracle Jet

First reviewed: March 2025

I wasn’t a fan of syrup in coffee until I tried the Jura J10 espresso machine – here’s why

2:00 pm | March 9, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: US | Comments: Off

Jura J10: two-minute review

If you like elaborate coffees with flavored syrup, the Jura J10 is the fully automatic coffee machine of your dreams – and if you don’t, it might just change your mind.

The J10 also does a great job of the basics, producing consistently rich and well-balanced espresso thanks to a grinder that monitors the consistency of the grind, from which the J10 recommends the optimum temperature and extraction time for each drink (while still letting you tailor the settings to your preferences). The crema isn’t quite as thick and stable as that created by the KitchenAid KF6, but it’s still up there with the best espresso machines – and the J10 has a lot more to offer besides.

In addition, its cold brew option works well as well, and is in fact one of its stand-out features. It uses a different process to the Jura Z10 we reviewed back in 2023. The Z10 also offered a cold brew option, but the J10 works by pulsing water slowly through the grounds rather than forcing it through at high pressure, as you can see in the video below, which the company says should yield a more rounded flavor.

During tests, I found the process delivered a similar flavor profile to traditional overnight cold-brewing methods, taking the bitter notes out of your beans and producing a drink that’s much smoother than one brewed hot. With an ice cube or two to bring down the temperature a bit further, you’d be hard-pressed to differentiate it from the real thing.

The J10 certainly isn’t a cheap option; even if you’re currently placing takeaway coffee orders several times a week, it will take some time for it to pay for itself. Nevertheless, it’s a pleasure to use. The Sweet Foam system isn’t complicated, but it’s implemented perfectly and works exactly as promised. The flavor is distributed evenly throughout the milk rather than being concentrated in the bottom of your cup, so you’ll actually need less syrup for the same intensity of sweetness, and you can use any type of coffee syrup you like, including sugar-free ones.

Adjusting the milk foam setting on the Jura J10 coffee maker — A dial on the front of the machine lets you choose between hot and foamed milk (Image credit: Future)

The J10 does an impressive job of texturizing milk, on a par with the excellent Siemens EQ900 Plus, and with a dose of syrup its foam is even more stable, lasting to the very last drop.

It has a couple of quirks, though. The drip tray is unusually shallow, which means you have to take care not to spill its contents, and the customization menus time out sooner than I’d like. Overall, however, the Jura J10 is a treat to use.

Jura J10: price and availability

Launched in early 2025
Priced at £1,795 / AU$3,990 (about $2,300)
Not yet available in the US, but that may change soon

The Jura J10 launched in early 2025, and is available to buy direct from Jura and from a handful of third-party retailers. It has a list price of £1,795 / AU$3,990 (about $2,300), but at the time of writing (March 2025), it isn't yet available to buy in the US. Other Jura machines are available in the States, so hopefully it will only be a matter of time before it hits those shores.

Jura is charging a premium price for its fully automatic espresso machine then, but it isn't the most expensive around. It comes in less than both the Siemens EQ900 Plus (also a great option for well-extracted espresso paired with perfectly foamed milk) and the KitchenAid KF8 (more stylish to look at, but not so good with dairy).

Value score: 4/5

Jura J10: specifications

Jura J10 review: design

Hopper for whole beans and ground coffee
Detects which of its two dispensers you're using
Sweet Foam system attaches to milk texturizer

The Jura J10 is a smart-looking espresso machine with a glossy piano-black finish. The exterior is made entirely from plastic (even the silver-colored components), which in my opinion isn't a bad thing – the whole machine is easy to wipe clean and isn’t excessively heavy. Some of its rivals weigh over 37.5lb / 17kg, so a machine I can move easily is a refreshing change.

Milk container attached to Jura J10 coffee maker — The Jura J10 is an attractive machine, and the company has even considered what its removeable milk system looks like (Image credit: Future)

Unusually for an automatic coffee machine, it has two dispensers: one in the middle for coffee and hot water for espressos and americanos; another on the right for lattes, cappuccinos, and steamed milk, with optional syrup added as the milk is texturized.

There’s a single, generously sized hopper on top, with an airtight seal to keep your beans fresh. Like the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine K8, the Jura J10 also has a chute for adding a scoop of pre-ground coffee, if you want to try something different.

