Home & Kitchen · 4 products compared
Best Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine: Which One Should You Buy?
De'Longhi Magnifica S vs Philips 2200, Krups and Airmsen compared: buyer reviews, strengths and weaknesses to find the best bean-to-cup machine.
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At a glance
- 1€301.38See at Amazon
- 2
€249See at Amazon - 3
€349.99See at Amazon - 4
€216.59See at Amazon
Prices and availability as of 16 Oct 2026 and subject to change. The price shown on the store at the time of purchase applies.
The De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B is our top pick for most households looking to switch from pods to whole beans without any hassle. If your budget is tighter, the Philips 2200 Series EP2220/10 is the most sensible alternative, with buyer feedback that's almost as strong.
We compared four bean-to-cup machines priced between roughly 216 and 350 euros. The two leading models alone account for more than 75,000 reviews, which gives a clear picture of how they hold up over time. The other two look more interesting on paper, but have less of a track record.
The matchup at a glance
- De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B: the safe bet, with over 50,000 reviews and a 4.4/5 rating.
- Philips 2200 Series EP2220/10: the cheapest of the big-brand machines, with a 100% ceramic grinder.
- KRUPS Essential Compact: an LCD screen and a compact footprint, but the highest price in this comparison.
- AIRMSEN 20 bar: the highest rating on display, but from just 54 reviews.
De'Longhi Magnifica S: the benchmark for good reason
With 50,187 reviews and a 4.4/5 average, the De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B is one of the best-selling bean-to-cup machines around. That volume of reviews is reassuring: any flaws would have surfaced long ago.
Its 1.8 L water tank means fewer refills, the two-cup function helps on busy mornings, and the manual steam wand lets you froth milk for a cappuccino. That said, it takes a little practice to get decent foam, and at around 301 euros it costs about fifty euros more than the Philips.
Philips 2200: the best value
At 249 euros, the Philips 2200 Series EP2220/10 is the cheapest big-brand machine in this comparison. Like the De'Longhi, it has a 1.8 L tank and a classic milk wand.
Its standout feature is the 100% ceramic grinder, a material known for not heating the coffee during grinding. Its 4.2/5 rating across nearly 26,000 reviews is slightly behind the De'Longhi's, but still very good.
Krups Essential Compact: appealing, but pricey
The KRUPS Essential Compact leans on an LCD screen and a compact size, which is handy in a small kitchen. It's rated at 15 bar, with a 1.7 L tank, a steam wand and a two-cup function.
The problem is the price: at around 350 euros, it's the most expensive of the lot, with no spec that clearly justifies the gap over the De'Longhi or the Philips. With 4,444 reviews and a 4.3/5 rating, buyer feedback is good, but thinner.
Airmsen 20 bar: promising, but too few reviews
The AIRMSEN 20 bar is the cheapest at 216.59 euros and has the highest rating in this comparison, 4.6/5. It offers 10 grind settings and a 1.8 L tank.
However, that rating rests on just 54 reviews, far too few to judge long-term reliability or after-sales service. As for the 20 bar, it's mostly a marketing claim: beyond about 15 bar, higher advertised pressure doesn't guarantee a better espresso.
Which one should you choose?
If you want peace of mind, get the De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B. If every euro counts, the Philips 2200 Series EP2220/10 does almost as well for less. The KRUPS Essential Compact only makes sense if its screen and size really win you over, and the AIRMSEN 20 bar remains a gamble for the curious who can live without a track record.
Side by side
| Spec | Best overallMagnifica S ECAM22.110.B | Best value2200 Series EP2220/10 | Essential Compact bean machine (LCD) | 20 bar espresso bean machine with frother |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Amazon rating | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Milk frothing | Manual wand | Classic wand | Steam wand | Built-in frother |
| Number of reviews | 50,187 | 25,835 | 4,444 | 54 |
| Price | €301.38 | €249.00 | €349.99 | €216.59 |
| Standout feature | 2-cup function | 100% ceramic grinder | LCD screen, 15 bar, 2 cups | 20 bar, 10 grind settings |
| Water tank | 1.8 L | 1.8 L | 1.7 L | 1.8 L |
| Price | €301.38 | €249 | €349.99 | €216.59 |
Prices and availability as of 16 Oct 2026 and subject to change. The price shown on the store at the time of purchase applies.
Best overall
1. Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B
4.5The most proven bean-to-cup machine in this comparison, a safe choice even if it costs a bit more than the Philips.
