If your household often makes espresso, it may be worth considering an automatic bean-to-cup machine if you’re happy to make room for a larger appliance and keep up with its cleaning routine. UFC-Que Choisir reports that these machines cost more to buy, but the coffee works out cheaper per cup than with a single-serve system. Sticking with capsules or choosing soft coffee pods means you can avoid switching to whole beans, provided you check which formats are compatible and how much waste each drink creates. A portafilter machine is a better fit if you want to dose and prepare the coffee yourself. Bear in mind that it needs cleaning, and you’ll also need a grinder if you want to use beans.
If you’re thinking of moving on from capsules, compare the cost of drinks based on how much coffee you get through with the space and upkeep a grinder requires. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an espresso bean-to-cup machine takes up more room and makes more noise than a capsule system.
Whole beans or ground coffee mean you don’t use a capsule for every drink, but you’ll still have coffee grounds and coffee packaging to deal with. In France, ADEME says aluminium and plastic capsules can be recycled with paper and packaging. It also recommends avoiding individually packaged products where possible.
A portafilter lets you take a hands-on approach to making coffee, including measuring and tamping the grounds. Check whether the model uses ground coffee, accepts ESE pods or has a built-in grinder. If it doesn’t have a grinder, you’ll need to buy one separately to use whole beans.
Worth considering: if you regularly make espresso from whole beans without wanting to measure out every cup by hand.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir notes that these machines are noisier and bulkier than capsule machines, and need regular maintenance.
Worth considering: if you’d rather stick with ready-to-use portions than handle beans or ground coffee.
Bear in mind: each drink uses an individual capsule, and the format must be compatible with your machine.
Worth considering: if you want pre-portioned coffee without using a rigid capsule.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to find pods that fit your machine’s pod holder and maintain the machine, including descaling it.
Worth considering: if you want more control over dosing and preparing your espresso.
Bear in mind: making coffee and cleaning up involve more steps. Check whether you’ll need a grinder to use whole beans.
Once you’ve chosen how you want to make your coffee, compare the costs based on how many drinks you usually have. Then check what the machine will need from your worktop and your daily routine.
| Priority | What to check | Think about what you need |
|---|---|---|
| Running costs | Compare the cost of the machine, coffee per drink and compatible consumables, such as filters, descaler, cleaning products and parts. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the higher purchase price of a bean-to-cup machine and its lower coffee cost per cup compared with a pod espresso machine. | I make enough coffee for ongoing costs to matter. I want to work them out based on the coffee and portions I’d actually buy. |
| Maintenance | Check the model’s manual for instructions on rinsing the trays and brew group, descaling and maintaining the milk system. UFC-Que Choisir says the steam wand should be rinsed after making milk-based drinks. | A quick routine matters to me, especially if I also make drinks with milk. I want to know which parts need cleaning after use and which need periodic maintenance. |
| Space and noise | Measure the width, depth and height, and allow enough clearance to access the tanks and remove the trays. UFC-Que Choisir says a grinder is bulkier and noisier than a capsule system. | In a small kitchen or open-plan space, I need to be able to fill and clean the machine where it normally sits. The sound of the grinder may also matter, depending on when I make coffee. |
| Waste | Check what each drink leaves behind: coffee grounds, a capsule or pod, and the coffee packaging. In France, ADEME says aluminium and plastic capsules can be recycled with paper and packaging. Check your local arrangements for food waste. | If I want to avoid a packaged portion with every cup, whole beans or ground coffee meet that preference, but there will still be coffee grounds and packaging. |
| Coffee format | Check which beans, ground coffee, capsules or pods are accepted by the exact model. If you’re choosing a portafilter machine without a grinder, you’ll need a separate grinder to use whole beans. | I’d rather choose my own coffee, or stick with portions that are already measured out. The machine’s compatibility needs to suit the way I prefer to make coffee. |
Capsule machines and grinders spread costs differently. UFC-Que Choisir reports that a grinder costs more to buy, but the coffee costs less per cup than espresso pods.
