An automatic coffee machine with a grinder is a good choice for a household that makes espresso regularly, wants to choose its own beans and is happy to clean and descale the machine routinely. If space and ease of use are your priorities, a pod machine is also worth considering, bearing in mind which pod format it takes. A portafilter machine is better suited to those who want to be more hands-on with preparation.
If you use your machine every day and want the freedom to choose your own beans, an automatic grinder suits the way you make coffee. Que Choisir also recommends considering how often you’ll actually use a machine when comparing different types.
Automatic preparation doesn’t mean you can skip emptying and rinsing accessible parts, following descaling prompts or, where necessary, cleaning the milk system. Check the model’s manual to see whether these tasks fit into your routine.
If cappuccinos are important to you, look at the milk system on the specific variant you’re considering and how it’s cleaned, rather than relying on the number of drinks listed. For example, the features Philips describes for some LatteGo ranges don’t apply to all its machines.
If you regularly make espresso at home, start with the practical considerations you’ll encounter every day, then check for the features that match the drinks you actually make.
| What matters | What to check | What different consumers are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning and descaling | Check the manual to see which parts need rinsing and how to descale the model. | If cleaning needs to fit around my routine, I want to know what’s involved before choosing a machine with a grinder. Around 33% of consumers put maintenance first. |
| Choice of beans and consumables | Check which consumables are compatible. For a portion-based system, check which pod or capsule format it takes. | When I make espresso regularly, I want to choose my own beans rather than rely on a particular pod format. This freedom is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Milk-based drinks | Check which drinks are available and how to clean the milk system on the variant you’re considering. | If I regularly make cappuccinos, having a suitable milk system matters just as much as being able to clean it after use. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this type of drink. |
| Space and ease of use | Measure the space available, including clearance for removing the containers. Compare noise levels using tests of the models you’re considering. | In a shared kitchen, I want to make coffee without the machine taking up too much space or making everyday tasks more difficult. For around 20% of consumers, ease of use is the main priority. |
The containers and, depending on the model, the brew unit and milk system also need some manual attention. Don’t ignore a descaling alert.
Check the manual for the exact model to find out which parts need removing and what needs to be done.
Depending on the model, you may also need cleaning tablets, descaler, filters or a milk-system cleaner.
Que Choisir notes that some commercial warranties for coffee machines with grinders have a limit based on the number of coffees made. This limit should not be confused with your statutory rights.
Read the terms that apply to the model and keep your proof of purchase. In France, the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control distinguishes statutory guarantees from optional commercial warranties.
Jugs, steam wands and other systems don’t all involve the same cleaning routine. Making drinks you rarely have won’t make cleaning the ones you do have any less frequent.
Check the cleaning steps after use, which parts can be removed and whether the specific variant is listed as dishwasher-safe.
Worth considering if you want to check the manual, support and maintenance products for a particular bean-to-cup espresso machine.
The LatteGo ranges may appeal to households comparing milk-based drinks and how the milk system is cleaned.
Worth considering if care instructions, compatible consumables and after-sales service matter to you.
These two De’Longhi automatic machines are options if you want a grinder for making coffee from beans regularly at home. Compare their features for the drinks you want to make, along with the maintenance each one requires.
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For households that want to make espresso regularly as well as milk-based drinks, this variant comes with the LatteCrema designation. Check which drinks the ECAM290.61.B offers and how to clean its milk system before choosing.
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This Magnifica S is an automatic machine with a built-in grinder, designed for making espresso regularly from coffee beans. Check the milk-based drink features, dimensions and descaling instructions specific to the ECAM22.140.B.
Follow your model’s alert and manual rather than sticking to a schedule intended for every machine. De’Longhi France notes, for example, that descaling frequency depends on the hardness of your local water. Also check which descaler is approved and follow the rinsing instructions.
Depending on the machine’s design, check the coffee grounds container, drip tray, water tank and brew unit, if it’s accessible. If you make milk-based drinks, follow the cleaning instructions for the milk system too.
That depends on the model. You may need descaler, cleaning tablets, a water filter or a milk-system cleaner. Check the machine’s manual for the compatible product references.
No. In France, an optional commercial warranty is in addition to statutory guarantees; a limit on the number of cycles in that commercial warranty doesn’t remove them. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control specifies that claims under the statutory guarantee of conformity must be brought against a professional seller within two years of the goods being delivered. Check the model’s commercial warranty terms separately.
No. Que Choisir says that automatic grinders are generally noisier than pod systems. If noise matters in your kitchen, look for measurements or tests carried out using a clearly stated method for the models you’re comparing.