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Bean hopper of Jura J10 coffee maker — The Jura J10 has a single, generously sized bean hopper (Image credit: Future)

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Grind setting adjustment on Jura J10 coffee maker — A control dial allows you to adjust the grind size. and the chute lets you add two scoops of ground coffee (Image credit: Future)

Personally, I prefer the twin-hopper setup of the Siemens EQ900 Plus, which can be filled with two different beans at once. Nevertheless, it’s still nice to have an option if you want to switch to decaf in the evening, or have a guest who’s particularly fond of a certain bean or blend.

The J10's water tank is accessed by lifting a flap at the top of the machine and then pulling it out of the side. It’s easy to remove, reinsert, and carry to the tap thanks to a convenient folding handle. The J10 is supplied with a water filter, with a cartridge that pushes onto a plastic adapter and then twists into place in the bottom of the tank to help reduce limescale buildup and remove impurities. Additional filter cartridges are available direct from Jura for $20 / £15.95 / AU$27.90 each.

Water tank removed from Jura J10 coffee maker — The J10's water tank is easily removed, and has a replaceable filter to help prevent limescale (Image credit: Future)

The only drawback of the design (and it’s a minor one) is that the drip tray is wide and long, but shallow, which makes it relatively easy to spill the contents while carrying it to the sink. The machine doesn’t warn you until it’s almost full, so I found myself emptying it before I was prompted to avoid getting water on the floor. I did appreciate the spout shape at the back of the tray, though, which makes it easy to pour out the contents when you get it over the sink.

In general, the milk systems of fully automatic coffee makers are quite ugly, often taking the form of open plastic tubs attached to an otherwise stylish machine by a length of slightly medical-looking rubber tubing. This isn't the case with the Jura J10, which has a glass milk container with an airtight lid that’s designed to be stored in the fridge between uses, and which attaches to the machine’s foaming dispenser using a tube with a metal sleeve. It’s a much more stylish solution than most, and works well.

Syrup container for Jura J10 coffee maker Sweet Foam system — The Sweet Foam system uses a small container of syrup that attaches to the milk texturizer (Image credit: Future)

You do get a plain plastic tube, but this is only used for cleaning the milk system. The Jura J10 comes with a two-part tank that sits on top of the drip tray when it’s time for a deep clean. Just add some cleaning tablets (again, available to buy from Jura), choose the program, and the machine will do the rest, pouring hot water onto the tablets to make a cleaning solution, pumping it through the unit, and depositing the waste water into the smaller section ready to be poured away.

The Sweet Foam system uses a small container that you fill with your preferred syrup (regular or sugar-free), which you attach to the milk foamer. As the steamed milk is dispensed, it becomes infused with syrup, distributing the flavor evenly throughout the milk.

Design score: 4.5/5

Jura J10 review: performance

Espresso is consistently well-extracted with rich crema
Milk is perfectly foamed, and Sweet Foam system works brilliantly
Cold brew tastes authentically milk and well-rounded

There’s an impressive assortment of presets, including espresso drinks, hot and steamed milk, and hot water. Tap the arrow button above the drink menu and you’ll see a set of extra options including cold brew, extra shot, and Sweet Foam. Select one of these, and you’ll see an icon over the drinks that can be prepared in the way. It’s a smart system that means you don’t have to browse through multiple menus to prepare custom drinks.

As you’d expect with a premium automatic coffee machine, you can also create your own custom beverages, adjusting the temperature, volume, and brew time to suit your preferences. It’s also easy to tweak the machine’s own presets, which is a nice feature that means you can tailor the whole menu to suit your tastebuds – and your cups.

Drink menu on Jura J10 coffee maker — The Jura J10 offers an extensive menu of customizable drink options (Image credit: Future)

I was occasionally frustrated when the customization menus timed out and returned me to the home screen before I’d finished making my choices, but that was the only drawback for me. I just had to be more prepared and not spend time dithering.

When you select a drink, the machine will recommend a grind setting from "mild" to "intense". This is fairly unusual – most fully automatic espresso machines I’ve tested will adjust the grind size for you automatically, and again you’re not given a huge amount of time to do it.

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Making espresso using the Jura J10 coffee maker — The Coffee Eye system detects where you've placed your cup, illuminates either amber or white, and changes which drink options are shown on the menu (Image credit: Future)

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Jura J10 coffee maker preparing a latte macchiato with syrup — The milk texturizer is excellent, and foam with syrup lasts even longer (Image credit: Future)

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Latte macchiato made using Jura J10 coffee maker — The Jura J10 makes an impressive latte macchiato (Image credit: Future)

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Cup of espresso made using Jura J10 coffee maker — Espresso is delicious, even though the crema isn't quite as thick and stable as that produced by the KitchenAid KF6 (Image credit: Future)

Both dispensers can be easily moved up and down to accommodate different sized cups, and the J10 has a system called Coffee Eye that detects which one your cup is beneath, and only displays beverages that will be dispensed there. It’s a clever addition, and one that eliminates any potential confusion. The machine also has different colored lights that illuminate to show where you’ve placed your cup – white for the espresso dispenser, and amber for the cappuccino dispenser.

