From the heart of Hamburg, Germany, The Tchibo Coffee Machine has finally been brought to the U.S. by Tchibo Coffee International Ltd. Thanks to its bean-to-brew technology, the Tchibo Coffee Machine is a sleek single-serve coffee maker that allows users to savor fresh coffee in their homes. By eliminating the need for wasteful coffee pods, The Tchibo enables you to savor guilt-free the purest, freshest cup of coffee. The Tchibo can make espresso, regular coffee, and large coffee with the click of one button. Want your coffee stronger? This coffee machine has 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 of the best espresso machines, look no further than The Tchibo. Considering its customizable and easy 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...
Alexandra Pamias has been a freelance writer reviewing household appliances for two years. She has tested everything from robot vacuums and coffee makers to fans and air fryers. Alex reviewed this coffee maker from her studio apartment, where she lives with her partner. Her favorite coffee drink is espresso with a little milk and sugar.
The Tchibo Machine: Key specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
| Type | Bean-to-cup |
| Capacity | 16.9 ounces |
| Grinder? | Yes |
| Frother? | No |
| Dimensions: | H7 x W12.4 x L15.6 inches |
The Tchibo Coffee Machine: Price & availability
Tchibo Coffee International Ltd has many coffee maker models in Europe. Still, The Tchibo Coffee Machine is the only one currently available in the U.S. You can purchase It on the manufacturer's website for $399.00, discounted from its usual $531.98. You can also buy it on Amazon for $399.00.
Score: 5 out of 5
The Tchibo Coffee Machine: Setup
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 it by allowing two cups of water to flow through it. To ensure a top-notch cup of coffee, it is also recommended to do this after two days of not using the machine. 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 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, you have to 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: Design
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 18.1 lbs.
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 out of 5
The Tchibo Machine: Performance
Since the first cup of coffee I brewed with The Tchibo Machine, I have enjoyed using it 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 who have different coffee preferences. The coffee spout is also adjustable to accommodate different cup sizes.
The Tchibo’s versatility shines through with the beverage size's customizability, allowing users 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. The Tchibo clocks about 65 dB at its loudest when grinding beans and brewing coffee.
The coffee bean compartment held enough coffee beans to brew many cups without refilling them often. On the other hand, refilling the water tank was a task I had to do more often, which makes sense since a rinsing cycle had to happen beforehand for almost every coffee cup brew.
The Tchibo makes it very easy to clean its different parts. A soft, damp cloth will clean the casing. The water tank can be washed in the sink with mild dish soap, and the filter can be cleaned by removing it and running it under water, too. The drip bowl and coffee ground containers are removable and can be washed with dish soap. Just dry all parts thoroughly before reattaching them to The Tchibo.
The brewing unit is on the side of The Tchibo, behind an easily removed cover. To clean it, rinse it under hot water and 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.
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. Other symbols 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 ensure your brewer remains functional for as long as possible.
Score: 5 out of 5
The Tchibo Machine: Taste Test
Regarding 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 home to my favorite local coffee. Since that first taste, I have brewed many cups of espresso and coffee with The Tchibo, 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 adjust the grind regulator clockwise or counterclockwise while coffee is ground.
While I adjusted the grinding degree to test The Tchibo, I realized I was very happy with the factory setting. Still, I can see this feature delighting those who are even more particular about how their coffee tastes.
I did not experience the usual issues people complain about regarding 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.
Should you buy The Tchibo Machine?
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price is in line with similar brewers on the market and its high quality makes the price worth it too. | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Fits seamlessly on countertops, occupying minimal space and featuring a harmonious blend of matte and shiny surfaces. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Makes espresso and two different coffee sizes from bean to brew with one click of a button. | ★★★★★ |
Buy it if...
Don’t buy it if…
How does the Tchibo Machine 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.
Alex Pamias
The Concierge Elite Espresso Machine Diamond White is the most similar machine to The Tchibo Machine, 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.
Another similar brewer is the Café™ AFFETTO Automatic Espresso Machine, which costs $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.
How I tested The Tchibo Coffee Machine
For two weeks, I made myself two espressos per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and 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 by following the directions in the manual.
I tested The Tchibo Coffee Machine in my home for two weeks, making a variety of coffees per day to ensure I understood everything the brewer had to offer and any potential limitations. I also taste-tested the coffee with and without milk and sugar.
Read more about how we test.
- First reviewed: November 2023
