If you want several espressos made to order, choose a capsule machine for minimal effort, a portafilter machine if you enjoy preparing each cup, or a bean-to-cup machine if you’d rather automate the process using whole beans. If your household mainly drinks long coffee served to several people, a filter coffee machine is better suited to the job. In every case, check the consumables, available space and maintenance needs of the model you choose.
If several people want coffee at different times, compare how much effort each cup takes to prepare. Capsules keep things simple, a portafilter gives you more hands-on control, and a bean-to-cup machine automates the process using whole beans. Also consider the space available and the maintenance routine that will work for your household.
A capsule machine is well suited to making individual drinks with little effort, provided its system offers the drinks you want. An automatic bean-to-cup machine also makes preparation easier, but its automatic features don’t replace cleaning and descaling.
If several people usually drink long coffee at the same time, a filter coffee machine lets you make a whole carafe instead of preparing espressos one after another. Choose its capacity based on the number of cups you actually serve, and check how easy it is to access the jug and the parts that need cleaning.
Start with the drinks you make most often, then compare each type of machine in terms of the steps involved, consumables and maintenance.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks served | Check the drink sizes available with the capsule system, the exact drinks offered by the bean-to-cup machine and the capacity of the filter coffee jug. According to Nespresso, Original ranges from Ristretto to Lungo, while Vertuo ranges from Espresso to Mug. | “We mainly drink individual espressos” points towards espresso machines; “we serve long coffee to several people” suggests looking at filter coffee machines. |
| Preparation steps | Compare loading a capsule, preparing and emptying a portafilter, and using a bean-to-cup machine’s controls. Check whether the settings you want are available on the specific model. | I prefer a quick, low-effort brew, or I’d rather be involved in measuring and preparing each espresso. |
| Consumables | Check that capsules are compatible and readily available, or find out which filters your chosen coffee machine needs. In France, ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for packaging. | I want to be able to buy the right consumables for my machine and sort my capsules for recycling if I use them. |
| Cleaning | Check how easy it is to access the water tank, drip tray and, depending on the machine, the grounds container, portafilter or brewing unit. Follow the model’s rinsing and descaling instructions. Que Choisir highlights the importance of cleaning for bean-to-cup machines. | A routine I can keep up with matters just as much as how easy it is to make a cup. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space you have, allowing room to fill and clean the machine. If noise is a concern, bear in mind the grinding stage on a bean-to-cup machine. | Worktop space is limited, or coffee is made at a time when the noise of grinding would be disruptive. |
Capsules must be compatible with the system you choose, while a filter coffee machine may need a specific filter size, as Melitta points out. Even a machine that’s simple to use depends on having the right consumables.
Before choosing, check which products are compatible and how easy they’ll be to buy regularly.
An automatic bean-to-cup machine still needs its containers emptied, accessible parts cleaned and descaling instructions followed. Que Choisir considers cleaning important for keeping it working well and ensuring consistent drinks.
Check access to the water tank, grounds container and brewing unit, if it’s removable, then consult the manual for the recommended maintenance.
The same brand name doesn’t mean the drinks come in just one size: Nespresso, for example, has Original and Vertuo formats. The system you choose also determines which capsules you can use.
Make a note of the cup sizes people in your household drink, then check the machine’s formats and capsule compatibility before you buy.
A large jug is only useful if you’ll actually serve that much coffee. A filter coffee machine is designed for serving long coffee to several people, not for making individual espressos.
Compare the stated capacity with the number of cups you usually make at a time.
The brand has two capsule systems. Nespresso says Original covers formats from Ristretto to Lungo, while Vertuo ranges from Espresso to Mug.
De'Longhi offers automatic bean-to-cup machines and manual espresso machines with a portafilter. Controls and available drinks vary by model.
Melitta offers filter coffee machines and related consumables for filter coffee.
This selection includes bean-to-cup machines, a capsule machine, a filter coffee machine and a portafilter espresso machine. First decide how your household makes and serves coffee, then compare models in the right category.
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This automatic bean-to-cup machine is worth considering if people in your household regularly make espressos from whole beans. The model is named LatteGo; check the available drinks, included accessories and cleaning requirements for this variant.
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Consider this automatic machine if you want to make coffee from whole beans and are also interested in milk-based drinks. This variant is named LatteCrema; check the drinks available, the space it takes up and the maintenance required for the milk system before choosing.
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This capsule machine is designed for making individual coffees with minimal effort. Its product name states that it has a 0,6 L water tank and 1 200 W of power. Check the capsule system, drink sizes and how often you’ll need to refill the tank.
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This filter coffee machine is suited to households that serve long coffee by the carafe rather than making individual espressos. The model name indicates that it’s programmable; check the jug capacity, compatible filters and dimensions to make sure they suit your needs.
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This portafilter machine is a good fit if you want to take part in making each espresso and don’t mind emptying and cleaning the portafilter. The product name states 15 bar; if refill frequency matters to your household, check the water tank capacity for this variant.
Follow the instructions for your model and any descaling indicator it has. How often you need to descale depends partly on the water you use and how often you use the machine. For its machines, Nespresso recommends descaling every three months or after around 300 capsules, and advises you to consult the manual.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check the material and recycling instructions on the packaging of the capsules you use.
Before buying, ask the seller which parts and accessories are available for the exact model, and check the maintenance instructions and repair process. Depending on the type of machine, pay particular attention to the portafilter, jug or removable parts of the bean-to-cup machine.