The Tchibo Machine review: a bean-to-cup coffee maker worthy of 5-stars
From the heart of Hamburg, Germany, The Tchibo Coffee Machine has finally been brought to the U.S by Tchibo Coffee International Ltd. The Tchibo Coffee Machine, a sleek coffee machine that allows users to savor fresh coffee in the comfort of their homes thanks to its bean-to-brew technology. By eliminating the need for wasteful coffee pods, The Tchibo enables you to savor the purest, freshest cup of coffee, guilt-free. The Tchibo can make espresso, regular coffee and large coffee with the click of one button. Want your coffee stronger? This coffee machine is equipped with a boost button to add that extra kick you crave.
Tchibo Coffee International Ltd was founded in Germany in 1949 as a coffee mail order company and for many years has been selling coffee machines in Europe. The Tchibo is the company’s only machine currently available in the U.S. and boasts maximum quality and a slim compact build. One of my favorite aspects of this coffee brewer is how customizable you can make your cup of coffee beyond espresso, regular or large coffee. The Tchibo allows users to adjust presets for the water quantity dispensed and the grinding degree to customize the aroma and taste of the coffee.
If you are looking for a quality coffee machine that will brew you a cup of coffee or espresso as good as any high-tier espresso machine, look no further than The Tchibo. Considering how customizable and easy it is to use, The Tchibo’s $399 price point is well worth it. And it's perfect for those who want a delicious cup of coffee in under three minutes. Is The Tchibo one of the best coffee makers out there? Let me tell you...
The Tchibo Coffee Machine: First impressions
The Tchibo Machine arrived almost ready to use, requiring only a simple setup process. Delivered in a sturdy cardboard box wrapped in protective bubble wrap, all the essential components, such as the water tank and drip bowl, were securely attached to the machine. I merely had to remove the expansion for the coffee bean compartment from the water tank and plug in the cord. Although the online manual I consulted indicated the inclusion of a cleaning brush, I didn't receive one, possibly due to the machine being a refurbished unit.
When using the coffee machine for the first time, Tchibo recommends rinsing the machine by allowing two cups of water to flow through it. To ensure a top-notch cup of coffee, it is recommended to do this after two days of not using the machine as well. This is as simple as pressing the rinsing/hot water button on the far right of the touch panel, which will flush water throughout the whole system. Don’t forget to place a cup under the coffee spout to catch the water.
The Tchibo will automatically start a rinsing cycle every time the machine is turned on (as long as it has cooled down since its last use). In the rinsing cycle, the machine expels coffee residue and residual water from its pipes, simultaneously cleansing the coffee spout opening. This step guarantees a consistent quality and temperature for your coffee with each brew, which is why this factory preset is unchangeable.
The next step is to add the key ingredients to make coffee: coffee beans and water. To fill the water tank all you have to do is pull it out of The Tchibo, fill it up and place it back in. The water tank has a 37.2 oz capacity and has an integrated filter. Pour coffee beans into the coffee bean compartment and place the top back on, a top with an aroma protection seal. The coffee bean compartment can hold 5.64 oz of coffee beans, but with the compartment expander, the capacity can go up to 10.6 oz.
The Tchibo Machine: Key specifications
The Tchibo Coffee Machine: Price & availability
Tchibo Coffee International Ltd has many coffee maker models on the market in Europe but The Tchibo Coffee Machine is the only one currently available in the U.S. You can purchase The Tchibo on the manufacturer's website for $378.98, which is discounted down from its usual $531.98. You can also buy it on Amazon for $399.00, which is 20% down from its list price of $499.00
Score: 5/5
The Tchibo Machine: Design
Impressively, The Tchibo Machine fits seamlessly on my countertop, occupying minimal space. It measures 12.4 x 7 x 15.6in (h x w x l) and weighs 18.1lbs.
The design of this coffee maker exudes elegance, featuring a harmonious blend of matte and shiny surfaces. What caught my eye was that the buttons (except for the power button discreetly placed on the side of the brewer) were invisible when the machine was turned off, contributing to its sleek and modern aesthetic.
Score: 5/5
The Tchibo Machine: User experience
Since the first cup of coffee that I brewed with The Tchibo Machine, I have enjoyed using this machine every time. The Tchibo makes three different types of coffee: espresso (2 oz.), regular coffee (6 oz.) and large coffee (8 oz.). These options allow for versatility, an asset to any household with members that have different coffee preferences. The coffee spout is also adjustable, to accommodate different cup sizes.
