Miele CM 5310 review: a quiet, compact Miele with two-cup milk drinks, a coffee pot mode and a long coffee that works
The Miele CM 5310 Automatic Espresso Machine packs a quieter grinder, an expanding brew chamber, two-at-once milk drinks and a coffee pot mode into a body just 9.5 inches wide. It makes a properly good long coffee as well as espresso, but its 1.3-liter tank is small and you supply your own milk container.
Michael Reynolds
Hands-on review
Hands-on testing, research, specs
4 weeks
23 minutes
Jargon helpNew to espresso? Tap any dotted term to see what it means.
In this review
Yes, if you want a compact, quiet machine that handles espresso, long coffee and milk drinks for two people without fuss. The Miele CM 5310 grinds noticeably more quietly than older Miele machines, brews a long coffee that actually tastes like a cup of coffee, and makes two cappuccinos at once. The trade-offs are a small water tank, no milk carafe in the box, a passive cup warmer that takes a while and no user profiles.
Miele CM 5310 at a glance
Miele CM 5310 pros and cons
- Quiet grinder and a smooth, round espresso
- Good long coffee and a coffee pot function
- Two milk drinks at once in a slim body
- Small 1.3-liter water tank
- Milk container not included
- Passive cup warmer is slow
Who should buy the Miele CM 5310?
- Couples who like coffee at the same time
- People who drink long coffee as much as espresso
- Small kitchens that want a quiet machine
- Big households making many drinks a day
- Anyone who wants a milk carafe in the box
- People who need several saved profiles
First impressions of the Miele CM 5310
The CM 5310 doesn't look like a big upgrade on paper.
It looks like the compact Miele coffee machines that came before it.
Then you press start, and you notice what changed.
The grinder is far quieter.
Miele added insulation and a new grinder motor, and the harsh rattle of older compact machines is gone.
What's left is a low, muffled hum that's over in a few seconds.
My first drink on the Miele CM 5310 was a latte macchiato at the factory settings.
It came out neatly layered, with hot milk, a band of espresso and a thick cap of foam.
It tasted sweet and well balanced, with nothing to adjust.
The second thing I noticed was the long coffee.
Plenty of automatic machines make a mug of coffee that tastes like a stretched espresso.
This one tasted like a proper cup of coffee.
The CM 5310 is narrow enough for a crowded counter.
What surprised me most
I expected the quiet grinder to be the headline.
It was, for the first few days.
By the end of the month, the long coffee was what I'd miss most.
A good mug of coffee from a bean-to-cup machine is rarer than it should be, and the CM 5310 gets it right.
What the Miele CM 5310 actually is
The CM 5310 is a fully automatic, bean-to-cup coffee machine with a milk system.
It grinds the beans, doses and presses the coffee, brews it and drops the puck into a container.
For milk drinks, it pulls milk through a tube from your own glass or jug, heats it and froths it.
It's the compact entry point to Miele's countertop range.
The headline features are the quieter grinder, two-at-once drinks and a coffee pot mode.
Inside is a 15-bar pump and Miele's AromaticSystem✕AromaticSystemMiele's brew chamber that expands as water flows in. The coffee and water mix more thoroughly, which helps more flavor come out of the grounds., a brew chamber that expands as the water comes in.
The drinks
| Drink | How it's made | Milk used |
|---|---|---|
| Ristretto and espresso | Short, concentrated brew | None |
| Coffee | Longer brew, more water through the coffee | None |
| Long coffee | Bigger cup for mug drinkers | None |
| Cappuccino | Espresso with a tall layer of foam | Foam |
| Caffè latte | Espresso with more hot milk | Milk and foam |
| Latte macchiato | Layered milk, foam and espresso | Milk and foam |
| Hot milk and milk froth | Milk only | Milk |
| Coffee pot | Several coffee cycles into a carafe | None |
Miele CM 5310 design and setup
The CM 5310 measures 14.2 × 9.5 × 18.1 inches, or 36 × 24.1 × 46 cm.
That makes it one of the narrower milk-system machines I've tested.
My unit was Obsidian Black.
The front is clean, with a simple control panel and a single central spout that slides up and down.
Tank, hopper and pre-ground drawer
The water tank lifts out by its handle for filling at the sink.