The Sweet Foam container lets you control the amount of syrup added to the milk, allowing you to tailor the flavor to your preferences, and you can use any type or flavor you want, including sugar-free. I used a Tate & Lyle coffee syrup provided by Jura; not only were the results delicious, with the flavor distributed much more evenly than it would be if you simply added a pump of syrup to the cup, it also made the foam on my latte macchiato even more stable and long-lasting.

You have to remove and clean the container after each use, but this doesn't require much effort. Having the syrup in some sort of tank inside the machine for use on-demand would mean the machine would need another type of cleaning cycle to wash out the sugar, and you’d be limited to one type of syrup at a time.

In the J10's setup, the syrup doesn’t enter the rest of the milk system at all, so there’s no sugar in the machine to act as a breeding ground for bacteria. Plus, you can use a different flavor whenever you feel like it. I washed the container by hand, which took only a moment, and Jura recommends popping it in the dishwasher once a week for a deeper clean.

I was particularly interested to try the cold brew option, which promises authentic-tasting cold coffee drinks in moments, with the same flavor profile as cold brew that's been extracted in the traditional way over the course of many hours. Cold brew does take longer to dispense than a shot of hot espresso, but not by much – it drips from the dispenser, rather than issuing in a stream – and the taste is very impressive. It might not be quite as flavorsome as authentic cold brew, but it’s very close; it's sweeter, with far less bitterness than espresso brewed hot. Throw in some ice and I think you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference.

Cleaning the milk system of the Jura J10 coffee maker — The Jura J10 comes with a two-part tank for deep-cleaning the milk system (Image credit: Future)

Like any fully automatic coffee maker, the Jura J10 requires regular cleaning to keep it hygienic and ready to brew. One feature I particularly appreciated was its ability to run a rinsing cycle automatically when it hasn't been used for a certain period of time. This is something I’ve only previously seen on commercial bean-to-cup machines, and it makes a lot of sense. You can tinker with the cleaning and maintenance settings (including rinsing) by tapping the small arrow button on the bottom of the coffee menu.

Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Jura J10

Buy it if

You enjoy decadent coffee drinks

The Jura J10 lets you replicate even complicated coffee orders at home, and gives much better results than just adding a pump of syrup to your cup.

You enjoy cold brew

The J10's updated cold brewing system is fast and effective, producing a flavor profile strikingly similar to coffee brewed cold overnight.

Don't buy it if

You prefer traditional coffees

If syrup and cold brew aren't your thing, you can get excellent results from a more affordable machine such as the standard Siemens EQ900.

You're a bit clumsy

The wide and shallow drip tray can be prone to spilling if you're not careful, and the J10 won't warn you until it's very full.

Jura J10: also consider

Not completely sold on the Jura J10 coffee maker? Here are two other premium bean-to-cup machines for you to consider.

Siemens EQ900 Plus

Another premium fully automatic espresso machine, the Siemens EQ900 Plus makes the best latte macchiato I've had at home. If you want a more affordable option, the standard EQ900 is very similar, only lacking the smart cleaning function.

Read our full Siemens EQ900 Plus review

KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Not interested in syrup or cold brew? The KitchenAid KF8 brews exceptional espresso, and has specially configured settings to handle both dairy and milk substitutes.

Read our full KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine review

How I tested the Jura J10

I used the Jura J10 with three different coffee beans: my favorite Burundi and Panama Winter Blend from local coffee shop Mokoko; Jura Malabar Monsooned India Pure Origin; and Jura Cafe Creme Guatemala, Brazil, Costa Rica Blend. The latter two were provided by Jura, along with Tate & Lyle Barista caramel syrup.

Bags of coffee beans and bottle of syrup used when testing Jura J10 coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

I used the milk system with chilled whole milk, purchased that day. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products on TechRadar.

First reviewed April 2025

I’ve tested a lot of coffee machines, and the Siemens EQ900 Plus makes the best macchiato I’ve tasted

9:00 pm | February 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Europe | Comments: Off

Siemens EQ900 Plus: two-minute review

The Siemens EQ900 Plus is one of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines for those who enjoy a latte, cappuccino or macchiato thanks to its excellent milk-texturizing system. It brews a very good espresso, too; but for me, the milk frothing is definitely the standout feature, and easily compares with the results an experienced user can get with a manual steam wand – with none of the effort.

