For a household that regularly makes individual espressos, an automatic bean-to-cup machine can be worth considering if everyone is happy with its size, purchase price and upkeep. You’ll still need to rinse, clean and descale it, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Only add a milk system, dual bean hopper or user profiles if milky drinks or differing preferences are genuinely common. If you want to make several long coffees at once or just a few espressos, it’s also worth comparing filter coffee machines, capsule machines and portafilter machines.
If several people make their own coffee, compare the useful settings, how easy it is to access the reservoirs and the routine cleaning involved. UFC-Que Choisir points out that rinsing, cleaning and descaling are all part of using an automatic machine.
A milk system, saved user profiles or multiple bean hoppers can cater for different needs. Check exactly what the model offers: Philips France and Melitta France, for example, describe these options for specific models.
Compare the options based on how many cups you make, the consumables you’ll need and the space available. Don’t assume one type of coffee machine is always better value. UFC-Que Choisir includes capsule, portafilter and bean-to-cup machines among its different types of espresso machine.
If your household shares a machine, separate the number of drinks you want from the features that genuinely change how you make or clean them.
Worth considering if: you regularly make individual espressos and want to adjust your coffee without adding a milk system.
Bear in mind: the grinder and machine take up space, and rinsing, cleaning and descaling are still needed.
Worth considering if: several people regularly make cappuccinos or other milky drinks.
Bear in mind: a milk carafe or system adds more parts to clean. A rinse may not replace any additional cleaning.
Worth considering if: users want to switch between two types of beans or return to their own saved settings.
Bear in mind: these features may not be much use if everyone in the household prefers the same coffee. They don’t remove the need to refill or clean the machine.
Worth considering if: you make a few espressos and prefer individual portions.
Compare: the cost of the portions and whether the capsule system suits your habits.
Worth considering if: you want to take a more hands-on approach to making each espresso.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure, prepare and clean for every shot. If you use whole beans, check what equipment you’ll need to grind them.
Worth considering if: your household mainly drinks long coffees and wants to make several cups at once.
Bear in mind: making coffee in a carafe serves a different purpose from making individual espressos. Don’t assume you’ll get the milk recipes or settings offered by an espresso machine.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Shared espressos | Available drinks and settings; access to the hoppers and whether it can make two cups at once. | If several people make their own espresso, I check which features are genuinely useful and how easy it is to access the containers. Around 33% of consumers prioritise regularly sharing espressos. |
| Milk and preferences | How often you make milky drinks, the cleaning process, bean selection and profiles on the exact model. | If people have different tastes, I want to know whether the machine saves settings or lets me choose between different beans. Around 27% of consumers prioritise a variety of drinks or different preferences. |
| Upkeep and space | Instructions for the milk system, access to parts that need washing, water hardness and the machine’s dimensions. | I check that I can reach the parts that need filling and cleaning, and make sure there’s enough room on my worktop. Around 20% of consumers prioritise reducing maintenance and saving space. |
| Cost and alternatives | Compare the machine, coffee and cleaning products over the same period and for the same number of cups. | If my budget is the deciding factor between beans, capsules, a portafilter and filter coffee, I compare the same volume of use rather than looking at one price in isolation. Around 20% of consumers prioritise overall cost and choosing an alternative. |
Rinsing the system and cleaning the parts that come into contact with milk aren’t necessarily the same thing.
Compare the instructions for the systems you’re considering and think about how often your household makes milky drinks.
These features aren’t interchangeable. Melitta describes the two hoppers on the Barista T Smart as allowing you to manually choose between different beans. That doesn’t mean it has two grinders or can make two cups at once.
Check bean selection, profiles and the ability to make multiple cups separately for the exact model you’re considering.
The result depends on how many cups you make, the coffee you use, the machine and the cleaning products. Price guidance published by UFC-Que Choisir in 2025 won’t give every household a suitable calculation for 2026.
Compare the options over the same period and for the same number of cups, taking your actual habits into account.
In France, ADEME says this rating has been compulsory for televisions since 8 January 2025 and washing machines since April 2025, but not for coffee machines.
Instead, look at the maintenance and repair options for the model you’re considering. Don’t judge its environmental impact based on a general claim.
The 5500 Series EP5543/90 may suit a household looking to save user profiles and use a removable milk carafe.
The Barista T Smart is worth a look if people in your household want to choose between two types of beans.
The Magnifica S ECAM22.110.SB is an example of a model without an integrated milk carafe, while other machines in the range come with a milk system.
The EQ900 TQ907R03 may suit a household looking to switch between two bean containers, provided there’s enough room for it.
This selection features automatic home espresso machines with grinders, with a steam wand or milk system available on selected models.
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Worth considering if you regularly make espressos and want to froth milk when needed. The steam wand requires manual use and cleaning after each use.
The product description lists the My Menu function and a removable brewing unit. The bundle includes 450 g of Lavazza Tales of Napoli & Roma coffee (2 packs).
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Worth a look if you’re after a machine with a grinder and milk-frothing function. Check that its features suit the drinks your household enjoys.
The product name lists a 20 bar pump and a 2,8 L water tank. The product description lists 30 grind settings, two boilers and two pumps.
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Worth considering if your household wants to make espressos and cappuccinos using a removable milk system.
The product description lists 12 grind settings, a 1,8 L water tank and a two-cup function. The LatteGo parts are described as removable and dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering if you want to make espresso or coffee from beans, with a steam wand for frothing milk when needed.
The product description lists 13 grind settings, a 1,8 L water tank and a two-cup function. The recipes listed are Espresso, Coffee and Doppio+.
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Worth considering if you want to make coffee from beans or pre-ground coffee and froth milk with a manual steam wand.
The product description lists a 1,8 L water tank and the ability to make two cups. The drip tray is described as dishwasher-safe.
Not necessarily. A rinse doesn’t always replace the extra cleaning needed for parts that come into contact with milk. De’Longhi says to clean the system after each milk-based drink on the models concerned. Philips also says that the LatteGo on the EP5543/90 needs additional cleaning. Follow the instructions for the model you choose.
No. There’s no monthly schedule that applies to every model. De’Longhi says water hardness and usage affect how often you need to descale. Set the water hardness if your machine allows it, and follow its instructions and alerts.
No. Dual bean hoppers and making several cups at once are two different features. Melitta describes the hoppers on the Barista T Smart as letting you manually choose between two types of beans. Check each model’s features separately.
Compare the options over the same period and for the same number of cups, including the machine, coffee and cleaning products. Price guidance published by UFC-Que Choisir in 2025 won’t replace a calculation based on your own usage and the prices available when you buy.
The labelling requirements described by ADEME apply to televisions from 8 January 2025 and washing machines from April 2025, but not coffee machines. So the absence of this rating on a coffee machine doesn’t, by itself, mean it fails to meet the rules.