At 1.3 liters, it's small, and that's the CM 5310's biggest practical limit.
The bean hopper on top holds about 200 grams under a lid.
There's a separate drawer for pre-ground coffee.
Our tip: Keep a filled jug of water next to the machine, because the 1.3-liter tank runs out quickly with milk drinks and rinses.
The cup warmer
The top is a passive cup warmer that uses heat from the machine.
It takes a while to warm up and never gets hot.
For espresso, I rinsed cups with hot water from the machine instead.
First-time setup
Setup took about 15 minutes, including the language, water hardness and the first rinse.
The milk tube stores inside the machine behind the service door, which stopped it from getting lost.
The latte macchiato at factory settings was neat and well balanced.
The quieter grinder
The CM 5310 grinds with steel conical burrs✕Conical burrsA cone-shaped cutting part that turns inside a ring. They grind evenly at fairly low speed, which keeps heat and noise down..
Miele says the new motor cuts grinding noise by about half compared with the model it replaces.
I didn't have the older machine side by side, but I measured the CM 5310 at about 58 to 62 dB while grinding.
That's quiet for a bean-to-cup machine.
Phone sound meter readings at about 50 cm. Every 10 dB sounds roughly twice as loud.
Brewing was quieter than I expected too, because the same insulation muffles the brew unit.
Grind setting
The grind is adjustable, and I went one step finer than the factory setting for a fuller espresso.
With light roasts, two steps finer helped.
Only change the grind while the grinder is running.
Our tip: Change the grind one step at a time and wait two or three drinks before judging the result.
Miele CM 5310 espresso performance
The CM 5310's espresso is smooth and round.
With a medium-dark blend, I got a hazelnut crema✕CremaThe golden-brown foam on top of an espresso. It forms when pressure pushes gases and oils out of freshly ground coffee. and flavors of cocoa, roasted nuts and a little caramel.
Bitterness was low.
It isn't the thickest espresso I've had from an automatic, but it's balanced and consistent.
The ristretto was the most concentrated drink on the menu and my favorite for straight shots.
The brew chamber
Miele's AromaticSystem lets the brew chamber expand as water flows in.
The idea is that the coffee and water mix more thoroughly.
I can't isolate that from everything else, but the pucks came out evenly wet, with no dry patches.
What you can program
For each drink, you can set the amount of coffee, the amount of water, the temperature and pre-brewing✕Pre-brewingA short soak of the coffee before full pressure, also called pre-infusion. It lets the puck swell evenly so water doesn't rush through weak spots..
I raised the coffee amount, shortened the water and turned on pre-brewing for espresso.
That gave a noticeably fuller shot.
My ratings on a 10-point scale for body, crema and flavor.
| What you taste or see | Likely cause | First change |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, thin, watery | Under-extraction | More coffee, less water or a finer grind |
| Bitter, harsh | Over-extraction or very dark beans | Less water or one step coarser |
| Pale crema | Stale beans | Use fresh whole beans |
| Lukewarm | Cold cup | Rinse the cup with hot water and raise the temperature |
Long coffee and the coffee pot
This is where the CM 5310 stands out.
The coffee option runs more water through the coffee than an espresso.
It isn't drip coffee, but it's closer to a classic cup of coffee than a stretched espresso.
It tasted clean and smooth, with gentle bitterness and enough body for a large mug.
I made it most mornings for a second cup.
The coffee pot function
For guests, there's a coffee pot mode.
It brews several cycles of coffee into a carafe under the spout.
Miele sells a carafe separately, but any pot that fits under the spout works.
I filled a short thermal jug for four people twice during testing.
It's not as fast as a drip machine, but it saved making four separate mugs.
| Drink | My verdict | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Ristretto | Excellent | Straight shot |
| Espresso | Very good | Straight or as a base |
| Coffee | Very good | Everyday mug |
| Long coffee | Good | Big mug, slightly lighter |
| Coffee pot | Good | Guests and family breakfasts |
Why the long coffee works
Many automatic machines make a long coffee by pushing a lot of water through one small dose.
The end of that pour over-extracts and tastes flat and bitter.
The CM 5310's coffee setting uses a more suitable grind and water balance, and the expanding brew chamber keeps the water moving evenly through the grounds.
