If you make espresso regularly, a bean-to-cup machine is worth considering if you have room for it and are happy to keep it clean. A portafilter machine is a better fit if you want to be hands-on with the brewing process. UFC-Que Choisir says coffee from a grinder costs less per cup than pod espresso, while capsules and pods prioritise convenience. If you mainly drink large mugs of filter coffee, consider a filter coffee maker as a separate option.
How often you drink coffee isn’t the only thing to consider. The type of drink you enjoy and how much effort you’re happy to put in each day also matter.
If you often make short coffees, compare a bean-to-cup machine and a portafilter machine with capsules over the long term. A bean-to-cup machine automates some of the preparation, while a portafilter lets you measure and handle the coffee yourself. Both require some maintenance.
If you want to make one cup at a time without grinding or measuring coffee, consider capsule and pod machines. Check which pods or capsules are compatible, then find out what you need to do to empty, clean and descale the machine.
If you switch between espresso, milk-based drinks and larger cups, start with the drinks you actually make. Check the milk system and how to clean it. If filter coffee is your usual choice, a filter coffee maker may be better suited to that particular need.
First, choose the type of coffee you make most often. Then compare the machines based on the coffee supplies and maintenance you’re happy to deal with each day.
Consider it: if you drink espresso regularly, want to choose your own beans and would like the machine to automate the preparation.
Bear in mind: it takes up more space, the grinder makes noise, and accessible parts need regular cleaning.
Consider them: for making individual cups quickly with minimal effort.
Bear in mind: your choice of coffee depends on the compatible system, and supplies cost more than beans or ground coffee, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Consider them: if you prefer individually pre-measured coffee to using a grinder or portafilter yourself.
Bear in mind: the drinks you can make depend on the pod system you choose, and you’ll need one pod per cup.
Consider it: if you want to make espresso with ground coffee and control how much you use.
Bear in mind: it takes more effort to use and clean than a machine that uses pre-measured coffee.
Consider it: if you mainly serve filter coffee, particularly in large mugs.
Bear in mind: it’s designed for a different purpose from a machine made mainly for espresso.
| Feature | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks you make | Check which drinks the specific model can make, whether it accommodates larger cups, and whether it has a milk system if you need one. | Do I mainly drink espresso, or do I regularly serve filter coffee? If I often make cappuccinos, cleaning the milk system matters too. |
| Running costs | Based on how many cups you usually drink, compare the machine, coffee or compatible supplies, and cleaning products. UFC-Que Choisir found that a bean-to-cup machine costs less per cup than pod espresso; the difference depends on what you buy. | If I drink several coffees a day, I want to look beyond the machine’s initial price. If I use it less often, convenience may matter more in my decision. |
| Choice of coffee | Check whether the machine uses beans, ground coffee, capsules or pods, and confirm which specific supplies are compatible. | Would I like the freedom to switch between different coffees, or would I prefer pre-measured drinks without having to measure each portion? |
| Maintenance | Check the manual for instructions on rinsing the trays, accessing the brewing unit, descaling and cleaning the milk system. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the trays and brewing chamber in a bean-to-cup machine need regular rinsing. | If I make coffee every day, the maintenance should fit the amount of time I’m happy to spend on it. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available, including the room needed to fill the machine. For a grinder, also consider noise and vibration: these are included in UFC-Que Choisir’s 2026 testing protocol. | Is my kitchen small, or do I make coffee when other people are sleeping nearby? |
| Disposable supplies | Check the material used for the capsules or pods and your local recycling instructions. Recyclable and suitable for home composting don’t mean the same thing. | If I choose single-serve portions, I want to know exactly where to dispose of them after each coffee. |
If you drink several cups a day, the ongoing cost of buying capsules can make a noticeable difference. UFC-Que Choisir found that capsules cost more per cup than beans or ground coffee.
Work out how much you usually drink using the specific coffee products you really expect to buy, then factor in the maintenance each system needs.
Automatic rinsing doesn’t replace cleaning the trays and accessible parts. Milk-based drinks also mean there’s a milk system or nozzle to clean, depending on the model.
Before buying, check the manual for descaling, access to the brewing chamber and what you need to do after making a milky drink.
Allow time for these tasks too, and check which cleaning products or filters the model requires.
These disposal instructions aren’t interchangeable. In its 2025 article on capsules and pods, UFC-Que Choisir noted, among other things, that none of the pods it tested were suitable for home composting.
Read the information on the specific product and check your local council’s collection arrangements before making your choice based on this.
A wide product range doesn’t, by itself, tell you what parts are available or how easy it is to repair the machine you’re considering.
Ask for information about the specific model, including available parts, maintenance accessories, documentation and after-sales service arrangements.
These brands give you a starting point when comparing bean-to-cup espresso machines. Always check the features of the specific model you’re interested in.
De'Longhi France lists the Magnifica, Rivelia, Eletta and Dinamica ranges among its bean-to-cup machines.
Philips France offers automatic espresso machines, including models with the LatteGo milk system or compatible with AquaClean filters.
Krups is one of the brands to consider if you’re comparing automatic bean-to-cup espresso machines.
These models use a grinder to make coffee at home regularly. When choosing between beans, capsules, pods, a portafilter and filter coffee, also consider the drinks you usually make and the maintenance each system involves.
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If you like to switch between coffee and milk-based drinks, this model offers six types of coffee and a touchscreen. Before choosing this type of machine, check what’s involved in cleaning the milk system.
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If you also make milk-based drinks, take a look at the LatteGo system on this bean-to-cup machine. Check the manual for cleaning instructions and the accessories needed to maintain this model.
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This bean-to-cup machine has a LatteCrema milk system. If you often make milk-based drinks, check how much space the machine takes up and how to clean the parts that come into contact with milk.
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If you mainly make espresso from beans, compare this model with your cleaning routine and the space you have available. If you’d also like to make milk-based drinks, check how this model prepares them.
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This automatic espresso machine with a grinder is designed for regular use with coffee beans. If you’re comparing it with a pre-measured coffee option, check its controls, size and maintenance requirements.
There’s no set number that applies to everyone. It depends on how much coffee you drink and which machine and coffee you’d actually choose. To compare a bean-to-cup machine with a capsule system, divide the difference in upfront cost by the difference in cost per cup, then factor in the cleaning products you’ll need. UFC-Que Choisir found that a bean-to-cup machine costs less per cup, but that saving alone won’t determine what’s right for you.
A bean-to-cup machine generally needs more attention around its trays and brewing chamber. UFC-Que Choisir recommends rinsing them regularly. Capsule machines also need their trays emptied, the parts listed in the manual cleaned and the machine descaled. Whichever system you choose, you’ll also need to clean the milk components if you use them.
No. Don’t choose a machine assuming its filter will always mean you can skip descaling. Check the manual for your chosen model to see whether the filter is compatible, when it needs replacing and what to do when the machine asks to be descaled.
Don’t assume so based on that label alone. In its 2025 article, UFC-Que Choisir reported that none of the pods it tested were suitable for home composting. Check the product’s exact labelling and your local council’s collection instructions before disposing of it.