Smeg BCC13 coffee machine review: bean-to-cup for beginners

Introduction

If you’re anything like me, you can’t go a day without a cup of coffee. While I can’t help you overcome a caffeine addiction, I can suggest that a coffee machine at home might just be your saving grace. After all, trudging to the local café every morning gets old fast, and pretty expensive too.

If you’re not very familiar with making coffee or just enjoy the convenience of a one-button wonder, a bean-to-cup machine is the way to go. Enter Smeg’s latest offering, the BCC13 – a coffee machine that promises to make your coffee experience smoother than a barista’s latte art, minus the queue and small talk. As ever with Smeg, this machine majors on style – and carries a price premium over more utilitarian rivals. Does it justify the extra expense?

Design & build: retro for any kitchen

Smeg is well-known for its iconic retro designs that scream ‘luxury kitchen’, and the BCC13 is no exception. From the moment you set eyes on it, you’ll appreciate the brand’s commitment to blending style with substance. The machine’s streamlined, retro aesthetic fits beautifully into any kitchen, featuring those classic curved lines and a compact design that makes it an instant favourite with minimalists.

Its brushed stainless steel exterior looks as good as the coffee it makes tastes. The premium finish feels sturdy and well-built, like it could survive even the worst morning grumpiness. At just 18cm wide, the BCC13 is narrower than other coffee machines I’ve used, which means it won’t hog your precious countertop space. That makes it perfect for kitchens where every centimetre counts.

The water tank is cleverly positioned at the back and easily removed for refills, so you won’t need to perform a juggling act every time you top it up. The separate milk container, though not enormous, is big enough to get you through a couple of days of lattes and flat whites without constant refilling – a win for the lazy among us.

Features: button central

This machine is more than just a pretty face. The standout feature of Smeg’s BCC13 is its built-in milk frothing system, which eliminates the need for manual frothing. It’s an absolute blessing if you’ve ever tried and failed to froth milk yourself. This system dispenses a thick layer of foam automatically, adjusting depending on what drink you’re making. It’s like having your own personal barista on standby, ready to serve up a perfect cappuccino at the press of a button. Minus the jibber jabber.

Speaking of options, this machine offers 10 coffee choices, compared to the previous model’s 7. This includes popular favourites like cappuccinos, lattes, americanos, and espresso macchiatos, but fewer than rivals such as the De’Longhi Rivelia. If you’re in a hurry or fancy something quick and dirty, the machine can also dispense hot water for instant coffee. Though, let’s be honest, if you’re resorting to instant after buying this machine, you might as well pour the water over your head and call it a day.

The control panel is as straightforward as it gets – a set of buttons on the top that allows you to select your preferred coffee style with minimal fuss. While some might miss the tactile satisfaction of pressing a lever or turning a dial, there’s something undeniably slick about a machine that operates with a few simple taps. However, the buttons on top can be a little tricky to wrap your head around at first. There are only 5 drinks buttons, so some double up once you press the right button. Once you’ve worked out what you like to drink, it should be pretty easy to find your way around.

Performance: thick, creamy shots

Performance-wise, Smeg’s newest bean-to-cup machine doesn’t disappoint. The BCC13 powers up quickly and is ready to go almost immediately – no twiddling your thumbs while it warms up. It’s all very straightforward, too, with the power button conveniently located on the side, separate from the rest of the controls on top. Once this machine is turned on, it’s ready to get to work, churning out your favourite drinks with impressive speed and consistency.

Where this machine really shines is in its ability to take the guesswork out of making coffee. You don’t have to fiddle with strength settings or milk quantities – it’s all pre-programmed for you. This might be a turn-off for more experienced home baristas who like to tinker, but for the rest of us who just want a good cup of coffee without the faff, it’s a dream come true.

Every shot this machine produced had a rich brown crema on top, which wasn’t too thick, and a body that was just the right side of dark. The espresso was thick enough to make an impact, unlike the watery disappointments I’ve had from other machines. Taste-wise, it leaned a little more on the bitter side, but nothing that would have you grimacing into your cup.

Milk-based drinks are just as easy to make, as you only need to press the one button. There’s no steam wand here to make things complicated – the machine handles all the frothing for you, which is particularly handy when you’re not in the mood to play barista. The portable milk container is a neat touch, allowing you to keep it filled in the fridge, ready for the next round of lattes.

Smeg BCC13 verdict

Smeg’s BCC13 bean-to-cup coffee machine is a sleek, stylish addition to any kitchen, combining retro charm with modern convenience. It’s perfect for those who want great coffee without the hassle, offering a good range of drinks at the touch of a button. The integrated milk frothing system is a standout feature, making it easier than ever to enjoy your favourite café-style drinks at home. While it might not satisfy the coffee purists who like to fine-tune their brew, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to simplify their morning routine.

Sure, it’s not perfect – the controls can be a bit confusing at first, and the lack of a screen means you’ll have to rely on memory to figure out what the flashing lights mean. But once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s a joy to use. Handling everything for you makes this a perfect choice for beginners.

Smeg BCC13 technical specifications

Bean capacity	150g
Water capacity	1.4 litres
Drink options	Americano / Cappuccino / Espresso / Espresso Light / Espresso Long / Espresso Macchiato / Latte Macchiato / Coffee / Milk Froth / Hot Water
Pump pressure	19 bar
Dimensions	361x245x256mm, 11.9kg
Guarantee	Two years