The result is a cleaner, more rounded mug.
If you want it stronger, raise the coffee amount rather than cutting the water.
Our tip: Measure the height of your coffee pot before brewing, because the spout only rises to about 13.5 cm.
Temperature and how hot the drinks are
Temperature is programmable per drink on the CM 5310, and it matters more than you might think on a compact machine.
On the highest setting, my espresso read about 70 to 72°C in a warmed cup.
In a cold cup, the same shot lost about five degrees within seconds.
Long coffee came out around 72°C, which is comfortably hot for a mug.
Milk drinks finished at about 60 to 65°C, hot enough to enjoy straight away without burning your tongue.
Probe readings straight after brewing.
The passive cup warmer helps over time, but it takes a good half hour to make any difference.
If you want hot espresso, rinse the cup with hot water from the machine first.
Our tip: Run a little hot water into your cup and tip it out before an espresso, because the cup warmer on top is slow.
Milk foam and milk drinks
The CM 5310 uses a simple milk tube.
You drop one end into a glass or jug of milk and connect the other to the spout.
There's no carafe in the box, which keeps the counter tidy but means you supply your own container.
I used a small glass jug that went back in the fridge after every round.
How the foam turned out
Cappuccinos had a thick, creamy foam cap.
Latte macchiatos layered neatly.
Caffè lattes were smooth, with thinner foam.
Milk temperature was good, around 60 to 65°C in the finished drinks.
My ratings on a 10-point scale for texture, stability and temperature.
You can program the amount of milk and froth per drink.
I cut the milk on cappuccinos a little for a stronger coffee taste.
OneTouch for Two fills both cups from the central spout.
OneTouch for Two
The OneTouch for Two button makes two of the same drink at once.
It works for espresso, coffee and milk drinks.
Two cappuccinos took a little over two minutes.
For a couple who drink coffee at the same time, it's a small daily luxury.
| Two-cup drink | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two espressos | About 1 minute | Even split |
| Two coffees | About 1.5 minutes | Even split |
| Two cappuccinos | About 2 minutes | Foam split evenly |
| Two latte macchiatos | About 2.5 minutes | Use tall glasses side by side |
Our tip: Place both cups right under the center of the spout before pressing OneTouch for Two, so neither cup gets a short pour.
Controls and programming
The control panel is simple, with direct buttons for the most common drinks and a small display for the rest.
A few drinks are on the front; others are in the menu.
Programming each drink is straightforward once you find the parameters menu.
There are no user profiles.
If two people want very different strengths, one of you will change settings on the fly.
Cleaning and maintaining the Miele CM 5310
After every milk drink, the CM 5310 rinses the milk pipework automatically.
The machine also rinses its coffee path when it switches on and off.
Every week, I took the brew unit out through the service door and rinsed it under the tap.
The water tank and grounds container are dishwasher-safe.
The machine guides you through milk cleaning, brew unit cleaning and descaling✕DescalingRunning a mild acid solution through the machine to dissolve mineral scale left by hard water. Scale slows heating and can block pipes. when they're due.
| When | Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| After milk drinks | Automatic milk pipework rinse | Clears milk from the tube and spout |
| Daily | Empty the drip tray and grounds container | The container holds only about 7 pucks |
| Daily | Wash and refill your milk jug | Keeps milk fresh |
| Weekly | Rinse the brew unit by hand | Removes coffee oils |
| When prompted | Milk cleaning, brew unit cleaning, descaling | Keeps milk, oils and scale under control |
My estimate of hands-on cleaning time per day.
The grounds container holds about seven pucks, so with two people I emptied it daily.
What daily use is really like
My mornings started with the power button and a short rinse.
Then one press for a cappuccino, or one press of OneTouch for Two for both of us.
The machine was ready within about a minute of switching on.
Tank and hopper
The small tank is the main limit.
With two people making four or five drinks a day, plus rinses, I filled it every day.
The 200-gram hopper lasted about a week.
Rough maths from a 1.3 L tank, allowing for rinse water. Actual numbers depend on cup size.
Two coffees at once is the CM 5310's everyday party trick.
A typical morning with the CM 5310
By week three, my routine was simple.
I filled the water tank first thing, because it was usually low from the day before.
