If you make several coffees a day, start by considering which drinks you serve and what maintenance tasks everyone in the household is realistically prepared to do. An automatic grinder is a good choice if you regularly want to make espresso from beans and are happy to follow a cleaning routine. Capsules and coffee pods make it easier to prepare individual portions, while a portafilter involves more hands-on steps. If you mainly serve large cups to several people, consider a filter coffee maker too, rather than limiting your search to espresso machines.
If several people have coffee every day, consider how many cups you make one after another and how easy it is to top up the beans, capsules or pods. Que Choisir covers these different types of machine in its buying guide.
Making the coffee is only part of everyday use: rinsing, emptying the trays, descaling and cleaning the milk system all matter too. Que Choisir also explains the regular maintenance required for bean-to-cup machines.
If some people drink espresso while others prefer a milky drink or a large cup, check the recipes available on the specific model. A filter coffee maker is also worth considering if you mainly serve long coffees to several people.
Think about the coffees you make on a typical day, then check what’s involved in preparing them and maintaining the machine. Que Choisir distinguishes between grinders, capsules, soft pods and portafilters; filter coffee is suited to a different use, particularly making large cups.
| Need | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Replenishment | Which format the machine accepts; whether the beans, capsules or pods you want are readily available. | When I make several coffees every day, I want to be able to easily restock the coffee my household uses. Around 36% of consumers put availability and supply first. |
| Maintenance | Rinsing and emptying the trays; descaling and cleaning the milk system, as set out in the model’s instructions. | If the coffee is quick to make but cleaning up after milky drinks doesn’t suit the household, that convenience matters less. Around 29% of consumers put ease of maintenance ahead of other criteria. |
| Choice of drinks | The recipes actually available; settings and how the milk is prepared. | I want to serve different drinks without assuming that every model in the same range has the same features. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Large cups and serving | Capacity, how many preparations are needed, and whether individual espresso or filter coffee is the better fit. | If several people mainly drink long coffee, making each cup separately may not suit the way you want to serve it. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this type of serving above all else. |
If you want espresso made from beans with fewer hands-on preparation steps, consider an automatic grinder, while factoring in the need to clean the trays and, where applicable, the milk system. Capsules and pods are convenient for making individual portions, but check which format the machine accepts. A portafilter is better suited to people who want to measure and adjust their coffee themselves. If your household mainly serves large cups, compare filter coffee makers too.
An automatic cycle doesn’t necessarily replace the steps required after making a milky drink. For the LatteCrema carafe covered in its Magnifica Plus instructions, De’Longhi says to run AUTO CLEAN after every use.
Check the instructions for the exact machine and carafe, then make sure everyone who uses it is happy to follow the routine.
Rinsing and thoroughly cleaning the carafe also takes time beyond making the coffee.
The coffee you want to use must match the system accepted by the machine. Options for recycling used capsules also vary by product and location.
Check the format before choosing a machine. In France, follow the sorting instructions on the product or its packaging, as explained by the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
A machine chosen for individual espresso may not suit the way several people like to drink their coffee in the morning.
Count the espressos, large cups and milky drinks you serve on a typical day before comparing the different types of machine.
The Magnifica Evo range is an example of automatic grinders that, depending on the model, offer one-touch recipes and an integrated milk system.
A capsule system to consider if your household wants to make individual portions and has access to the right capsule format for the machine you choose.
The SENSEO range is a soft-pod option for households that prefer individual portions and don’t need an integrated grinder.
These machines illustrate two of the uses covered here: making espresso with an automatic grinder or serving coffee in individual portions with soft pods. Choose between them based on the drinks you want and the maintenance you’re happy to do.
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Worth considering if your household wants to make espresso with a grinder and also use a milk system. The number of drinks listed for this variant differs between the available sources, so check the recipes shown for the EP2230/10. The AquaClean filter is listed as compatible, but isn’t included.
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Worth a look if several people want a choice of drinks from an automatic grinder machine. The product description lists six coffee varieties and touch controls. Before choosing this model, check the instructions for rinsing, descaling and maintaining the milk system.
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This soft-pod machine is suited to households that prefer individual portions to using a grinder. The description says it can make one or two cups; check that the pods you want are compatible with the CSA260/91. Don’t confuse it with a machine that uses hard capsules.
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This automatic grinder machine suits households that regularly make espresso and are happy to froth milk by hand. The steam wand needs cleaning after use; also check the ECAM220.21.WW instructions for the model’s maintenance programmes.
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This automatic grinder machine is suited to households that make espresso from beans and want a steam wand for milk. Using the wand involves preparing the milk by hand and cleaning it afterwards; check the ECAM22.140.B instructions for its maintenance routine.
In its care advice, Nespresso France recommends descaling every three months or after around 300 capsules. Check your model’s instructions and adjust the frequency if you live in a hard-water area.
Not for the LatteCrema carafe covered in De’Longhi’s Magnifica Plus instructions: the manufacturer says to run the AUTO CLEAN cycle after every milky drink. If there’s milk left in the carafe, the instructions also say to give it a thorough clean no later than 48 hours after storing it in the fridge. Check the instructions for the carafe supplied with your model.
Follow the sorting instructions on the product or its packaging, as well as local guidance. The Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that this labelling tells you where to dispose of the waste; Nespresso also provides collection points for its capsules.