Regular coffee drinkers who like choosing their beans
If you often make espressos or longer coffees, a bean-to-cup machine lets you choose your beans and takes care of grinding them. You’ll also need space for the machine and time to clean it.
Who is this choice for?
Fans of milk-based drinks
If cappuccinos and lattes are part of your regular routine, compare the drinks available and the milk system on the specific model. Parts that come into contact with milk need cleaning after use.
People who prefer a simple routine
If you’re choosing between a bean-to-cup machine, capsules and pods, consider how important choosing your own beans is to you compared with maintenance and the space the machine takes up on your worktop.
What sets these machines apart?
If you make coffee at home regularly, start with the kind of drink you want: espresso made from beans, a single-serve drink or filter coffee. If you want to control the dose and tamp the coffee yourself, consider a portafilter machine too before comparing the settings and maintenance involved with bean-to-cup models.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of beans | Compare the grind settings and drink adjustments available on each model. | I make coffee often and want to be able to change my beans and adjust my drink. Around 33% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Capsules and waste | If you keep using capsules, check your local collection guidelines; if you switch to beans, remember to empty the used coffee grounds. | I’d like to rely less on single-serve portions, while knowing what to do with the used grounds. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Milk-based drinks | Check which drinks are available, the type of milk system and what cleaning is needed after use. | I regularly make cappuccinos or lattes and want to keep preparation to a minimum. Around 20% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Maintenance and space | Measure the space available and check you can reach the parts you need to fill or remove; consult the maintenance manual. | I’d rather keep cleaning, noise and the space taken up in the kitchen to a minimum, even if that means going without a grinder. This would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
What should you look out for before buying?
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Assuming an automatic grinder cleans itself
Manufacturers recommend regular maintenance to deal with coffee residue and limescale. Parts that come into contact with milk also need attention after use.
Check the model’s manual to see what maintenance it requires and which accessories are included.
Depending on the machine, maintenance may require cleaning tablets, descaler, milk-system cleaner or a water filter.
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Choosing a milk carafe for the occasional cappuccino
A milk system adds parts to clean and extra steps, even if you rarely use it.
If you mainly drink espressos or longer coffees, compare models without a carafe and those with a steam wand too.
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Comparing bean-to-cup machines and capsules on purchase price alone
How much coffee you drink and which consumables you use affect the cost of running your machine. Choosing capsules also affects the waste you need to deal with.
Work out the cost per cup based on how much coffee you usually drink, the beans or capsules you’d buy and the cleaning products each machine requires.
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Forgetting how much room you need to use the machine
Que Choisir says a bean-to-cup machine is bulkier and noisier than a capsule machine or filter coffee maker. You’ll also need room to access the trays and tanks as part of your daily routine.
Measure the space available, including the room you’ll need to fill the tanks, empty the used grounds and remove parts for cleaning.
Brands to consider
De'Longhi
The range includes bean-to-cup and manual espresso machines, making it a useful starting point if you’re weighing up automated preparation against a portafilter machine.
- De'Longhi offers grinder-equipped models for coffee and, depending on the version, milk-based drinks.
- With its manual portafilter models, you’ll need to dose and tamp the coffee, then lock the portafilter into place. Check the milk functions on the model you’re considering.
Philips
Worth considering if you’re looking for an automatic grinder with adjustable grind settings and, depending on the version, a LatteGo milk system.
- The Philips EP2230/10 listing on Joybuy specifies 12 grind settings and a removable brew group.
- These features apply to the EP2230/10, not every Philips range. Check the filter’s usage instructions and the descaling guidance for the model you choose.
Melitta
A brand to look at if cleaning instructions and maintenance products are important factors in your choice.
- Melitta explains how to maintain its automatic machines and which products are designed for coffee residue, milk and limescale.
- Check which products are compatible with the machine you choose, which ones you’ll need and what’s included.
JURA
Worth considering if you’re looking for an automatic machine that can make a range of coffee and milk-based drinks.
- JURA lists 17 specialities and a P.A.G. grinder for its C9 model.
- This range of drinks applies to the C9. Check the features and maintenance requirements of any other model separately.
Bean-to-cup machines and coffee options on Joybuy
These products let you explore different ways to make coffee from beans: automatic machines with grinders and a model that combines espresso and filter coffee. Focus on comparing the milk system, useful settings and maintenance requirements for your routine.
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Philips EP2230/10 Series 2200 LatteGo, glossy black
Worth considering if you want to choose your beans and make milk-based drinks too. The Joybuy listing specifies 12 grind settings and a removable brew group. Check which drinks are available and the maintenance instructions before buying.
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De'Longhi ECAM250.23.SB Magnifica with Lavazza Tales of Napoli and Roma coffee beans, 450 g (2 packs)
This bundle is for anyone looking to get started with an automatic machine and coffee beans. Check exactly what’s included before buying. If you plan to make milk-based drinks, also look at what’s involved in using and cleaning the steam wand.
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HiBREW H16, automatic espresso machine with grinder and milk system
Consider this if you want to make coffee from beans and milk-based drinks with an automatic machine. The product name lists six types of coffee; check which drinks these include and how to clean the milk system.
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Ninja Luxe Café Mini ES301EU, espresso and filter coffee machine with grinder
Worth comparing if you want to grind your beans and switch between espresso and filter coffee. Before buying, check which milk system is included, the grind settings and the maintenance required for the ES301EU.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you maintain a bean-to-cup coffee machine?
Follow the manual and alerts for your model rather than sticking to a one-size-fits-all schedule. Manufacturers recommend regular cleaning. Remove milk residue promptly after use and follow the instructions for the brew group and descaling.
Is a milk system useful if you only have the occasional cappuccino?
Not necessarily. If you mainly drink espressos and longer coffees, compare models without a carafe or with a steam wand too. Whichever system you choose, any parts that come into contact with milk need cleaning after use.
What happens to capsules thrown away with household rubbish?
In France, ADEME says capsules are incinerated or sent to landfill when disposed of through this waste route. Check your local authority’s guidance and the brand’s collection arrangements before relying on them being recycled.
What statutory guarantee applies to a machine bought from a trader in France?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual in France. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description in case the machine you receive is faulty or differs from the one advertised.