Then I poured milk into a tall glass jug, dropped the tube in and pressed OneTouch for Two on cappuccino.
About two minutes later, we had two cappuccinos side by side.
The machine rinsed the milk pipework automatically while we drank them.
Mid-morning, I made a coffee in a big mug with the coffee button.
In the evening, a decaf from the pre-ground drawer.
| Time | What I made | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Two cappuccinos | Fill tank, milk jug, OneTouch for Two |
| Mid-morning | Mug of coffee | One press |
| Afternoon | Ristretto | One press |
| Evening | Decaf coffee | One scoop in the pre-ground drawer |
Our tip: Put the milk jug back in the fridge straight after the automatic rinse, so the milk stays cold for the next round.
The whole morning routine, including refilling, took about four minutes.
How the CM 5310 fits different households
Here's how the CM 5310 played out for the kinds of people who used it during testing.
The couple who drink coffee together
This is the CM 5310's sweet spot.
OneTouch for Two makes two cappuccinos or two coffees at once, and the machine's compact size suits a small kitchen.
The tank is the only thing that needs daily attention.
The mug-of-coffee drinker
If you've been disappointed by watery long coffee from other automatic machines, this one is better.
The coffee setting tastes like a real cup, and a slightly larger coffee amount makes it richer.
The weekend host
The coffee pot mode means brunch for four doesn't need a separate drip machine.
It's slower than a drip machine, but the coffee is freshly ground and you're not juggling cups.
The busy family
This is where it struggles.
No user profiles, a small tank and a seven-puck grounds container mean constant refilling and emptying for a big household.
| Household | How well it fits | Main reason |
|---|---|---|
| Couple drinking together | Excellent | OneTouch for Two, compact |
| Mug-of-coffee drinker | Excellent | Real long-coffee taste |
| Weekend host | Good | Coffee pot mode |
| Early riser in a shared home | Very good | Quiet grinder |
| Busy family | Fair | Small tank, no profiles |
My four weeks with the CM 5310, week by week
Week one was the baseline, with every drink at factory settings.
The latte macchiato and cappuccino were good straight away.
Week two was about espresso.
I went one grind step finer, raised the coffee amount and turned on pre-brewing.
Week three was about long coffee and the pot.
I compared coffee and long coffee side by side and brewed a pot for guests.
Week four was about the routine and cleaning.
| Week | What I focused on | Main change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Factory settings | None, baseline only |
| 2 | Espresso | Finer grind, more coffee, pre-brewing on |
| 3 | Coffee, long coffee and the pot | Coffee for mugs, pot for guests |
| 4 | Routine and cleaning | Daily tank refill, weekly brew unit rinse |
Small details that make a difference
A few of the CM 5310's best touches only show up after a week or two.
The milk tube stores inside the machine behind the service door, so it never ends up lost in a drawer.
The central spout slides smoothly from espresso cup height to a tall latte glass, up to about 13.5 cm.
The pre-ground drawer is separate from the bean hopper, so a scoop of decaf doesn't mix with your beans.
The machine rinses itself on startup and shutdown, so the coffee path stays fresh even if you forget.
The water tank and grounds container go in the dishwasher, which takes the effort out of the weekly clean.
| Detail | Why it helped |
|---|---|
| Milk tube stored inside | Never lost, always clean |
| Smooth adjustable spout | Fits cups from espresso to latte glass |
| Separate pre-ground drawer | Decaf without emptying the hopper |
| Automatic rinses | Fresh coffee path every day |
| Dishwasher-safe tank and container | Quick weekly clean |
The things I missed
A bean level window would save lifting the hopper lid.
A bigger drip tray would mean fewer trips to the sink.
And a milk container in the box would make the CM 5310 feel complete from day one.
Beans, water and milk
Use whole beans within a few weeks of the roast date.
Medium and medium-dark roasts worked best across the menu.
Light roasts needed a finer grind and more coffee.
Avoid very oily or flavored beans.
| Bean type | Espresso | Coffee | Milk drinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium-dark blend | Very good | Very good | Excellent |
| Medium roast | Very good | Excellent | Very good |
| Light roast | Grind finer | Good | Good |
| Very dark, oily | Not recommended | Not recommended | Not recommended |
Water
Use fresh, cold water and set your water hardness so descaling reminders are accurate.
