If you make coffee often at home, a bean-to-cup espresso machine is a good choice if selecting your beans and enjoying a range of drinks matter more to you than counter space, noise and regular maintenance. Capsules are all about convenience, filter coffee makes several cups at once, and a portafilter gives you more hands-on control. Before choosing, check which drinks the model makes and what’s involved in maintaining it.
You make coffee often and want to choose your beans, perhaps making milk-based drinks too. An automatic bean-to-cup machine could suit you, as long as you have room for it on your worktop and are happy to maintain it.
You’re looking for an easy-to-use coffee maker with a compact footprint. A capsule machine could be a good fit, provided you’re happy with its compatible capsule format and the choice of drinks it offers.
You mainly want to make a pot of coffee for several people. A filter coffee machine is well suited to this, particularly if individual espressos and milk-based drinks aren’t a priority.
Start by deciding what type of drink you want and how much you need to make, then consider the day-to-day steps and the space available. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between bean-to-cup, capsule or pod, and portafilter machines. Filter coffee makers meet a different need: brewing a full pot.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Beans and drinks | Choice of beans with a grinder; coffee and milk-based drinks available on the model. | If I drink coffee often, I want to choose my beans and have a range of drinks to enjoy. Around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Simplicity and space | Dimensions and access to the reservoirs; the steps needed to make each drink. | With little space and time to make coffee, I prefer an easy-to-use machine, even if my choice of beans is limited. Around 25% of consumers would share this priority. |
| Several cups | Usable capacity of the carafe and the type of filter it takes. | When several people want coffee at the same time, I’d rather make a pot than prepare a series of espressos. Around 17% of consumers would prioritise making coffee for a group. |
| Hands-on preparation | The steps involved in using the portafilter and cleaning it after use. | I prefer to fill and tamp the portafilter myself rather than leave the whole process to a machine. Around 25% of consumers would put this level of control first. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a machine with a grinder takes up more space and makes more noise than a capsule machine or filter coffee maker. The trays, brewing unit and any parts that come into contact with milk also need regular attention.
Measure the space you have, making sure the reservoirs will be easy to reach, then check the manual for the cleaning steps required for your model.
Philips says that, for machines covered by its AquaClean FAQ, descaling is still needed after eight filter cycles. This guidance does not automatically apply to other models.
Check your manual to make sure the filter is compatible, find out when to replace it and follow the descaling guidance for your machine.
A bean-to-cup machine uses coffee beans and may need cleaning products or a water filter; a capsule machine requires a compatible capsule format. These are all part of using your machine regularly.
Before choosing between machine types, check which consumables your chosen model needs and what maintenance is involved.
Nespresso’s collection points are for its own capsules. Their availability doesn’t mean that other formats are accepted.
Check which capsule format you’ve chosen and what collection options are available in your local area.
De'Longhi offers several ranges of bean-to-cup espresso machines, including Magnifica, Dinamica, Eletta and PrimaDonna, as well as manual machines.
Philips offers automatic espresso machines and product-specific support.
Melitta provides cleaning guidance and support for its automatic bean-to-cup machines.
Nespresso is a capsule option for those who prefer pre-measured portions to choosing their own beans.
SEB offers filter coffee makers, among other appliances, with support organised by model reference.
These models are for anyone choosing an automatic bean-to-cup machine to make coffee regularly. If you’d prefer the compact size of a capsule machine, a pot of filter coffee or the hands-on steps of using a portafilter, consider those alternatives before choosing a grinder.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to use whole beans and make milk-based drinks with an automatic machine.
The model name indicates a grinder and the LatteGo system. Check which drinks it makes and the maintenance guidance for this model.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if you’re looking for an automatic bean-to-cup machine and enjoy milk-based drinks.
This version features the LatteCrema name. Before choosing it, check the manual for its full drinks list and instructions for maintaining the milk system.
Image unavailable
This bean-to-cup machine is designed for households that want to make espresso regularly without using capsules.
If you’d also like to make milk-based drinks, check the steps involved and the cleaning requirements for this version.
Image unavailable
This bundle is a good fit for households looking to start making coffee with whole beans using an automatic machine.
It pairs the DeLonghi Magnifica ECAM250.23.SB with two 450 g packs of Lavazza coffee beans. Check the machine manual for maintenance instructions.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to make coffee with whole beans and value a choice of drinks and controls on the machine.
The product name lists six types of coffee, a milk system and a touchscreen. Check the exact recipes and cleaning steps for the H16.
A bean-to-cup machine generally has more parts to maintain. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the trays, brewing unit and descaling, as well as parts used for milk on some models. Check your machine’s manual for the steps involved and how often to do them.
No. Philips says that machines covered by its AquaClean FAQ still need descaling after eight filter cycles. For other models, follow the manual and take your water hardness into account.
It depends on the model. You may need descaler, cleaning tablets, a milk-system cleaner or a filter cartridge. Melitta lists several of these products for some of its machines; check which products are approved for the machine you’re considering.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Contact the seller with proof of purchase and a clear description of the problem. This statutory guarantee is separate from the seller’s returns policy.