For an easy way to make one coffee at a time, compare capsules and soft pods, checking which compatible refills are available. If several people in your household drink coffee regularly and want to choose their own beans, a grinder is worth considering, provided you’re happy to maintain it. A portafilter machine is better suited to those who want to be hands-on with the brewing. In every case, weigh up the cost of refills, the drinks on offer and the space available against your household’s real habits.
If you want to keep things simple and need a machine that fits on a small worktop, consider capsules. Before choosing, check which format the machine takes and how much the coffee you regularly buy will cost.
A grinder lets you explore different coffees made from beans chosen by your household. You’ll also need to allow time for cleaning and check what settings are available on the model you’re considering.
A portafilter machine gives you more control over dosing and preparation. If you want to froth milk yourself, look for a model with a steam wand and bear in mind the extra steps involved.
Start with how many cups you make and which drinks you actually prepare, then compare the refills, daily steps and maintenance involved with each type of machine.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Compare the preparation steps, controls and filling process. For capsules or pods, check which refill format the machine accepts. | In the morning, I’d rather make a cup without measuring or adjusting the coffee each time. |
| Cost of use | Check the cost of capsules, pods or beans for the coffees you usually drink, as well as any products needed for maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir reports that a grinder can work out cheaper per cup than a pod machine, despite a higher initial purchase price. | We make several cups regularly, so the cost of refills matters just as much as the cost of the machine. |
| Drinks | Check the coffee sizes available and the settings on the exact model. For milk-based drinks, note the difference between a manual steam wand and an automatic milk system. | Some of us prefer espresso, while others like a longer coffee. I’ll only consider milk functions if we’ll genuinely use them. |
| Maintenance | Check the manual for cleaning and descaling instructions, and how easy it is to access parts that need emptying. If there’s a milk system, check its maintenance separately. | I want to be able to fit these tasks into our routine, especially if several people use the machine. |
| Available space | Measure your worktop and the space needed to fill the water tank or reach parts that need cleaning. Check the dimensions of the model you’re considering. | The machine needs to be easy to reach in the kitchen without getting in the way of other worktop activities. |
If your household makes lots of cups, the ongoing cost of buying capsules can add up. UFC-Que Choisir compares the cost of capsules with that of coffee beans or ground coffee.
Estimate how many cups you make each week, compare the refills you’d realistically buy and check which format the machine accepts.
Automatic preparation doesn’t mean you can skip emptying and cleaning the relevant parts. Depending on the model, the grinding can also be audible.
Before buying, check the manual to see what needs doing and how easy it is to reach the parts that need cleaning.
Recipes and milk preparation vary from one model to another: using a manual steam wand involves different steps from using an automatic system.
Make a note of the drinks your household actually makes, then check the recipes, settings and milk-system cleaning instructions for the exact model.
What you should do depends, among other things, on the material the capsule is made from.
In France, ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging.
These examples show different approaches. Features vary by range and model, and a brand’s presence here doesn’t indicate its availability.
De'Longhi offers automatic machines that make coffee using beans ground by the machine.
Philips offers automatic machines, some of which come with the LatteGo milk system.
According to the brand, Sage’s Barista Express combines grinding, dosing and extraction in a machine designed for portafilter coffee making.
These Joybuy models include grinder machines, a SENSEO pod machine and a Vertuo capsule machine to suit different household habits. Before choosing, check the refills each one takes and how it needs to be maintained.
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Consider this grinder machine if your household wants to use whole beans and is interested in the LatteGo milk system. Check which drinks this model makes, along with the cleaning instructions and recommended refills in its manual.
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This automatic grinder machine is ideal if you want to choose your own beans. If your household also makes milk-based drinks, check the steps involved in preparing and cleaning them for this model, as well as how much space it will take up.
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This SENSEO pod machine is for households that prefer pre-measured coffee. Check which compatible pods you’d like to buy, then compare their cost with how often you drink coffee.
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This machine is advertised as offering six coffee options, so check they match the drinks your household enjoys. Read the manual for the settings and cleaning steps, and check the dimensions to make sure it’ll fit in your kitchen.
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This machine takes Vertuo capsules and has a 0.6 L tank. Check the range and cost of compatible capsules, and how often you’d need to refill the tank based on how many coffees you make at home.
No. You should also compare the cost of refills for the number of cups you usually make, as well as any products needed for maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir reports that a grinder can cost less per cup than pods; your own comparison will depend on what you buy and how you use the machine.
Check the drinks and settings available on the exact model, then look at the capacity of the containers and the cleaning steps involved. If several people want different coffees, also check how their preferences can be adjusted or saved.
ADEME advises putting them in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. For other types of capsule, check the instructions for the material they’re made from.