Smeg appliances are iconic, and if you already have any of the brand’s products in your kitchen then it’s a no-brainer to add the bean-to-cup coffee machine to your haul.
Of course, with the Smeg brand comes the price tag, so it's worth making the most of the savings while you can. If you decide not to buy the coffee machine with this fantastic discount, then bear that in mind when you’re considering what you need from a coffee machine, including, how much you will use it, and whether that initial price will be worth the investment in the long run compared to the cost of your daily coffee shop run.
The Smeg BCC02 bean-to-cup coffee machine has two options, the BCC02 with a steam wand and the BCC01 without, which is better suited for those who prefer espresso or black coffee without the bells and whistles of adding foam or hot milk.
A Modern Kitchen tested out the BCC02 in retro red (currently out of stock but it's available in black). Here, we wanted to find out how well the coffee machine performs across the variety of coffee options on offer.
SMEG BCC02 Bean To Cup Coffee Machine: Summary
The Smeg BCC02 automatic machine features a milk frothing/steaming function which is ideal for milk-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, latte macchiatos and flat whites. It also has three different settings for your espresso, long coffee or ristretto coffee. On top of the initial coffee options, it also offers a normal or a “light” version of each, depending on your preferred strength.
The BCC02 machine measures H43.3 x W18 x D33.6cm making it sleek and compact to fit on your countertop.
It has a brushed metal front and plastic body, with colour options including the Smeg bold red, as well as matte taupe, white, and black. The front of the machine has an adjustable spout as opposed to an adjustable drip tray allowing you to use any cup without attempting to squeeze it underneath, and a mini steam wand alongside. The in-built grinder holds your chosen coffee beans, and there is a 1.4L capacity removable water tank at the back of the machine.
Pros: Stylish and compact, quick change between making coffee and steam, removable drip tray, adjustable cup volume
Cons: Indicator lights are confusing, bean container needs replenishing often, water tank runs low quickly, and sensor light can be temperamental
Price
At £570-£649 (depending on the retailer), the Smeg BCC02 is certainly at the higher end of the price bracket of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines available on the market. Especially when compared to a machine like the De'Longhi Magnifica Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, which is less than £350 and has very similar features.
Rating: 4/5
Key Features
Specifications
Capacity: 1.4L
Dimensions: H43.3 x W18 x D33.6cm
Milk frother: Steam wand
Special features: Four matte colours; white, red, black and taupe, touch button menu, Thermoblock heating system, 19 bar pressure system, four beverage controls, in-built grinder
Testing the SMEG BCC02 Bean To Cup Coffee Machine
What was the product tested for?
I tested the Smeg over a month of daily use in a single household. As a bean-to-cup novice, I wanted to know how easy it was to use. Plus, I intended to recreate the barista-style drinks I often purchased away from home. I wanted to taste the difference between the drink options available and the different strengths available.
Further, I already had an understanding of how a steam wand works. So, I wanted to assess this from a beginner’s point of view, especially when making a foam-based drink like a cappuccino or flat white.
What were the results?
Performance
As someone who prefers an espresso early in the morning before the gym, the speed of the switch on to the finished pour was particularly important. At this point, it felt slow when I was standing there watching and desperately waiting for my cup. But, it took 50 seconds to switch on, for the buttons to go through a light sequence and for the water to rinse before it was ready. After choosing the ristretto or espresso option, it took another 30 seconds to pour, with a thick crema on top without fail.
The only time the crema didn’t appear, was when I failed to check the beans were empty. There is no warning light that alerted me of that, and the sound of the grinder was still loud. So, in my rush to get to the gym in the dark, I didn’t notice that the espresso wasn’t proper coffee, instead, it was just dirty coffee water (definite facepalm moment). When using the coffee machine early in the morning, it is considerably noticeable just how loud the grinding is, which I hoped didn’t wake my neighbours, however, later in the day, it doesn’t seem as bad.
I did appreciate that I could alter the quantity of the water to get a slightly longer espresso to fill my Bodum espresso cups with enough space for a dash of milk. I had to follow the booklet instructions to achieve this, which directed me to press the relevant drink option for three seconds, the light then flashes and a double bleep is emitted. On reaching the desired volume, I simply pressed the button. The machine signals it has memorised the quantity for future dispensing.
For a coffee fan who has never steamed milk before, it would be disappointing to find that the Smeg BCCO2 doesn’t come with a metal milk jug in the box. This is needed to get the desired foam on your milk. If you don’t already have something like this in your household it’s an extra accessory you would need to purchase on top of the £649 you’ve already spent on the Smeg bean-to-cup machine.
However, you can still achieve foam using a jug or large cup. But, be aware it can be tricky to manage the technique, not to mention you can end up overheating the milk if you don’t have a temperature gauge.
The steaming wand does make things slightly easier as it rotates so you can fit a jug underneath, or even move the drip tray if you are a beginner and are not comfortable with how to steam milk. I’d also recommend watching a video tutorial to get a feel for how it works. The more you practice the easier it will be.
Usability
Opening the box, you don't have to worry about which bit goes whereas it's pretty much assembled. I followed the instructions that told me to do a water rinse on the first use and after that, it was easy to operate.