The Tchibo’s versatility really shines through with the customizability of the beverage size, allowing users the option to adjust their machine to make the cup of coffee that is perfect for them. The Tchibo automatically dispenses three different coffee types and quantities (see above) but one can change the presets for the water quantity to suit their needs. At its loudest, The Tchibo clocks about 65 dB when it’s grinding beans and brewing coffee.
I found that the coffee bean compartment held enough coffee beans that I could brew many cups of coffee without having to refill it often. On the other hand, refilling the water tank was a task that I had to do more often, which makes sense since with almost every coffee cup brew, a rinsing cycle had to happen beforehand.
The Tchibo makes it very easy to clean its different parts. To clean the casing, a soft damp cloth will do. The water tank can be washed in the sink with a mild dish soap, and to clean the filter, you can remove it and run it under water too. The drip bowl and coffee ground containers are removable and can be washed with dish soap as well. Just make sure to dry all parts thoroughly before reattaching them to The Tchibo.
The brewing unit can be found on the side of The Tchibo, behind a cover that is easily removed. To clean the brewing unit, rinse it under hot water and then let it dry completely. Before inserting it back into The Tchibo, you can use a cleaning brush to remove any leftover coffee grounds or powder from the brewing unit compartment.
Like most coffee machines, The Tchibo has to be descaled to avoid damage caused by limescale. The brewer will detect when it needs to be descaled by lighting up a special symbol. The descaling process takes about 15 minutes and you can use a standard, liquid, descaling agent to do it.
Aside from knowing when it needs to be descaled, The Tchibo will detect issues and different symbols will light up to let you know when an action must be taken. When a water drop symbol shows up, it's time to refill the water tank, and when the coffee bean symbol lights up, it's time to add more coffee beans to the coffee bean compartment. There are other symbols that let you know when it's time to empty the coffee ground container or when there is an issue with the brewing unit. It’s important to familiarize yourself with them and complete the necessary steps to make sure your brewer remains functional for as long as possible.
Score: 5/5
The Tchibo Machine: Taste Test
When it comes to coffee, I am very particular about what I like. Growing up in Spain, I became accustomed to delicious espresso in almost every local coffee shop you go into. My go-to is a cafe con leche (espresso with milk) and for years I was a Nespresso die hard fan when it came to home brewers. The first cafe con leche I made with The Tchibo Machine took me back to my favorite local coffee back home. I have brewed many cups of espresso and coffee with The Tchibo since that first taste and I can officially say I am team Tchibo now (sorry Nespresso).
When it comes to the taste of the coffee, not only does The Tchibo have the coffee boost button, but one can also change the grinding degree to make the grind coarser (which makes the coffee less strong) or finer (which adds more aroma to the coffee). You can do this by adjusting the grind regulator, clockwise or counterclockwise, while coffee is being ground.
While I adjusted the grinding degree to test The Tchibo, I realized I was very happy with the factory setting but I can see this feature delighting those who are even more particular about how their coffee tastes.
I did not experience the usual issues that people complain about when it comes to other coffee brewers. The coffee never tasted too bitter, acidic or sour. I am curious to see how The Tchibo Coffee Machine holds up over time.
Score: 5/5
The Tchibo Machine: How Does it Compare?
I've awarded the Tchibo 5 stars which I've never given any product I've reviewed. If it continues to operate this way then it 100 percent deserves to keep hold of its 5 stars as it stands the test of time.
The most similar machine to The Tchibo Machine is the Concierge Elite Espresso Machine Diamond White, which retails for $499.99 at Target. Both machines have bean-to-brew technology but the Concierge Elite version also has a frothing mechanism to foam milk, allowing users to make cappuccinos and macchiatos too.
Another similar brewer is the Café? AFFETTO Automatic Espresso Machine, which goes for $549.00 on the retailer’s website. While the price is higher than The Tchibo Coffee Machine, this brewer can be connected to an app which may account for the price difference.
Should you buy The Tchibo Machine?
Buy it if...
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested The Tchibo Coffee Machine
I made myself two espressos per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon for two weeks. I also made my partner a regular coffee every morning
I spent time testing out the different features, including adjusting the grinding degree to play around with the coarseness of the coffee
I cleaned and maintained The Tchibo following the directions in the manual
I tested The Tchibo Coffee Machine for two weeks in my home, making a variety of coffees per day to ensure I understood everything the brewer had to offer and any potential limitations. I taste-tested the coffee with and without milk and sugar too.
Read more about how we test
