If you make several coffees a day, a bean-to-cup machine could suit a household that wants to use coffee beans and is happy to make room for the machine and keep up with regular maintenance. Capsules or soft pods mean less preparation, as long as you choose the right system. A portafilter machine is better suited to those who want to measure out and prepare each coffee themselves. Check the capacity and cleaning routine for the specific model.
If you serve several cups a day, consider how much coffee or how many portions you’ll need, the capacity of the tanks and how often they need refilling. Ease of maintenance also matters when the machine gets regular use.
Pre-portioned coffee can make preparation easier. If several people use the machine around the same time, also check whether it can make successive cups and what needs to be done between coffees.
A grinder lets you make coffee from whole beans, while a portafilter leaves more of the measuring and preparation to you. Either way, choose a machine with settings and cleaning requirements you’re happy to manage.
For a household that serves several coffees a day, first decide how you want to prepare each cup, then check the capacity and cleaning routine of the model you’re considering.
Consider it if: you want to make coffee from beans regularly.
Be prepared for: a machine that may take up a fair amount of space, along with rinsing, cleaning and descaling as required by the model.
Consider them if: you prefer ready-to-use portions and minimal preparation.
Be prepared for: choosing capsules that work with your machine’s system and dealing with used capsules.
Consider them if: you want pre-portioned coffee in a soft pod format.
Be prepared for: choosing pods that are explicitly compatible with the machine you select.
Consider it if: you want to measure out ground coffee and have a hands-on role in making each cup.
Be prepared for: more steps between coffees, including emptying and cleaning the portafilter.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday consumables | The coffee format you need and the cleaning products required by the model. | When we’re making lots of cups, I want to plan how much coffee and how many consumables we’ll need to replace. Around 31% of consumers put keeping track of consumables first. |
| Speed and simplicity | How long the machine takes to heat up and what’s involved in making several cups one after another. | If everyone makes coffee at around the same time, I’d rather keep waiting and preparation to a minimum. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Choice of coffee | The coffees and settings available, or the exact capsule or pod system. | I want to choose my beans or ground coffee rather than pick a portion in a set format. Around 25% of consumers put coffee choice ahead of other considerations. |
| Cleaning and space | How easy it is to reach the parts that need cleaning and the machine’s dimensions; for capsule machines, check what collection options are available. | In a shared kitchen, I need to be able to set up and clean the machine without making the household routine more complicated. Around 19% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
When you make several coffees a day, coffee, portions and cleaning products all become part of your routine, whatever system you choose.
Start with the number of cups your household usually makes and note the consumables needed for the machine you’re considering.
A capsule labelled as compatible with Nespresso and a pod labelled as compatible with Senseo are for different systems, as the products listed by Carrefour France show.
Check the exact name of your machine and the compatibility information on each pack before buying several.
De’Longhi and JURA’s guidance covers cleaning and descaling. The steps involved vary by machine and any milk functions it may have.
Check the manual for your model to see which parts need rinsing, which alerts to follow and which products you’ll need.
According to ADEME, a capsule put in household waste follows the waste treatment process for that waste; it should not be considered recycled.
If waste disposal is an important factor in your choice, check your local council’s guidance and the collection options for the system you choose.
De’Longhi offers, among other products, manual espresso machines and automatic bean-to-cup machines.
Philips offers automatic coffee machines and support information for a range of coffee systems.
JURA is worth considering if you’re looking for an automatic machine with maintenance programmes and alerts.
Krups is one brand to consider when looking at bean-to-cup machines, including the Intuition Essential EA870810, which came up in model research.
This selection of home coffee machines includes bean-to-cup models and a Vertuo capsule machine. Compare how each one makes coffee and what that means for your household.
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Worth considering if your household wants an automatic bean-to-cup machine and also makes milk-based drinks. Before choosing this model, check what’s involved in maintaining the milk system and how much space you’ll need.
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This bean-to-cup machine is suited to households looking for automatic coffee preparation. If several people are waiting for coffee at once, check how it handles successive cups and what the cleaning routine involves for this model.
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This automatic machine with a grinder is worth considering if you want to make coffee from beans. If it’ll be used regularly in your kitchen, check its dimensions and the cleaning steps set out in the manual.
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This automatic machine is designed for making coffee from beans at home. If your household often serves milk-based drinks, check what’s involved in making them and cleaning the steam wand.
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This Vertuo capsule machine is a good fit if you prefer pre-portioned coffee. Its 0,6 L tank is worth bearing in mind if you regularly serve several coffees. Also check that the capsules you’re considering are compatible with the Vertuo system.
No. It’s best suited to a household that wants to use beans and is happy to make room for the machine and keep up with the maintenance it requires. If you’re making several coffees close together, also check the capacity and what needs to be done between brews on the specific model.
No. Capsules and pods are designed for specific systems. Carrefour France, for example, lists products labelled as compatible with Nespresso and others compatible with Senseo. Check that the consumable matches the requirements of your machine.
You’ll need to empty and clean the accessible parts, and follow the cleaning or descaling cycles recommended for your model. If the machine makes milk-based drinks, also check the manual for instructions on cleaning the milk system.
No, you shouldn’t assume so. According to ADEME, capsules put in household waste follow the waste treatment process for that waste. Check your local council’s guidance and collection options before deciding how to dispose of them.