Another key selling point of the EQ900 Plus that differentiates it from most of the best coffee makers is the fact that it has two hoppers, which make it easy to switch between different beans or roasts on the fly, or change to decaf in the evening. Some other bean-to-cup coffee makers I've tested (models from KitchenAid, for example) have a chute that you use to insert a scoop of ground coffee when you want something different to what's in the hopper, but this system is more convenient. The only downside is that the hoppers aren't removeable, plus the extensive set of cleaning and maintenance programs don't include a function for emptying beans and grounds from the machine, which makes it tricky to purge the system.

Latte macchiato prepared using Siemens EQ900 Plus coffee maker — The Siemens EQ900 Plus is one of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines around when it comes to milk texturizing (Image credit: Future)

The machine offers a system called "beanIdent" that lets you describe the beans you've loaded into each hopper (including type, roast, and blend) and then adjusts factors including water contact time and grind size to suit. It also encourages you to tinker to achieve the flavor you prefer. There are two customization modes (Comfort and Barista), with support for 10 user profiles.

You can even set your preferred drinks as "favorites", much like the favorites list in your web browser, which is welcome and something I'd like to see in more coffee machines. I appreciate not having to browse through a menu to find my carefully created custom cappuccino setting.

Coffee menu on Siemens EQ900 Plus coffee maker screen — The EQ900 Plus encourages tinkering, and Barista mode offers full control over the brewing process (Image credit: Future)

The smart cleaning programs are another key selling point of the EQ900 Plus, and bring another point of difference over the standard EQ900. The Plus has a hatch above the milk tank where you insert two tablets – one for cleaning and one for descaling. You'll be prompted to do this when setting up the machine, and it means you can run a full cleaning cycle whenever the machine needs it without having to hunt around for the necessary supplies or remove the brew unit to add a tab.

One of the biggest problems I find with bean-to-cup coffee machines is that the time you save grinding beans and adjusting brew settings is offset by the time spent maintaining the machine, so this smart cleaning is a welcome feature. However, I'm not sure it justifies the price difference between the EQ900 and EQ900 Plus. At the time of writing, the EQ900 Plus is only available for the full list price of £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300), whereas the standard EQ900 can be found for as little as £1,300 (about $1,600 / AU$2,600) on sale.

Siemens EQ900 Plus: price and availability

List price £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300)
Not widely available outside Europe
Can be found more cheaply if you shop around

The Siemens EQ900 Plus launched in October 2023, and has a list price of £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300) – although note that it isn’t widely available outside Europe. That puts it firmly at the top end of the price bracket for home bean-to-cup coffee makers, at about the same price as the Breville Oracle Touch (or Sage Oracle Touch, as it’s known in the UK).

The EQ900 Plus definitely feels like a premium machine with its stainless steel build, huge color touchscreen, smart cleaning, and advanced customization options. However, for a more affordable version consider the standard Siemens EQ900 (without the automatic maintenance system), which has a list price of £1,799 (about $2,300 / AU$3,600) and can be found for as little as £1,300 (about $1,600 / AU$2,600) if you shop around.

There's also a version of the EQ900 with a single hopper, priced at £1,599 (about $2,000 / AU$3,200), which may be preferable if you only enjoy one specific bean. Personally, I appreciate having the choice.

You'll find all of today's best prices for the Siemens EQ900 Plus below.

Value score: 3/5

Siemens EQ900 Plus: specifications

Siemens EQ900 Plus

Premium brushed metal build
Two bean hoppers
Intensive self-cleaning system
Cleverly designed milk system

The Siemens EQ900 Plus is a premium bean-to-cup coffee machine with a brushed stainless steel case and a huge 6.8-inch full-colour touchscreen. It’s the most impressive display I’ve seen on any coffee maker I’ve tested so far, and is even capable of displaying smooth animations (when you’re not using it to swipe through the drinks menu and tweak the various beverages to your liking).

At the top you’ll find two hoppers that you can fill with two different types of coffee beans. Some other coffee machines I’ve tested (the KitchenAid KF6 and KF8, for example) come with a chute to which you can add a scoop of pre-ground coffee if you fancy a change, but this twin-hopper system is even better. Some coffees (such as those with notes of caramel) are well suited to milk, while fruitier beans work better black – with this system you can choose the best one for your drink on the fly. You could also keep one hopper full of regular beans for the morning, and the other full of decaf for after lunch. A blue light will illuminate when one of the hoppers needs refilling.