Best for Most households
- The 1.8 L tank means fewer refills for everyday family use.
- The manual steam wand lets you froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
- The two-cup function brews two coffees at once, handy in the morning.
What we like
- Over 50,000 reviews averaging 4.4/5
- Generous 1.8 L tank
- Two-cup function
- Milk wand for milk-based drinks
What could be better
- About €50 more than the Philips 2200
- Manual milk wand takes some practice
- No screen or notable features beyond the essentials
Best value
2. 2200 Series EP2220/10
4.0The cheapest of the big brands, with a ceramic grinder and solid buyer feedback.
Best for Demanding buyers on a budget
- The 100% ceramic grinder is known for grinding without heating the coffee.
- The 1.8 L tank matches the De'Longhi's.
- The classic milk wand lets you make cappuccinos at home.
What we like
- Lowest price among the big brands
- 100% ceramic grinder
- Nearly 26,000 reviews
- 1.8 L tank
What could be better
- 4.2/5 rating, a notch below the De'Longhi
- Manual milk wand
- No two-cup function mentioned
3. Essential Compact bean machine (LCD)
3.5Practical and compact with its LCD screen, but the most expensive of the lot with no obvious technical advantage.
Best for Small kitchens
- The LCD screen makes settings and machine prompts easy to read.
- The compact size suits kitchens short on space.
- The steam wand and two-cup function cover everyday needs.
What we like
- LCD screen
- Compact size
- Good 4.3/5 rating
- Two-cup function and steam wand
What could be better
- Highest price in this comparison
- Slightly smaller tank (1.7 L)
- Far fewer reviews than the De'Longhi and Philips
4. 20 bar espresso bean machine with frother
3.0The cheapest and highest rated, but with just 54 reviews, reliability is a gamble.
Best for Curious buyers on a tight budget
- The 10 grind settings let you adjust coarseness to suit your beans.
- The 1.8 L tank matches the De'Longhi and Philips models.
- The built-in frother lets you make milk-based drinks.
What we like
- Lowest price in this comparison
- Highest displayed rating (4.6/5)
- 10 grind settings
- 1.8 L tank
What could be better
- Only 54 reviews, too little track record
- Little-known brand, after-sales service hard to assess
- The 20 bar is mostly a marketing claim
The verdict
Buy the De'Longhi Magnifica S if you want the bean-to-cup machine most proven by buyers, with a generous tank and a milk wand for cappuccinos. Choose the Philips 2200 if you want to save around fifty euros without sacrificing perceived reliability. Only go for the Krups Essential Compact if its LCD screen and compact size matter more to you than its high price. Avoid the Airmsen if you want a safe bet: its rating is flattering, but 54 reviews aren't enough to judge its durability.
How we compared: We did not test these machines ourselves. Our ranking is based solely on the technical specifications provided by our sourcing team, prices in euros at the time of writing, and the average rating and number of buyer reviews on Amazon. We gave significant weight to review volume, which indicates long-term reliability, and penalized prices not justified by the specs. Read our full method
Readers' podium
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Questions people ask
What is the best bean-to-cup coffee machine under 300 euros?
The Philips 2200 Series EP2220/10, priced at 249 euros, is the best choice under 300 euros in our comparison. It offers a ceramic grinder, a 1.8 L tank and a milk wand, with a 4.2/5 rating from nearly 26,000 reviews.
De'Longhi Magnifica S vs Philips 2200: which should you choose?
Get the De'Longhi Magnifica S if you want the machine rated highest by the largest number of buyers, and the Philips 2200 if you'd rather pay about 50 euros less. Both have a 1.8 L tank and a manual milk wand; the Philips stands out with its 100% ceramic grinder.
Does a 20 bar machine make better espresso than a 15 bar one?
No, higher advertised pressure doesn't guarantee better espresso. Beyond about 15 bar, the difference is mostly a sales pitch; grind, coffee freshness and settings matter more.
Can you make a cappuccino with these machines?
Yes, all four machines have a steam wand or milk frother for making cappuccinos. These are manual wands, so it takes a bit of practice to get fine, creamy foam.
Should you trust the Airmsen 20 bar's rating?
Its 4.6/5 rating is encouraging, but it's based on just 54 reviews, which is too few to judge reliability. The De'Longhi and Philips models, rated by tens of thousands of buyers, offer a much longer track record.
