If you make several cups of filter coffee at once, consider a filter coffee machine. For a quick single cup, compare pod machines and the cost of compatible pods. If you regularly drink espresso, weigh up a bean-to-cup machine and a manual espresso machine based on your budget and how much maintenance you’re prepared to do. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing according to how you’ll use it and your budget: no type is automatically the cheapest for everyone.
You regularly make several coffees and want to compare the cost of consumables per cup, without paying for features you’re unlikely to use. UFC-Que Choisir and Melitta France both cover factors such as how a machine is used and its capacity.
You’re comparing beans and ground coffee for frequent espresso-making, while considering both the initial outlay and the maintenance involved. UFC-Que Choisir, Philips France and De’Longhi France provide information on aspects of these uses.
You want a simple way to make an individual cup, while keeping an eye on the cost of pods and whether they’re compatible. Nespresso’s French product page describes the system used by the Essenza Mini mentioned here.
Choose one if: you make several long coffees at once and want to control how much ground coffee you use.
What to consider: include the cost of coffee and filters, as well as cleaning the jug, in your comparison.
Choose one if: you prefer individual cups and a pre-measured serving.
What to consider: the cost depends on how many pods you use and whether they’re compatible with the machine’s system.
Choose one if: you regularly drink espresso made from beans and want an automated preparation process.
What to consider: UFC-Que Choisir notes that some bean-to-cup machines are noisier and take up more space than certain pod machines or filter coffee machines. Maintenance is also part of the picture.
Choose one if: you want to make espresso with ground coffee and use a portafilter.
What to consider: filling the portafilter and cleaning it after brewing require manual effort; this option doesn’t include an integrated grinder.
To compare these options, use the same time period and number of cups for each, then add together the cost of the machine, coffee or compatible pods, any filters required and planned maintenance.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost of coffee | Compare spending over the same period and for the same number of cups. Include coffee, pods or filters, as well as planned maintenance. | If I regularly make several coffees, I want to compare the total cost rather than just the price of the machine. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the total cost per cup. |
| Speed and simplicity | Check the steps involved before and after each cup, the water tank capacity and how long it takes to make several coffees in a row. | For a single cup, I want to keep handling to a minimum without losing sight of the cost of pods. Speed and simplicity are priorities for around 27% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and repairs | Check the model’s instructions for cleaning and descaling, and find out which parts are available for that specific model. | If I want to keep maintenance to a minimum and have the option of getting the machine repaired, I check the required tasks and available parts before choosing. Around 20% of consumers put this at the top of their list. |
| Drinks and control over preparation | Decide whether you prefer larger quantities of filter coffee or individual espressos, then check which drinks and formats the exact model supports. | When the type of coffee and how it’s made matter most, I check compatible formats and the steps involved. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
The cost of pods, coffee, filters and maintenance is on top of the purchase price, and the total depends on how much you actually use the machine. UFC-Que Choisir advises choosing according to your needs and budget.
Compare all costs over the same period and for the same number of cups, using consumables that are compatible with each model.
The Essenza Mini mentioned by Nespresso France is compatible with the Original system, which is different from Vertuo. E.S.E. pods, listed for some manual machines, are another format entirely.
Check the full model number and the format it accepts before estimating the cost of pods.
Bean-to-cup machines need to be cleaned and descaled. Philips support information for the EP2220/10 includes instructions for maintaining the brew group.
Check the instructions for your chosen model, along with the cleaning products and parts you’ll need.
The De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685.W EX:4 is a manual machine designed for ground coffee and, according to the manufacturer’s support information, E.S.E. pods. It doesn’t work like a bean-to-cup machine with an integrated grinder.
If you buy beans, you’ll need to grind them. Otherwise, check which ground coffee or compatible pods to use, and what cleaning is involved after making a drink.
The models mentioned here illustrate formats and features to check for each individual machine. Their inclusion doesn’t guarantee that they’re available across every range.
Worth considering if you want to make several cups of filter coffee in a jug. Melitta France describes the EasyTop 1023-04 as a filter coffee machine with a 1x4 filter and a capacity of up to 10 cups.
Worth considering for individual espresso or lungo drinks made with capsules. The French product page for the Essenza Mini Crème Mat covers the Original system.
Worth considering for automatic espresso made from beans. According to Philips France, the 2200 Series EP2220/10 combines an integrated grinder with a selection of drinks on the display.
Worth considering for espresso made with a portafilter. The Dedica Style EC685.W EX:4 is a manual model that uses ground coffee and, according to the manufacturer’s support information, E.S.E. pods.
This selection includes filter coffee machines, pod or capsule machines, and bean-to-cup espresso machines, so you can compare different ways of making coffee and their running costs.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you make one or two cups at a time and want to save your preferred drink volume.
SENSEO pods; 1,2 L water tank; single or double pod holder; automatic shut-off.
Remember to include the cost of compatible pods when working out the cost per cup.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you regularly make espresso from beans and want to select drinks at the touch of a button.
Grinder with 12 settings; 1,8 L water tank; 275 g bean hopper; removable brew group.
The AquaClean filter is listed as not included. The claim of up to 5 000 cups before descaling depends on this accessory.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you make several long coffees in a jug and want to control how much ground coffee you use.
Graduated glass jug; removable filter holder; Melitta 1x4 filters.
The product details recommend Melitta 1x4 filters and advise following this recommendation to avoid problems with the machine.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to use beans or ground coffee and don’t mind handling and cleaning a portafilter.
Conical grinder with 16 settings; 2,2 L water tank; portafilter and steam wand.
Using the portafilter means cleaning it after brewing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you make individual espresso or lungo drinks with straightforward portioning.
Nespresso Original system; removable 0,6 L water tank; two programmable cup sizes; stated power of 1200 W.
The product details list compatibility with Nespresso Original or compatible capsules, and exclude other capsules and loose coffee.
Estimate how many cups you drink over a representative period, then use the same figure for each option. Add the purchase price, coffee portions, any filters required and planned maintenance. Repeat the calculation if your routine or preferred type of coffee changes. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing according to how you’ll use the machine and your budget: there’s no universal break-even point for every household.
No. The French product page for the Essenza Mini mentioned here lists compatibility with Original, a system that’s separate from Vertuo. Check the exact system used by the machine and the capsules before comparing costs.
Follow the instructions for the specific model. Philips support information for the EP2220/10 covers cleaning, descaling and brew group maintenance. De’Longhi support information for the Dedica covers cleaning, descaling and steam wand maintenance separately. The tasks required depend on the model and how you use it.
Coffee machines aren’t included in the mandatory categories listed by the French Ministry of the Economy on its page dated 18 August 2026. To compare how repairable they are, check which parts are available and what servicing is offered for the specific model.
The government page dated 11 September 2026 includes coffee machines among the appliances covered, subject to conditions. These include having the repair carried out outside the warranty period by an approved repairer. Check that the repair qualifies before factoring it into your budget.