Miele CM5300 Review - Is It A Good Buy?

Espresso machines can often appear intimidating, but it doesn't have to be that way. Imagine brewing coffee as good as your favorite café right at home with just a simple tap.

That's what the Miele CM3500 promises, or at least according to the reviews.

It sounded really promising, so I wanted to see it live in action. I decided to put this system to the test and see how well it actually performs.

Without further ado, let me walk you through my experience with this machine.

Miele CM5300 Review – My Ratings & Top Features

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Why Should You Buy The Miele CM5300?

Overall, the Miele CM5300 is a 4.5 out of 5 for its automation and customization features, perfect for coffee lovers who value convenience and variety in their coffee experience.

Here's why:

• Pre-programmed drinks
• Self-cleaning function
• Advanced customization
• Sleek and compact design

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Who Should Buy The Miele CM5300?

The Miele CM5300 is perfect for households who love cafe-quality coffee in the comforts of their home without learning how to pull an espresso properly.

It's a fully automatic espresso machine with a OneTouch for Two feature, allowing you to prepare two beverages simultaneously with a touch of a button.

It's also ideal for those who need more time to get ready to go all-in on their espresso journey.

As a bean-to-cup coffee machine, it contains everything you need to brew the perfect cup of coffee.

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Why I Decided To Review The Miele CM5300 Espresso Machine

If there's one thing I've learned on my coffee-loving journey, there's always a new coffee machine waiting around the corner, ready to surprise you.

That's how I stumbled upon the Miele CM5300. I've had my fair share of super-automatic espresso machines, and their convenience is really game-changing.

Here's how I checked its performance:

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What’s It Like To Live With The Miele CM5300

 

What’s In The Box?

If you love the convenience of online shopping, you'll appreciate that Miele ensures safe delivery to your residence and meticulously considers the packaging.

The machine is securely packed and completely well-cushioned.

Inside the box, you’ll find:

• The Miele CM300 super-automatic espresso machine
• Miele Welcome Pack: Cleaning and descaling tablets
• Cleaning brush
• User manual

It doesn't come with accessories, but it does come with everything you need.

The components are already installed in the machine with few removable parts.

This makes it easy to clean and maintain, but we'll get into that in the succeeding sections.

The installation was straightforward since it had only a few removable parts. Just place it on your countertop, and you’re ready to brew.

Pulling My First Espresso Shot

With a super-automatic machine, you don’t really pull a shot. That’s why it’s best suited for coffee lovers without time to learn the intricacies of brewing espresso.

So, how does this coffee maker pull a shot? Let’s start with the basics.

Initial Set Up

Setting up the Miele CM5300 is quick and simple.

After cleaning the removable parts and filling the tank with water and beans, the machine walks you through setup, offering 29 languages to choose from.

However, it doesn’t include a water hardness test kit like other machines. You’ll need to program the water hardness manually by getting information from your local water authority or testing it yourself.

Once done, you’re ready to brew, though the first two cycles are for cleaning and should be discarded.

Grinding The Beans

The Miele CM5300 features a built-in conical burr grinder with five settings, providing consistent grinds for optimal flavor.

You can adjust the grind size to suit your preferences, from fine for bold espresso to coarse for a milder brew.

Be cautious with oily dark roast beans, as they might clog the grinder, so medium roasts are recommended. If you prefer pre-ground or decaf coffee, there’s a bypass doser available.

Keep in mind, the grinder can be a bit noisy, so using pre-ground coffee might be better if others are still sleeping.

Pulling The Actual Shot

The Miele CM5300 makes pulling a shot effortless.

It features an adjustable pre-infusion stage, allowing you to tweak or even turn off the pre-infusion to adjust the espresso’s strength.

The 15-bar pump ensures high-pressure extraction, while the Aromatic System preserves flavor.[1]

The first two brews are cleaning cycles, but after that, the machine delivers rich, balanced espresso shots with smooth crema.

Once the initial cycles are complete, the espresso quality is top-notch.

 

First Time Frothing Milk

The automatic frother makes it incredibly easy - just fill the stainless steel milk flask (or use a milk carton with the milk pipe), attach it, and select your drink.

The machine froths the milk and adds the espresso shot automatically, perfect for beginners.

One downside is the lack of control over milk temperature or froth density.

Everything is automated, which is convenient, but may be a drawback for those who like more customization. Still, for most users, the ease of use makes it a great feature.

