Bean-to-cup and capsule machines both make a cup of coffee at the press of a button, but they work in different ways and suit different habits. This article describes how each one works and what to weigh up.
How a bean-to-cup machine works
A bean-to-cup machine, also called a fully automatic machine, holds whole coffee beans in a hopper. For each cup it grinds the beans, doses the grounds into a brewing chamber, presses them, forces hot water through and then ejects the used grounds into an internal container. Many models also steam or froth milk, either with a manual steam wand or an automatic milk system.
- Fresh grinding for every cup, which many people associate with a fuller aroma.
- Control over grind size, strength, cup volume and temperature on many models.
- Lower cost per cup in the long run, since beans cost less than capsules.
- Larger and heavier, with regular cleaning needed: the brewing unit, drip tray, grounds container and milk system.
- A higher purchase price than most capsule machines.
How a capsule machine works
A capsule machine uses a sealed pod of pre-ground coffee. You insert the capsule, and the machine pierces it and passes hot water through under pressure. Some systems use pods of milk powder or chocolate as well, which is why capsules appear in drinks sections beyond coffee.
- Fast, consistent and very simple: little cleaning is needed beyond emptying the used capsule tray and descaling.
- Compact and usually inexpensive to buy.
- Wide choice of flavours and strengths.
- Higher cost per cup, and more packaging waste, although some capsules can be returned for recycling.
- Capsule types are tied to a system: a pod made for one machine does not necessarily fit another.
Pressure, water tank and maintenance
Pressure is stated in bars; around 15 bar is typical on both kinds. The figure alone does not decide the taste, since extraction depends on how the machine controls flow and temperature. The water tank size matters for households that make many cups. Both machine types need descaling at the intervals the manufacturer states, particularly in hard-water areas.
How to choose
Choose bean-to-cup if you drink several cups a day, want to adjust strength, and are happy to do a few minutes of cleaning. Choose capsule if you value speed, want a small footprint or only make an occasional coffee. Look at the milk option you need, the tank volume, and the running cost of beans or capsules over a year rather than only the initial price.