Households looking for a low-effort option
If you mainly make coffee one cup at a time, capsules and soft pods offer pre-measured portions. Check which format the machine accepts and how much space your chosen model will take up.
Which machine suits your household?
How often you make coffee and how many cups you serve at once will affect what you need to look for. A simple one-cup routine may call for different features from a machine used to prepare several drinks in a row.
Regular coffee drinkers
If you want to choose your own beans, it’s worth comparing an automatic grinder with other systems. It makes preparing your drink easier, but you’ll still need to rinse, clean and descale it as advised by UFC-Que Choisir.
Households serving several coffees
If you’re making several cups in a row, check the capacity of the reservoirs and containers, whether the machine can make two coffees at once, and how long it takes between drinks. These features vary by model, even within the same range.
What should you compare before choosing?
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between capsule machines, soft-pod machines, portafilter machines and bean-to-cup machines. The way each one prepares coffee can help you narrow down your options; then check the capacity and maintenance requirements of each specific model.
Capsules
Worth considering: if you want pre-measured portions and minimal effort.
Bear in mind: choose a machine that accepts your preferred capsule format. For example, Nespresso France states that its Original range is compatible with Original machines.
Soft pods
Worth considering: if you prefer pre-measured portions and may want to serve two people at once.
Bear in mind: the two-cup function must be listed for your chosen model. Philips offers it on some SENSEO machines, but not across the whole range.
Portafilter
Worth considering: if you want to use ground coffee and take a hands-on approach to making it.
Bear in mind: filling, tamping and locking the portafilter adds a few steps to every cup, as De’Longhi explains for its manual machines.
Bean-to-cup
Worth considering: if you want to choose your own beans while automating the drink-making process.
Bear in mind: rinsing, cleaning and descaling are still necessary. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of maintaining automatic machines.
| What to consider | What to check | Based on my habits |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday steps | Check how you load the coffee, start the machine and empty it after use. A portafilter machine requires you to prepare the ground coffee, while a bean-to-cup machine makes your drink from whole beans. | I’d prefer to keep the steps before each cup to a minimum, or I’d like to be involved in preparing it with ground coffee. |
| Coffee format | Identify the exact system: capsules, soft pods, ground coffee or whole beans. For capsules and pods, check that the coffee you want to use is compatible with your chosen machine. | The coffee I want to use must be available in a format accepted by the machine. |
| Several cups | Compare the water reservoir, relevant containers, two-cup function and how quickly you can make drinks one after another. In its testing protocol for grinders, UFC-Que Choisir also assesses how consistently the machine pours several successive cups. | When several people want coffee, I want to know how many drinks the machine can make before it needs filling or emptying. |
| Maintenance | Read the instructions for rinsing, cleaning and descaling the model. Check which parts need cleaning and which products are recommended in the manual. | I can follow the maintenance steps required for a machine I’ll use regularly. |
| Available space | Check the dimensions of the model and allow room to access the reservoir, containers and coffee-loading area. | My worktop needs to fit the machine while leaving me easy access to the parts I use every day. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Assuming every model in a range has the same features
The ability to make two cups, the drinks on offer and the cleaning routine vary by model. For example, Philips lists the two-cup function on some SENSEO models.
If you need to serve several coffees at once, check the exact model’s product details for the two-cup function, container capacities and cleaning instructions.
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Choosing without checking the coffee format
A capsule machine won’t necessarily accept capsules from another system. Nespresso France states that its Original capsules are compatible with Nespresso Original machines.
Check which format the model accepts, then make sure you can get the coffee or consumables you plan to use.
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Putting off maintenance
According to UFC-Que Choisir, automatic grinders need regular rinsing, cleaning and descaling. The instructions vary by machine.
Read the manual before choosing: check which parts need cleaning, the descaling instructions and which products are recommended for the model.
Which brands illustrate these systems?
These brands and models help illustrate the different systems and their compatibility limits. Features listed for one model don’t automatically apply to the entire range.
Nespresso
The Original range is an example of a capsule machine designed for a specific system.
- Nespresso France states that its aluminium or paper-based Original capsules are compatible with its Original machines.
- This does not guarantee compatibility with other capsule systems.
SENSEO / Philips
SENSEO is an example of a machine range that uses soft pods.
- Philips says that some SENSEO models can make one or two cups.
- Check the two-cup function and included accessories for the model you’re considering.
De’Longhi
The brand offers manual portafilter machines as well as automatic bean-to-cup machines.
- De’Longhi describes how its manual machines use ground coffee in a portafilter, while its automatic grinders prepare drinks from whole beans.
- Recipes, features and maintenance requirements depend on the model and system you choose.
Sage
Sage offers a useful example when comparing portafilter machines.
- Sage Appliances lists a 54 mm portafilter for its Barista Express model.
- This measurement applies to that specific model, not every Sage portafilter machine.
Machines to consider on Joybuy
These models illustrate the four ways to prepare coffee covered here: soft pods, capsules, a portafilter and a bean grinder. Start by choosing the system that suits your habits, then check the specifications of the model you’re interested in.
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Red Philips SENSEO Maestro CSA260/91
Worth considering if you prefer to make your everyday coffee with soft pods. If you want to serve two people, check that this variant has a two-cup function and follow the maintenance instructions in its manual.
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Black Philips Series 2200 EP2230/10 LatteGo
This machine with a built-in grinder is designed for people who want to make coffee from whole beans. If milk-based drinks or serving two coffees at once are important for your household, check the EP2230/10’s features and the cleaning steps for its accessories.
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White De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM220.21.WW
This machine with a grinder is a good option if you want to make coffee from whole beans. If you’d also like milk-based drinks, bear in mind the steps involved in using the steam wand and check the cleaning instructions.
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White KRUPS Nespresso Essenza Mini, 0,6 L
A capsule option for anyone who wants pre-measured portions and has limited space. The product title lists a 0,6 L reservoir; check that this capacity and the Nespresso Original system suit your routine and the capsules you plan to use.
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Black De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685.BK
This portafilter model is for people who don’t mind the steps involved in making coffee by hand. Check the reservoir capacity of this variant before choosing: the available information for this model differs on this point.
Frequently asked questions
Which system takes the least effort for everyday coffee?
Capsules and soft pods are the first options to compare if you want pre-measured portions. Check which format the machine accepts. If you want to serve two coffees at once, look for this feature on the specific model, as it isn’t available on every pod machine.
What should I look for if I want to make several coffees in a row?
Compare the capacity of the water reservoir and containers, check for a two-cup function if you need one, and see how quickly the specific model can make drinks one after another. For grinders, UFC-Que Choisir also assesses how consistently the machine pours successive cups as part of its testing protocol.
Does an espresso machine need descaling?
Yes. Follow the descaling instructions for your machine rather than applying the same schedule to every model. Check the manual for the steps and suitable products. UFC-Que Choisir notes that regular cleaning and descaling are part of maintaining automatic grinders.
Where should I dispose of aluminium or plastic coffee capsules in France?
According to ADEME, aluminium or plastic coffee capsules should go in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check the collection guidance for your address to make sure you use the right container.