Common mistakes to avoid
The Miele CM 5310 is easy to live with, but a few habits will hold it back.
| Mistake | What happens | Better habit |
|---|---|---|
| Forgetting the small tank | Drink stops halfway | Refill every morning |
| Using a wide, shallow milk jug | Tube sucks air at the end | Use a tall, narrow container |
| Factory espresso settings | Pleasant but light shots | More coffee and pre-brewing on |
| A pot too tall for the spout | Spills | Measure first |
| Letting the grounds container fill | Machine stops for emptying | Empty it daily |
| Relying on the cup warmer | Lukewarm espresso | Rinse cups with hot water |
What I would change
A bigger water tank would make the biggest difference.
A milk container in the box and a couple of user profiles would round it out.
Is the Miele CM 5310 worth the money?
The CM 5310 is a premium compact machine, and it earns its place with quiet grinding, reliable drinks and genuinely useful features.
OneTouch for Two, the coffee pot mode and a long coffee that tastes right make it more flexible than its size suggests.
Ask yourself three questions before you buy.
Do one or two people drink a mix of espresso, coffee and milk drinks?
Is a quiet machine important to you?
Can you live with refilling a small tank most days?
If the answers are yes, the CM 5310 is easy to recommend.
If you make lots of drinks, a model with a bigger tank and a carafe will suit you better.
Where it sits in the Miele range
The CM 5310 is the simplest of the Miele machines I tested.
It skips the bigger touch displays, the included milk containers and the personalization of the higher models.
What it keeps is what matters most for a couple: a quiet grinder, good espresso, a real long coffee and two drinks at once.
If you don't need the extras, there's no reason to pay for them.
Living with it long term
Miele machines are built to be maintained at home, and the CM 5310 is no exception.
The removable brew unit, dishwasher-safe tank and grounds container, and automatic milk rinse cover the jobs that matter most.
Running costs are cleaning tablets, descaler and filters, which are standard for this type of machine.
Check what's included where you buy, because milk containers and carafes are usually extras.
How it compares with other espresso setups
The most useful comparison is with the kinds of machines you're likely choosing between.
The Miele CM 5310 stands out for its quiet grinder, long coffee and two-at-once drinks.
| Feature | Miele CM 5310 | Larger automatic with carafe | Manual machine and grinder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Smooth, balanced | Varies | Excellent, skill-dependent |
| Long coffee | Very good | Often weak | Americano only |
| Two milk drinks at once | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Coffee pot mode | Yes | Rare | No |
| Water tank | 1.3 L | Often 1.8–2.2 L | Varies |
| Noise | Quiet | Varies | Varies |
| Footprint | Compact | Larger | Two appliances |
A larger automatic with a carafe gives you a bigger tank, a container in the box and often user profiles, but it takes more room and usually more cleaning.
A manual setup gives you the best espresso and the most control, but it asks for skill every morning and can't make a mug of coffee or a pot for guests.
The CM 5310 sits neatly between them for one or two people.
It's quieter than most, better at long coffee than most and genuinely useful when two of you want coffee at once.
| You mostly drink | Is the CM 5310 a fit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso and ristretto | Very good | Smooth, programmable |
| Mugs of coffee | Excellent | Real long-coffee taste |
| Cappuccinos for two | Excellent | OneTouch for Two |
| Coffee for guests | Good | Coffee pot mode |
| Lots of drinks a day | Fair | Small tank |
The full package: central spout, simple controls and a compact body.
Other Miele machines I tested
For a touch display and more drinks, see my Miele CM 6160 review.
The Miele CM 6360 adds a milk container and more personalization.
For a dual-bean flagship, see the Miele CM 7750.
Which one is right for you: is the Miele CM 5310 your match?
4 quick questionsMiele CM 5310 specifications
From manufacturer data and my own testing.
How I tested and scored the Miele CM 5310
For four weeks, I used the Miele CM 5310 as my everyday machine for espresso, ristretto, coffee, long coffee, cappuccinos, caffè lattes and latte macchiatos, plus the two-cup and coffee pot functions.
I adjusted the grind, coffee amount, water amount, temperature and pre-brewing, made milk drinks with whole, semi-skimmed and barista oat milk and filled a carafe for guests twice.
