For a quick cup with minimal effort, consider a pod machine; for several cups of filter coffee, look at a compact filter coffee maker. A portafilter machine means preparing and cleaning up after every shot, while a bean-to-cup machine lets you use whole beans but needs more space and maintenance. Noise matters in a home office too: Que Choisir describes bean-to-cup espresso machines as generally louder and bulkier than capsule or filter systems.
If your machine will sit next to your workstation, you should be able to remove its water tank and clean its trays without having to move it every time. Noise is worth considering too: according to Que Choisir, a bean-to-cup espresso machine generally takes up more space and makes more noise than a capsule machine or filter coffee maker.
A pod machine keeps measuring and adjusting to a minimum when you’re making one drink at a time. Boulanger’s category guide describes a heating time of 25 to 30 seconds; check the stated time for the model you’re interested in.
A portafilter machine or grinder lets you start with ground coffee or whole beans, as long as you’re happy to do the preparation and maintenance involved. With a grinder, in particular, allow time to clean accessible parts and descale it as directed in the manual.
Start with how many cups you’ll make and the type of coffee you want, then check the space available and what routine maintenance you’re happy to do.
Consider it: if you mainly want to make one cup at a time with minimal adjustment.
Bear in mind: check which pod format it accepts and how to sort used pods for recycling.
Consider it: if you want to make espresso with ground coffee and control each shot yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure the coffee, handle the portafilter and clean it after making a drink.
Consider it: if you regularly want coffee made from beans ground by the machine.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, a grinder is generally louder and bulkier than a capsule or filter system.
Consider it: if you enjoy filter coffee, especially when making several cups in a row.
Bear in mind: check how much coffee the model makes and how much room you’ll need to access its jug or water tank.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Compare the model’s heating and brewing times, its controls and the drinks it can make. | In the morning, I want to make my drink without having to fiddle with lots of settings before starting work. |
| Space and noise | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to remove parts. If the machine has a grinder, check how noisy it is in use too. | The machine needs to be accessible in a small kitchen or beside my desk, without disturbing the people around me. |
| Coffee system | Check which capsule or pod formats it accepts, or whether it uses ground coffee or whole beans. Find out which consumables you’ll need and check local guidance on disposing of waste. | I’d rather choose a system that suits the drinks I make and the supplies I want to use. |
| Maintenance | Check the manual for instructions on cleaning the trays and milk circuit, if there is one, and descaling according to your water hardness. | I don’t mind a few steps after each cup, but I want to know what’s involved before choosing a portafilter machine or grinder. |
A machine might fit on your worktop but still need to be moved to fill the tank or remove a tray.
Measure the depth and height too, and allow enough room to open the machine and remove each part.
A bean-to-cup espresso machine may make a drink at the touch of a button, but you’ll still need to clean its trays and descale it as instructed in the manual.
Before buying, check which parts need rinsing, whether it has a milk circuit and how the machine alerts you when it needs descaling.
Rinsing and cleaning parts also take time as part of your daily routine.
The capsule material and the collection option you plan to use will affect what you need to do after making your drink.
For aluminium or plastic capsules in France, check the ADEME and local authority recycling guidance. If you plan to use a brand’s collection point, make sure it accepts your type of capsule.
Que Choisir says a bean-to-cup espresso machine is generally noisier than a capsule machine or filter coffee maker; its assessments look at noise from grinding and rinsing in particular.
If you make coffee during a meeting or early in the morning, check a test of the exact model and think about where you plan to use it.
A brand to consider if you’re looking at a capsule system and want to arrange collection in France.
The brand offers bean-to-cup espresso machines that make drinks using beans ground by the machine.
Some Philips bean-to-cup espresso machines are worth considering for features related to milk-based drinks or grinding noise.
A brand to consider for filter coffee makers and bean-to-cup machines, depending on the kind of coffee you want to make.
These options include capsule machines, a compact filter coffee maker, a portable espresso machine and a bean-to-cup machine. They suit different needs, so compare them according to the space you have and the coffee you want to make.
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Worth considering if you want to switch between pods and ground coffee in a small space. The product name describes a 6-in-1 machine with a claimed 20-bar extraction pressure and hot or cold brewing. Check which pod formats it accepts, as well as the preparation time and maintenance involved if you plan to keep it beside your workstation.
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Consider this machine if you want to make individual drinks with Vertuo capsules. The product name states that it has a 0.6 l tank. Before making room for it on a narrow worktop, check its depth, access to the tank and which Vertuo capsules you want to use.
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Worth considering if you want to make a small amount of filter coffee with ground coffee, rather than a full jug for several people. The stated capacity is 300 ml. Check that the plug is suitable for your set-up in France, and follow the instructions on letting the machine cool before cleaning it.
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This portable espresso machine is designed for making one drink at a time in a small space or on the go, rather than several large cups. If you don’t plan to use ground coffee, check which capsules are compatible. Also check the heating time when using cold water and which charging accessories you’ll need.
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Consider this machine with grinder if you want to use beans and make espresso-style drinks or filter coffee. Measure the space you have and find out about the model’s noise and maintenance before installing it near a desk. Also check the milk frother set-up on the ES301EU model.
Yes, if you mainly make one cup at a time and want to keep handling to a minimum. However, measure the space needed to fill the tank, check how noisy the machine is while brewing and confirm which pod format it accepts.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container. Check your local authority’s guidance too, and if you’d rather use a collection scheme run by a brand, check which capsules it accepts.
ADEME lists coffee grounds and paper filters among the waste that can be composted. Use a composting or food waste collection option that accepts the filters you use.
Follow the machine’s manual and any descaling alerts, taking your water hardness into account. De'Longhi notes, in particular, that descaling is part of maintaining a bean-to-cup espresso machine; don’t assume the frequency is the same for every machine.
In France, electric coffee machines are covered by the electrical and electronic equipment waste scheme described by the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Consider repair or reuse where possible, then use an appropriate collection scheme rather than putting the machine in household rubbish.