If several people want a long coffee at the same time, a filter coffee machine with an insulated jug lets you brew a whole pot rather than make one cup after another. A bean-to-cup machine is better suited to serving a variety of drinks, provided you have a plan for cleaning it. Capsules and pods work well for people making drinks at different times, as long as you have a system for restocking and recycling them. A manual espresso machine involves more steps for each cup, so it’s better suited to a small group.
If several colleagues take a break together, brewing a whole pot can save you from having to restart the machine for every cup. Just make sure someone is responsible for brewing the coffee and removing the used filter.
An automatic bean-to-cup machine lets people make drinks on demand. If you serve milk-based drinks, assign someone to clean the parts that come into contact with milk and empty the coffee grounds container.
Capsule and pod machines let people make individual drinks without measuring out the coffee by hand. Check that there’s room near the machine to store fresh portions and collect used ones.
Start by looking at when people want their drinks, then consider whether your team can realistically manage the tasks involved in making them.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Serving several people at once | Compare brewing a whole jug with brewing one cup at a time. Melitta states that the AromaFresh Therm Pro X makes 2 to 8 cups per brew; Philips states that the SENSEO Original XL HD7818/20R1 has a 1.2 L reservoir, enough for 8 cups. | If several people want a long coffee during the same meeting, I’d rather not have to make one cup for each person. |
| Choice of drinks | Check the recipes and sizes available on the specific model, as well as what’s involved in preparing milk-based drinks. Philips states that the Series 3300 model reviewed here offers six drinks. | My colleagues don’t all drink the same coffee. I want to serve the drinks they ask for without making everyone deal with complicated settings. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Decide who will empty the grounds or used portions, rinse the parts that come into contact with milk and follow the descaling instructions. If you use a water filter, it will also need replacing. | I’m happy to choose a machine that offers a range of drinks if someone is clearly responsible for cleaning it and keeping track of alerts. |
| Consumables | Check which coffee, filters, capsules or pods you’ll need. For a capsule machine, confirm which system it’s compatible with before stocking up. | I want to restock the break room without finding out that the portions we’ve bought won’t work with the machine. |
| Available space | Measure the worktop and allow enough room to fill the reservoir, open compartments and place cups. De’Longhi lists the Dedica Style EC685.M EX:4 as 15 cm wide; it is still a manual espresso machine. | The worktop is narrow, so the machine needs to fit while leaving enough room for water, coffee and cleaning. |
| Waste | Provide an accessible bin for used portions, filters and coffee grounds. In France, ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the paper and packaging recycling. For paper capsules, check which composting or food waste collection options are available locally. | If each drink uses a single portion, I’d rather decide where people will put used portions before installing the machine. |
A compact machine takes up little worktop space, but making drinks one cup at a time can mean more work when everyone takes a break together.
Note down which drinks people ask for on a busy day, then compare the number of brews, refills and cleaning tasks involved.
Used capsules and pods need to be disposed of after brewing. Without an accessible bin, they can end up left on the worktop.
Put a clearly labelled bin next to the machine and tailor the instructions to the material. For paper capsules, check that a suitable local composting or collection option is available, in line with ADEME guidance.
A bean-to-cup machine makes drinks on demand, but the coffee grounds, parts that come into contact with milk and descaling still need attention.
Assign a person or rota to empty the containers, clean the relevant parts and follow the machine’s instructions.
The portafilter needs to be handled and cleaned between brews. The steam wand also needs cleaning if it’s used to prepare milk.
If several people are waiting for coffee at once, compare these steps with brewing a whole jug or using an automatic machine.
These examples show how different systems work; their features don’t apply to every model from each brand.
The AromaFresh Therm Pro X is an example of a filter coffee machine designed to make coffee for several people.
The models reviewed here suit two different needs: a range of drinks with the Series 3300, or pod coffee with the SENSEO Original XL.
The Vertuo models reviewed here make individual drinks in several sizes.
The Dedica Style EC685.M EX:4 is a manual espresso option for when worktop space is limited.
These Joybuy options include a bean-to-cup machine, capsule machines and a machine that combines espresso and filter coffee. Compare how they work with the number of people using your break room.
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A bean-to-cup machine to consider if several people want different drinks on demand. Plan to clean the parts that come into contact with milk and manage the coffee grounds. Check that its capacity will meet demand at busy times.
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This single-portion model could suit a break room where people come and go at different times. Its title lists a 600 ml reservoir and hot and cold settings. Before stocking up on consumables, check exactly which capsule systems are compatible and make sure there’s room for the cups people use at work.
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For individual coffees, Nespresso says this Vertuo Pop offers five cup sizes. The 0,6 L reservoir listed in the title means you’ll need to plan refills according to how many people use it. You’ll also need to manage your stock of Vertuo capsules and arrange for their collection.
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This capsule machine is designed for making one cup at a time rather than brewing a whole jug. Its title lists a 0,6 L reservoir, so plan for refills and check that the capsules you intend to buy are compatible.
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The combination of espresso and filter coffee could suit a small team that likes to switch between brewing styles. Before installing it in a break room, check the reservoir capacity, the space it needs and how the milk frother works. You’ll also need to rinse the parts you use.
Choose a machine that brews a whole jug if several people want a long coffee at the same time. A single-cup machine is better suited to people coming and going at different times or colleagues with different drink preferences. If you choose one, check how often it needs refilling and restocking.
A filter coffee machine uses ground coffee and, depending on the model, filters. A bean-to-cup machine needs coffee beans and suitable cleaning products. For single-portion systems, check that the capsules or pods are compatible. For manual espresso, check whether your chosen setup also needs a grinder or milk accessories.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the paper and packaging recycling bin, bag or container. Composting or food waste collection for paper capsules depends on what’s available locally. Put clear instructions near the machine, based on the portions you use.
No. You still need to manage the coffee grounds, clean the parts that come into contact with milk when used and follow the descaling instructions. For the Series 3300 reviewed here, Philips says the stated descaling interval depends on replacing the AquaClean filter when the machine prompts you to do so.
It’s best suited to a small number of people making coffee one after another, who are happy to handle and clean the portafilter. If several people want coffee during the same break, compare these steps with brewing a whole jug or using an automatic machine.