Households that make espresso regularly
If short coffees are part of your daily routine, compare making coffee from beans with the steps and maintenance involved in using a grinder.
Who are these options for?
Fans of milky drinks
For cappuccinos and other milk-based drinks, you’ll also need to consider the milk system. A manual steam wand and an automatic milk carafe involve different ways of preparing and cleaning them.
Households mindful of space and noise
UFC-Que Choisir describes bean-to-cup machines as larger and noisier than pod machines or filter coffee makers. Check the dimensions and operating requirements of the model you’re considering if your kitchen or morning routine has specific constraints.
What should you look for?
Start with the drink you make most often, then compare each type of machine with the space you have and the steps you’re happy to do every day.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Type of coffee | A bean-to-cup machine uses coffee beans to make espresso. A portafilter machine involves more hands-on preparation, while with pods you’ll need to check which format the machine accepts. Don’t choose a filter coffee maker expecting it to make espresso. | I mainly make short espressos, or I prefer to fill a coffee maker to make filter coffee. |
| Maintenance | For a bean-to-cup machine, check how easy it is to access the containers, along with the cleaning and descaling instructions. If the model has a milk system, check how it needs to be rinsed and taken apart, too. | I’m happy to do a few regular maintenance tasks. Otherwise, I want to know exactly what the routine involves before choosing a more automated system. |
| Milky drinks | Check the wand, frother or carafe on the specific model. Find out which drinks are made automatically and which parts need cleaning after use. | Cappuccino is part of my usual routine, but I need to decide whether I want to prepare the milk myself. |
| Space and noise | Measure the height, width and depth, and allow room to access the tanks and containers. UFC-Que Choisir says that a bean-to-cup machine takes up more space and makes more noise than a pod machine or filter coffee maker. | In a small kitchen, access to the containers matters just as much as the space the machine takes up on the worktop. Morning noise may also affect my choice. |
| Pod format and recycling | For pods, check they’re compatible with the machine. In France, ADEME says aluminium or plastic pods can be put in the recycling collection for paper and packaging. However, each coffee still comes individually packaged. | I prefer the convenience of making coffee with pods, or I’d rather avoid individual packaging for every cup. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a bean-to-cup machine without planning for maintenance
Making coffee from beans doesn’t mean you can skip rinsing the containers or following the descaling instructions. UFC-Que Choisir points out that these tasks are part of using an automatic coffee machine.
Check the model’s manual to find out which parts need cleaning and how often.
Remember to allow time for cleaning and budget for any consumables specified for the machine.
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Assuming milk drinks mean no cleaning
An automatic carafe, a standard milk frother and a steam wand all need different care. De’Longhi’s maintenance guide, for example, says to clean milk residue from the relevant machines after use.
Check exactly which milk system the machine has and how to rinse it before choosing based on the number of drinks listed.
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Taking the word ‘quiet’ at face value
UFC-Que Choisir describes bean-to-cup machines as noisier than pod machines or filter coffee makers. A manufacturer’s description alone isn’t enough to compare how noisy two models are under the same conditions.
Check the machine’s dimensions and, if noise is a key factor, look for test results that explain how the measurements were taken.
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Assuming recyclable means packaging-free
ADEME says aluminium or plastic pods can be put in the paper and packaging recycling collection in France. This doesn’t change the fact that each coffee comes individually packaged.
If you want to reduce this type of packaging, also compare making coffee from beans or ground coffee with your usual coffee-drinking habits.
Brands to know
Features and maintenance requirements vary between models. A feature advertised for one model won’t necessarily apply to the whole brand.
De’Longhi
The Magnifica range includes bean-to-cup machines with different ways of preparing coffee and milk, depending on the model.
- For the relevant automatic machines, De’Longhi’s maintenance guide recommends rinsing the removable brewing unit and descaling when prompted by the machine.
- Check the manual for your chosen model: automatic preparation doesn’t eliminate the need to maintain the milk system, if there is one.
Philips
Philips bean-to-cup espresso machines offer different coffee and milk preparation features, depending on the model.
- For the EP2224/10 specifically, Philips lists two drinks, a classic milk frother and 12 grind settings.
- Check the features and cleaning instructions for the model you’re considering rather than assuming they’ll be the same as another series.
Bosch
The VeroCafe Série 2 TIE20119 is one specific bean-to-cup configuration, with a cleaning and descaling programme.
- Bosch lists dimensions of 378 × 247 × 420 mm and a Calc’n Clean programme for the TIE20119.
- Bosch describes its grinder as quiet, but this isn’t an independent, comparable noise measurement. You’ll also need to allow enough room to access the containers and fill the machine.
Nespresso
Nespresso represents the pod option here, which you can compare with other types of machine based on the coffee format you prefer.
- In France, ADEME says aluminium or plastic pods can be put in the paper and packaging recycling collection.
- Check which format the machine accepts. Recycling the pods doesn’t eliminate their individual packaging.
Bean-to-cup espresso machines on Joybuy
These models offer an automatic, bean-to-cup way to make coffee from whole beans. To compare them, look at how they prepare milk, how much space you have and the maintenance instructions for each model.
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Philips EP2230/10 Series 2200 LatteGo
An option with a grinder and LatteGo system if you also make milky drinks. Check the cleaning routine and the consumables required for this version.
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HiBREW H16 with grinder and milk system
The model name lists six coffee varieties and a touchscreen. If you plan to use the milk system regularly, check the cleaning steps and how much space you’ll need around the machine.
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De’Longhi Magnifica S Smart ECAM250.23.SB, silver
This automatic machine with a grinder is suited to espresso-focused coffee routines. If you also enjoy milky drinks, check how milk is prepared and what cleaning steps are involved.
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De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM220.21.WW, white
This model makes espresso from whole beans. If you enjoy milk-based drinks, check that the manual milk preparation listed for this model suits your routine, and read the maintenance instructions.
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HiBREW H7A, dual heating, 20 Bar, 2.8L tank
This bean-to-cup machine features dual heating, a 20 Bar pump and a 2.8L water tank. Check the drinks it makes and the maintenance instructions if you also plan to prepare milk-based drinks.
Frequently asked questions
How do you maintain a bean-to-cup espresso machine?
Rinse the containers regularly and follow your machine’s descaling alerts. If it has a milk system, clean the parts according to the manual after use. For the relevant automatic machines, De’Longhi’s guide also recommends removing and rinsing the removable brewing unit.
Do you have to take coffee pods back to a shop in France?
Not necessarily. ADEME says aluminium or plastic pods can go in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. You can also check your local council’s guidance for your area.
How can you plan for the noise and size of a bean-to-cup machine?
Check the model’s dimensions and allow enough space to fill the tank and remove the containers. UFC-Que Choisir describes bean-to-cup machines as noisier and larger than pod machines or filter coffee makers. If noise is a deciding factor, look for measurements taken under clearly stated conditions rather than relying on the word ‘quiet’ alone.