A bean-to-cup espresso machine is worth considering if your household regularly makes espressos and wants to choose its own beans. However, compared with capsules, you’ll need to allow for more space, noise while the beans are being ground and more regular maintenance, as Que Choisir points out. To decide, compare the machine’s price and running costs based on the number of cups you actually make, rather than assuming there’s one break-even point for every household.
You often make short or long coffees and would like to choose your own beans rather than stick to one capsule format. Consider the cost based on what you actually drink, as well as how much space the machine will take up.
If cappuccinos and latte macchiatos are regular favourites, check how the milk is prepared and which parts need rinsing. The number of recipes alone doesn’t tell you how much work maintenance will involve.
Noise and vibration matter in an open-plan kitchen or when you’re making coffee early in the morning. Que Choisir assesses these aspects in its testing; for each model, also check how easy it is to access the containers and follow the descaling process.
Start with the drinks your household actually makes: a regular espresso, filter coffee and frequent cappuccinos all call for different routines. Then compare running costs, available space and the level of maintenance you’re prepared to take on.
Worth considering: if you regularly make espressos from beans chosen by your household.
Things to bear in mind: Que Choisir notes that these machines are noisier and take up more space than capsule machines. You’ll also need to manage the containers and descaling.
Stick with these: if convenience and a compact machine matter more than choosing your own beans.
Check: that the capsules are compatible with your machine, and how much the ones you buy cost.
Worth considering: if you prefer individual portions to making coffee from beans.
Check: which pods the machine accepts and how much they cost for the drinks you usually make.
Worth considering: if you want to measure and make your own espresso using ground coffee or a separate grinder.
Things to bear in mind: you’ll need to do more by hand to prepare and clean the portafilter.
Worth considering: if your household mainly drinks filter coffee rather than espresso.
Bear in mind: it won’t replace an espresso machine if espresso is what you’re after.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term cost | Compare the cost of the machine, the coffee you’ll actually use and, depending on the model, filters and maintenance products over the same period and for the same number of cups. | If I make espressos often, I want to know whether switching systems suits my consumption without assuming I’m guaranteed to save money. Around 33% of consumers would make the total cost their priority. |
| Maintenance, noise and space | Measure the space available and check access to the containers. Read the manual for cleaning and descaling instructions, and look for noise data for the specific model. | In a small kitchen or early in the morning, I’d prefer a routine I can manage without disturbing the household. Around 27% of consumers would put ease of use at home first. |
| Milk-based drinks | Check which drinks the machine makes automatically and how the milk carafe or steam wand needs rinsing after use. | If I make cappuccinos often, I want a milk-preparation process that’s still easy enough to clean day to day. About 20% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Coffee choice and control | Look at the machine’s settings, whether it can use pre-ground coffee and, for capsules and pods, which formats are compatible. | If I’m switching from capsules so I can choose my own beans, I also need to decide how much hands-on preparation I’m happy to do. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise having this choice of coffee. |
The result depends on the number of cups you make, the coffee you choose and the maintenance each machine needs. A figure calculated for another household won’t settle your decision.
Compare the systems over the same period, using your usual purchases.
A grinder takes up space and makes noise while grinding the beans. You’ll also need room to reach the water tank and remove the containers; Que Choisir highlights these drawbacks compared with capsules.
Measure the space and access you’ll need, then look for noise data for the exact model.
Making milk-based drinks adds parts or a system that needs maintaining. Having a recipe available at the touch of a button doesn’t remove the extra steps.
Read the manual to find out about rinsing, dismantling and what to do after use.
How they should be disposed of depends on the material and the available recycling scheme. ADEME recommends limiting individual packaging, but that alone isn’t enough to compare the environmental impact of two machines.
Check your local council’s recycling guidance and whether the system you’re considering has any collection arrangements.
In its LatteGo bean-to-cup range, Philips offers the Series 3300 EP3341/50, which has a milk carafe and is advertised as making six drinks.
De'Longhi offers several types of coffee machine. Its Autentica ETAM29.510.B is a bean-to-cup model with a traditional steam wand.
The Krups manual for the EA815–EA817 automatic series explains how to make espresso, coffee and ristretto using a bean-to-cup machine.
These machines are relevant if you’re moving from capsules to making espresso at home with a built-in grinder. Compare how they prepare milk and what maintenance they require. Their inclusion here doesn’t, on its own, determine whether they’re a better choice than capsules, pods or a portafilter machine.
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Worth considering if you’d like to switch to beans while continuing to make milk-based drinks regularly.
A 2200 Series model with the LatteGo system. Check the milk-cleaning routine and whether it comes with the maintenance accessories you want.
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Worth considering for regular espressos if you’re happy to prepare and clean the milk by hand when you have a milk-based drink.
An automatic machine sold with the Lavazza coffees listed in the bundle title. Check that its size and the care required for the steam wand suit the way you’ll use it.
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Worth considering if you want to make espresso from beans without measuring each portion into a portafilter.
An automatic espresso machine with a grinder. If milk-based drinks are part of your decision, check what’s involved in using the steam wand and measure the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you make different types of coffee at home and would like an automatic bean-to-cup machine.
The product title lists a grinder, six types of coffee and a touchscreen. Read the manual to understand how to clean the milk system and descale the machine before choosing this model.
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Worth considering if your household wants to grind beans and switch between espresso and filter coffee.
The product title describes a two-in-one machine with a built-in grinder. Check the milk frother configuration for the ES301EU variant and what maintenance involves before choosing it for the drinks you usually make.
There’s no number of cups that applies to every household. Compare the cost of both machines, the coffee you actually buy and the maintenance required over the same period. Previous per-cup cost figures quoted by Que Choisir are no substitute for working it out for yourself.
You’ll need to empty and clean the containers, and descale the machine as instructed for that model. Follow the manual for the brewing unit, filters and milk system: accessible parts and maintenance steps vary from one machine to another.
No. In France, how you sort them depends in part on the material and local guidance. ADEME outlines recycling schemes for aluminium and plastic capsules; check your local council’s instructions and any collection points before throwing them away.
In France, a machine sold by a retailer to an individual may be covered by the legal guarantee of conformity if it doesn’t match the description provided. According to information from the Ministry of the Economy, keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller to have your claim assessed.