I measured noise with a phone meter at about 50 cm, checked drink temperatures with a probe and ran the rinse, milk cleaning, brew unit and descaling programs.
Michael and a second HouseholdMe tester shared the machine and wrote the notes together. We then checked our notes against Miele's specifications and owner documentation.
- Espresso (8.4): body, crema, flavor and consistency, plus the long coffee.
- Milk drinks (8.3): foam texture, milk temperature and two-cup milk drinks.
- Ease of use (8.4): controls, programming, tank and hopper access, two-cup and pot functions.
- Cleaning (8.2): milk rinses, brew unit care, dishwasher-safe parts and maintenance prompts.
The overall score of 8.3 is an editorial rating that reflects those four areas.
More Miele coffee machine reviews
We spent four weeks with each Miele automatic coffee machine in the range. Here's how the other models compare, review by review.
Miele CM 6160 review: Four profiles, DoubleShot, tea programs and some of the best one-touch milk foam I have tested.
Miele CM 6360 review: Eight named profiles, a glass milk container and DoubleShot long coffee that actually tastes strong.
Miele CM 7750 review: Three bean hoppers, ten profiles, a touchscreen and automatic descaling in one flagship machine.
Miele CM 5310 FAQ
Is the Miele CM 5310 worth it?
Yes, if you want a compact, quiet machine for one or two people that makes good espresso, long coffee and milk drinks. If you make a lot of drinks or want a milk carafe and profiles, look at a larger model.
What does Silence mean on the Miele CM 5310?
It refers to the quieter grinder. Miele added sound insulation and a new grinder motor, and grinding is much quieter than on older Miele machines.
Can the Miele CM 5310 make two drinks at once?
Yes. OneTouch for Two makes two coffees or two milk drinks at the same time.
Does the Miele CM 5310 come with a milk container?
No. It uses a milk tube that goes into your own glass or jug. Miele sells a matching container separately.
What is the coffee pot function?
It brews a larger amount of coffee into a carafe, one cycle after another, so you can serve several people at once. Make sure your pot fits under the spout.
How big is the water tank on the Miele CM 5310?
About 1.3 liters, or 44 fluid ounces. That's small, so expect to refill it often.
Does the Miele CM 5310 have user profiles?
No. You can program the coffee amount, water amount, temperature and pre-brewing for each drink, but not separate profiles.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in the Miele CM 5310?
Yes. There is a separate drawer for ground coffee, which is handy for decaf.
Are the parts dishwasher-safe?
The water tank and grounds container are. The brew unit should be rinsed by hand.
How does the Miele CM 5310 clean the milk system?
It rinses the milk pipework automatically after milk drinks, and it has a separate milk cleaning program for a deeper clean.
How hot is the coffee from the Miele CM 5310?
On the high setting, my espresso measured about 71°C in a warmed cup and coffee in a mug about 72°C. Pre-warm small cups with hot water for the hottest espresso.
How quiet is the Miele CM 5310?
I measured about 58 to 62 dB while grinding and about 54 dB while brewing from half a meter away, which is quiet for a bean-to-cup machine.
What drinks are on the Miele CM 5310?
Espresso, ristretto, coffee, long coffee, cappuccino, caffè latte, latte macchiato, hot milk, milk froth and hot water, plus two-cup versions and a coffee pot function.
Can I adjust the grind on the Miele CM 5310?
Yes. The grind is adjustable. I went one step finer than the factory setting for a fuller espresso and two steps finer for light roasts. Only change it while the grinder is running.
Is the Miele CM 5310 good for long coffee?
Yes. Its coffee setting tastes cleaner and fuller than the stretched espresso many automatic machines make. Raise the coffee amount for a stronger mug.
Kitchen & coffee tester
Michael spent six years as a line cook in restaurants in Chicago and New York, and he has tested kitchen appliances for HouseholdMe since 2018, from air fryers to coffee makers. He holds an SCA certificate in barista skills and used the Miele CM 5310 as his everyday coffee machine for four weeks for this review, writing up the testing notes together with a second HouseholdMe tester.
- Four weeks of hands-on testing of the Miele CM 5310 Silence
- Miele product specifications and owner documentation
- General espresso brewing and maintenance guidance