If your household regularly makes espressos and you want to choose your own coffee beans, a machine with a grinder is worth considering, provided you’re happy to rinse, clean and descale it as required for that model. Capsules make it easy to prepare a pre-measured cup, while a portafilter machine leaves more of the preparation to you. A filter coffee machine is better suited to serving several larger cups.
You serve several individual coffees and want to choose your own beans. A grinder could suit your routine if you’re happy with the upkeep. Que Choisir identifies coffee enthusiasts and regular coffee drinkers among those who may be interested in these machines.
You prefer a ready-measured dose or minimal adjustments when it’s time to serve. Compare the convenience of capsules with the cleaning and consumables required by your chosen system.
You want to try different recipes. Check the type of milk frother, available drinks and settings for the exact model, as well as which parts need cleaning after making a milk-based drink.
For making several coffees at home, first distinguish between espressos served one cup at a time and filter coffee made in larger quantities. Then consider which preparation and cleaning tasks your household is happy to take on every day.
Worth considering : if you regularly make espressos and want to choose your own coffee beans.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to rinse and clean the machine, and descale it as required. De’Longhi says how often depends in part on the water and how the machine is used.
Worth considering : if pre-measured portions and minimal adjustments matter more to you than a free choice of beans.
Bear in mind : check which format is compatible and make sure you can keep capsules or pods in stock.
Worth considering : if dosing, tamping and adjusting the preparation are all part of the experience you’re looking for.
Bear in mind : you’ll have more to do for each espresso than with an automated system.
Worth considering : if you mainly serve several large cups of filter coffee at once.
Bear in mind : it makes a different kind of drink from an espresso machine.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee choice and consumables | Check which types of coffee the machine accepts and, for capsules, which format is compatible. | When I make coffee regularly, I want to be able to switch beans without relying on a particular capsule format. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise this freedom of choice and the cost and supply of consumables. |
| Preparation and maintenance | Check the model’s instructions for rinsing, cleaning and descaling. | If several people use the machine every day, I want something easy to prepare without discovering afterwards that the cleaning routine doesn’t suit me. Around 33 % of consumers put simplicity and maintenance first. |
| Drinks and settings | Check the recipes, volume settings and type of milk frother for the exact model. | I switch between black coffee and milk-based drinks, so the recipes available matter more to me than simply making an espresso. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise a variety of drinks. |
| Serving and space | Compare the capacity, dimensions and preparation speed with your habits. If timing matters, check how noisy the grinder is too. | When serving several large cups at once, I want an appliance that fits on my worktop and keeps up with the household. Around 9 % of consumers prioritise serving several cups and the space available. |
Choosing between beans and capsules isn’t just about the machine: it also determines what coffee you’ll need to buy and which tasks you’ll need to do regularly.
Compare the coffee you’d actually use, the compatible consumables and the maintenance routine for each system.
Depending on the model, you may also need to allow for filters, cleaning products and the time spent on maintenance.
A traditional milk frother and a removable milk system don’t necessarily require the same steps. The drinks listed don’t tell you everything about the cleaning routine after use.
If you regularly make milk-based drinks, check the instructions for your chosen model to see which parts need to be removed and cleaned.
Que Choisir assesses factors such as noise and maintenance for espresso machines with grinders. These are worth checking for each model, as are the parts available for a specific model.
Check an independent review for noise levels, then look up the instructions, parts and availability information for the exact model with the manufacturer and retailer.
Making several large cups at once isn’t the same as serving individual espressos one after another.
Before choosing between a filter coffee machine and an espresso machine, work out which drinks and serving sizes your household makes most often.
The Magnifica range includes espresso machines with grinders in different configurations, from models with a steam wand to versions offering a wider choice of drinks.
Philips offers domestic espresso machines with grinders, with recipes and milk systems that vary by series and model.
JURA’s domestic automatic machines offer different specialities and guided maintenance cycles, depending on the model.
These machines are for households that want to make coffee regularly from beans. Compare how they prepare drinks and what’s involved in maintaining them before choosing. Capsule, portafilter and filter coffee systems suit the other habits described above.
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Worth considering if you want to make coffee from beans and milk-based drinks with a machine from the LatteGo range.
Check the exact recipes available on the EP2230/10, as well as the instructions for cleaning its milk system. Also check which accessories are included: the AquaClean filter is listed as not included.
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Worth considering if you switch between coffee and milk-based drinks and want to choose from the six drink varieties listed in the product name.
The model is described as having a milk system and touchscreen. Check the instructions to find out how to clean it, particularly after making a milk-based drink.
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Worth considering if you want a bean-to-cup machine that comes with coffee to try straight away. The offer names Lavazza Tales of Napoli and Tales of Roma.
Check exactly what’s included in the bundle and the cleaning routine for the ECAM250.23.SB, particularly if you plan to make milk-based drinks.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a Magnifica S with a grinder for your regular coffees.
The title gives the model number as ECAM22.140.B. Confirm this on the product page before choosing instructions, accessories or compatible parts. Also check what’s involved in making milk-based drinks.
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Worth considering if you want to grind your own beans and compare a dual-boiler set-up with the other machines in this selection.
The product name lists a 2.8 l water tank and a pump rated at 20 bar. This figure alone isn’t enough to judge the coffee in the cup. Check the H7A instructions for details of preparation and maintenance.
According to De’Longhi, this depends in part on water hardness and how often you use the machine. Follow the alert and procedure for your model. Check the instructions to see whether you can set the water hardness and which descaling product is suitable.
Start by finding the machine’s full model number, then look up its instructions and the matching parts or accessories with the manufacturer and retailer. Philips, for example, has support pages organised by model. Check the availability information for the model you’re considering.
No. Check what your capsules are made from and follow your local recycling guidance rather than assuming the same instructions apply to every format. Nespresso lists collection points for its capsules, so check which recycling option is available for the capsules you use.