Do note that the milk flask is a separate accessory for Miele coffee machines, but if you don’t want to purchase it, don’t worry.[2]

I usually just put the milk pipe into the milk carton, and it works just fine. If you have a milk carafe, you can also use that.

 Related Article - Best Espresso Machines Under $2000

How Much Control Do You Have Over The Coffee Experience?

While it doesn’t offer the deep customization of semi-automatic machines, it still gives you plenty of room to tweak your brew to perfection.

You can adjust key variables like pre-infusion time, brewing temperature, milk froth, milk quantity, water volume, and grind size.

Plus, you can control how much coffee the grinder uses, so you’re always in charge of your brew.

The adjustable coffee spout is a great touch too, letting you fit anything from your favorite mug to a tall latte glass.

Although it lacks user profiles, the OneTouch for Two feature is a lifesaver when you’re making coffee for a crowd.

With just one button, you can brew two cups at once, keeping the coffee flowing effortlessly.

How Does It Handle Different Roasts?

The Miele CM5300’s coffee system is designed to handle different roasts skillfully, primarily through the trio of adjustable settings–brewing temperature, grind size, and pre-brewing time.

For light roasts, you can use a finer grind size, higher brewing temperature, and longer pre-brewing time to fully extract complex flavors.

Dark roasts benefit from a coarser grind size and lower brewing temperature to prevent a bitter taste.

Medium roasts can be catered to by adjusting these settings to a balanced midpoint.

Look, Feel, and Size Of The Machine

When I first saw the Miele CM5300, I was drawn to its minimalist design. Its sleek, all-black exterior blends well with any kitchen decor.

If you don’t like this color, don’t worry. You can also get this coffee maker in graphite gray.

However, be prepared to make some space on your counter as it measures 9.5 inches in width, 14.25 inches in height, and 18.2 inches in depth.

The machine is cleverly designed, with all the key components conveniently placed. However, I did notice a couple of design flaws. The removable drip tray had a tendency to leak when I tried to empty it, which was a bit frustrating.

On top of that, the water tank seemed small, which meant frequent refills for my busy home.

The tank holds 44 ounces, so if you're the only person using this machine, it likely won't bother you.

All in all, the Miele CM5300 has a pretty solid, stylish design. Sure, those little issues did put a bit of a damper on my overall coffee-making journey.

Despite those minor drawbacks, the overall value and quality offered by this coffee system far outweigh them.

What Drinks Can It Make?

It can make both single and double servings of:

• Ristretto
• Espresso
• Coffee
• Long coffee (Lungo)
• Cappuccino
• Caffè Latte
• Latte macchiato
• Milk froth
• Hot milk

This coffee maker also offers a coffee pot option.[3]

I found this feature especially useful when hosting brunches, as it allowed me to serve more coffee at once.

How Easy Is It To Use?

I found the alert system very handy–the machine notified me when the water level was low or needed descaling.

This prevented me from running out of water mid-brew or overlooking essential maintenance, keeping my coffee experiences smooth and uninterrupted.

Although the initial setup required a glance through the manual, the ease of use post-setup more than made up for it.

Whether I was in the mood for a single espresso or a pot of coffee, the CM5300 delivered consistently excellent results with minimal effort from my end.

How Long Does It Take? (From Heat Up To First Sip)

From the moment you switch it on, it takes approximately 45 seconds to warm up and is ready to pull your first shot of espresso or any other drink of your choice.

Once the machine is heated up, pulling a shot of espresso takes around 15-20 seconds.

If you're brewing a milk-based drink, allow 30-40 seconds for the automatic frother to do its job.

So, in under 3 and half minutes, you have your favorite coffee ready.

Does It Have A Water Filtration System?

Yes, it does.

Like all Miele coffee makers, this coffee system has a reusable water filter under the reservoir.

Since it is reusable, you need to clean it once a month to ensure that it continues to work well.

How Hard Is It To Clean and Descale?

Cleaning the Miele CM5300 requires some effort, but thankfully, the machine comes with a self-cleaning function.

Whenever I'd finish brewing a drink and switch it off, the machine would rinse the main dispenser.

If I used the milk function, it prompted me to position the milk pipework into the drip tray for a thorough cleaning.

There are several parts to wash regularly - the drip tray, drip tray cover, coffee grounds container, and water container.