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Beans loaded into Siemens EQ900 Plus coffee maker — The machine has two bean hoppers so you can switch between different types and roasts on the fly (Image credit: Future)

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Empty bean hopper warning light on Siemens EQ900 coffee maker — A blue light warns you when a bean hopper is empty (Image credit: Future)

The EQ900 Plus’s water tank is hidden on the left of the machine, and can be lifted out for filling using the integrated handle. It has a generous 2.3-liter capacity, and can be fitted with an optional filter to reduce limescale build-up to improve the taste of your coffee. Note that there’s no transparent panel, though, so you can't see the current water level at a glance.

Milk is stored in a smaller tank that sits on the right, just underneath containers for descaling and cleaning tablets. It’s unusual for a coffee machine to keep descaling and cleaning tablets on-board, but it makes sense and means you don’t have to hunt around for the packet when it’s time for regular maintenance. This is the EQ900 Plus's main point of difference with the standard EQ900.

Brew unit inside Siemens EQ900 coffee maker — Removing the water tank and side panel lets you access the brew unit for rinsing (Image credit: Future)

Most fully automatic espresso machines have a separate container for milk that sits beside the machine. Here, a tank slots into the side of the chassis, delivering a much neater design. The lid means you can also keep your milk in the fridge between uses.

The drip tray slides out easily for cleaning, with a removable grille at the front and a slim section at the back that makes pouring clean and convenient. Used coffee pucks are dispensed into a bin that sits in the drip tray and can be lifted out for easy emptying.

Design score: 4/5

Siemens EQ900 Plus

Eight coffee profiles, plus two milk and two hot water
Coffee presets are easy to customize and save to your profile
Excellent milk frothing
Espresso is good, but crema not as stable as some

Some automatic coffee machines present customization as an optional extra, but it’s at the heart of the experience here. There are two control options, Barista and Comfort, depending on the degree to which you want to tweak your beverages; but all users are encouraged to tinker with their drinks to create something bespoke.

Operating modes on Siemens EQ900 Plus coffee maker — The EQ900 Plus offers two modes of operation: Comfort and Barista (Image credit: Future)

Barista mode offers the most control, allowing you to choose whether beans are taken from the left or right hopper, choose the correct cup size, and tweak the strength (1-9), grinding level (1-6), contact time (for instance, how long the water is in contact with the grounds), milk ratio, and brewing temperature. Comfort mode is simpler and designed for more casual coffee fans, only letting you set the aroma (mild, balanced, or distinctive), strength (light, normal, strong, or extra strong), and cup size.

Once you’ve created a custom drink (which is easy thanks to the sensitive touchscreen), you’ll be prompted to save it to a profile (the EQ900 Plus supports up to 10, so everyone in your household and their guests can create their own) and give it a name. Typing on the EQ900 is surprisingly easy; the screen is large enough to accommodate a full QWERTY keyboard, making the whole experience much less frustrating than it could be.

You can even choose a background color, so you can see at-a-glance whether your profile is the one selected, and save your most frequently made drinks to a favorites menu, accessible via a quick tap of the star button under the screen. Preset drink options include:

Espresso
Espresso doppio
Caffe crema
Caffe grande
Caffe XL
Cappuccino
Latte macchiato
White coffee
Foamed milk
Warm milk
Hot water (enough for a cup of tea)
Coffee pot (a larger amount of hot water for pour-over)

The crema wasn’t quite as thick as that created by the KitchenAid K6, which is a cheaper machine, and it didn’t last as long either, despite being brewed using the same beans (purchased fresh that day).

However, milk texturizing was impressive, with the Siemens EQ900 quickly turning whole dairy milk into a generous layer of long-lasting foam. A powerful jet of steam creates the perfect foundation for your cappuccino or latte macchiato.

You can slide the dispenser up and down easily, and unlike many bean-to-cup coffee makers, it’s easy to remove it for cleaning – just pull it towards you to detach it, then disassemble the components and wash them all with warm water and dish soap. Once done, push it back into place.

During testing, I found the water tank a little awkward to refit when filled to the maximum mark; you have to position the bottom of the tank, then align the top while also folding the handle down. The water tank and milk container are also tricky to clean and dry inside, since there’s very little space for your hand. The machine has a cleaning setting that removes all water from the interior, but you'll still need to thoroughly hand-dry the tanks before transporting or storing the machine.

