Bosch vs Siemens Filter Coffee Machines

Bosch and Siemens are both German brands, but their ranges split differently. Bosch's Series 8 Built-In Fully Automatic Coffee Machine costs £2,049, and its TASSIMO pod models run from £74 to £118. Siemens is a bean-to-cup brand throughout, with the TF303G07 EQ300 at £379, the TQ513GB1 with a milk system at £629, the TQ717GB3 at £1,199 and the TQ903GB9 at £1,249.

Siemens grinds fresh beans for every cup, which Bosch's pod range does not do, and the one-touch milk systems on the TQ513GB1 and EQ300 make cappuccinos and lattes. The EQ300 holds 250g of beans with a 1.4-litre tank and milkPerfect, while the TQ717GB3 adds an iSelect display, aromaSelect, an active cup warmer and 19-bar pressure. Flagship EQ900 models connect to the Home Connect app. Bosch's built-in Series 8 offers a TFT touch display and AutoMilk Clean, and its Tassimo models use INTELLIBREW for pod-based drinks with a 0.7-litre tank.

Bosch suits a homeowner designing a kitchen around built-in appliances, or a casual drinker who wants hot drinks cheaply and quickly. Siemens suits households that drink several coffees a day and want café-style drinks from fresh beans without barista effort. The EQ300 is a sensible entry point for espresso and black coffee drinkers, while the TQ513GB1 suits people who drink lattes and cappuccinos regularly. Milk systems need regular cleaning, so budget time for that as well as the purchase price. The TQ903GB9 at £1,249 suits a busy household that wants a touch display and fast heat-up from a freestanding machine.

Bottom line: choose Bosch if you want a built-in coffee machine for a fitted kitchen or the lowest-cost route to hot drinks with pods; choose Siemens if you want freestanding bean-to-cup coffee and one-touch milk drinks, starting at £379 for the EQ300 and £629 for the TQ513GB1.