Busy households in the morning
If you want to make a cup with minimal fuss, consider a capsule or soft pod machine. Be sure to check which format it takes, the water tank capacity and what cleaning is still required.
Which machine suits each kind of coffee drinker?
How often you make coffee isn’t the only thing to consider: your preferred preparation method and the drinks you serve matter too.
People who want to choose their own beans
A bean-to-cup machine lets you make coffee from whole beans without handling a portafilter for every cup. You’ll still need to refill it, clean the accessible parts and descale it as specified for that model.
Fans of hands-on brewing or milk-based drinks
A portafilter machine is a good fit if you want to be involved in making your coffee. If you regularly make milk-based drinks, also compare automatic models with a milk system. You’ll need to clean the chosen steam wand or milk circuit according to the instructions.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the drinks you make most often, then check the requirements of the brewing method you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing routine | Compare the pre-measured portions in capsules or pods with handling a portafilter or making coffee from beans in a grinder. Check the controls and how many cups the model can make in succession. | In the morning, I’d rather make a cup with minimal effort — or, on the other hand, I want to be involved in preparing it. |
| Drinks you make | Check which coffee styles the machine can make and whether preparing milk requires a manual steam wand or an integrated system. If you want to make two cups at once, check that this is possible with the exact model. | At home, I mostly drink espresso or longer coffees. I only need a milk function if I regularly make those drinks. |
| Coffee and consumables | Confirm the exact capsule or pod system and check that the format you plan to use is available. For a portafilter machine, check which filters and types of coffee it accepts; for a grinder, check the beans and settings available. | I want to be able to buy coffee that suits my habits, without finding out later that the format isn’t compatible with my machine. |
| Space and capacity | Measure the space available, including room to refill the water and remove parts for cleaning. Consider the tank capacity in relation to how many coffees you make between refills. | If several people use the machine in the morning, I’d rather check how often it needs refilling and what’s involved. |
| Maintenance | Check the instructions for descaling and cleaning the portafilter, grinder or parts that come into contact with milk. De’Longhi notes that how often you need to descale depends in part on your water hardness. | I’m looking for cleaning tasks I can keep up with regularly, especially if I choose a steam wand or milk system. |
| Packaging and recycling | If you use aluminium or plastic capsules in France, ADEME advises putting them in the recycling collection for paper and packaging. Check the guidance for any other consumables you use. | I want to know what to do with my capsules after use. In a December 2023 Ifop and Alliance for the Recycling of Aluminium Capsules survey of 2,166 French consumers who use aluminium capsules, 75% said they sorted them for recycling at least occasionally; this is not a measured recycling rate. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing capsules without considering the whole routine
Although making coffee is simple, you’ll still need to buy compatible capsules, empty the used ones and maintain the machine.
Estimate how many cups you usually make each week, then check the capsule format, maintenance tasks and how they’ll fit into your routine.
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Assuming all capsules are interchangeable
Compatibility depends on the machine’s system. For example, Nespresso says its Original capsules are designed for its Original machines. This doesn’t confirm compatibility with another range.
Check the machine’s model number and the exact name of its system before choosing capsules.
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Choosing a milk system for the occasional drink
A steam wand or milk circuit adds parts that need cleaning. This can become a chore if you almost always drink black coffee.
Think about the drinks you actually make at home, then compare a manual steam wand, an integrated system and a machine without a milk function.
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Putting off descaling
How often you need to descale varies by machine and water hardness, so don’t assume the schedule for another model will apply to yours.
Check the instructions and choose reminders or a descaling cycle that you can keep up with as part of your routine.
Which brands and ranges should you know?
These pointers relate to specific ranges and models, so check the features of the one you’re considering.
Nespresso
The brand offers several capsule systems, including Original and Vertuo.
- Nespresso says its Original capsules are compatible with its Original machines.
- Check the exact machine system: the brand name alone doesn’t confirm that a capsule will fit.
Philips SENSEO
The range includes soft pod machines, with features that vary by model.
- Philips lists the SENSEO Switch HD6592/65 as a machine that combines pod and filter coffee brewing.
- This dual brewing function is specific to the model mentioned. Check the features and pod format for the model you choose.
De’Longhi
The brand offers bean-to-cup machines and traditional portafilter machines.
- In its grinder range, De’Longhi highlights Magnifica, Dinamica and Eletta Explore, with different drinks and controls available across the ranges.
- Features vary by model. De’Longhi also notes that descaling frequency depends on water hardness.
Krups
Krups offers bean-to-cup machines. Que Choisir includes the Intuition Essential EA870810 among the models reviewed in its comparison.
- This model gives you a starting point for comparing the controls and drinks available on a specific machine.
- Don’t assume the features of one model apply to the whole range. Check the milk system and maintenance requirements too.
Coffee machines available on Joybuy
These models cover the four brewing methods discussed here: grinding whole beans, soft pods, capsules and a portafilter. Compare each model based on the drinks you make and how involved you want to be.
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Philips Series 2200 EP2230/10 LatteGo, black
This bean-to-cup machine is worth considering if you want to use whole beans and also make milk-based drinks. Check the space it needs and the LatteGo system cleaning instructions in the manual.
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De’Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM290.61.B LatteCrema, black
This automatic coffee machine with a grinder and LatteCrema system is a good option for households that regularly make milk-based drinks. Check the milk system maintenance instructions before choosing.
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Philips SENSEO Maestro CSA260/91, intense red
An option to consider if you want to make one or two cups with soft coffee pods. Before buying consumables, confirm which format this model takes and check its descaling instructions.
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Krups Nespresso Essenza Mini, white, 0.6 L
Its Mini size may suit a compact worktop. With a 0.6 L tank, check how often it would need refilling for your household, as well as the exact capsule system you’ll need to buy.
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De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685.BK, black
This portafilter machine is a good fit if you’re happy to be involved in making each coffee. Its manual steam wand also needs cleaning after use. Before choosing it based on how many cups you make, check the water tank capacity of the model supplied.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use any capsule in a capsule coffee machine?
No. Choose capsules that match the system specified for your machine. For example, Nespresso says its Original capsules are compatible with its Original machines. Check separately for any other range or model.
Is a coffee machine with a grinder suitable for making several coffees a day?
It can be, if you want to make coffee from whole beans and are happy to refill and maintain the machine. Check the tank capacities, drinks available and cleaning requirements of the model you’re considering.
Do you need a steam wand or an integrated milk system?
This feature is most useful if you regularly make milk-based drinks. A manual steam wand requires your input. For any milk system, check which parts need cleaning and follow the instructions for your model.
How often should you descale your coffee machine?
Follow your model’s instructions and any alerts it gives you, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all schedule. De’Longhi notes, for example, that how often its bean-to-cup machines need descaling depends on water hardness.
Where should you put used capsules in France?
For aluminium or plastic capsules, ADEME advises putting them in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check what your consumables are made of before following this guidance.