Need a quiet, expert coffee maker? The Miele CM5 Silence is perfect

If you know a thing or two about coffee and have always fancied the idea of a bean-to-cup coffee machine, the Miele Silence Automatic Coffee Machine may be the one for you. This countertop machine offers the best of both worlds, making everything from full-bodied espressos to frothy cappuccinos in just seconds. 

Best of all, it has a One Touch for Two feature which is perfect for making two coffees at once. This is ideal for those working from home with a partner or if you’re simply in the mood for having two kinds of brew!

Miele brand is widely known for its top-quality coffee machines, and the CM 5510 (which is the color code of the rose gold model I tested) is its latest model from the CM5 Silence range, boasting some impressive features. But it is one of the best coffee machines you can buy, given its premium price?

I put it to the test to find out if this premium machine can deliver premium-tasting coffee.

Specifications

Unboxing

Unboxing and lifting the machine was a bit tricky due to its weight, and so I had to enlist the help of some extra muscles In any case, once you remove all of the excess packaging, it doesn’t seem so bulky. It’s worth noting it’s not exactly small, so if you have a tiny worktop, it will take up considerable space. But it’s well-built with an attractive, sleek, and sophisticated design.

It has quite a few attachments and hidden compartments, so it’s worthwhile reading the instructions manual (who does?) to find out where everything is. For instance, the removable milk pipe is stored in the brew unit behind the appliance door. This is also where you can find the grinder setting to adjust accordingly. In addition, the slimline water container is neatly integrated into the machine and can be detached and carried by a little ‘handbag’ handle.  

I poured in my coffee beans at the top compartment, setting my grinding level to medium. Once you press the On button, instructions will flash up on the display screen which is all pretty self-explanatory. Bear in mind though, it’s advisable to discard the first two brews, as the coffee will be less potent during the initial filtering process.

Who would it suit?

The Miele CM5 Silence is perfect for people who want to enjoy delicious coffee without having to lift a finger. It handles all of the grinding, extraction, and frothing for you, meaning you're guaranteed a barista-quality cup of coffee, even if you're a beginner.

There are a couple of things to bear in mind. It is on the large side so may not be ideal for bijou kitchens or ones limited on worktop space. I had trouble fitting it all the way under my low-hanging cabinetry, so it had to sit towards the edge of the worktop. And as the coffee dispensers are located at the top, it needs easy clearance. For a smaller coffee machine, we suggest the best single-serve coffee makers. 

What is it like to use?

If you’re a newbie to coffee makers with built-in grinders, you’ll find the Miele CM5 Silence incredibly easy to use. The display literally guides you every step of the way to making your ideal brew. The front panel has one-touch presets for espresso, coffee, cappuccino and latte macchiato. Or you can go to the menu and scroll through more drinks such as, ristretto, caffè latte, long coffee, hot water, hot milk and milk froth. Spoilt for choice, I first opted for the espresso.

Within seconds, I had a smooth-tasting cup of aromatic coffee. Admittedly, I’m more of a milky coffee fan and decided to go for my favorite cappuccino. Now this part was a little tricky, since it doesn’t come with a milk container or barista-style, steam wand. Instead, it has a flexible milk pipe (stored in the brew unit), that you simply connect one end to the dispenser and the other directly into a milk carton or container. While I would have preferred an integrated milk container (this isn't the most aesthetically pleasing), the self-cleaning of the pipe is far more hygienic in the long run. 

More importantly, the results produced tasty, frothy cappuccinos and cafe lattes each time. In fact, it was pretty close to those from my local coffee shop. Impressive.

The option to make two cups at once comes in handy, especially if you have more than one coffee lover in the home. I did find it a bit of a tight squeeze to fit two cups side by side, but that’s probably down to my cup dimensions. Compared to other coffee machines, you’ll find the water tank will need refilling often, and the drip tray needs regular emptying. However, these are minor issues in the grand scheme of things.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

Despite the many compartments to take apart (think jigsaw puzzle!), the clean-up is surprisingly easy. The intuitive function tells you when to empty the waste bin or clean the drip tray. A bonus is all removable parts, besides the drip tray cover, are dishwasher proof if you don’t fancy cleaning in the sink. 

Best of all, the machine automatically does a self-clean and rinse process after use. This includes the removable milk pipe, which is more hygienic than washing by hand. Of course, this also means it will use up more water from the tank, and since it only holds 1.3 liters, you’ll need to top up frequently.  In addition, you should take out the brewing unit every so often to give it a good rinse. 

How does it rate online?

Even though the Miele CM5 Silence isn't as famous as De'Longhi, Breville, and Jura coffee makers, it should be. The reviews online are exceptional. I really struggled to find any kind of criticism. All users praised how, true to its name, the Miele's burr grinders are close to silent. I don't know how they've done it, but everyone is impressed. 

Generally, people felt that this is elegant and well-built, which you would hope for, given that it comes with a four-figure price tag. The milk texturing and extraction technology is all high-spec, but easy to use. The few criticisms I found were generally around the slightly fiddly (but more hygienic milk system) and the fact that the screen is operated by buttons, rather than a touchscreen. This isn't an issue per se, but I think it's reasonable to expect a touchscreen around this price point.

How does it compare?

The Miele CM5 is an exceptional coffee maker. It's luxurious and slick, but it isn't one of a kind. In fact, De'Longhi's Eletta Explore is the same price (even cheaper in some places), but it can make 52 different types of coffee; it will texture milk much easier and has a great cleaning schedule to keep it hygienic; and it feels really modern. If you don't care about it making a little bit more noise, the De'Longhi is a better investment.

Aside from the Eletta Explore, it's hard to beat the Miele CM5 Silence. It's ultra-quiet, slick, and professional-looking. If you're willing to splurge, it's a great investment.

Should you buy it?

Coffee aficionados who enjoy their bean-to-cup brew will appreciate the Miele CM5 Silence Automatic Coffee Machine.  It’s easy to use with its chic, touchscreen display, and you can even select your coffee grinding preference. What’s more, it cleans itself and looks great. 

Bear in mind though, it’s rather large and hefty so not practical for small worktops or low-hanging cabinetry. It also has a removable milk pipe rather than an attractive steam wand, and the smaller water tank may be a downside for big households who consume a lot of drinks daily. Finally, it is at the top end of the price scale at  $1,500, which for an entry-level machine may seem a little steep. 

However, if you are after top quality, convenience, and more importantly, delicious coffee, then it’s certainly worth the spend in the long run.