If you usually make just one cup in the morning, capsules or pods let you choose one drink at a time, provided the system also offers the recipes your guests want. An automatic bean-to-cup machine or manual espresso machine calls for some maintenance and, for certain milk-based drinks, a few extra steps. If you mostly serve several black coffees at once, compare the capacities of filter coffee machines instead. Whichever you choose, check what consumables you’ll need, how much they cost per drink and what recycling options are available where you live.
The right type of machine depends as much on what you serve your guests as on the coffee you usually drink.
If you usually make coffee for one, consider how long it takes and what you need to do to prepare a cup. When you have visitors, check separately that the machine makes the drinks they want and that you can keep the right consumables close to hand.
Check the recipes available on the exact model you’re considering: a brand’s range doesn’t necessarily reflect the menu on every machine. Also check which parts need cleaning after making milk-based drinks.
Compare how much coffee the machine makes per cycle, along with the carafe and the right filter size. A machine that makes one cup at a time may need several cycles if your guests want to drink together.
Start with the drinks people actually ask for, then compare each brewing method with your daily routine and how often you entertain.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks available | The recipes offered by the model; whether it’s compatible with the exact capsules or pods you need; how many units are required for each recipe. In France, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto range includes two distinct systems: Original and NEO. | I have a coffee in the morning, but my guests might prefer a milky drink, hot chocolate or tea. I need to check these options on the machine I’m considering. |
| Serving several cups | How many drinks the machine can make per cycle; the capacity of the carafe or reservoir; the filter size. Melitta notes that the right filter size depends on the machine and how many cups you’re making. | When several people want black coffee at the same time, I’d rather compare how much the machine makes in one go than focus only on making a single cup. |
| Consumables and running costs | How many drinks you can actually make from a pack using your recipes; the coffee, milk, capsules or filters you’ll need; compatible cleaning products and replacement supplies. | A drink I make every day needs to be easy to prepare again. I also want to factor in the consumables I’ll use when I have guests. |
| Maintenance | The model’s instructions for rinsing, cleaning parts that come into contact with coffee or milk, and descaling; water hardness and the products required. Melitta distinguishes between coffee residue, milk residue and limescale deposits. | If I’m in a rush in the morning, a quick brew shouldn’t come with a cleaning routine I can’t keep up with. |
| Waste and recycling | The capsule material and local recycling guidance; whether you can collect food waste or compost coffee grounds. ADEME distinguishes between recycling aluminium or plastic capsules and possible options for paper capsules. | I want to be able to sort my used consumables according to the facilities available near me, without assuming they all go in the same bin. |
A range may offer coffee, hot chocolate and tea, but that doesn’t mean every machine works with all its consumables. The Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio S instructions also specify two capsules for a cappuccino, compared with one for a lungo.
Make a list of the drinks you’ll actually serve, then check the system, model and consumables needed for each one.
Cleaning away coffee or milk residue and descaling are part of using a coffee machine. The process varies by model.
Check the instructions to find out what steps and products are required and which parts need cleaning, especially if you make drinks with milk.
For example, for the Magnifica S ECAM 22.110, De’Longhi says the descaling process takes around 45 minutes.
According to ADEME, recycling guidance varies depending on the material. Composting or food waste collection options also depend on what’s available locally.
Check the material of the consumables you’re considering and find out what recycling guidance applies where you live before deciding how to collect them.
A machine that makes one drink at a time means brewing several cycles to serve multiple coffees. For filter coffee, Melitta says the right filter size depends on the machine and how many cups you’re making.
Think about how many guests usually want black coffee at the same time, then compare how much each machine makes per cycle.
These ranges show a variety of brewing methods. Check the drinks available and any requirements for the specific model you’re considering.
The French range includes single-serve drinks such as coffee, café latte, hot chocolate and tea, depending on the system you choose.
The Series 3300 EP3347/90 is an example of an automatic bean-to-cup machine that also makes milk-based drinks.
The brand offers filter coffee machines as well as bean-to-cup machines.
The Moka Express is a manual coffee maker that uses ground coffee and a heat source.
These options include bean-to-cup machines, semi-automatic espresso machines and a manual pour-over coffee maker. Compare their brewing methods with the drinks you usually make and the number of people you need to serve.
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The grinder and milk system make this a potential choice for everyday coffee made from beans, with the option of milk-based drinks for guests. The product title lists six coffee varieties; check the exact recipes and maintenance routine before choosing.
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An automatic machine with a grinder to consider if you want to make coffee from beans regularly. Check that the listing and instructions refer to the ECAM22.140.B model before relying on any features or maintenance guidance specific to it.
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If your guests mostly drink black coffee, it’s worth comparing the 1 L carafe with single-cup options. It uses a manual pour-over method, so check that this suits your usual morning routine too.
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Ground coffee and a milk frother give you the option of making coffee and milk-based drinks, with a few more steps than a fully automatic machine. Check the recipes, how many drinks it can make per cycle and how to clean the milk system.
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The steam wand lets you froth milk manually for drinks your guests might enjoy. The product title lists a 50 Oz reservoir; check how many drinks it can make per cycle and remember to clean the wand after use.
Work out how many drinks you actually make from the consumables, using your usual quantities and recipes. Depending on the machine, factor in milk, filters and cleaning products too. Comparing the cost of one capsule with a quantity of beans doesn’t give you a like-for-like figure unless you compare the drinks they make.
Yes, as long as the model makes the drinks they want and you have the right consumables. Nescafé Dolce Gusto France includes coffee, milk-based drinks, hot chocolate and tea in its range, but has separate Original and NEO systems. Check which system the machine you choose uses.
Clean away coffee residue and, if the machine has one, clean any parts that come into contact with milk. You’ll also need to descale it according to the model’s instructions. For the Magnifica S ECAM 22.110, De’Longhi says descaling takes around 45 minutes; this won’t be the case for every bean-to-cup machine.
No. According to ADEME, aluminium and plastic capsules go in packaging recycling; paper capsules can be composted or put with food waste where a suitable local service is available. For coffee grounds, check which food waste collection or composting options are available where you live.
Compare how much coffee it makes per cycle, the carafe and the filter size with the number of people you usually serve. Melitta says the right filter size depends on both the machine and the number of cups you’re making.