Estimate how many drinks you’ll make over a year using the coffee or compatible portions you’d choose, then add the cost of maintenance products and any parts the model needs.
Filters, descaler, cleaning products and accessories should also be included in your calculations.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but leave too little room to fill the tank or remove a tray. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that a grinder is noisier and bulkier than a capsule machine.
Measure the space in all three dimensions and check that you can reach anything you need to fill or clean. If your kitchen is open-plan, take the noise of grinding into account.
In France, ADEME says aluminium and plastic capsules can be recycled with paper and packaging, but you’ll still use a capsule for every drink.
Compare the waste from each cup, then check your local guidance on disposing of coffee grounds and packaging. If you want to avoid individual portions, consider whole beans or ground coffee.
A grinder or portafilter machine needs its parts emptied and cleaned after use, as well as the maintenance recommended by the manufacturer. For bean-to-cup machines, UFC-Que Choisir recommends rinsing the trays regularly and descaling when prompted.
Read the manual for the model you’re considering. Check which parts are removable, which products you’ll need and what to do after making a drink with milk.
Remember to allow for the time needed to clean the machine and the maintenance products specific to that model.
These examples cover different types of machine. Always check the features and maintenance requirements of the specific model you’re considering.
De’Longhi offers bean-to-cup espresso machines and portafilter machines. The French support page for the Magnifica S Smart FEB2533.SB provides a product sheet, a quick start guide and an instruction manual.
Philips offers automatic grinders and SENSEO pod machines, with maintenance requirements varying by model.
Sage’s Barista Express is an example of a portafilter machine with a built-in grinder, suited to households that want more control over the coffee-making process.
Nespresso is worth considering if you want to stick with capsules while exploring collection options in France.
This Joybuy selection includes automatic grinders for switching to whole beans, a soft pod machine for sticking with pre-portioned coffee and a portafilter machine for a more hands-on approach. Compare their formats and maintenance requirements with your habits before choosing.
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An automatic grinder to consider if you want to make espresso from whole beans without having to measure out every cup by hand. Check how much space it needs and how to clean the brew group and milk system. If you plan to use an AquaClean filter, check the conditions of use and compatible consumables.
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This automatic grinder is suited to households that want to use whole beans while keeping coffee preparation simple. Remember to empty the grounds and follow the model’s maintenance instructions. Measure the space it will need, and consider the noise of grinding if your kitchen is open-plan.
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This option lets you keep making coffee with SENSEO pods rather than switching to whole beans. Check which pods are compatible, how much they cost per drink and the relevant disposal guidance. Pod machines also need descaling, as explained in the manual.
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This portafilter machine is a good fit if you want to make coffee more manually. The product listing says it works with ground coffee or ESE pods. If you want to use whole beans, you’ll need a separate grinder. Check the water tank capacity for the model being sold, and leave room to use and clean the portafilter.
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This automatic grinder is another option if you’re replacing capsules with espresso made from whole beans. Switching to a grinder means emptying the grounds and maintaining the machine. Check its dimensions, how noisy it is in use and which consumables it needs before deciding where to put it.
Compare the price of each machine, then factor in coffee and maintenance products based on how many drinks you make. UFC-Que Choisir reports that a grinder costs more to buy, while the coffee can cost less per cup than espresso pods. Do the sums using the beans, capsules or pods you’d actually buy.
Rinse the coffee grounds and drip trays regularly, clean the brew group or brewing chamber as instructed for your model, and descale the machine when prompted, following UFC-Que Choisir’s advice. Rinse the steam wand after making a milk-based drink. Check your model’s manual for the exact steps and products to use.
ADEME says aluminium and plastic capsules can go in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check the guidance for the material your capsules are made from, as well as your local arrangements for food waste. Recycling doesn’t remove the individual packaging used for each cup.
Yes. Descaling is part of maintaining a pod machine, and Philips SENSEO support provides instructions on how to do it. Follow the frequency, procedure and product recommendations in the manual for your exact model.