I tried making different types of drinks, the ristretto and espresso were obviously the most simple with no added extras. The crema on the coffee was perfect and the coffee was hot. Of course, if you leave it too long to drink the temperature will drop very quickly. When it came to creating a latte or flat white with no guide as to how much milk I needed for each, it was a bit hit-and-miss.
I'd definitely recommend watching YouTube to achieve this, but mostly the main function for me was the espresso.
Build
The design of the machine is geared towards a beginner. This makes it much more appealing when unboxing the Smeg BCC02, as it’s basically a ready-to-use bar a rinse cycle and bean grinder adjustment. Simply plug in, fill with your desired beans, top up the water tank and select your desired coffee drink.
It measures only 18cm across, so it's ideal for my small kitchen with a lack of countertop space. Of course, my Nespresso Pod Machine is half the width. But, when you factor in the pod drawer holder I keep it on - and along with my separate milk frother the space, it takes up is a lot more than the Smeg.
When it comes to the appeal of the Smeg bean-to-cup, it’s all in the sleek brushed aluminium front and the unmistakable logo. I would say I prefer using my milk frother than the steamer wand on the Smeg. This is because I don’t have the right metal jug - and it is also very small to get to grips with.
How does the SMEG BCC02 Bean To Cup Coffee Machine compare to rival products?
When comparing the Smeg BCC02 to other bean-to-cup coffee machines, it does mostly come down to the budget you have and the features you are looking for that suits your coffee habit.
For £200 less than the Smeg, you could pick up the De'Longhi Magnifica Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine. It Just breaking the £300 mark, the De'Longhi coffee machine has over 43,000 reviews on Amazon with 76 per cent rating it five out of five stars, delivering similar functions as the Smeg. Essentially you're paying for the digital experience with Smeg, whereas De'Longhi sticks to a traditional coffee machine look, including dials to choose your coffee strength and steaming wand. It also has an integrated grinder. Although it isn't as slimline as Smeg, you get two spouts so you can make two drinks at once. It's ideal for a couple or a bigger household.
At the other end of the budget is the Sage The Barista Touch, retailing at £2099.00, it has the ability to add up to six personalised drinks with strength and taste to your liking, so If you want to splurge a bit more for the customisation options this would be the one. Smeg does offer personalised drink options, like the custom volume and strength. But, the Sage will have you feeling as if you have your own personal barista. The Smeg still gets bonus points for its size and streamlined appearance, with the Sage you will need plenty of countertop space.
OUR VERDICT: SMEG BCC02 Bean To Cup Coffee Machine
A mid-range bean-to-cup coffee machine the Smeg BCC02 more than delivers for a coffee aficionado looking for their daily fix. Personally, as someone who isn't that addicted to coffee, this satisfies my basic needs for a good espresso. Smeg has also released the BCCO1 bean-to-cup without the steam wand, which is definitely preferable for my needs as I barely used it during my test and retails for around £100 less.
For the price point over £600 but less than £1,000, I'd expect a little more finesse over the materials used. Although the vintage style is Smeg's trademark, the coloured plastic does make it look a little cheaper than necessary. But the clever design of the adjustable spout, the steam wand and how easy it is to load the coffee beans I can overlook that.
Full Product Specifications
Heating System: Thermoblock
Automatic or manual: Automatic Bean-to-cup
Type of drinks: Americano, Cappuccino, Espresso, Flat White, Hot Milk, Latte, Tea
Coffee options: Americano, Cappucino, Espresso, Flat White, Hot Milk, Latte, Lungo, Milk Froth, Tea
Power supply: Mains (cable length 1m)
Pump Pressure: 19 bar
Water Container Capacity: 1.4L
Colour: Red Finishing Matt, Taupe Matt, White Matt, Black Matt, Emerald Green Matt,
Dimensions: H33.6 x W18 x D43.3cm
FAQs
What to look for when buying a bean-to-cup machine?
Additional features - Consider what type of coffee is your favourite, if you prefer an easy espresso, there’s no point in buying a machine with plenty of luxurious and additional features.
Milk frother - The type of milk frother can be crucial depending on your coffee preferences. If you prefer cappuccinos or lattes, a milk steam wand would be pretty handy.
Adjustable grind settings - Different types of coffee need varying grind levels to get the correct intensity, flavour and brew. So if you prefer a weaker or stronger cup of coffee, it’s important that your machine has adjustable grind settings.
Why buy a bean-to-cup machine?
For those who love espresso, but don’t want to save some money instead of buying it from a café every day, with one of these machines, you can truly make a professional, barista-style cup of coffee. It just takes a little bit of practice. Bean-to-cup machines are also more eco-friendly as you won’t have to buy new pods every couple of days, as the coffee beans are ground exactly for each cup. So, the coffee tastes fresh and aromatic.
Tip: You can even recycle coffee grounds on your compost heap.
Are bean-to-cup machines worth it?
If you’re an avid coffee drinker, then it is certainly with considering the one-off investment. These machines give you barista-quality coffee on a daily basis. And, after the initial cost, it will effectively save you money as you won’t be paying for your daily coffee or pod refills.
Further, there are even budget coffee machine options that can still deliver a good cup.
Natalie Corner is the Commercial Content Editor across the Specialist Portfolio for Bauer Media. She specialises in all things coffee and tea related for A Modern Kitchen. When she's not hopped up on caffeine she's testing the latest space-saving hacks to organise her small kitchen.