For fuss-free coffee every day, capsules or pods are worth considering, provided you choose a system with drinks and consumables that suit your household. A portafilter gives you more scope for hands-on preparation, while a grinder lets you use whole beans but needs space and regular maintenance. If you usually serve several large coffees at once, it’s also worth comparing filter coffee makers.
The number of coffees you make isn’t the only thing to consider: the steps you’re happy to take each day and the drinks your household enjoys matter too.
If the machine is used several times a day, consider the consumables it needs, the water tank capacity and the steps you’ll need to repeat between brews. Que Choisir compares systems in particular by how easy they are to use and the demands of everyday use.
A grinder lets you start with whole beans, but you’ll need to make space for it and clean its containers. Que Choisir also notes that it’s noisier than a capsule machine or filter coffee maker, so check the settings on the model you’re considering.
Capsules and pods save you from measuring out ground coffee for every cup. Start by choosing the drinks you want, then check which format the machine accepts and what maintenance is still required.
Start with the drinks you make most often, then compare each system with your household’s routine, the space you have and the maintenance you’re prepared to do.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday use | Find out which coffee formats the machine accepts — whole beans, ground coffee, capsules or pods — and which maintenance products it needs. Compare the steps involved in making your usual number of cups. | Several people use the machine every day: I want filling it and making coffee to fit into our routine. |
| Preparation | A capsule or pod saves you measuring coffee by hand; a portafilter means preparing and emptying each dose. If you’re considering a grinder, check the controls and settings on the specific model. | I’d rather keep things simple in the morning, or take my time and prepare each espresso myself. |
| Drinks | Check the exact capsule or pod format, the drink sizes available and whether there’s a steam wand or milk system. If you often make several long coffees at once, also check the capacity of a filter coffee jug. | Some of us drink espresso and others prefer a large coffee: I want to make sure the model can prepare the drinks we actually enjoy. |
| Space and maintenance | Measure the space available and check you can access the water tank and containers. Read the manual for instructions on rinsing, descaling and cleaning the milk system. Que Choisir also notes that grinders make noise while grinding. | The machine will be near our living areas, so its footprint, noise and cleaning are just as important as how it prepares drinks. |
As Que Choisir points out, the coffee grounds and drip trays on a grinder machine need regular rinsing. Depending on the model, the brewing unit and milk system may mean extra cleaning too.
Before choosing, check the manual to see how easy it is to reach the parts that need cleaning, and what’s involved in descaling and making milk-based drinks.
The drinks available depend on the system and model. For example, the Vertuo formats offered by Nespresso don’t mean they’ll work with another capsule machine.
Check the machine and packaging to confirm which capsule or pod system it accepts, then separately check whether it has the milk functions you want.
Making a series of individual servings isn’t the same as filling a jug. The SENSEO Switch HD6592/65 described by Philips combines pods and filter coffee for this specific model.
If you switch between making a single cup and several large coffees, compare filter coffee makers with combination models, and check their exact capacity.
These examples highlight features found on particular systems or models. A brand doesn’t offer the same features across its entire range.
Worth a look if you’re after an espresso machine with an integrated grinder and, depending on the model, a steam wand.
The Vertuo system offers several cup sizes within its own capsule ecosystem.
Worth considering for soft coffee pods, or for switching between pods and a filter coffee jug on a model that genuinely offers both options.
These models offer three ways to make everyday coffee: with a bean grinder, SENSEO pods or capsules. Compare the steps involved and the drink formats available, without assuming they also cover portafilter or filter coffee machines.
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This grinder machine is designed for households that want to make coffee from whole beans and are considering milk-based drinks. Check the recipes available on this version and the LatteGo system’s maintenance requirements before choosing.
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This automatic grinder machine may suit a household that uses whole beans and wants to prepare milk drinks with the LatteCrema system. Check the drinks menu on this version, along with the cleaning required after use.
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This bean-to-cup model is a good fit if you’re happy to prepare milk manually using a steam wand. Remember to clean it after making milk-based drinks, and check it’ll fit on your worktop.
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Worth considering if you want to make one or two cups with minimal fuss. Before buying pods, check exactly which type of SENSEO pod this version accepts.
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This capsule machine is designed for households looking for an easy way to make espresso or lungo. Consider its 0,6 L tank in relation to how many cups you make each day, and check which capsule system it’s compatible with before buying.
Que Choisir says an espresso machine with a grinder takes up more space and makes more noise than a capsule machine or filter coffee maker. Its containers need regular rinsing. Check the manual for instructions on the brewing unit, descaling and cleaning the milk system, if there is one.
No. Check the system shown on both the machine and the capsules. Nespresso, for example, offers several coffee sizes for Vertuo, but that doesn’t mean they’ll work with a machine from another system.
According to ADEME guidance published in October 2026, aluminium and plastic capsules should go in the sorting collection for paper and packaging. Paper capsules can be composted at home or put in a shared composting bin.