Coffee Crush by Krups: How good does espresso from the mini-machine taste?
6/8/2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Stephan Lamprecht
Can a fully automatic coffee machine, barely wider than a coffee can, even deliver good espresso? The Coffee Crush from Krups promises exactly that. You can read here whether the little one is overreaching or not.
In search of a more sophisticated coffee experience, after much experimentation, I finally bought a Bezzera portafilter machine (BZ10 PM), which I love. But not everyone wants to put in the same effort as I do for a delicious espresso. The «Coffee Crush» from Krups is probably the smallest fully automatic coffee machine currently available and promises delicious coffee with little effort. But what about its handling and – more importantly: the taste?
Initial operation: My first impression is positive
The machine is just fifteen centimeters wide. With a height of 33 centimeters and a depth of around 27 centimeters, the fully automatic machine fits into any kitchen. The housing of my test device is made of white plastic. It doesn't feel particularly high-quality. But I like the shape with the rounded corners.
The quick start guide explains how to put the machine into operation. After removing the transport locks, I first fill the 1.8-liter water tank.
Two things immediately appeal to me. Firstly, I only have to lift the tank a few centimeters to remove it from the back. So I don't need much space under a cabinet. In addition, the tank has a small handle inside, which I find practical for insertion.
Now I flush it for the first time. I place a cup under the spout, plug in the power supply, and press power on the touch screen. To start flushing, I have to press two buttons on the display simultaneously. Once the process is complete, I can fill the beans. The container for this is located at the top center and holds 180 grams.
The concept of the «Coffee Crush»: Reduction to the essentials
A fully automatic machine is actually hidden in the narrow housing. The machine grinds fresh beans and compacts them (tamping) before hot water runs through the coffee grounds under pressure. Apparently, Krups is targeting people who want to switch from a capsule machine.
Therefore, the Coffee Crush only offers two basic drinks: espresso and lungo. I can choose between two strengths via touch. With the third option, the machine uses «filter coffee» for each drink variant. Then it skips the grinding process and uses already ground espresso.
This model does not have a hot water or steam function. Fans of latte macchiato or cappuccino therefore have to prepare their milk foam with another device. And the Coffee Crush always produces one portion. A double shot for two cups is not possible.
The user interface is correspondingly simple. Two buttons for the drinks, a third symbol for the strength, and the central on/off button.
A special feature of the concept: Similar to a portafilter, the coffee grounds never get into the machine itself. There is no brewing group inside that I would have to rinse or maintain. The coffee grounds do not end up in a central container, as with other fully automatic machines. Instead, after making coffee, I have to empty what Krups calls the «grounds drawer».
To dispose of the grounds more easily, I press a small button that pushes the rest out of the container. Then rinse briefly, and the machine is ready for use again. This keeps it much cleaner than a classic fully automatic machine.
Most users should be familiar with this process from their capsule machines.
The coffee quality in the cup
I fill beans («Neunbar» from the Hamburg roastery Elbgold), select espresso, and set the strength to the second level. The conical grinder rumbles loudly. Quickly and unnoticed by your partner, brew a coffee? That doesn't work here, the machine simply makes too much noise.
Grinding and compacting takes a good 20 seconds. It is clearly audible: The Coffee Crush then begins with a short infusion phase, in which the coffee grounds are moistened with some water before extraction begins. My stopwatch shows another 35 seconds until the last drops of espresso run out of the machine. An optically appealing, 60-degree hot espresso lands in the cup, which positively surprises me with its crema.
I don't want to disassemble a test device, but I strongly suspect that a crema membrane is at work here. This technology is common in fully automatic coffee machines.
How does it taste? I suspect that 90 percent of users will simply say «delicious» now. And the espresso is. But since I know the variety well, I find the first result a bit «thin». A look into the now full grounds drawer also shows me why. Instead of a uniform coffee puck, I discover stirred-up, wet coffee grounds. The water ran through the grounds too quickly. That's why the puck doesn't fall out as a whole when emptying. Rather, large, wet lumps dissolve.
I'll start with the «tuning». Fortunately, I can adjust the grind directly in the bean container. I bravely set the finest level right away. I reduce the noise level during grinding with a silicone mat under the Coffee Crush.
The second cup is much better. In terms of taste, the result is already significantly more delicious than some capsules. The character of the beans is clearly evident. I still miss the last nuance in taste, but that's perfectly fine for such a machine. The puck in the grounds drawer also looks much better. The good news: The result is reproducible. Once set, the Coffee Crush always produces the same quality.
This also applies to the lungo I drank. But I don't particularly like the preparation method. Aromatic; but it remains an espresso with too much water. At least to my taste.
The Coffee Crush offers me a good espresso from freshly ground beans in just under a minute. In that time, with my heated portafilter, I'm just finished grinding and tamping. So even if you've stayed up all night and have puffy eyes, nothing stands in the way of a pick-me-up.
The Coffee Crush in everyday life
The concept of the external grounds drawer is a good idea. If you empty and rinse the drawer immediately, you prevent residues and coffee oil. The small button for emptying is practical. However, the warning light occasionally flashes, even though the coffee residue has just been disposed of. This is apparently due to small coffee crumbs that splash up a bit during grinding and irritate the sensors. But I quickly fix the problem with a fine brush.
It's a bit fiddly to fill already ground coffee if I quickly want a decaffeinated espresso. I can't place the grounds drawer flat on the worktop because of the spout opening. And I can hardly recognize the marking for the maximum amount because it is not color-coded. Especially when the first spoon of coffee grounds has landed in it.
What I also miss: The coffee spout is not height-adjustable. With the Coffee Crush, a problem of many fully automatic machines arises, only with different signs. Here, there is plenty of space under the spout at ten centimeters. However, with small cups, this quickly leads to some coffee splashing onto the housing. I simply clean the device with a damp cloth. As with other machines, you should rinse and refill the water tank daily anyway. This is already complaining at a high level.
According to the manual, the machine requests descaling for the first time after 200 coffee preparations. At the latest after 230 preparations, it stops. Then you have to descale it, otherwise it will not continue to work. Here Krups should consider whether the water hardness could also be adjusted.
Currently, the machine is out of stock in our warehouse after the publication of the article. However, our purchasing department is already working on organizing new supplies.
In a nutshell
A great alternative to capsule machines
The Coffee Crush by Krups impresses with its simplicity and convenience. In my opinion, it is the ideal machine for anyone who wants to do without capsules. Coffee fans should not expect barista quality from the compact device; that is not the claim of the Coffee Crush. Nevertheless, the machine beats any capsule machine in terms of taste, although the quality of the beans naturally determines the espresso in the end. If it were solely about taste, I would give the machine five stars in its category.
Pro
- delivers a good espresso
- easy to clean
- easy to use
- compact design
Contra
- loud grinder with few settings
- Coffee spout not height-adjustable
Header image: Stephan Lamprecht
Hamburg local, bookworm, and ice hockey fan. Dad and granddad. Constantly tinkering around with my smart home setup. I love DIY, the outdoors, fashion, and cosmetics.
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