Beko Bean To Cup Coffee Machine Review : A great starter Coffee Machine

Review updated Nov 2023

Beko have made a name for themselves in the Bean-To-Cup coffee machine niche over the last few years, and it is time I had another look at their offerings.

I was not expecting one of the best coffee machines available, but I was definitely pleasantly pleased with Beko CEG5311x

Previously they only produced the 3 variations of the same machine, which are the ones with or without the integrated steam wand.

However they have now also added a new more advanced machine the CaffeExperto bean to cup coffee machine, which I reviewed separately 

The price of the Beko makes this a greater starter option for anyone looking for coffee shop quality at home.

Great starter option

Espresso Making
Milk Based Drinks
Cleaning / Descaling

Summary

This is a great little starter machine that will provide you with great tasting coffee day after day. Small and sleek it will sit greatly atop any kitchen counter

3.9

Main Features

  • 19bar pressure
  • 1.5 litre Water Tank
  • Pre Brew System
  • 125 gram Coffee Beans Hopper
  • Dimensions : 23.6cm (W) x 43.6cm (D) x 38.0cm (H)
  • Weight : 7.5kg
Beko CG5311 bean to cup machine

My Beko Bean to Cup Review

So my review, will cover all of the machines:-

  • CEG5301 – Bean to Cup Espresso Machine
  • CEG5311 – Bean to Cup Coffee Machine With Steam Wand
  • CEG5331 – As above with integrated milk frother

Ultimately the espresso coffee brewing part is the same on all three and the only difference is the milk texturing system if included.

Espresso Making

So Straight to the part that is the same for all 3 models, how well do they make an espresso? Well I have to say for the money very well.

Don’t get me wrong you can get espresso machines that will do this a lot better, but they will cost you a lot more than one of these. Here we are looking at the cheaper end of the market, and yet they still produce espresso as good as some mid to high priced coffee machines cup after cup.

You can control the grinder settings and have 19 options to select, pretty impressive for a coffee maker at this end of the market. In addition you can select between two different coffee strengths, by using the touch control on top of the machine.

The Beko bean to cup machine also features a pre brew system, which wets you beans a little prior to extraction. This means your espresso will be full bodied a rich each and every time.

Your espresso is extracted at 19 bar pressure.

The higher the pressure the deeper the aroma and texture of the coffee as the oils and fats remain in the brew. You get a faster, foamier espresso with a full-bodied taste

Beko

The handy control panel allows you to select one or two shots at a time, with a simple touch of a button.

Overall, for one of the cheapest available at the time of writing, these Beko’s do produce a great coffees, and I think most coffee lovers would be more than satisfied.

Milk Based Drinks

Depending on which coffee machine you choose, you also have the option of making milky based coffees. Like Latte, Cappuccino or Flat Whites. Your choice here really is whether you want the easy option and have this automated, or you want to manually handle it.

Milk Frothing Beko

CEG5311 Manual Steam Wand

For those that feel confident enough, and to be honest all of you should as it isn’t that hard. Beko offer this one with a manually operated steam wand. This model made my list of the best bean to cup coffee machine.

Unlike the more the expensive options, we only have a single boiler here. This means you cannot brew and steam at the same time. But this is not a major issue unless you are making lots of drinks at once, ie after a dinner party.

The steam wand is easy to use, and after only a little practice you can create the microfoam to your liking.

One of the big benefits of the manual steam wand is you prepare this in a separate milk jug, allowing you to practice your Latte art.

Milk Frother Beko

CEG5331 Integrated Milk Frother

For those that want the convenience or simple life, then you can upgrade to the integrated frother model.

This will automatically handle all the texturing and produce an array of coffee options for you. Choose from Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White or Macchiato at the touch of a button.

As a space saving design, the frother is internal, but the actual carafe is external. This clever design not only saves some space, but also means you can keep the carafe in the fridge when not in use, this will keep the milk fresher longer.

If you want my advice go for the manual option, you will get better coffees after only a few weeks practice. Plus you can impress your friends with custom Latte art.

At this price point some of you may have considered one of the pod machines with a similar price tag, and are deciding between the two. I have had the pleasure of using the both side by side, and I can honestly say go with Beko CEG5311x, its not an expensive machine, yet you get freshly ground coffee, which will surely elevate your coffee game.

Cleaning and Descaling

All three options come with a automated cleaning cycle, that will handle most of the daily cleaning. You will still need to wipe it down after use.

For a more intense clean, you will be required to put in a little effort, such as removing the drip tray, water tank and brew unit for a soak. From time to time you will need to empty out the coffee grounds, there is a little light to tell you when.

Every three months or so you should run the descaling program, this is pretty easy and the instructions are simple to follow.

Other Features

  • LCD Display
  • Auto Shut off
  • Eco Mode
  • Easy removed water tank
  • Hard water adjustment

FAQ

Is Beko coffee machine good?

As with most things in life you get what you pay for, so yes there are better machines on the market. But the customer reviews on Beko UK and leading retailers will say for the price point you will struggle to find a machine that will make espresso as a good.

How do you use a Beko bean to cup coffee machine?

This is as simple as it gets, simply place your coffee cup under the dispenser and adjust its height to fit. Then all you need to do is press the either strong or mild espresso button, depending on your personal preference. It will then grind your favourite coffee beans and offer you a great tasting coffee.

Reasons not buy

I am not going to lie here, this is an average bean to cup coffee machine, and if you consider yourself to be a real coffee connoisseur then you will want to spend some more money and get a better bean to cup coffee machine.

Secondly for those that like decaf then there is no option to use ground coffee. Which means no decaf.

Final Verdict

The Beko Bean to cup espresso machine is a really great option for anyone looking for a smaller, cheaper option. The provide excellent value for money and will serve decent coffee made with freshly ground beans.

As a coffee machine it performs well, it also looks great, and is small enough to fit in most home kitchens or even caravans.

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About Jacques Carner

Jacques is the man behind behind We Spill The Beans. He as a lover of all things coffee, and has previously worked as a buyer for one of the biggest coffee companies in the world. You can find more about him here.