If you make several coffees at home each day, start by considering which steps and cleaning tasks you’re happy to take on. Then compare the consumables used by machines that make the drinks you enjoy. Capsules and coffee pods keep preparation simple; a portafilter involves more hands-on work, while a grinder automates preparation from beans but comes with its own maintenance routine. There’s little value in comparing cost per cup unless you also account for the portions you actually use.
When you’re making one coffee after another, filling the water tank, the steps between cups and emptying the trays all take up more of your routine. Give these tasks as much thought as the preparation of a single cup.
If people in your household have different preferences, check the drinks available on the exact model, whether it has a steam wand or milk system, and what cleaning is needed after use.
If you make several drinks a day, it’s worth comparing the cost of consumables over time. Capsule or pod compatibility, the amount of coffee used and cleaning products all factor into the calculation.
UFC-Que Choisir identifies four types of domestic espresso machine. When you use a machine repeatedly, the differences are as much about daily steps and consumables as they are about the drinks you can make. Check these details for the model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to every machine in that category.
Consider this if: you want to make coffee with minimal handling.
Bear in mind: capsules must be compatible with the machine’s system; their formats and ongoing costs depend on the products you choose.
Consider this if: a pre-portioned serving suits your simple, straightforward routine.
Bear in mind: features, particularly those for milk, vary by model; check which pods are compatible too.
Consider this if: you want to use ground coffee and have a hands-on role in making it.
Bear in mind: dosing, emptying and cleaning the portafilter add steps to every brew.
Consider this if: you regularly make several coffees from beans and want to keep the preparation steps to a minimum.
Bear in mind: check how noisy the grinder is and what maintenance the model’s grinder, trays and internal circuits require.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Consumables | Compare compatible portions and, for beans or ground coffee, the dose used per cup. | If I make several coffees a day, I want to know what my consumables will cost over time before choosing a system. Around 31% of consumers would put these ongoing costs at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Making several coffees in a row | Check the water tank capacity, the steps between cups and, where available, tests of consecutive brews. | When several people are waiting for coffee, I’d rather avoid refilling and extra steps between drinks. Speed and simplicity would come first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Drinks and settings | Confirm the recipes and settings available on the exact model, as well as whether it has a milk system and what type. | If people in our household alternate between espresso and milk-based drinks, I want a machine that suits those preferences without assuming that every model in a range has a milk function. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this variety. |
| Maintenance and noise | Check the manual for cleaning and descaling instructions; for a machine with a grinder, look for noise test results. | I can put up with a few adjustments, but not a cleaning routine that doesn’t fit our day-to-day life or noise that’s disruptive in a shared home. These considerations would come first for around 19% of consumers. |
A capsule, a coffee pod and a quantity of whole beans don’t necessarily make the same size serving. Figures collected at different times also won’t reflect the consumables you’ll be buying.
Start with the number of coffees you make each day, then check which consumables are compatible with each machine you’re considering. For beans and ground coffee, factor in the dose you use before working out the cost per cup.
Remember to include descaling products, any filters and coffee wasted while adjusting the settings.
A steam wand, a carafe and an integrated milk frother won’t necessarily need the same cleaning steps after making a milk-based drink. Philips France also lists different features across its Senseo models.
For the exact model, check which parts need rinsing after use and what its cleaning programme actually covers.
How often a machine needs maintenance depends in part on the water and the machine itself. De'Longhi says that water hardness affects how often its espresso machines with grinders need descaling.
Before buying, check the manual for your chosen model to find out how its programme works and which products are compatible. Then follow the instructions.
Set aside a time when you can leave the machine unused while its maintenance cycle runs.
A feature or part available for a range won’t necessarily work with every model in it. Philips France, for example, recommends using the model number to find compatible Senseo parts and accessories.
Find the full model number and check which parts, accessories and maintenance instructions apply to it.
The Vertuo range showcases machines that use capsules designed for their own system, with different drink sizes available.
Philips France lists several Senseo machines that use soft coffee pods, with capacity and features varying by model.
The Magnifica Evo range includes espresso machines with grinders, with recipes and milk systems varying by model.
These models let you compare two ways to make several coffees at home: automatic machines with grinders and a semi-automatic machine for ground coffee. Focus on the steps involved, the drinks you want and the maintenance required for each model.
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Worth considering if you want to make coffee with a grinder and have the LatteGo milk system. Before choosing this model, confirm which drinks it can make and what’s involved in cleaning the milk system.
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Worth a look if several people want coffees and cappuccinos made by an automatic machine. The product description lists six coffee varieties; check that these match the drinks you want and read the cleaning instructions for the milk system.
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This automatic machine is worth considering if you want to make coffee from beans and use the LatteCrema milk system. Confirm which recipes are available on the ECAM290.61.B and what maintenance the milk circuit requires.
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This bundle pairs an automatic espresso machine with two 450 g packs of Lavazza coffee beans. If you also want to make milk-based drinks, check how the steam wand on this model works and how to clean it before choosing the bundle.
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Worth considering if you prefer making espresso from ground coffee and don’t mind the hands-on steps of a semi-automatic machine. The product description also mentions cappuccino and latte; check the H13A manual for the preparation and cleaning steps involved.
Compare them based on the actual number of coffees you make over the same period. For capsules, use the cost of the compatible portions you plan to use; for beans, check the dose per drink before converting the cost per kilogram into a cost per cup. Include the maintenance consumables required for each model.
No. Noise varies from model to model and also depends on when you use the machine. UFC-Que Choisir’s test procedure looks at noise and vibration during grinding, rinsing and brewing, among other things. If noise matters in your household, look for a test of the model you’re considering.
No. You should also check what’s involved in cleaning the trays and water tank and, depending on the model, the brewing unit and cleaning programmes. If you make milk-based drinks, check the instructions for the milk system too.
First, check which portions are compatible with your chosen model and whether their sizes suit the drinks you want to make. Then confirm the capacity and features of the exact model: a capsule or coffee pod machine won’t necessarily have a milk function.