Beko BioCoffee CEG5311 review

It also comes with a cleaning brush, descaler and microfibre cloth, which was handy during our tests, as the exterior is susceptible to fingerprint marks (these disappeared with a quick wipe).

• Read our full guide of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines.

First impressions of the Beko BioCoffee CEG5311

The look of this machine is minimalist, with smooth rounded edges and touchscreen controls across the top. It has a decent weight to it but we had no issues lifting it with two hands. It's not too tall either, which is ideal if you have lower-built cupboards.

We were less keen on the drip tray and drip tray cover, which fit together loosely, and felt poorly made compared to the rest of the machine. That aside, the other materials appeared to be good quality.

How easy is the Beko BioCoffee CEG5311 to use?

This is an impressively quiet coffee machine – even the in-built grinder is quieter than most other coffee grinders we've used – and the controls are clear and intuitive.

If you're in a hurry though, bear in mind it takes a while to move between functions. This is a machine that takes it time, and whirs – albeit quietly – for a while as it moves from one task to another.

Manoeuvring the steam wand was difficult as it pulls out to the side rather than forwards, making it trickier to achieve textured microfoam for cappuccinos.

We also had to press the buttons quite firmly to get a response, but had no issues once the machine kicked into action, and loading the grinder with coffee beans was straightforward. The grinder was easy to adjust and the spout can be moved up or down depending on the height of the cup.

Once you've made your coffee, the machine performs an auto-rinse, and you can detach the drip tray for a quick clean, too.

Results

It took us a few attempts to get our espresso to a good consistency – our first few were watery, but improved the more we used the machine. The coffee had a light body and low acidity, and what it lacked in strength it made up for in glossy, thick crema.

The steaming wand, though awkwardly positioned, performed well too: it was a little slow to get the milk up to temperature, but eventually gave us creamy cappuccinos. It's also worth remembering the machine doesn't come with a milk jug.

Unloading the grounds afterwards was simple and felt safe as they cooled quickly – we simply removed the tray from the front and tapped into a bin.

How sustainable is the Beko BioCoffee CEG5311?

Where this model let us down was the non-recyclable packaging. There were polystyrene blocks and wrapping around the machine, plus plastic wrapping around all the components – a lot of which felt unnecessary. However, we were able to recycle the two cardboard boxes that it came in.

A one-year warranty is included, which is short but not unusual given the price of the machine. We also found it remarkably cheap to run versus the other models in our recent tests, costing just 1.1p to pull one double espresso each day for one week (based on a tariff of 16.6p/kWh).

Beko also offers a repairs service for its appliances, and spare parts are available to buy through third parties online.

Conclusion

This bean-to-cup model strikes just the right balance between versatility and simplicity: it allows for some customisation, but without making anything too complicated. We liked its sleek, slimline design and how quiet it was, particularly when grinding beans – ideal if you're in an smaller, open-plan space.

The quality of the espresso doesn't reach the heights of some high-spec machines, but it was pleasant and light with good crema, and overall the machine performs its functions well while offering excellent value – both upfront and long-term.

Available from:

• Amazon (£160.84)
• Appliances Direct (£229)
• eBay (£289)
• B&Q (£348)

Beko BioCoffee CEG5311 specifications

Wattage: 1250W
Product weight: 9.25kg
Adjustable water hardness: Yes
Pump pressure: 19-bar
Automatic rinse: Yes
Automatic switch-off: Yes
Water capacity: 1.5L
Dimensions: 38 x 24 x 44 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, plastic

Coffee recipes and tips

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All costs-to-run calculations were done against the variable tariff at the time of testing (16.6p/kWh), which has since changed – read more on the current energy price guarantee rates.

If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.