Melitta is one of the most trusted names in the world when it comes to domestic appliances, and they have garnered a rock-solid reputation for producing some of the highest quality coffee machines on the market. Keep in mind that this is the same company that invented the coffee filter, so they know a thing or two about what they’re doing.
When it comes to bean-to-cup machines, you would have a hard time trying to find a more efficient and user-friendly coffee maker than the Melitta Caffeo Solo E953-101. Whilst this machine is very reasonably priced, it provides several handy features that you would expect to find on higher-end models, but without the extravagant price tag.
Melitta Caffeo Solo E953-101 review
What I like
- Push-button, automated operation
- Super-easy to clean
- Elegant design
- Makes exceptional coffee
What I don’t like
- Grinder is a bit noisy
- Milk frother takes a while to work out
What are you buying?
The Melitta Caffeo Solo is a fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine, which means that all you have to do to procure a delicious cup of coffee is bring the beans and water.
The E953-101 features an intelligent steel grinder that offers three different settings, so that you can experiment with the type of coffee strength you want until you find the flavour setting that is just right for you.
The frothed milk nozzle on the E953-101 is also quite adept at preparing wonderfully light and perfectly textured milk froth from whatever fresh milk you choose to use, and you can also use it to prepare hot milk or hot water as well.
Whether you prefer espressos or cappuccinos, this machine can prepare either one with equal facility, and it definitely holds its weight in the flavour department.
One feature in particular that I really appreciated was its height adjustable spout (up to 135mm), which really comes in handy for people like me who prefer coffee mugs that are on the taller side.
Working in tandem with this feature is the adjustable water quantity setting, which can adjust the amount of water output from 30ml to 220ml depending upon the size of your cup.
The Caffeo Solo also features three different temperature settings (87C, 90C and 93C), enabling you to determine how warm you want your cup of joe to be.
If you’re like me and you want to brew up a nice cup of coffee for your spouse in the morning, you won’t have to wait to prepare them one-after-another; the E953-101 has a two-cup option that enables you to “kill two birds with one stone”, so to speak.
How easy is it to use?
One thing that really gets under my skin is trying to use a convoluted coffee machine that requires an advanced degree in engineering just to operate the thing. Thankfully, the Melitta Caffeo Solo is a far cry from those types of machines.
It’s refreshingly easy to operate, with a well-designed and incredibly intuitive control interface that will make even the novice home barista feel right at home.
The Caffeo Solo also features a removable water tank, and it’s remarkably easy to clean, with wipe-down surfaces that make it simple for you to keep the machine looking great.
The push-button cleaning, descaling and rinsing programmes relieve the tedium of routine maintenance, and with the water test strips that are included, you can easily find out what type of water you’ll be using to brew your coffee.
Another salient benefit of the Caffeo Solo is its economical size; at only 20cm wide and 9kg in weight, it’s a portable and very manageable machine that won’t crowd your worktop. Not only that, but the Caffeo Solo offers a very attractive, elegant design that can mesh well with a wide array of kitchen decor schemes.
What accessories are included?
The Melitta Caffeo Solo E953-101 is a self-contained coffee maker that comes ready to use right out of the box. Everything you need to start making great coffee – minus the water and beans, of course – is already built into the machine, so you can get cracking with no delay.
Melitta Caffeo Solo E953-101 key features
Pros
- Push-button, automated operation
- Super-easy to clean
- No faffing with measuring, tamping, etc. – just add beans and water, press the button, and off you go
- Elegant design looks great in the kitchen
- This machine makes exceptional coffee!
Cons
- Grinder is a bit noisy (but what grinder isn’t?)
- It took me a little while to work out the milk frother, but I count that as an “operator error” more than the machine’s fault
Anything else you should know?
One thing that I want to mention is that the removable water tank of the Caffeo Solo features a safety sensor that will prevent the machine from working if there’s no water present in the tank. This is a definite benefit for those of us who can be scatterbrained throughout the day, and might forget these types of important details.
In addition, the Caffeo Solo has a passive cup warmer, which allows you to gently heat your cup before you start making your coffee – definitely a nice touch.
Conclusion
Although I described quite a bit of the Caffeo Solo’s features earlier, I don’t want anything to overshadow just how delicious the coffee is that comes from this machine. It took me a little while to settle on the type of strength I wanted to brew my coffee, but once I did, I haven’t looked back since.
The Caffeo Solo produces superb tasting coffee, and as far as usability goes, it’s simply brilliant. If you’re looking for a bean-to-cup machine that features hassle-free operation and can produce rich, flavourful coffee, the Melitta Caffeo Solo E953-101 should definitely be one of your top considerations.
Where to buy?
- Amazon UK: Click to check today’s price
Melitta Caffeo Solo E953-101 Review
Summary
If you’re looking for a bean-to-cup machine that features hassle-free operation and can produce rich, flavourful coffee, the Melitta Caffeo Solo E953-101 should definitely be one of your top considerations.