Households making several coffees a day
The cost of coffee portions, preparation time and cleaning matter more when a machine is used regularly. Compare all three before moving away from capsules.
Who are these options for?
Those who prefer pre-portioned coffee
If ease of use matters more to you than control over the preparation, compare capsules with soft pods. Check which format the machine accepts, how easy it is to buy your usual supplies and how much space the machine needs.
Coffee lovers happy to get hands-on
A portafilter lets you use ground coffee, but you’ll need to fill and empty the filter. An automatic bean-to-cup machine uses whole beans, shifting some of the work to filling the hoppers and maintaining the machine.
How do the machines compare?
Your choice depends first on how much you’re prepared to do for each coffee, then on the space you have and the consumables and maintenance required.
Capsules
Worth considering: if you prefer pre-portioned coffee and a preparation method that involves very little effort.
The trade-off: the machine’s format limits your choice of capsules, and each coffee uses an individually wrapped portion.
Soft pods
Worth considering: if you want to keep making coffee one portion at a time while exploring formats other than capsules.
The trade-off: you’ll still need compatible pods. Check which types you’ll be able to buy regularly.
Portafilter
Worth considering: if you want to choose your ground coffee and take a hands-on approach to making it.
The trade-off: you’ll need to fill the portafilter and remove the used grounds afterwards, as Que Choisir points out.
Automatic bean-to-cup machine
Worth considering: if you often make coffee from beans and would rather start each drink without filling a portafilter.
The trade-off: Que Choisir notes that these machines are noisier and bulkier than capsule systems, and that their hoppers need regular cleaning.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to me |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of use | Compare the machine, coffee or portions based on how often you usually make coffee, then factor in any model-specific cleaning products. Don’t assume a particular type of machine will save you money. | I make several coffees a day, so the repeated cost of portions may have more of an impact on my choice than it would for occasional use. |
| Maintenance | Check how easy it is to access the hoppers and parts that need cleaning, the descaling process and any filters. Water hardness and frequency of use affect how often you need to descale, according to Que Choisir. | I want to be able to follow the steps in the manual, not just press a button to make coffee. |
| Effort and noise | Check what you’ll need to do between cups and how much space you have. If you choose a grinder, find out how noisy it is while grinding; if you choose a portafilter, remember that you’ll need to empty the used grounds. | I sometimes make coffee early in the morning, so grinding noise matters. If I’m making several cups in a row, the time spent handling the portafilter matters too. |
| Formats and waste | Check that capsules or pods are compatible before buying. For aluminium or plastic capsules, ADEME advises putting them in the recycling stream for paper and packaging; recycling doesn’t remove the individual packaging. | If I want to avoid an individually wrapped portion for every cup, I’ll look at machines that use ground coffee or beans. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Looking only at the machine, without counting how many coffees you make
Daily use means buying coffee or portions more often. So an upfront price difference alone won’t tell you what each option will cost your household.
Compare the consumables you’ll need based on your usual number of cups, and add in the cleaning products required for the machines you’re considering.
Some models also need replacement filter cartridges or descaling products.
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Choosing a grinder without planning for cleaning
Que Choisir recommends regularly rinsing the used-grounds and drip trays, and cleaning the brewing unit less often if it’s accessible. Automatic preparation doesn’t mean there’s no maintenance to do.
Check the model’s manual for access to the parts, descaling cycles and, if applicable, how to clean the milk system.
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Assuming recycled capsules mean no waste
Even when placed in the correct recycling stream, a capsule is still individual packaging. ADEME explains that capsules thrown away with household rubbish are sent for incineration or landfill.
If your priority is to avoid this packaging, compare machines that use ground coffee or beans. If you stick with capsules, follow the sorting instructions for their material.
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Buying a capsule machine before checking its format
The system you choose determines which capsules the machine can take and may limit where you can buy them.
Before choosing a machine, check which compatible capsules you want to use and where you usually buy them.
Which brands should you look out for?
These brands represent different types of machines; their ranges aren’t limited to the models featured below.
Nespresso
A range of machines and capsules for making coffee from pre-portioned doses.
- Nespresso France says it offers collection points for used capsules. Check which one is convenient for you.
- Check which format the machine accepts. Collection doesn’t remove the individual packaging.
Philips SENSEO
A range of machines that use soft pods to make coffee one portion at a time.
- Que Choisir describes soft pods as standardised, but you should still check that they’re compatible with your chosen model.
- Philips highlights how easy its machines are to use, but that alone doesn’t tell you how noisy a particular machine is or how much maintenance it needs.
De’Longhi
A range of automatic espresso machines with built-in grinders.
- De’Longhi’s Magnifica range includes machines focused on espresso, as well as other ranges offering a wider choice of drinks.
- Compare the features and maintenance steps for the exact model, rather than assuming they apply across the whole range.
Sage
Manual and automatic espresso machines for different levels of involvement in the brewing process.
- The range lets you explore both the hands-on approach of a portafilter and more automated ways of making coffee.
- Check the manual for compatible accessories and model-specific cleaning steps.
Machines for switching to ground coffee or beans
These Joybuy models are for switching from capsules to an automatic bean-to-cup machine or a portafilter. The right choice depends mainly on how much hands-on effort and maintenance you’re happy with.
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De’Longhi Autentica ETAM29.510.SB automatic espresso machine with grinder, grey
An option for making coffee regularly from beans instead of using capsules. Allow time for the cleaning and descaling set out in the manual; if noise matters to you, check how loud this model is before buying.
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De’Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.140.B automatic espresso machine with grinder, black
The grinder gives you the option of using beans for everyday coffee without capsules. Before choosing this machine, check the manual for details on cleaning the hoppers and descaling.
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De’Longhi Magnifica S Smart ECAM250.23.SB automatic espresso machine with grinder, silver
Another grinder machine to consider if you want to swap single portions for coffee made from beans. Compare its controls and maintenance routine with those of the other models you’re considering.
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De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM220.21.WW bean-to-cup espresso machine, white
Worth a look if you’d like to make your usual coffees from beans rather than capsules. Check how much space it needs, along with the model’s cleaning and descaling instructions.
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De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685.BK 15-bar espresso machine, black
Worth considering if you prefer to fill and empty a portafilter so you can use ground coffee. The stated pressure is 15 bar, but that figure alone isn’t enough to judge the coffee in the cup. Check the capacity of this version’s water tank before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Where should you dispose of aluminium or plastic coffee capsules in France?
ADEME advises putting them in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging, rather than in household rubbish. If you’re unsure which container to use where you live, check your local council’s guidance.
How often should you descale an espresso machine?
Start by following the manual and your machine’s alerts: how often you need to descale depends, among other things, on water hardness and how often you use it. In its advice published in 2025, Que Choisir gives an average of every two to three months, but this doesn’t replace your machine’s instructions.
Will an automatic grinder be a problem if I make coffee early in the morning?
It’s worth checking how noisy the grinder is if other people are sleeping nearby. Que Choisir says an automatic grinder is noisier than a capsule system, but that doesn’t tell you how loud a particular model will be in your home.
Does a recyclable capsule have the same impact as coffee made from beans?
The fact that a capsule can be recycled doesn’t, on its own, mean that its overall impact is the same. If your specific aim is to avoid individual packaging for every cup, coffee beans or ground coffee meet that requirement; ADEME recommends avoiding individual packaging where possible.