Drip tray from Siemens EQ900 Plus coffee maker — You'll receive a warning when it's time to empty the drip tray, but not necessarily when the coffee grounds bin is full (Image credit: Future)

The machine notified when the drip tray was full, but didn’t push out an alert to inform me that the used coffee grounds required emptying. Most bean-to-cup machines deliver a warning after making about four drinks, but that wasn't the case here, and I ended up with some grounds stuck to the area above the drip tray when I pulled it out. It's a minor flaw, but a surprising one for a premium machine.

The beanIdent system is interesting, and lets the machine adjust its own settings to suit your two different beans so it can determine the optimum setting for each one. Once you've loaded the two hoppers, you tell the EQ900 Plus the type of bean you've chosen for each one (arabica or robusta), the roast (light or dark) and the blend, and it will set factors including grind size and water temperature automatically.

Of course, your preferences may be different from those of the engineers and experts at Siemens, so you can tweak these settings to suit your tastes. Nevertheless, they provide a very useful starting point.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Siemens EQ900 Plus

Buy it if

You enjoy milky coffee drinks

The Siemens EQ900 Plus is the best bean-to-cup coffee machine I've tried to date for texturizing milk, producing a thick, silky, and stable foam every time.

You have a large household

The EQ900 Plus encourages you to tinker with settings to create your ideal drinks, and lets you save them to one of 10 user profiles, with quick access to your favorites at the tap of a button.

Don't buy it if

You're on a budget

The standard EQ900 is much better value if you don't mind losing the smart cleaning feature. It still offers the same excellent customization and milk texturizing.

You favor one particular coffee bean

The twin hoppers are excellent if you want to switch between two beans on the fly, but if you're loyal to one particularly type and roast, you won't get best use out of them.

Siemens EQ900 Plus: also consider

Not totally sure that the Siemens EQ900 Plus is the right coffee maker for you? Here are two other bean-to-cup machines to consider:

KitchenAid KF6

Its milk texturizing doesn't quite match that of the Siemens EQ900 Plus, but the KitchenAid KF8 is a more affordable machine and brews one of the most delicious espressos I've ever had, with thick and stable crema.

Read our full KitchenAid KF6 review

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo

This is our favorite manual bean-to-cup machine, and an excellent introduction to the world of espresso. It's cheaper than the KitchenAid KF6, too, making it excellent value.

Read our full De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review

How I tested the Siemens EQ900 Plus

I tested the Siemens EQ900 Plus using fresh coffee beans from local coffee shops Mokoko and Clifton Coffee (one in each hopper), and chilled whole milk. I used each of the machine’s preset drink options, experimenting with settings in Comfort and Barista mode, and creating a custom profile.

I also ran all of the machine’s basic and intensive cleaning programs, washed and dried the dispenser, milk tank and water tank, and ran the frost protection program to remove water from the machine's internal circuits. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.

First reviewed February 2025

The KitchenAid KF6 brews exceptional espresso, looks stunning, and costs less than you might expect

7:00 pm | February 14, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: two-minute review

The KitchenAid KF6 is a fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine, and it does its main job exceptionally well: brewing a delicious, rich espresso with the best crema I’ve ever seen.

It offers a wide menu of espresso drinks, each of which can be customized and saved to a custom profile. In addition, it includes an automatic milk-frothing system for options including cappuccinos, caffe lattes, and macchiatos. Unlike the higher-end KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 we reviewed in 2024, there’s no separate profile for plant-based milk.

Macchiato made using KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 — Macchiato is one of seven customizable espresso drinks on the menu (Image credit: Future)

In addition, it's one of the quietest coffee machines we’ve tested here at TechRadar, with a pump that’s barely any louder than your refrigerator. The only significant noise happens for a moment during grinding and milk frothing, and it’s over in a second or two.

Thoughtful touches include a brew group that purges itself automatically between drinks to ensure you always have fresh beans ground to the correct size (like a barista would purge their grinder); a chute so you can make an occasional drink using a different bean to the one in the hopper; and a comprehensive set of cleaning functions that make maintaining the machine as simple as using it.

It’s also less expensive than you might expect. Fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee makers are never going to be cheap, but the KF6 costs far less than the KF8, with only a few compromises – and it’s often available at a discount, too.

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: price and availability

List price $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799
Far less expensive than KitchenAid KF8
Often available at a discount

The KitchenAid KF6 launched in 2024, and is available to buy directly from KitchenAid, or from third-party retailers. It has a list price of $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799, but you can often find it more cheaply. For example, at the time of writing it’s discounted to $999.99 in the US and AU$1,599 in Australia for Valentine’s Day.

