Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup vs Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup

8.9/10 Great

4.4★ (4,200 owners)

Dual grinder, 2-cup simultaneous, app, 1.8L tank. Bean-to-cup for households of 2+.

Full Review

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.4★ (4,200)	4.5★ (3,800)
Verdict	Great	Great

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup: Dual grinder, 2-cup simultaneous, app, 1.8L tank. Bean-to-cup for households of 2+. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup

Brews two cups simultaneously with individual settings — different strengths for two people at once
App connectivity via Melitta Connect saves personal drink profiles per family member
Dual grinder system processes two different beans simultaneously
1.8L water tank reduces refilling for heavy household use
Melitta's German coffee engineering heritage since 1908

Less recognition in UK market than De'Longhi or Sage
App setup required to unlock full personalisation features
Premium pricing with fewer reviews than De'Longhi alternatives

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

FAQ

Which is better, Melitta Caffeo CI E or Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup?

Is the Melitta Caffeo CI E worth the extra cost?

Yes — Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup scores higher at 8.9/10 vs 8.8/10.

Who is the Melitta Caffeo CI E best suited to?

Dual grinder, 2-cup simultaneous, app, 1.8L tank. Bean-to-cup for households of 2+.

Who is the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

What are the main downsides of each?

Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup: Less recognition in UK market than De'Longhi or Sage; App setup required to unlock full personalisation features. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup sits at 4.4★ from 4,200 verified Amazon owners, and Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker at 4.5★ from 3,800.

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