Start by choosing a machine based on the drinks you actually make, then consider the daily steps involved and how much maintenance you’re happy to take on. Next, check which coffee it takes, the capacity you need and how much space you have. A simple control or compact machine doesn’t necessarily make it suitable for a household with several coffee drinkers.
You’re looking for a straightforward way to make coffee with as few daily steps as possible. Pre-portioned coffee and some automatic controls may suit you, but it’s still worth comparing the consumables and maintenance involved. Que Choisir and manufacturers Philips and Nespresso outline some of the points to consider.
Your household makes several drinks at the same time. The water tank, grounds or capsule disposal and how easily you can make one drink after another matter just as much as the advertised features. Que Choisir and the product information from Nespresso and De’Longhi offer useful points of comparison.
You’d like to choose the coffee you use or prepare milk to suit your preferences, and you’re happy to adjust settings or take a few extra steps. Check the difference between choosing your coffee, adjusting the drink size and having milk prepared automatically. The models reviewed by Nespresso and De’Longhi illustrate different approaches.
Choose this if: you prefer pre-portioned coffee and want to switch between coffees from one cup to the next.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy capsules for every drink, and the system must suit the drinks you want to make.
Choose this if: you want black coffee with minimal fuss; some models can make two cups at once.
Bear in mind: soft pods aren’t interchangeable with portafilter or capsule systems.
Choose this if: you’re happy to prepare the filter and want to use ground coffee or, with a compatible model, E.S.E. pods.
Bear in mind: preparation and cleaning are part of the routine, and frothing milk may involve some manual work.
Choose this if: you want the machine to grind the beans before making your coffee.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to factor maintenance into your routine, and milk isn’t necessarily prepared automatically.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is most concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks and coffee choice | Check which drinks the machine makes and which coffee formats it’s compatible with. | If I want to choose my coffee and make the drinks I enjoy, I look at the recipes it actually offers and the system’s limitations. Around 20 % of consumers prioritise drinks and coffee choice. |
| Preparation and maintenance | Compare the steps involved in making coffee, cleaning the machine and putting things away after use. | When I make coffee every day, I want to know which steps I’ll need to repeat and which parts need looking after. Around 27 % of consumers put ease of use and maintenance first. |
| Running costs and consumables | Compare the compatible coffee and any consumables you’ll need over the same period and for similar use. | If I want to manage my day-to-day spending and easily find the right coffee, I check the cost per drink and how easy it is to buy. Around 27 % of consumers make these factors their priority. |
| Making drinks one after another | Check the water tank, capsule or grounds container, and how the machine handles making drinks in a row. | When serving several drinks in a row, I check the capacities and which steps need repeating rather than relying on a single feature. Around 13 % of consumers prioritise making drinks one after another. |
| Space and storage | Measure the space you have and check you can access removable parts and store your coffee. | If my worktop space is limited, I need to be able to fit the machine and reach the parts I use regularly. Around 13 % of consumers put how well the machine fits into their kitchen at the top of their list. |
Que Choisir highlights factors such as water tank capacity, ease of use and speed. To compare your options, start with the drinks you usually make, then consider the cost of consumables, maintenance and the space available.
The De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM220.20.W reviewed here has a traditional steam wand, so preparing milk requires manual input, even though the machine has controls for making coffee.
Check the milk system on the exact model you’re considering rather than relying on the number of drinks advertised.
Capsules add to the cost of every drink, and which coffee you can use depends on the system you choose.
Compare your expected use over the same period, and check that the coffee format you want is compatible with the model.
Cup sizes and the capacity of the capsule or grounds container also affect how the machine performs. A function that lets you pour two drinks doesn’t mean that every type of drink can be made at the same time.
Check cup sizes, the water tank, how waste is collected and the steps involved in making several drinks in a row.
When buying from a business in France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is separate from any optional commercial warranty. Service Public states that the fault must appear within two years of delivery.
Check who the seller is and distinguish your legal rights from any additional services on offer.
A useful reference for soft pod machines, illustrated by the SENSEO Original Plus CSA210/61.
A useful reference for understanding the difference between the Original and Vertuo systems; the Essenza Mini reviewed here uses the Original system.
The models reviewed here illustrate two approaches: the Dedica EC685.M portafilter machine and the Magnifica Start ECAM220.20.W automatic grinder machine.
This selection includes capsule machines, including Vertuo models, as well as machines with grinders for making coffee at home.
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Worth considering if you’d like to make coffee from beans with a grinder machine. The steam wand lets you froth milk manually.
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Worth considering if you switch between espresso and lungo with a capsule machine. The product information states that it’s compatible with Nespresso Original capsules; compatibility with other systems isn’t specified.
Pressure stated in the product name: 19 bar.
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Worth considering if you want a capsule machine that uses the Vertuo system. It’s listed as compatible with Vertuo capsules; compatibility with other systems isn’t specified.
Water tank capacity stated in the product name: 0.6 L.
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Worth considering if you want to use Vertuo capsules and have a separate milk frother. Froth the milk in the Aeroccino before adding it to your coffee.
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Worth considering if you want to make espresso and filter coffee in one machine, with a built-in grinder. The milk frother is manual, so you’ll need to operate it yourself.
No, these formats aren’t interchangeable by default. De’Longhi’s support information distinguishes E.S.E. pods, which are used with the appropriate filters in the Dedica EC685.M, from the Essenza Mini reviewed by Nespresso, which uses the Original system. Check which format is listed as compatible with your model.
Compare costs over the same period and for a similar number of drinks. Include the machine, coffee for the system, milk if you use it, and any maintenance consumables recommended in the instructions. The initial purchase price alone isn’t enough to compare the options.
Check whether milk is frothed manually, how to clean the steam wand and in what order to make the coffee and use the steam function. The Magnifica Start reviewed here has a traditional steam wand, while the Dedica EC685.M support information outlines, among other things, a boiler cooling procedure.
No. Follow the instructions for your specific model and take account of any settings for water hardness. Nespresso’s support information asks you to select the relevant model, as there isn’t one descaling schedule that suits every system.
The statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. According to Service Public, the fault must appear within two years of delivery. This guarantee is separate from any optional commercial warranty.