It certainly isn't cheap, but fully automatic bean-to-cup machines never are due to their complexity; plus the KF6 delivers plenty for the money. It's far less expensive than its higher-end sibling, the KF8, which has a list price of $1,999.99 / £1,899 / AU$2,599. While the KF6 makes a few compromises to keep the cost down, it remains an exceptional coffee maker; in my opinion, it's much better value than its big brother. We’ve rounded up today’s best prices for you here:

Value score: 5/5

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: specifications

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: design

Sleek and modern look
Takes whole beans and grounds
Automatic milk texturizing system

The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 is a sleek, modern-looking coffee maker, with a matt finish and brushed stainless steel accents. It's available in three colorways: stainless steel, cast iron black, and porcelain white (the latter of which launched in January 2025).

Its screen measures 2.4 inches diagonally (6cm), which is smaller than that of the KF8, but it’s still bright and clear, with plenty of space for reviewing and tweaking your drink settings. You operate the machine using a set of touch-sensitive buttons positioned beside the display, and the power button is located discreetly on the left-hand side of the case.

Using buttons to select drink preferences on KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 — The KitchenAid KF7 is controlled using a set of touch-sensitive buttons arranged around its small color screen (Image credit: Future)

The bean hopper is accessed via a hatch on the top, and has a central dial that twists to lock and unlock it. The hatch has a rubber seal to help keep your beans fresh. Next to the hopper, you’ll find a small chute where you can insert a scoop of pre-ground coffee if you want to use a different bean from time to time. This is particularly handy for those who prefer to switch to decaf in the evening; the machine will detect if the chute has been opened and automatically offer you the option of using ground coffee rather than beans when you next select a drink (a thoughtful touch). The KF6 arrives with a scoop to make this easier.

The KF6's water tank has a capacity of 2.3 quarts / 2.2 liters, which is the same as the other espresso machines in KitchenAid’s fully automatic series, and has a folding handle that makes it easier to carry it to the sink. You also get a water-testing strip, so you can decide which water hardness setting to choose, and a water filter that screws into the bottom of the tank. Additional filters are available to purchase directly from KitchenAid, or from Amazon.

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 with water tank removed — The water tank is easily lifted out of the side of the machine, and comes with a filter that screws into the bottom (Image credit: Future)

The dispenser slides smoothly up and down to accommodate different-sized cups, and can dispense coffee and milk into one or two cups.The drip-tray beneath slides out smoothly when lifted slightly, and contains a removable bin where used coffee pucks are deposited. The tray has a spout shape at the back to avoid mess when emptying and rinsing.

The KitchenAid KF6 has an automatic milk-frothing system, but unlike the KF7 and KF8, it doesn’t come with a dedicated container. Instead, you just place the end of the tube into your own jug or cup of milk. The results are the same; the only difference in practise is that you can’t pop the closed container into the fridge between uses. However, unlike the higher-end KF8, the KF6 doesn’t have a separate profile for plant-based milk. You can still use it to heat and texturize oat, soy, or almond milk, but the system is optimized for dairy.

Drip-tray and bin for coffee grounds from the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 — Used pucks are dispensed into a removeable bin that sits inside the drip-tray (Image credit: Future)

The only downside to the design is that I noticed a few small scratches on the stainless steel drip-tray after testing, which must have been caused by the bottom of the glass and ceramic cups I was using. They were noticeable only when observing up-close, however; you’d never see them in ordinary use. I was just a little surprised it happened so quickly.

Design score: 5/5

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: performance

Makes exceptionally good espresso with thick crema
Good choice of customizable drink presets
No profile for plant-based milks

The KitchenAid KF6 is very simple to use and, most importantly, makes a gorgeous espresso – rich and delicious, and with exceptionally thick crema that even earned praise from team coffee aficionado and reviews editor Josh Russell, who noted that his manual espresso machine couldn’t produce similar results.

The KF6 doesn’t have quite such an extensive menu of presets as the KF8, but still offers plenty of choice. There’s scope for customizing the strength, temperature, volume, and body of each drink, too. The options offered by the KF6 are:

Espresso
Cappuccino
Caffe latte
Macchiato
Latte macchiato
Americano
Coffee

The KF6 can also dispense hot water and warm milk. However, unlike the higher-end KF8, it doesn’t offer a cooler water option for brewing green tea, or foamed milk without coffee for a babyccino.