These are dishwasher-safe, making my life easier. However, the brew group unit, drip tray cover, bean container lid, and lower panel needed a more hands-on approach.

The brew unit and the main dispenser also require weekly cleaning with the included cleaning tablets. 

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My Favorite Parts About The Miele CM5300 Coffee Maker

My experience with the Miele CM5300 coffee system is indeed enjoyable. Here are the things I enjoyed the most:

• OneTouch for Two Mode: One of my absolute favorites is the double cup mode, which allows me to make two cups of coffee simultaneously. It's a real time-saver, especially when entertaining guests or during busy mornings.
• Personalization: The CM5300 allows you to customize your coffee to your preference. You can adjust the coffee strength, amount of milk, water temperature, and more. It also has a memory function to store your preferred settings, which is a nice touch.
• All-in-One Machine: It not only makes an excellent espresso but also grinds coffee beans and froths milk. It's the ultimate convenience for any coffee lover.
• Affordable: Despite its premium features, the price is affordable compared to other brands, costing around $1400.
• Coffee Pot Function: Perfect if you have guests or for coffee drinkers who can drink a lot of cups per day.

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My Least Favorite Parts

While there are numerous features to admire about the Miele CM5300, a few aspects left me wanting more.

• High Maintenance Cleaning: Despite the machine's self-cleaning functions, it requires a fair amount of maintenance, including frequent descaling and weekly cleaning of the brew unit and main dispenser.
• Opaque Water Reservoir: The water reservoir is opaque, so the water level is quite difficult to see. You have to rely on the machine to alert you when the water is low.

Despite these shortcomings, I still recommend the Miele CM5300 for its superior brewing capabilities, especially if the user values a simple, streamlined coffee-making experience.

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Miele CM5300 Vs Similar Models

CM5300 Vs 5310

The CM5310 offers a few upgrades, including a cup warmer, a slightly larger water tank, and a quieter grinder (hence its "Silence" nickname).

I haven't tested the quieter feature myself, but overall, the coffee quality between the two machines is very similar.

If you don't mind spending an extra $400, the CM5310’s small improvements might be worth it.

CM5300 Vs 5500

The CM5500 is a more advanced model than the CM5300, offering additional features like a hot water spout, user profiles for saving custom drinks, and eco-mode for energy efficiency.

The CM5300, however, is a budget-friendly option that still delivers great espresso and is perfect for those who prefer simplicity over extra features.

Related Article - Miele CM 5510 Silence Review

CM5300 Vs Gaggia Cardona Prestige

Both the CM5300 and Gaggia Cadorna Prestige are fully automated machines with built-in grinders, auto frothers, and auto-cleaning functions.

However, the Cadorna Prestige offers more customization options, including saving up to four user profiles.

The CM5300 is more compact, making it a better choice for those with limited counter space.

CM5300 Vs Delonghi Dinamica Plus

The Miele CM5300 and Delonghi Dinamica Plus are similar in many respects.

However, the Dinamica Plus includes several extra features like an iced coffee function and the ability to use a smartphone app for remote control and access to additional recipes.

The CM5300 lacks these features but may be preferable for those who prefer a simpler, more straightforward operation without needing tech connectivity.

Related Article - Delonghi Dinamica Plus Review 

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FAQs

Where are Miele coffee machines made?

Miele coffee machines are made in Germany.

Can Miele coffee machine make iced coffee?

No, there’s no iced coffee option on the Miele. However, you can still use the machine if you decide you want a cold beverage. Simply brew a strong coffee or espresso shot and then add it to a glass of ice. You may also add cold milk or cream according to preference.

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Is The Miele CM5300 Worth Your Money?

After weeks of putting the Miele CM5300 to the test, I can say that it is value for money, particularly for those who prioritize convenience yet still desire a degree of control over the coffee preparation process.

Not only can you tweak several variables on how the machine will brew the coffee, but it also comes with the OneTouch features that allow you to brew a cup or two of your favorite drink with just a touch of a button.

Resources:

1.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7317132_Influence_of_Water_Pressure_on_the_Final_Quality_of_Arabica_Espresso_Coffee_Application_of_Multivariate_Analysis
2.  https://www.mieleusa.com/e/milk-container-made-of-glass-mb-cm-g-11574240-p
3. https://www.mieleusa.com/e/toptherm-coffee-pot-cj-jug-1-0l-10694310-p