With coffee in hand, we got straight to work and researched built-in coffee machines, evaluating their beverage options, maintenance requirements, and added features. Our best overall pick is the Miele VitroLine CVA7845BW, because it brews 13 different beverages, is easy to clean, and can store beverage preferences for up to 10 people. Ahead, you’ll find our list of best built-in coffee machines so that you can enjoy your next delicious brew—without ever having to stop at the drive-thru. Although it needs to be professionally installed to get started, cleaning the machine is just as easy as using it. As soon as the machine is switched on, the spouts are automatically rinsed, ensuring that a freshly cleaned and warm system is ready and waiting from the first cup. To access the capsules, bean containers, water tank, waste container, and the drip tray, just open the front door to the machine. Then toss these into the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning. Though pricey, the Miele machine is available in four colors, so you’ll find a style to fit your kitchen’s decor. With a swipe of the screen, you can program up to 10 coffee profiles and dispense two cups simultaneously, saving you plenty of time in the morning for the important things—like seeing your kids off to school, grabbing breakfast, and maybe even a quick walk with the dog. And for those after-dinner parties, you can utilize the coffee pot function to brew up to eight cups of coffee all at once! Pretty soon, you’ll think of this machine as your own personal barista. Price at time of publish: $5,799 The programmable machine is compatible with coffee grounds or coffee beans, which you can store in a 0.77-pound-capacity container. Because it’s not a front-loading container, loading your grounds or beans may not be as easy as with other machines, but don’t let that deter you! Maintenance couldn’t be easier with the Smeg. The machine has a steam and water self-cleaning feature, as well as a descaling function to remove limescale deposits in the tank. Look for an automatic reminder system that informs you when it’s time for maintenance. Price at time of publish: $3,399 In a rush? The double spout hastens your coffee brewing process and even allows you to brew two cups at once. There’s also a hidden, easy-to-access storage tray where you can keep bags of coffee beans or other coffee-related items, such as the included measuring scoop. Made of stainless steel for durability, the JennAir is super easy to clean, whether you’re running the machine’s Descaling Mode or removing parts to wash by hand. Price at time of publish: $3,199 But the app isn’t the only impressive feature. If you’re an espresso drinker, you might appreciate the machine’s Aroma DoubleShot technology, which simultaneously grinds and pours a larger amount of coffee to produce a stronger cup. If you’re not a fan of espressos, Bosch’s coffee maker can create a wide variety of drinks, including cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, and more. You can even store up to eight different beverages for quick and easy preparation. Just note that the water container only holds ⅝ of a gallon. If you have young children who like to press all of the buttons, the machine has a childproof lock to prevent accidental brewing. The heating system activates only when needed, to maintain energy efficiency. Price at time of publish: $3,699 To further perfect your drink, choose from five coffee strengths and mug sizes, as well as three temperature settings. The two sliding telescopic rails make it easy and convenient to access the machine to refill the coffee bean and water containers. The machine’s standby mode saves energy to keep your power bill down. Similarly, LED lighting illuminates the coffee machine without driving up your spending on energy costs. Price at time of publish: $3,099 In addition to brewing for crowds, the Wolf coffee machine brews to your personal specifications. You can easily customize your beverage type, strength, temperature, quantity, and milk preference. Then, you can save it all within one of six user profiles. Price at time of publish: $4,575 But it isn’t just the cleanliness that makes the Thermador a top machine. Its coffee customization settings store up to eight personalized beverages that can be saved with names, so you can enjoy your go-to drink with total ease. The machine also uses ceramic discs to (quietly) grind the beans to a consistency that guarantees smooth, consistent texture and flavor. If that weren’t enough, you can even use your phone to control the Thermador TCM24Ps and connect via the Home Connect app. Price at time of publish: $4,429 Yoni Babitsky, the owner of Enigma Coffee, tells The Spruce that a plumbed coffee maker directly connects to a water line. Once installed by a professional plumber, it provides a continuous flow of water to the machine. A non-plumbed machine, on the other hand, utilizes a water reservoir that you must fill regularly in order for the coffee maker to operate. Though that can be tedious, most built-in coffee machines have large water reservoirs, so it is only something you’d have to do every few days. “With a non-plumbed machine, you save a lot of money on installation,” says Babitsky. “And you save more money if you move, since a plumbed-in machine would be an entire project to disconnect.” With either version, you need to be mindful of whether your water source is filtered. “You need a pretty specific type of water not to ruin your plumbed machine and get the best out of your espresso,” explains Babitsky. “You probably want to look into reverse osmosis filtration for plumbed options. If that sounds complicated, then don’t worry about it, and go for the non-plumbing option.”
Beverage Types and Customization Options
A built-in coffee machine acts as an in-house barista, meaning it can brew a variety of beverages. Most can make basic coffee and espresso, as well as hot water for tea and cocoa. If you want more options, consider looking for a machine that can also make lattes, macchiatos, and more. That’s why we love Miele’s VitroLine CVA7845BW 24-inch built-in machine. It practically does all of the work for you with the touch of a button. Plus, it has the ability to make 13 different kinds of drinks, including espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, or regular coffee straight into your favorite morning mug. Similarly, some coffee makers allow you to alter your coffee strength, size, and temperature, and save them within a user profile to make drink “ordering” easier. Keep in mind that these elements will likely make the built-in coffee maker a bit more expensive.
Cleaning and Rinsing Settings
It goes without saying that maintaining your coffee maker will help extend its use. But cleaning a built-in machine is no easy task. When buying a built-in coffee machine, ask these questions: Does the machine have an auto-cleaning function? Does it only clean the coffee spouts and pipes? What about a descaling function that removes limescale, a hard, chalky deposit that can disrupt water flow, temperature, and taste over time? Remember, the deeper the clean, the less work for you.
Safety Features
A safety feature, like locking or automatic shut-off, may seem unnecessary at first. But hot water flowing unnecessarily onto the floor seems like a huge headache waiting to happen, and can be hazardous. If you have young children at home or just want an extra security measure for yourself, consider a built-in coffee maker with safety features that make it a little more tricky to turn on.
Standout Features
Coffee Pot Function
As its name suggests, a coffee pot function allows you to make a pot of coffee rather than several cups individually. This is different from a double-cup setting, which enables the machine to make two individual cups. People who like to host are more likely to benefit most from this feature.
Beverage Setting Storage
Beverage setting storage allows you to create user profiles, under which you can save your favorite drink orders and easily ask the machine to make them again. This is a great feature for people who live in multi-person households, are often in a hurry, or have a few different caffeine go-to’s. Depending on your machine, this may be known as programming, personalizing, or setting storage.
Milk Frother
Having a milk frother built into your machine can elevate your coffee experience. This feature creates a foam out of milk, which adds a layer of texture and taste to even the most traditional coffee orders. There are some drinks that require a layer of foam milk, such as cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, so a milk frother is essential if these are your go-to beverages. For our pick of best with milk frother, we chose the Fulgor Milano built-in coffee machine, because it will warm and froth milk for any of five coffee selections, including espresso, coffee, white coffee, latte macchiato, or cappuccino. You can use the milk froth function to enhance hot tea and hot chocolate, too!
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Leah Rocketto, a freelance lifestyle writer and editor for The Spruce. To select the best built-in coffee machines, Leah sorted through dozens of reviews to zero in on the best coffee makers out there. She has written and edited for INSIDER, Romper, Bustle, WomansDay.com, and POPSUGAR. She also spoke with Yoni Babitsky, owner of Enigma Coffee, to understand more about how built-in coffee machines work and what to consider when buying one.