Espresso made using KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 — The KitchenAid KF6 produces an incredible espresso (Image credit: Future)

When I tested the KitchenAid KF8 in 2024, I found that the default settings for a cappuccino and latte didn’t produce as much milk foam as I like, and it was the same with the KF6. Thankfully, both machines let me adjust the volume of the drink to add more milk, which resulted in thicker foam. It’s easy to play around with the options before making your espresso drinks, and once you’ve set your preferences, you can save them to one of four custom user profiles. The KF6 supports six profiles, but four will be plenty for most households.

The KF6 is Quiet Mark certified, meaning it has been designed with noise reduction in mind. It’s definitely quieter than most of the best espresso machines I’ve tested. It reached 75db for a second or two while foaming milk (similar to a vacuum cleaner) and 66dB while grinding coffee (about the noise of a normal conversation), but averaged a mere 44dB while the pump was in operation (a very gentle hum).

Milk being dispensed into macchiato using KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 — Unlike the KF8, the KF6 doesn't have a mode optimized for plant-based milk (Image credit: Future)

Sometimes, the convenience of a bean-to-cup coffee machine is offset by the hassle of maintaining it, but this isn't the case here. All of KitchenAid’s fully automatic espresso machines offer a great selection of cleaning and maintenance functions, and you’ll be prompted when it’s time to run each one.

After each milk-based drink, you’ll be advised to run the "easy milk rinsing" program, which uses water from the tank to flush the lines. To keep things hygienic in the longer term, the "deep milk cleaning" function uses a cleaning solution to give everything a good wash and remove proteins and bacteria.

There’s a quick option for rinsing the brew unit, plus a deep-cleaning mode that requires you to remove the brewing unit and insert a cleaning tablet to remove any build-up of oils that could start to impact the taste of your drinks.

Service door opened on KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 to show brewing group — Remove the panel on the right-hand side to access the brew group for cleaning (Image credit: Future)

The KF8 also offers a function that purges all coffee from the hopper and brew unit (ideal if you want to switch to a different bean), and one that evaporates all water from the system (great, if you won’t be using the machine for a while or need to transport it). You may need to use a cloth to absorb a little leftover water from the dispenser once it’s done, but the evaporation system works very well.

Generally speaking, I found the differences between the KF6 and the KF8 to be quite small. Although there are fewer drink options, the ones I use frequently are still available (and customizable). The absence of a special container for milk barely affects the experience at all, and the smaller screen is still ample for displaying your various options.

The only thing I really missed was the plant milk option from the KF8, which yielded particularly silky micro-foam when used with almond milk. If you rarely use plant milk, it’s well worth considering opting for the KF6 instead – the experience is just as good; it handles dairy equally well; and it brews an exceptional coffee.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6

Buy if if

You love espresso

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this machine produces truly great espresso, with masses of golden crema. It's delicious, and it will be perfect every time – with no skill necessary on your part.

You want minimal hassle

The joy of a bean-to-cup machine is its ease of use and consistency, and the KF6 excels in both areas. It makes preparing your favorite coffee a piece of cake, and is refreshingly easy to clean and maintain.

Don't buy it if

You prefer plant milk

There's nothing to stop you using the KF6 with your favorite plant-based substitute, but it's optimized for dairy. Unlike the KF8, there's no profile for soy, almond, oat and other alternatives.

You're on a tight budget

The KitchenAid KF6 is great value for a fully automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine, but if money is tight then you'd be better off choosing a manual espresso machine instead.

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: also consider

Not sure whether the KitchenAid KF6 is the right espresso machine for you? Here are a couple of other options that you might like to consider:

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo

This is our favorite manual bean-to-cup machine, and an excellent introduction to the world of espresso. Plus, it's less than half the price of the KitchenAid KF6.

Read our full De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review

Breville The Barista Impress Express

This espresso machine gives you the choice of manual or semi-automatic operation, and for those who lack the experience of grinding and tamping coffee, Breville's Impress system helps you create the perfect puck.

Read our full Breville The Barista Impress Express review

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: how I tested

I tested the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 using fresh coffee beans from local coffee shop, Mokoko, and chilled whole milk. I used each of the machine’s preset drink options, experimenting with the volume, temperature, strength, and body settings, creating a custom user profile.

I also ran all of the machine’s cleaning programs, including the intensive profiles for cleaning the milk system and brewing group, and evaporating water from the whole system. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.

First reviewed February 2025

Bag of coffee beans beside KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 — (Image credit: Future)

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