If you use capsules regularly and would like to choose your own beans, consider a bean-to-cup machine, provided you’re happy to empty and rinse its trays and keep up with descaling. Stick with a capsule or pod system if you value pre-portioned preparation more; choose a portafilter machine if you want to measure out the coffee yourself. If you mainly make several cups of filter coffee rather than espresso, a filter coffee machine is designed for a different kind of use.
How often you make coffee, the drinks you enjoy and how much time you’re willing to spend cleaning will help you choose more reliably than the name of the system alone.
If you make coffee almost every day and would like to choose your own beans, compare the day-to-day routine of a bean-to-cup machine with your current machine. Switching to beans means dealing with the used grounds, drip tray and descaling.
If you like to switch between espresso, longer coffees and milk-based drinks, check the recipes available on the specific variant you’re considering. A milk system adds parts to clean and extra steps to your routine.
If you prefer a ready-to-use portion and want to keep the steps involved in making each coffee to a minimum, capsules or pods are still worth considering. However, check the cleaning requirements and the space needed for the specific machine.
Start with the drinks you actually make, then consider how each format fits your available space and the cleaning tasks you’re happy to repeat.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your habits |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee format | Check which capsules or pods are compatible with the system you’re considering. For whole beans or ground coffee, look at how you fill the machine, measure the coffee and dispose of the used grounds. | I’d like to choose my own coffee rather than always use a pre-measured portion. Am I happy to fill the machine and empty the used grounds? |
| Cleaning and water | Check how easy it is to access the used-grounds and drip trays, the instructions for the brewing unit and the descaling programme. De’Longhi says that how often you need to descale depends on water hardness. | Daily coffee suits me, but I’ll need to fit rinsing the trays and descaling into my routine. |
| Milk-based drinks | Confirm which drinks the specific variant can make, then compare the steam wand, milk frother and milk system, including their cleaning instructions. | If I often make cappuccinos, cleaning the milk system will matter just as much as making the drink. |
| Packaging and recycling | Compare single-serve portions with the packaging used for whole beans or ground coffee, and remember to consider any other packaging involved. For capsules, check what they’re made from and the local recycling guidance; ADEME recommends avoiding mini-portions wherever possible. | I’d like to reduce individual packaging, while knowing what to do with the capsules or used grounds I actually produce. |
| Space and preparation | Measure the available space and check that you can access the water tank and compartments. With a portafilter machine, you’ll also need to measure out the coffee and clean up after making a drink. | In the morning, do I want to measure out the coffee myself, or stick with pre-portioned preparation? |
Milk-based drinks mean cleaning the wand or milk system as well as the machine itself. The parts and cleaning steps vary by model.
If you rarely make cappuccinos, compare a simple steam wand with an integrated milk system. If you’ll use it often, read the rinsing instructions and check which parts can be removed.
A capsule is still individual packaging. ADEME recommends avoiding mini-portioned products wherever possible; being able to recycle a capsule doesn’t make that packaging disappear.
Check what the capsules are made from and your local recycling guidance. If you’d like to avoid single portions, also consider whole beans or ground coffee in packaging suited to how much you drink.
Changing formats can affect how you fill the machine, make your drink and empty the used grounds. A machine may fit on your worktop, but you’ll also need to be able to reach it to carry out these tasks.
Measure the space you have in mind and check that you can open the water tank and compartments. If you’re considering a portafilter machine, factor in measuring the coffee and cleaning up after every brew.
These brands give you a starting point for comparing systems and cleaning instructions; the features of one model won’t necessarily apply across an entire range.
Worth exploring if you’re considering an automatic bean-to-cup machine and want to understand what’s involved in looking after it.
A useful reference when comparing some bean-to-cup machines with a milk frother and SENSEO pod machines.
A useful reference for households who want to keep using capsules and make sure they’re recycled correctly.
These models are for anyone switching from capsules to whole beans with an automatic machine. They don’t replace comparing capsules, pods, portafilter machines and filter coffee machines to find the right fit for your habits.
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A bean-to-cup option if you’re switching from capsules and would also like to make milk-based drinks. Check which drinks this variant can make and the cleaning instructions for the LatteGo system.
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If you’re looking for a routine that combines whole-bean coffee with milk-based drinks, confirm which recipes this variant offers and what’s involved in cleaning the milk system.
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A bean-to-cup machine to consider if you’d like to move on from capsules. For milk-based drinks, check how the steam wand works and how to clean it. Also measure your available space before choosing this model.
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If you’d like to make coffee with whole beans and enjoy milk-based drinks, compare the available recipes with your usual choices. Check the model’s instructions to find out how to clean the milk system.
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If you’re considering this model as an alternative to capsules, check which types of coffee it accepts and the available preparation settings. The product name lists a 1.7 L capacity and 1450 W power; also check the care instructions.
Check what the capsule is made from and the local guidance before throwing it away. ADEME explains that aluminium and plastic capsules can be recycled with packaging; Nespresso also recommends checking the label on your recycling bin or using another collection option where needed.
Follow the local arrangements for recycling food waste, whether that means composting or using a collection service. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition’s guidance on separating waste at source sets out the general approach; your local council can tell you what to do in your area.
At the very least, you’ll need to empty the used grounds, rinse the trays and follow the machine’s descaling programme. UFC-Que Choisir recommends rinsing the used-grounds and drip trays regularly; also check the instructions for the brewing unit and milk system, if there is one.
Yes. According to De’Longhi’s recommendations, how often you need to descale depends on water hardness. Before choosing a bean-to-cup machine, check the instructions for the specific variant, including water-related settings, compatible filters and the descaling process.
No. A steam wand or milk frother can also do the job if you’re happy to prepare the milk separately. If you often make milk-based drinks, focus on comparing the preparation steps and cleaning instructions for the specific system.