Skip to main content
A JennAir Built-In Coffee Machine in the NOIR™ Design Expression.

Built-In Coffee Machines: What Are They & Are They Worth It?

From brewing your morning cup of coffee to making crafted espresso drinks, a built-in coffee machine has the capabilities to elevate every coffee brewing experience. The features on a luxury coffee machine make it quick and easy, with saved profiles based on your preferences, integrated milk frothers and unique customizations. Learn more about different features, capacity and finishes available for built-in coffee machines.

WHAT IS A BUILT-IN COFFEE & ESPRESSO MACHINE?

A built-in coffee and espresso machine is a coffee brewing system that's integrated into your kitchen cabinetry or walls. Unlike standalone machines that sit on countertops, built-in coffee makers are designed to seamlessly fit into your kitchen's layout, offering a more modern aesthetic without taking up counter space.

High-end built-in coffee and espresso machines offer exceptional versatility, allowing you to create a variety of beverages. With the whole-bean coffee grinder component, you can use your coffee machine to make fresh, flavorful cups of coffee, cappuccinos and espresso brewed just the way you prefer.

Coffee grounds being poured into a JennAir Built-In Coffee Machine. Coffee grounds being poured into a JennAir Built-In Coffee Machine.

HOW DO BUILT-IN COFFEE MACHINES WORK?

A built-in coffee machine heats water to your ideal coffee temperature and pours it over ground beans to capture different flavors and aromas and create a flavorful cup of coffee. The coffee is then poured into a cup or mug below and is ready to enjoy. 

There are countless features and functions that set built-in coffee makers apart. A high-end coffee maker will help eliminate many of the manual steps that go into creating your perfect brew, like grinding the beans and measuring the strength of the coffee.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ESPRESSO MACHINES AND COFFEE MAKERS?

Espresso machines and coffee makers differ in terms of brewing methods and the coffee they produce. Espresso machines use high pressure to force hot water through finely-ground coffee, resulting in a concentrated shot of espresso. Coffee makers use a drip or percolation method to brew coffee, typically resulting in a larger cup of coffee.

Built-in and high-end coffee machines have the capability to expertly brew a cup of coffee or espresso in one sleek machine, allowing users to effortlessly switch between the two. These luxury machines offer a variety of functions that eliminate the hassle of manually preparing barista-quality drinks at home, enabling you to craft lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and more with ease.

A JennAir Built-In Coffee Machine installed in a rustic, wooden home. A JennAir Built-In Coffee Machine installed in a rustic, wooden home.

What to Look for in a Built-in Coffee Machine

A built-in coffee machine will have many different features and advancements compared to countertop models. It’s important to consider the different functions you want your machine to perform and factors like the installation and capacity of your appliance when making the upgrade.

An icon of a hammer.

Installation Options

When considering adding a built-in coffee machine to your home, a good place to start is by measuring where you want to install the appliance. The advancements of luxury, built-in coffee makers allow them to be placed practically anywhere. You can feature a high-end coffee machine in unexpected and convenient locations, like an office, lanai, closet, yacht or private jet. These appliances are a fantastic addition to smaller kitchens and spaces as well.

 

A luxury coffee maker also has a sleek and seamless finish. The design of the machine allows it to blend in with cabinetry or surrounding materials where it is installed, so you get a built-in look in your space.

DO BUILT-IN COFFEE MACHINES NEED PLUMBING IN?

Built-in coffee machines generally do not require a direct plumbing connection to function. Instead, they feature a large capacity water reservoir that you will need to refill as needed as you use the appliance.

An icon of a cup filled with a beverage.

Large Capacity

For those who enjoy entertaining, a built-in coffee machine will have dual-dispensing spouts so you can brew up to two cups at once. High-end coffee makers often feature a water capacity of up to 2.5 liters, so you can make up to 10 cups of coffee without refilling the water.

An icon of a gear.

High-End Functionality

Built-in coffee and espresso machines have various brewing capabilities, bean grinding and milk frothing options. While countertop models typically require multiple accessories to create the perfect brew, built-in models often feature integrated grinders and milk frothers.


A luxury coffee maker goes beyond a simple timed turn-on function. You can program your built-in coffee machine to automatically turn on, create the customized drink saved within your preferences and automatically turn off.

 

In addition, built-in coffee machines often offer advanced features that enhance functionality, such as monitoring water hardness, tracking usage statistics and including settings designed to minimize limescale buildup. They typically come with alerts to notify you when it’s time to refill the water or when the coffee beans are running low.

 

Built-in coffee machines come equipped with a range of features, including:

  • Hot Water Dispenser

  • Dual Spouts 

  • Adjustable Settings

  • Auto-Start and Auto-Off Modes

  • Water Reservoir

  • Coffee Bean Grinder

  • Milk Frother

  • Temperature and Size Customization

  • Seamless Controls

  • Flush Design

A JennAir Built-In Coffee Machine in the RISE™ Design Expression. A JennAir Built-In Coffee Machine in the RISE™ Design Expression.

ARE BUILT-IN COFFEE MACHINES HARD TO USE?

No - in fact they’re designed to be easy to operate for the average person. Whether in the morning or at the end of the day, using a built-in coffee machine is a breeze. With bright LED or touchscreen controls, all you have to do is select which beverage you want to drink and the machine will automatically do the rest for you. This includes laborious tasks such as grinding the beans or frothing the milk to achieve the perfect cup of coffee. 

The different controls on the machine will let you choose between different options and settings to curate your brew, such as the strength of the coffee, type of drink, portion sizes, temperature and more. You can curate how you want your beverages to be made through the controls.

Upkeep with the machine does include coffee beans and refilling the water periodically if your machine does not have a water spout. However, the device will let you know when it is time to top things off versus checking your levels manually.

ARE BUILT-IN COFFEE MACHINES WORTH IT?

Yes, a high-end coffee machine is definitely worth it. Many features set it apart from a lower-end model. Luxury coffee makers will allow you to brew up to two beverages simultaneously, making them less time-consuming. You can also automatically brew various coffee, tea or hot chocolate for you and your guests to help reduce the need to manually craft drinks while entertaining.

HOW MUCH DOES A BUILT-IN COFFEE MACHINE COST?

A high-end coffee machine can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000. This type of coffee machine can be more expensive than others because of all the unique features it has to offer. For instance, high-end built-in coffee makers have a whole bean coffee grinder, flush designs and temperature customization.

Explore JennAir® Built-In Coffee Systems

JennAir® built-in coffee machines come with a variety of functions to help you make all of your favorite beverages with ease. They also provide a variety of features such as dual dispensing spouts, ground coffee capabilities, adjustable grinder settings and overall have a stealth, flush design.

Explore all the types of built-in coffee machines from JennAir and find the perfect fit for your kitchen.

Compare 0/3