If you drink several espressos a day, consider an automatic grinder if you’re happy with the noise, space it takes up and maintenance involved. A capsule machine makes short breaks easier, a filter coffee machine can brew several long coffees at once, and a manual espresso machine leaves more of the preparation to you. Whichever type you choose, check the model’s descaling instructions for the hardness of your water.
An automatic grinder lets you make coffee from beans without filling a portafilter for every cup. However, you’ll need space for it and have to put up with the noise of grinding, as well as cleaning it as instructed in the manual. Que Choisir draws particular attention to the noise and size of this type of machine.
Pre-portioned capsules mean less to do before each coffee. Check that the capsule format suits you, and make room to store and sort used capsules. Easy preparation doesn’t mean you can skip descaling.
A filter coffee machine can brew a whole jug in one go, which is handy when several people drink coffee. Choose a capacity that suits the amount you’ll actually make, and check the jug and keep-warm features on the model.
Start by considering how many cups you make in a row and how much time you want to spend on each break. Then check the space available and what’s involved in looking after the machine.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Steps per cup | Capsules are pre-portioned; an automatic grinder starts brewing at the touch of a button; a manual espresso machine requires you to fill and tamp the portafilter. | Between meetings, I’d rather keep things simple. If making each espresso is part of my break, a manual machine could suit me. |
| Amount brewed | For several long coffees, look at the filter coffee machine’s capacity and jug. For individual cups, check how the model you’re considering works. | We drink several long coffees in the same morning, so brewing a batch saves me from starting the machine for every cup. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available, including access to the water tank and grounds containers. Que Choisir highlights the noise and size of machines with grinders, so check the details for the specific model you’re considering. | If my kitchen is next to my workspace, I need to be able to use the machine without disturbing calls or anyone else at home. |
| Maintenance and water | Check the manual for water hardness settings, descaling and cleaning removable parts. Check how any filter should be used and replaced. | If I have hard water or drink several coffees a day, I want to know what maintenance is involved before choosing a machine. |
| Coffee format | Check whether the machine takes a particular capsule format, beans or ground coffee, and whether it needs any accessories. | I’d like to choose my own beans, or perhaps I’d prefer a ready-to-use portion. The formats the machine accepts will help me decide. |
Making the occasional coffee and taking several breaks a day call for different levels of effort and different amounts of coffee or capsules.
Count how many cups you make in a typical week, then compare the coffee formats each machine accepts and the tasks you’ll need to repeat.
Que Choisir highlights the noise and size of grinders. You’ll also need room to remove the containers and clean the machine as instructed for that model.
Measure the available space, including access to the water tank, and check the maintenance instructions if you’ll be making coffee near a shared workspace.
A filter must be used and replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll still need to keep up with other cleaning tasks and respond to descaling alerts.
Check that the filter is compatible with the exact model, find out how to set the water hardness and check what to do when the machine asks to be descaled.
Used capsules still need to be dealt with after you’ve made your coffee. ADEME says aluminium and plastic capsules should go in the recycling collection for paper and packaging, in line with local guidance.
If the amount of packaging matters to you, consider both the coffee format and your local recycling instructions.
De’Longhi offers manual espresso machines and automatic models with grinders, including the Magnifica S range.
Philips offers automatic espresso machines, with different brewing and maintenance features across its ranges.
Nespresso Original machines use capsules, so it’s worth checking the format they take before you choose.
Melitta offers filter coffee machines that can brew several cups in one go.
These two automatic machines with grinders let you choose your beans and are suited to making coffee regularly at home. To choose between them, check the maintenance instructions, the space required and the features that matter during your working day.
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This bean-to-cup espresso machine is suited to individual coffee breaks using freshly ground beans. Check how much space it needs, how noisy it is while grinding and the descaling instructions for your water.
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This automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine is for anyone who wants to make coffee from beans regularly. Check the manual for maintenance instructions based on your water, and make sure it will fit if you have limited worktop space.
Yes. It affects the descaling instructions you’ll need to follow. Some De’Longhi bean-to-cup espresso machines let you set the actual water hardness. Check the manual for the model you’re considering to find out about its settings, compatible filters and maintenance alerts.
Follow your machine’s instructions and take your water hardness into account. In its maintenance advice, Nespresso recommends descaling about every three months or after around 300 capsules, and more often in hard-water areas. This schedule doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
ADEME says aluminium or plastic capsules should go in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Also check the local guidance for the type of capsule you use.
Don’t assume it will. For example, Melitta says its LOOK coffee machine has settings of 20, 40 or 60 minutes. Choose a capacity that suits the number of cups you plan to drink over a short period, and check the keep-warm duration for the model you’re interested in.