Busy households with varied tastes
If several people make coffee throughout the day, a capsule or pod machine means less to do. Just check that the system offers the coffees and drink sizes everyone wants.
Which type suits your household?
Households that make coffee regularly
A grinder lets you choose your beans and make drinks with freshly ground coffee. It’s worth considering if everyone is interested in adjusting the settings and happy to take on the maintenance.
Fans of hands-on coffee making
With a portafilter machine, you add and tamp the ground coffee before brewing, as described by De’Longhi France for its manual machines. This approach works best if everyone involved is happy to take part each time a drink is made.
What sets these machines apart?
For a machine everyone will share, start with the steps each person is happy to do every day. Then look at the drinks it can make, the consumables it uses and the maintenance required for that particular model.
Capsules
Worth considering: when several people want pre-measured coffee with minimal effort.
Bear in mind: the coffees available depend on which capsule format the machine accepts.
Soft coffee pods
Worth considering: if an easy-to-make coffee is the priority, particularly a longer drink.
Bear in mind: compatible pods and drink sizes vary by system and model.
Portafilter
Worth considering: if users want to measure and tamp the ground coffee themselves.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to do this for every drink, then clean the portafilter.
Bean-to-cup
Worth considering: for a household that makes coffee regularly and wants to choose its own beans.
Bear in mind: the grounds container, internal circuits and other parts listed in the instructions will need maintenance.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Making coffee for several people | Steps needed for each cup; tank capacity; whether the model can make two cups at once. | In the morning, several people need to be able to make a coffee without a long wait or having to learn a complicated process. |
| Choice of drinks | Available drink sizes; easy-to-use settings; drinks you can make without an extra accessory. | I switch between short and long coffees, while other people at home prefer their own settings. |
| Choice of coffee | The exact capsule or pod format; coffees available in that format; whether the machine accepts beans or ground coffee. | If our tastes change, I want to know which coffees we’ll still be able to use with the machine. |
| Maintenance | Access to the tank and containers; rinsing and cleaning requirements; descaling guidance for your water and usage. | A machine used every day needs to be easy for everyone to clean. |
| Waste | Capsule material; recycling instructions; whether individual portions are wrapped separately. | I want to know what to do with used portions, or choose beans or ground coffee if I’d rather avoid individual packaging. |
What should you look out for before buying?
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Assuming all capsules are compatible
Capsule machines use a specific format, so two boxes of coffee that look similar won’t necessarily work in the same machine.
Check which system the model accepts and what coffees are available in that format before choosing your machine.
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Assuming automatic preparation means no maintenance
Limescale can affect temperature and pressure, warns UFC-Que Choisir. Containers and tanks also need cleaning, including on machines that use pre-measured portions.
Check the instructions to find out how to access the parts that need cleaning, and what rinsing and descaling are required.
Allow time for these tasks and check whether the model uses a filter cartridge.
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Choosing a grinder without considering the daily routine
A grinder avoids individual portions, but you’ll still need to empty the grounds container and follow the machine’s cleaning instructions.
Before choosing this type, make sure the people who’ll use the machine are happy to do these tasks and genuinely want to use beans.
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Putting all capsules in the same recycling stream
In France, ADEME distinguishes between aluminium or plastic capsules and paper capsules when it comes to disposal after use.
Check the recycling label (Info-tri): ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the packaging recycling stream. Paper capsules can be composted or collected with food waste, depending on the local services available.
A few brands to help you compare systems
These examples represent different types of machine; features vary from one model to another.
Nespresso
A useful example of a capsule system, particularly the Vertuo range.
- The machine and capsules must use the same system.
- Don’t assume a capsule in a different format will work in your chosen model.
SENSEO / Philips
An example of a soft pod system for making coffee at home.
- Philips says its SENSEO HD7817/01 model can make one or two cups.
- Check which pods the specific model you’re considering accepts and what drinks it can make.
De’Longhi
In France, the brand offers bean-to-cup machines as well as manual portafilter machines.
- According to De’Longhi France, its ranges show the difference between a machine that grinds the beans for you and one where you fill and tamp the portafilter yourself.
- Drinks, settings and maintenance requirements depend on the model you choose.
Coffee machines available on Joybuy
These models include bean-to-cup machines, capsule machines and machines that accept ground coffee, including a multi-format model. Compare each one with the habits of everyone who’ll be sharing it.
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Philips EP2230/10 Series 2200 LatteGo with grinder
For a household that wants to make coffee from beans, this model combines a grinder with the LatteGo range. Check the instructions for available drinks and maintenance requirements before choosing it for shared use.
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HiBREW H16 automatic machine with grinder, milk system and 6 drinks
If everyone at home wants to try different drinks without switching to a manual portafilter machine, this model offers six drinks, a grinder, a milk system and touch controls. Check the instructions for cleaning requirements for the milk system and grinder.
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Nespresso Vertuo ENV90.B Vertuo Pop, black, 0.6 L
This Vertuo capsule machine is a good fit for anyone who prefers pre-measured coffee. Its tank capacity is listed as 0.6 L, so bear in mind that you may need to refill it if you’re making several coffees in a row. Check that Vertuo capsules suit everyone’s tastes, too.
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HiBREW H2B 5-in-1, capsules, E.S.E. pods and ground coffee, 19 bar
This multi-format machine could suit a household where everyone prefers a different kind of coffee. The product title lists DG, Nes and E.S.E. formats, ground coffee, and hot and cold modes. Check exactly which adaptors and formats it accepts before buying.
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HiBREW H13A 3-in-1 semi-automatic machine, 20 bar
This semi-automatic model is designed for users who are happy to take part in making their coffee. It’s described as suitable for ground coffee, espresso and milk-based drinks. Check the instructions to see what’s involved in making each drink and cleaning the milk system.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to take used coffee capsules back to a shop in France?
Not necessarily. ADEME says aluminium and plastic capsules should go in the paper and packaging recycling stream. Paper capsules can be composted or collected with food waste if a suitable local service is available; check the product’s recycling label, too.
How often should you descale a coffee machine?
It depends on the water you use and how many coffees you make. UFC-Que Choisir recommends descaling on average every two to three months. Always follow your machine’s instructions and maintenance alerts first.