If you make several coffees a day and want to choose your own beans, a bean-to-cup machine could be right for you, provided you have room for it and are happy to maintain it regularly. Capsules and pods mean fewer steps when making a coffee, but you’ll need to check which format the machine accepts. A portafilter gives you more scope to take a hands-on approach.
If you make several coffees at home and want to switch between beans without relying on a particular capsule format, a bean-to-cup machine is worth considering. Check the settings available on the model and how much space it will take up.
If you want to keep the steps involved in making each cup to a minimum, compare capsule and soft pod machines. Before choosing, check which format each machine accepts and what maintenance it requires.
An occasional cappuccino may call for different equipment from a routine that involves milk every day. Compare the drinks available, the milk system and how it needs to be cleaned on each model.
If you make several coffees a day, start with what matters most to your household: choosing your own beans, managing consumables, reducing maintenance tasks or having a wider choice of drinks.
| Factor | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom to choose your coffee | Whether it has a grinder and useful settings for beans; the exact format accepted if you choose pre-portioned coffee. | If I want to switch between beans without having to find a capsule that fits the machine, this freedom matters more to me than the convenience of pre-portioned coffee. Around 36% of consumers prioritise being able to choose their beans. |
| Availability of supplies | Whether the beans or portions you want to use are readily available; which maintenance products are specified in the manual. | I make coffee regularly and want to be able to find the right supplies for my machine. For around 29% of consumers, having a reliable supply is their main priority. |
| Ease of use and maintenance | Access to the trays and water tank; the rinsing, cleaning and descaling steps. | When I’m making cup after cup, I prefer a routine I can keep up with without neglecting the machine. Around 21% of consumers prioritise ease of use. |
| Choice of drinks | The recipes actually offered by the model; the type of milk system and how it needs to be cleaned. | If my household often makes milk-based drinks, I want to know which recipes are available before choosing a machine. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this variety. |
The trays, water tank, brew group where accessible and any milk circuit each need their own cleaning steps. A simple preparation process doesn’t mean you can skip maintenance.
Check the machine’s manual to see how easy it is to access the parts that need cleaning and what the descaling process involves.
Machines that use pre-portioned coffee are designed for a specific format. A capsule or pod that doesn’t match the system won’t work as intended.
Check which format the machine accepts, then make sure the portions you want to use are compatible.
A steam wand or milk jug means extra parts to clean after making milk-based drinks. This is particularly worth considering if you mostly drink black coffee.
Compare a manual steam wand with an automatic milk system, taking into account how often you’ll make these drinks and the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
The range includes bean-to-cup and capsule machines, with features varying by model.
These ranges include both bean-to-cup machines and SENSEO® pod machines.
The brand offers several ranges of automatic bean-to-cup machines, with features depending on the model.
These models cover the four formats discussed here: bean-to-cup, soft pods, capsules and portafilter. Start by choosing the type of coffee-making process that fits your routine.
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A bean-to-cup machine that lets you choose your beans and make milk-based drinks. Check which recipes are available on this variant and how to clean the LatteGo system.
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For making coffee from beans regularly, with the option to use pre-ground coffee too. De’Longhi France lists a 1,8 l water tank and a steam wand for this model. Preparing milk-based drinks requires a few manual steps.
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A soft pod option for those who prefer pre-portioned coffee to grinding beans. Check that your chosen pods are compatible and follow the machine’s descaling instructions.
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For making coffee with capsules rather than choosing your own beans. The product name specifies a 0,6 l water tank and a power rating of 1 200 W. Check which capsule format is compatible before choosing your portions.
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A portafilter machine for anyone who wants to be involved in making coffee with ground coffee, rather than choosing an automatic grinder. Allow time for preparation and cleaning, and check the water tank capacity for this variant.
Check the machine’s manual to find out which descaling product to use and, if applicable, which filter cartridges or milk-system cleaning products are required. The recommended products and maintenance steps vary by machine.
Follow the manufacturer’s rinsing and cleaning instructions after use. UFC-Que Choisir recommends rinsing the steam wand after every use; your manual will explain the steps for your particular model.
For a machine sold by a business to a consumer in France, the Ministry of the Economy states that consumers have two years to claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity. Any commercial guarantee is in addition to this and does not replace it.