Choose based on the coffee your household makes most often and how much effort you’re happy to put in each day: capsules or pods for a quick brew, a bean-to-cup machine to choose your own beans, a portafilter machine for hands-on preparation with every shot, or a filter coffee maker for serving a whole pot. Que Choisir points out that bean-to-cup machines take up more space, make more noise and need regular maintenance. Also check the drinks on offer and how to clean the milk system on each model you’re considering.
A bean-to-cup machine lets you switch between different coffees without being tied to a particular capsule format. As Que Choisir points out, this means accepting more space, noise and maintenance than with a capsule machine or filter coffee maker.
Capsules or pods are a good choice if you want to avoid adjusting settings every time you make a coffee. Check which format the machine takes and remember that you’ll need to keep buying single portions.
A portafilter machine is for those who want to fill and tamp the coffee for every shot. A filter coffee maker is better suited to serving several cups from one brew. The ranges from De’Longhi and Melitta illustrate these different uses.
For a household that makes coffee regularly, decide on the format before considering the features: a pot of filter coffee and an espresso from a portafilter machine suit different preferences.
Worth considering: if you often make espresso or longer coffees and want to choose your own beans.
Be prepared for: more noise and a larger footprint than capsule or filter machines, as well as regular maintenance, according to Que Choisir.
Worth considering: if speed and minimal effort are your priorities.
Be prepared for: regularly restocking with portions in a format that’s compatible with the machine.
Worth considering: if you want to fill and tamp the coffee yourself before brewing.
Be prepared for: more hands-on steps for each cup than with an automatic machine.
Worth considering: if your household mainly serves several cups of filter coffee at once.
Be prepared for: a different kind of drink from espresso brewed under pressure.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks and automation | The drinks the machine actually makes, the type of milk system and how to clean it after making a milk-based drink. | If I often make cappuccinos, I want to prepare one without having to adjust lots of settings. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise their preferred drinks and making them more easily. |
| Maintenance and noise | Descaling steps, parts to rinse and the space available for the machine. | A machine I use every day needs to fit the time I can spend cleaning it and the noise I’m happy to put up with at home. For around 25% of consumers, minimising these inconveniences would be a priority. |
| Consumables and coffee choice | Compatible format, availability of your chosen coffee and the maintenance supplies you’ll need. | I make coffee often and don’t want to be tied to just one portion format. The freedom to choose coffee and avoid repeat purchases would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Brewing style | The usable capacity of the filter coffee carafe, or the steps needed for each shot with a portafilter machine. | I want either to serve several cups of filter coffee together or to take part in preparing every espresso. This brewing style would come first for around 19% of consumers. |
The containers, brew unit (depending on the model) and any milk system all need regular attention. Que Choisir says that failing to descale the machine can cause it to stop working.
Check the manual for the model you’re considering to find out which parts are accessible, how to clean them and how to descale the machine.
Beans, ground coffee, pods, capsules and paper filters all involve different repeat purchases. The format you choose matters particularly if you make several coffees every day.
Start by considering how many cups your household usually serves, then check which consumables are compatible with each machine you’re considering.
A machine designed for a specific format won’t necessarily take other single-serve portions. Disposing of used capsules is also part of everyday use.
Check the exact format before buying. In France, ADEME advises sorting aluminium or plastic capsules with paper and packaging for recycling.
A list of drinks doesn’t tell you what’s involved in preparing the milk or cleaning the system. Que Choisir’s testing looks separately at the drinks, the frothers included and maintenance.
Think about which drinks you’ll actually make at home, then check the type of steam wand or milk system and how it needs to be rinsed.
A brand worth looking at when comparing manual portafilter espresso machines with automatic bean-to-cup models.
A brand to consider for bean-to-cup espresso machines, particularly if you regularly enjoy milk-based drinks.
A good option if making filter coffee by the pot is an important part of your household’s decision.
A brand to consider if you prefer making coffee with capsules.
These models show some of the different ways to make coffee at home: bean-to-cup, pods, capsules and a machine that combines filter coffee and espresso. Compare each one with the drinks you usually make and the maintenance you’re happy to do.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to choose your own beans and make milk-based drinks too. Check the manual for how to clean the LatteGo system and maintain the grinder.
Image unavailable
A bean-to-cup machine to consider if you’re happy to froth milk by hand using a steam wand. Check the model’s manual for how to clean the wand and descale the machine.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you prefer making coffee with pods rather than adjusting the grind. Check that your chosen pods are compatible and follow the model’s descaling instructions.
Image unavailable
Worth looking at if you want to make coffee with capsules. Its water tank is listed as 0.6 L; check the exact compatible capsule format and descaling instructions before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if your household switches between filter coffee by the pot and espresso from a portafilter. Making espresso and frothing milk both involve some hands-on steps, so check the manual for cleaning instructions.
Yes, particularly because you need to empty the coffee grounds and clean the parts involved in making coffee. Que Choisir recommends rinsing the containers and, where the model allows, the brew unit. Both types of machine also need descaling according to their respective instructions.
First, check how the machine prepares the milk and how to clean its system. A steam wand, milk jug and automatic milk system all involve different steps, so follow the rinsing instructions for the model you choose.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. For paper capsules, it recommends home composting or using a local food waste collection service, where available.
Yes, if your household mainly wants to share several cups of filter coffee rather than make espresso. Check the usable capacity, type of carafe and required filter size. Melitta offers models for smaller quantities as well as machines with glass or thermal carafes.