For someone who mainly makes one cup at a time
If you prefer to make one cup at a time with minimal fuss, capsules or coffee pods are worth considering. Check which format the machine takes and what drinks it can make before choosing.
Which type of machine suits each need?
Start by thinking about how many cups you need to serve and how hands-on you want to be.
For a household that regularly uses whole beans
An automatic machine with a grinder lets you make espresso from whole beans with less hands-on preparation. It’s a better fit if you’re also happy to clean and descale it, and have enough space for it.
For hosts serving several long coffees
If your guests like to enjoy long coffee together, a filter coffee machine with a suitable capacity lets you brew a full pot instead of making one cup after another. If serving is spread over time, check what type of jug it has.
What sets these machines apart?
Start with the type of drink and how many people you’ll be serving, then consider the cleaning involved and the space available in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| How you serve | Compare the cup-by-cup preparation of capsule and espresso machines with the capacity of a filter coffee jug. If you entertain, check how many cups the specific model is designed to make. | Do I mainly make one cup to order, or would I rather serve long coffee to several people at once? |
| Drinks and preparation | Check the drinks available, the settings and whether it has a steam wand or milk system. A manual espresso machine requires you to get involved in the preparation. | Some of us like an espresso adjusted to our taste; others want a milky drink or prefer to make their coffee themselves. |
| Consumables | Check which capsule or pod format the machine takes, or which coffee and filters it needs. Make sure the consumables for your chosen system suit your regular routine. | I want to be able to get the right refills without changing how I usually make coffee. |
| Cleaning | Check the instructions for rinsing, the parts that need cleaning and descaling. For milky drinks, look separately at how to care for the steam wand or milk jug. According to De’Longhi France, how often you need to descale depends in part on water hardness. | A quick routine matters to me. If I choose a grinder or milk system, I need to be able to follow its care instructions. |
| Space and noise | Measure the available space, including room to fill the water tank. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a bean-to-cup espresso machine takes up more space and makes more noise than a capsule machine or filter coffee machine. | Is my kitchen compact, or could the noise of the machine disturb others in the morning? |
| Making coffee without an electric machine | For a moka pot, check the heat source it needs, its size and the instructions for use. It requires manual preparation and doesn’t offer programmed recipes. | I prefer to make coffee myself and don’t need a drink to start at the touch of a button. |
What should you watch out for before choosing?
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Choosing a system without checking its consumables
A capsule machine means choosing refills that are compatible with its system. A filter coffee machine or grinder involves different preparation steps and cleaning products. These differences matter when you use the machine every day.
Check the format it takes and the care required for the model, then consider how many drinks you usually make.
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Assuming a milk function cleans itself
A steam wand or milk jug means there are extra parts to look after. Even if the machine has a cleaning programme, the steps you need to take depend on the model.
Check the instructions for rinsing after making milky drinks, removable parts and how to wash them.
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Confusing coffee for sharing with individual drinks
A filter coffee jug is suited to serving long coffee to a group; espresso machines make drinks one at a time. Melitta France offers both small filter coffee makers and models advertised as making 10 cups.
Think about what your guests like to drink, then check the stated capacity and the type of jug on the model you’re considering.
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Assuming the same recycling instructions apply to all capsules
Collection options depend on the system you use and where you live. Nespresso France lists more than 2,000 collection points in France for its capsules; this doesn’t apply to other formats.
Check the guidance for your capsules and the collection options available near you.
Which brands should you consider for each system?
These brands represent different types of machine. Always check the features mentioned on the specific model you’re considering.
Nespresso
Worth considering if you’re looking at a capsule system and want to find out how to recycle the capsules after use.
- Nespresso France lists more than 2,000 collection points for its capsules in France.
- Check which format the machine takes and what collection options are available for your capsules.
De’Longhi
The brand offers bean-to-cup espresso machines and manual espresso machines, giving you two different levels of involvement in the preparation.
- De’Longhi France explains that users prepare the coffee themselves with its manual machines.
- For a bean-to-cup espresso machine, the brand says how often you need to descale depends in part on water hardness. Check the instructions for the model you choose.
Philips
Some Philips automatic machines combine coffee and milk recipes with the ability to save preferences.
- Philips France says the 5500 Series EP5543/90 model has four user profiles.
- Recipes, profiles and milk system components vary by model, so check how they need to be cleaned too.
Melitta
Its filter coffee machines come in a range of capacities, from smaller options for one person to larger models for a group.
- Melitta France offers compact sizes as well as filter coffee machines advertised as making 10 cups.
- Check the capacity, type of jug and features of the specific model rather than assuming they’re the same across the range.
Bialetti
The Moka Express is a manual coffee maker that needs a heat source.
- Bialetti France says the Moka Express should be rinsed with water, following its instructions for use.
- Choose a size to suit the number of cups you need and check which heat sources it can be used with. This coffee maker doesn’t prepare programmed recipes.
Automatic and manual coffee machines on Joybuy
These models are mainly for making coffee automatically, particularly from whole beans, alongside a manual espresso machine for those who want to be more hands-on. If you’re entertaining, consider how their features match the number of drinks you need to serve and your guests’ preferences.
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De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM220.21.WW, white
Worth considering if you want to make coffee from whole beans every day. If you also make milky drinks or serve two people, check the steps involved and the care instructions for this model.
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De’Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.140.B, black
This automatic espresso machine with grinder is for anyone who wants to use whole beans without doing every step by hand. If you also serve milky drinks, check the instructions for how to make them and clean the machine afterwards.
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Krups EA82F0 automatic coffee machine, 1.7 L, 1,450 W
An automatic model to consider for everyday coffee and cups made to order. Check the cleaning and descaling routine in the instructions before making it part of your daily routine.
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De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685.BK, 15 bar
Consider this model if you’d rather make espresso with a portafilter than rely on a mostly automatic process. Milky drinks also involve frothing the milk and cleaning the steam wand. Check the water tank capacity for this variant before buying.
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De’Longhi Magnifica Evo LatteCrema ECAM290.61.B
This automatic LatteCrema model is worth considering if your household also enjoys milky drinks. Check which drinks are available on this variant and read the instructions for cleaning the milk system.
Frequently asked questions
Capsules or a grinder: which should you choose for everyday coffee?
Choose capsules if you mainly make one cup to order and want to keep things simple. Consider a grinder if you want to use whole beans and adjust your drinks to taste. Either way, check which consumables you’ll need and what care the specific model requires.
Is a milk function enough to serve cappuccinos to guests?
Not necessarily. Check which drinks the machine can actually make, whether it has a steam wand or milk jug, and what you need to do between drinks. With a manual machine, you’ll need to froth the milk yourself. An automatic milk system also needs to be maintained according to its instructions.
What maintenance does a machine with a grinder need?
Clean the parts listed in the instructions and descale the machine as directed for that model. De’Longhi France says how often descaling is needed depends in part on water hardness, so don’t assume the same schedule applies to every machine.
Does the legal guarantee of conformity cover a refurbished coffee machine in France?
Yes. The French Ministry of the Economy says the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. If a product doesn’t conform, keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller.