When making coffee at home, start by choosing how much effort you’re happy to put in for each cup. Capsules and pods keep things simple, a portafilter involves more hands-on preparation, while a bean grinder automates the process using whole beans. You can then narrow down your options by considering the space you have, grinding noise, compatible consumables and maintenance.
If you want to make a cup of coffee with minimal effort and have limited worktop space, capsule machines are worth considering. Que Choisir describes them as compact and easy to maintain, but do check the dimensions of the model you’re interested in.
If you regularly make several coffees, check that consumables are readily available and consider how often you’ll need to carry out maintenance. A bean grinder lets you use whole beans, but you’ll also need to make room for it and set aside time for upkeep.
If you want to choose your own ground coffee and get involved in making it, a portafilter machine could suit you. As De'Longhi explains, you need to fill and tamp the coffee in the portafilter before brewing, then empty it afterwards.
Choose this if: you want to make a cup quickly with minimal fuss.
Bear in mind: the machine uses a specific capsule format, so check which one it takes before stocking up.
Choose this if: you want a simple way to make coffee using pods.
Bear in mind: the pods you can use depend on the machine you choose.
Choose this if: you want to choose your own ground coffee and get involved in making it.
Bear in mind: filling, tamping and emptying the portafilter means a few extra steps every time you use it.
Choose this if: you regularly want to make coffee from whole beans using an automatic machine.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir notes that these machines are noisier and take up more space than capsule systems or filter coffee machines.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday consumables | Check which format the machine takes and how easy it is to restock, based on how often you use it. | When I make coffee often, I want to be able to find the consumables I need easily; around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Ease of use and size | Measure the space available, including room to access the water tank, and compare the steps involved in making coffee. | If my kitchen is small and I’m short on time, I prefer a machine that’s easy to position and use; around 25% of consumers put this first. |
| Hands-on preparation | Consider whether you want to use ground coffee and handle and clean a portafilter. | I prefer choosing my own ground coffee and being involved in making it, even if it takes a few extra steps; around 25% of consumers prioritise this level of control. |
| Whole beans and automation | Consider how much space you need, how much noise is acceptable in your home and what maintenance the manual recommends. | I’d like to make coffee regularly from whole beans without filling a portafilter for every cup; around 17% of consumers put this automation first. |
A capsule or pod machine will only suit your habits if you can regularly get hold of the format it takes.
Make a note of the compatible system and check that you can get supplies before choosing a machine.
A bean grinder automates the preparation, not the cleaning. You’ll still need to descale it, following the instructions for your model and taking the water you use into account.
Before buying, read the manual to find out how to access the parts that need cleaning and how to descale the machine.
Que Choisir says a bean grinder is bulkier and noisier than a capsule system or a filter coffee machine. You’ll also need to be able to access the parts you need to fill or empty.
Check the machine’s dimensions and required clearance, and consider when the grinding noise might be disruptive in your home.
The Original and Vertuo ranges are for households that want to make coffee using capsules.
This range is for households looking for a machine that uses soft coffee pods.
The range includes manual portafilter machines and automatic machines with a bean grinder.
These machines showcase the four ways to make coffee covered here: soft pods, whole beans with a grinder, capsules and a portafilter. Start by choosing the method that suits your everyday routine, then check the consumables format and maintenance requirements for your chosen model.
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For making coffee with soft pods and minimal fuss. Check which pods this model takes before you stock up.
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For households looking to automate coffee making using whole beans. Make sure you have enough space for the machine, and check its cleaning and descaling instructions.
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For making coffee with Vertuo capsules with minimal preparation. Check that you’re choosing the Vertuo format when buying capsules, and measure the space you’ll need around the machine.
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For households that prefer making coffee with capsules. Before stocking up, check that the capsules are compatible with this model’s Original system.
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For anyone who wants to choose their own ground coffee and get involved in making it with a portafilter. You’ll need to fill and empty the portafilter, and follow the machine’s maintenance instructions.
No, these formats aren’t automatically interchangeable. Check which consumables the exact machine model takes before buying several packs.
Follow your model’s manual and alerts: how often you need to descale depends in part on the water you use and how much you use the machine. Que Choisir generally recommends descaling every two to three months, depending on these conditions. For the relevant kit, Nespresso recommends descaling every three months or after around 300 capsules.
Check the guidance for the material your capsules are made from and the collection options available near you. ADEME says that capsules returned to a collection point can be sent for processing that separates the coffee grounds from the aluminium.
Yes, as long as you have enough space to use it and the grinding noise is suitable for your home. Que Choisir notes that a bean grinder is noisier and bulkier than a capsule system or a filter coffee machine. Check the model’s dimensions and the clearance it needs.