If you drink several espressos a day, start by deciding which coffee format you want to buy and how much preparation you’re happy to do: capsules or soft pods mean less preparation, a portafilter lets you measure and tamp the coffee yourself, while an automatic grinder uses whole beans without you having to prepare a portafilter for every cup. However, a grinder takes up space and needs regular maintenance. Before comparing running costs, consider the coffee and compatible consumables for each machine.
If several people make coffee one after another, capsules and soft pods save you from grinding and tamping coffee for every cup. The trade-off is that you’ll need to choose a format that works with your machine and keep it stocked.
If you drink several coffees a day, it’s worth comparing whole beans with individual portions. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that a machine with a grinder involves a higher upfront cost and more maintenance. Your choice also depends on the consumables you buy and your habits.
Choosing the ground coffee, measuring it and tamping it are all part of how you make an espresso? A portafilter gives you room to do these things by hand. De'Longhi recommends this type of machine for this approach, which also means emptying and cleaning the filter.
When you’re making several espressos a day, the main considerations are how much preparation is involved, how freely you can choose your coffee and what maintenance is required. The four systems below suit these priorities in different ways.
Worth considering: if you want to make each cup with minimal effort.
Bear in mind: the coffees you can choose from depend on the exact capsule system. For example, Original and Vertuo capsules are not interchangeable.
Worth considering: if you want one-touch brewing with a soft-pod system.
Bear in mind: a soft pod is not a substitute for a hard capsule; the format must fit the pod holder.
Worth considering: if you want to choose your ground coffee and control the dose and tamping.
Bear in mind: each brew and cleaning the filter involve more steps.
Worth considering: if you want to use whole beans without filling a portafilter for every coffee.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, these machines take up more space and make more noise than capsule systems. They still need to be cleaned.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Speed and ease of use | Check how many steps are involved per cup and whether the model can make one or two cups at a time. | When coffees are being made one after another at home, I want to keep handling to a minimum without having to change my routine for every cup. Around 34% of consumers would prioritise this simplicity. |
| Ongoing costs | Compare the coffee you’ll actually buy and the compatible consumables, based on a similar volume of drink. | If I make several espressos every day, repeated purchases of coffee and cleaning products factor into my choice. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise running costs. |
| Coffee choice and control | For a portafilter, check which filters are included and whether it’s compatible with ESE pods; for a grinder, look at the model’s settings. | I like choosing my ground coffee and controlling how it’s made, even if it takes longer. Around 20% of consumers would put this freedom ahead of other considerations. |
| Space and maintenance | Measure the space needed to access the water tanks and check the manual for rinsing and descaling instructions. | In a kitchen where space is limited, I need to be able to fill and clean the machine easily, while being prepared for the noise it makes. Around 13% of consumers would put these practical considerations first. |
Hard capsules, soft pods and ESE pods are not interchangeable. Nespresso, for example, specifies that the Vertuo Up uses Vertuo capsules only. Whether a portafilter accepts ESE pods depends on the model.
Decide which coffee you want to buy, then check the format accepted in the product details and manual for the specific machine.
A grinder saves you from preparing a portafilter by hand, but the trays and brewing system still need attention, as do the brewing unit and parts that come into contact with milk, depending on the model.
Before you buy, check the manual to see what rinsing, cleaning and descaling are required.
Depending on the model and how you use it, filter cartridges or descaling products may also be part of your routine.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights an indicative cost difference between beans and capsules, but that doesn’t mean a grinder will suit every household better. The coffee you choose, consumables and how often you use the machine all affect the result.
Compare drinks of a similar size and estimate what you’ll spend on coffee and maintenance products based on your usual consumption.
You also need to be able to fill and clean an appliance where it’s positioned. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that grinders are larger and noisier than capsule systems.
Check the width, depth, clearance beneath cupboards and space needed to remove the water tanks and trays.
The brand offers Original and Vertuo capsule systems, among others. Consider them separately when choosing a machine.
Senseo machines use soft pods and are aimed at households that favour one-touch brewing.
The range includes manual portafilter machines and automatic models with grinders. One key difference is how much involvement you want in the brewing process.
Philips automatic machines with grinders are designed for households that want to make coffee from whole beans without handling a portafilter for every cup.
These models show different ways to make coffee every day: an automatic grinder for whole beans, capsules to keep preparation simple, a portafilter for hands-on brewing, or a machine with adapters for different formats, subject to compatibility.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to make several coffees from whole beans without filling a portafilter for every cup. Check the manual for details on maintaining the LatteGo system and using the AquaClean filter.
Image unavailable
A grinder option for a household that uses whole beans and regularly makes espressos. If you’d also like to froth milk, factor in the preparation steps and cleaning the steam wand after use.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to keep preparation simple and are looking for a compact capsule machine. Check that the coffees you plan to buy are made for the Nespresso Original system, not Vertuo.
Image unavailable
For choosing your ground coffee and controlling how it’s prepared in the portafilter. Before buying, check which filters are included, whether it’s compatible with ESE pods if that matters to you, and the water tank capacity. Remember to rinse the filter after use.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to switch between different coffee formats using adapters. Before relying on this versatility, check which adapters are included, exactly which formats are compatible and whether there’s enough room for your cup.
No: compatibility depends on the exact system. Nespresso, for example, states that the Vertuo Up takes Nespresso Vertuo capsules only. Check both the machine range and the capsule range before choosing.
Yes, if the model and its filter are designed for ESE pods. De'Longhi lists this as an option for compatible portafilter machines. Check the manual and see which filters are included with the machine you’re considering.
No. Even when coffee preparation is automated, the trays and relevant components need cleaning, and descaling may still be necessary. Parts that come into contact with milk need particular attention after use. Follow the instructions for your model.
Not necessarily for your household. UFC-Que Choisir gives an indicative cost per cup that is lower for whole beans than for capsules, but the overall cost also depends on the machine, the coffee you buy, maintenance products and how many cups you make. Compare these factors based on how you’ll actually use it.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the paper and packaging recycling. Check local guidance for capsules made from other materials. A machine that’s no longer working should be taken to an electrical and electronic equipment collection point: use a take-back service or a suitable collection point.