Review · Bean-to-cup machines
Smeg bean-to-cup coffee machine review: which BCC model to buy
Smeg's BCC12 has a steam wand and the BCC13 automatic milk. They were £699.95 and £799.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, but one Currys colour was far cheaper.
This Smeg bean to cup coffee machine review covers the two Collezione models Smeg UK sells now: the BCC12, with a steam wand, and the BCC13, with an automatic milk system. The BCC12 was £699.95 and the BCC13 £799.95 at Smeg UK’s online shop, checked 3 Oct 2026. Currys had the storm blue BCC12 for much less. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Smeg UK’s product pages, Currys’ listings and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Smeg bean to cup coffee machine review: the short answer
Get the Smeg BCC12 if you want a slim bean-to-cup for espresso and long coffee, you’re happy to steam milk yourself, and you can get it at a good price. The storm blue BCC12 was £399.95 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Get the Smeg BCC13 if you want cappuccino and latte macchiato at one touch and you like the Smeg look enough to pay £799.95 at Smeg UK (checked 3 Oct 2026).
Look elsewhere if value matters most. Rivals with automatic milk cost less at full price.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a large bean container or a big drinks menu.
What it costs right now
- Smeg BCC12: £699.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, in matte black, emerald green, white and storm blue. Smeg UK lists a matte red version, BCC02RDMUK, on the same page at the same price.
- Smeg BCC12 at Currys: storm blue BCC12SBMUK £399.95, in stock, and white BCC12WHMUK £699, in stock, both checked 3 Oct 2026. Currys showed the matte black as unavailable.
- Smeg BCC13: £799.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, in black, emerald green, white and storm blue.
- Smeg BCC13 at Currys: £799 in black, white and storm blue, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
£399.95 was its price at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. We couldn’t find the older BCC01 at Smeg UK or Currys.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a colour other than storm blue at the lower price.
Specs from Smeg UK
Both models share most of their hardware:
- Grinder: a built-in stainless steel burr grinder, with adjustable grind level and coffee quantity.
- Pump and heating: 19 bar and a thermoblock.
- Water and beans: a 1.4-litre removable tank, a 150g bean container and a grounds container for seven pucks.
- Brew unit: removable.
- Size: 33.6cm high, 18cm wide and 43.3cm deep. The BCC12 weighs 8.4kg and the BCC13 9kg.
- Cups: an adjustable spout from 90mm to 135mm, or 185mm with the drip tray removed.
- Settings and alarms: coffee length, water hardness, automatic rinse, and alarms for descaling, a full grounds container, no beans, an empty tank and a missing brew unit. Both switch off after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who drinks a lot of coffee. A 150g bean container and seven-puck grounds box mean frequent top-ups and emptying.
BCC12: steam wand and drinks
The BCC12 has buttons for ristretto, espresso, coffee and hot water, plus lighter ristretto and espresso, long coffee and steam on a second menu. Milk comes from a stainless steel steam wand, so you froth it yourself. If you’d rather use a separate jug frother, see our Smeg milk frother MFF11 review.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants milk drinks without effort.
BCC13: automatic milk and drinks
The BCC13 adds an integrated milk system with a Tritan milk bottle, which Currys lists as 500ml. Its menu covers espresso, coffee, hot water, cappuccino and latte macchiato, plus lighter espresso, long coffee, americano, espresso macchiato and milk foam. Smeg UK lists an Easy Cleaning button for the milk system.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants flat whites or custom milk drinks. The menu is fixed, per Smeg UK.
Cleaning and descaling
Both machines rinse automatically, and the brew unit comes out for cleaning. A descaling alarm tells you when it’s due. For step-by-step help, see our guide on how to descale a Smeg bean-to-cup.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a fully hands-off machine.
Downsides
- Full prices are high for a 150g hopper and a short menu.
- Deep body at 43.3cm.
- Manual milk on the BCC12.
- Colour affects price a lot at Currys.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who would buy on specs alone.
Alternatives to consider
- De’Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM290.61.SB: £349 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026, with LatteCrema Hot automatic milk and a 1.8-litre tank listed.
- Philips Series 3300 LatteGo EP3347/90: £569.99 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026, with a removable milk carafe and a 1.8-litre tank.
See our guides to bean-to-cup machines and bean-to-cup machines under £500, or our Smeg espresso machine review for Smeg’s manual machines.
Who it isn’t for: anyone set on the Smeg design. The rivals are bulkier.
Independent review: T3 has published a review of the Smeg BCC12. We haven’t summarised its findings here.
FAQ
How much is a Smeg bean-to-cup coffee machine? The BCC12 was £699.95 and the BCC13 £799.95 at Smeg UK, checked 3 Oct 2026. Currys had the storm blue BCC12 for £399.95.
What’s the difference between the Smeg BCC12 and BCC13? The BCC12 has a manual steam wand. The BCC13 adds an automatic milk system, a milk bottle and one-touch cappuccino and latte macchiato.
What is the Smeg BCC02? Smeg UK lists the matte red version as BCC02RDMUK on its BCC12 page, at £699.95, checked 3 Oct 2026.
How big is the bean container? 150g, with a 1.4-litre water tank, per Smeg UK.
Do Smeg bean-to-cup machines switch off automatically? Yes, after 30 minutes of inactivity, per Smeg UK.
Verdict
Smeg Collezione bean-to-cup coffee machine BCC12 (and BCC13)
Smeg's BCC machines are slim, well-specified bean-to-cups, but at £699.95 and £799.95 at Smeg UK you pay a lot for the name and the look. The storm blue BCC12 at £399.95 at Currys was the one to consider on 3 Oct 2026.
Pros
- Pro: Only 18cm wide, per Smeg UK
- Pro: Adjustable grind, coffee length, dose and water hardness
- Pro: BCC13 makes cappuccino and latte macchiato at one touch
- Pro: Wide choice of matte colours
Cons
- Con: Expensive at full price for the features
- Con: Small 150g bean container and 7-puck grounds box
- Con: Deep at 43.3cm, so check your worktop
- Con: BCC12 milk is manual with a steam wand
- Best for
- Anyone who wants a slim, stylish bean-to-cup and can find a good price.
- Who it isn't for
- Anyone after the most features for the money.
See it on the maker's site: Smeg's UK page for the Collezione bean-to-cup coffee machine BCC12Link: Smeg's UK page for the Collezione bean-to-cup coffee machine BCC12. Not an affiliate link.
Sources
- Smeg UK (shop.smeguk.com)
- Smeg UK (shop.smeguk.com)
- Currys (currys.co.uk)
- Currys (currys.co.uk)
- review of the Smeg BCC12 (t3.com)