In a household where people enjoy everything from short and long coffees to milk-based drinks, start by considering how much hands-on preparation and cleaning you’re happy with. Capsules and pods make it easy to prepare individual portions, while a portafilter involves more steps. A grinder suits regular coffee drinkers, provided you have space for it and time to maintain it. Then check the drinks each model can make, which consumables it takes, how its milk system works and the capacity of its water tank.
If some people prefer espresso while others go for a long coffee or a milky drink, check which drinks the machine actually makes, how its milk system works and the capacity of its water tank. A list of recipes alone won’t tell you how much effort each drink takes to prepare.
Capsule and pod systems save you from measuring out coffee for every cup. Before choosing a machine, though, check which format of consumables it takes and which drinks it can make.
A portafilter lets you use ground coffee, but needs emptying after every use, as Que Choisir points out. With a grinder, also check how to clean the containers, the brew unit where applicable, and any parts used for milk.
For a household with different coffee habits, start by comparing the everyday steps involved and the drinks each machine can make. Then consider consumables, cleaning and the space you have available.
Worth considering: if you want to make individual coffees quickly and space is at a premium in your kitchen.
Bear in mind: the capsules you can use depend on the system. Check the cup sizes available before you buy, too.
Worth considering: if you want an easy way to make individual coffees without moving to a grinder.
Bear in mind: you’ll need pods that fit the pod holder on the exact model you choose.
Worth considering: if you want to use ground coffee and be more involved in making your drink.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir points out that you’ll need to empty the portafilter by hand after every use.
Worth considering: if your household regularly drinks whole-bean coffee and you’re happy to maintain an automatic machine.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, a grinder takes up more space and makes more noise than a capsule system.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Count the steps needed to make a cup and check which short and long coffee options the model offers. If you often make several coffees in a row, check the water tank and how easy it is to access. | “In the morning, I want to make different coffees without having to change all the settings for every cup.” |
| Consumables | Check which capsule or pod system the machine takes, or whether it uses ground or whole-bean coffee. Compare the cost per cup based on how you usually drink coffee, rather than focusing only on the price of the machine. | “I’d rather know which coffees I’ll be able to buy regularly before choosing a system.” Que Choisir points out that the cost of whole-bean coffee and individual portions can add up differently depending on how long and how often you use the machine. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check the manual for descaling, cleaning the containers and accessing the brew unit, if there is one. For milky drinks, find out how to clean the steam wand or milk system. | “We often make drinks with milk, so cleaning the machine after use needs to fit into our routine.” |
| Space and drinks | Measure the space you have, including the room needed to refill the machine. Check the recipes and milk system on the exact model: a manual steam wand won’t make a milky drink on its own. | “We don’t have much space, but some people at home want a long coffee while others use milk.” |
The system you choose determines which capsules you can use and may limit the coffees available to you in future. Nespresso, for example, has separate Original and Vertuo systems.
Make a note of the exact system name, then check which capsules are compatible and which drink sizes the machine you’re considering can make.
A steam wand or milk system means extra cleaning after making a drink. A grinder also has containers and, depending on the model, a brew unit to maintain.
Read the instructions for the model to find out which parts need rinsing, taking apart or cleaning after each use.
Que Choisir says that the financial benefits of whole-bean coffee should be assessed over several years. A grinder also takes up more space and makes more noise than a capsule system.
Think about how many cups you make at home, then compare the space needed and cleaning involved with a portafilter or portion-based system.
Even when capsules can be sorted for recycling in line with local guidance, they’re still individually wrapped portions. ADEME recommends limiting this type of packaging where possible.
If packaging matters to you, compare portion-based systems with ground or whole-bean coffee. Don’t assume that being able to sort packaging for recycling eliminates the waste it creates.
These examples can help you understand the different systems and care instructions. Always check the features and available parts for the specific model you’re considering.
Nespresso says its Original range covers coffees from ristretto to lungo, and is distinct from Vertuo.
Philips provides support documentation for Senseo machines that use soft coffee pods.
De'Longhi offers both portafilter machines and grinders, with care instructions that vary by range.
Que Choisir includes the Krups Intuition Essential EA870810 in its comparison of bean-to-cup coffee machines.
These Joybuy models include automatic grinders and a portafilter machine. If people at home have different coffee preferences, focus on how each machine handles milk, the cleaning involved and the coffee formats it accepts.
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A grinder worth considering if people at home also make milky drinks using the LatteGo system. Check which recipes are available on this variant and how to clean it; the AquaClean filter is listed as not included.
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The product description lists six types of coffee, which may appeal to households with different preferences. Before choosing this model, check the manual for cleaning instructions for the grinder and milk system.
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This automatic grinder may suit a household where people enjoy both short and long coffees. Milky drinks need to be made using the steam wand, so they aren’t fully automatic; remember to clean the wand afterwards.
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Worth considering if several people want to customise their coffee and make long coffees, too. The steam wand for milk is manual and needs cleaning after use; check the model’s settings and care instructions.
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This portafilter machine is for people happy to make their coffee by hand. If you want to switch between ground coffee and ESE pods, check which filters are included. Also check the water tank capacity, as different sections of the product listing give different figures. Remember to rinse the portafilter and clean the steam wand.
Follow the alert and instructions for your model. As an example, Nespresso recommends descaling its machines every three months or after around 300 capsules. This schedule doesn’t automatically apply to a portafilter machine or a grinder from another brand.
A grinder usually means cleaning the coffee grounds and drip trays and, depending on the model, the brew unit. The milk system also needs attention when used. Check the cleaning steps in each machine’s manual rather than comparing only the recipes shown.
First, check which consumable the exact machine takes: a capsule system, pods, ground coffee or whole beans. For pods and capsules, check that compatible products are available from the retailers you usually buy from. Philips, for example, provides information about the pod holders on some Senseo models.