Best commercial bean to cup coffee machine 2024

Bean-to-cup Coffee Machines Explained

A bean-to-cup coffee machine takes control of the entire coffee-making process. From grinding the beans to brewing the coffee, with the press of a button, these machines produce a range of coffee drinks, making them perfect for self-service environments or businesses that don’t have trained baristas.

Compared to traditional espresso machines and filter coffee makers, bean-to-cup machines are far easier to use, typically quicker to make coffee, and offer a standard selection of different drink types (americano, latte, cappuccino etc), as well as some non-coffee based beverages like hot chocolate.

There are a huge number of bean-to-cup machines on the market, which is fantastic for people like yourselves who are able to find a machine that perfectly caters to their needs. However, the large number of options can feel overwhelming, and you might just want to know which are the best commercial bean-to-cup coffee machines.

We’re a coffee roaster and commercial coffee machine supplier that has helped over 500 businesses in the UK select the best machine for their coffee outlet over the last 40 years. So, keep reading to discover our top 5 recommendations for bean-to-cup machines this year.

Top 5 commercial bean-to-cup coffee machines 2024

The Eversys E’4 is a part of the Enigma line of Eversys machines. The E ‘4 features two separate coffee and milk stations and the space from the extra wide version to support high levels of productivity for two users.

Featuring the same milk technologies and coffee extraction system as the Eversys Cameo, our best commercial coffee machine this year, the Enigma features twice the capacity and a higher price tag to show for it.

The perfect machine for the highest footfall coffee outlets that are looking for speed, consistently high quality coffees, and features that aid baristas of all skill levels to serve incredible coffee.

The Schaerer Coffee Soul is a heavy duty, reliable bean-to-cup coffee machine that allows a barista to serve a wide selection of delicious coffee drinks quickly and with ease. The base Schaerer Coffee Soul has a wide range of custom options and specifications, and this particular model has been selected by our team to be the best bean-to-cup version for barista operation.

The ‘2 Step’ milk system refers to the machine’s ability to automatically steam milk inside the jug for your barista, allowing space for a touch of the craft during the coffee service. Baristas will be able to easily steam milk to a high quality allowing for a fantastic texture in the final drink and for latte art patterns to be poured over top. 

What’s more, the auto steaming feature removes any need for an internal milk system inside the machine which is the most common area of failure in bean-to-cup machines, making this the ultimate bean-to-cup machine for reliability of service and supporting your baristas in serving delicious drinks. 

The Vitro X3 is a simple and intuitive bean to cup machine providing fast, simple-serve drinks at a great price point. It’s the perfect solution for budget-conscious locations that require a machine capable of brewing up to 200 cups per day.

The X3 provides authentic Italian style coffee whilst the intuitive display and functional buttons allow for either staff-operated or self-serve. Additionally offering hot chocolate powder for further drink customisation, and utilising powdered milk for easy cleaning and upkeep, improved speed and reliability.

The Eversys Cameo C2 was our top choice for commercial coffee machine of the year thanks to its incredible coffee quality at the push of a button, along with the recipe customisation, milk technologies, cleaning and support features that set it above the rest.

Eversys’ industry-leading ETC system allows the machine to constantly dial-in the coffee recipe, taking away the onus on the barista to keep the coffee tasting great day in, day out, and lets multi-site businesses to control and monitor the performance, coffee extractions and stats remotely.

The Eversys Cameo features industry leading cleaning features to make sure staff are taking care of the machine to promote optimal performance, drink quality and longevity. What’s more, the modularity of Eversys machines allow engineers to immediately replace broken modules on site for speedy repairs and limited downtime, and a 10 year guarantee helps to protect your investment for years to come. The Cameo represents the entry point for businesses to buy into the Eversys’ ecosystem, boasting all of the same industry leading features as their larger, higher capacity machines like the Enigma E’4 and the Shotmaster.

The Soul 12 Automatic is the premium solution for great coffee in self-service environments, or aiding in a staff operated outlet. It is a custom spec of the base Schaerer Coffee Soul bean-to-cup machine specifically designed for self-service and easy staff operation, a fantastic option for up to 250 drinks per day.

With a large and bright 12” touch screen display, your staff or customers can help themselves to a wide selection of drinks at just the push of a button including hot, cold, coffee and chocolate drink recipes.  The internal milk system known as ‘Best Foam’ is a leader in the bean-to-cup machine category and well regarded for its silky smooth, perfectly textured milk foam ideal for dense cappuccinos and lighter delicate lattes. 

2 coffee hoppers allows for an additional selection ideal for a decaf coffee or single origin offering, and the powder hopper allows for a coffee alternative to be served such as hot chocolate drinks. An additional Twin Milk option for Best Foam and the fridge system allows an additional drink to be steamed and frothed automatically by the machine, opening your outlet up to catering for the non-dairy audience. 

The Soul 12 Automatic is a fantastic choice for businesses looking for a reliable coffee machine that can be used by anyone, regardless of their level of coffee knowledge and training.

The Alto 400 FM is a robust and intuitive bean-to-cup coffee machine, perfect for both self-service and café environments. It’s one of our engineer teams’ favourite machines thanks to its durability, ease of service and great build quality.

It features a large 10″ touchscreen display, allowing customers to easily select from regular or large cup sizes and three coffee strengths.The machine supports fresh milk and offers dual bean hoppers for variety. With a capacity of up to 120 drinks per hour, it’s ideal for high-demand settings, delivering up to 30 customizable drink recipes with exceptional speed and quality. What’s more, the Alto line of machines are bulletproof and highly recommended by our team of coffee machine engineers.

Is a Bean-to-cup Machine Right for your Business?

Now that you’ve heard about some of the best bean-to-cup machines for 2024, let’s discuss whether a bean-to-cup machine is actually the right option for your business. Below are some of the factors you should consider:

Benefits of owning a bean-to-cup machine:

• Fully Automated: The simplicity of operation makes these machines perfect for busy environments where staff may not have barista skills.
• Freshly Ground Coffee: Bean-to-cup machines grind the beans on demand, ensuring fresh coffee with each cup.
• Consistent Quality: These machines deliver consistent results, which is ideal for businesses that value efficiency and reliability.
• Versatile: They offer a variety of drink options, including espresso, cappuccino, and latte, often with the ability to handle both dairy and non-dairy milks.

Downsides to bean-to-cup machines:

• Limited Drink Customisation: While convenient, these machines don’t allow for much customisation, which may not appeal to coffee purists.
• Regular Cleaning Required: The built-in milk systems require daily cleaning to prevent issues such as buildup and failures, which can add to the maintenance workload.
• Lower Capacity: Typically, these machines don’t handle as many drinks per hour as traditional espresso machines.
• Higher Maintenance Costs: Specialist technicians are often required for repairs and maintenance.

When a Bean-to-Cup Machine is Best Suited

Bean-to-cup machines are ideal for coffee outlets or self-serve areas where ease of use and consistency are more important than customisation and high-end coffee experiences, such as in offices, hotels, or conference centres.

When to Look for Something Different

If you prioritise coffee quality and the ability to customise drinks for your customers, along with being able to provide a high level of service and a sense of craft, you might find bean-to-cup machines too limiting.

If you’re still unsure as to whether a bean-to-cup coffee machine is right for your business, don’t fret! There are plenty of other fantastic options available that you may want to consider. Learn all about the different types of coffee machines here -> What is the Best Type of Coffee Machine for my Business?