Stick with a capsule machine if you mainly make single espressos and want a simple routine in a compact space, provided you’re happy to use the capsule format designed for your machine. A bean-to-cup espresso machine is better suited to regular use with your choice of coffee beans, but it needs more room, makes more noise and requires regular maintenance, as Que Choisir points out.
If several cups feature in your daily routine, compare the consumables each system needs and how much space you can give the machine. A grinder is worth considering if you’re happy to keep up with regular maintenance.
If you want to pop in a portion and make a coffee without lots of steps, capsules are still a practical option. Just check that the machine’s format is compatible with the capsules you plan to use.
If trying different coffees and adjusting your brew matter more to you than keeping things as simple as possible, consider a grinder. Available settings and cleaning steps vary by model, so check both before switching systems.
If your household is already used to making individual espressos, start by considering how much space you have and which daily steps you’re happy to take. Then check the portion format or, for a grinder, the choice of coffee and available settings.
Worth considering: if you want to keep using pre-portioned coffee and save space in your kitchen.
What to bear in mind: your choice of coffee depends on which capsule system is compatible with the machine, and each drink uses an individually wrapped portion.
Worth considering: if you regularly want to make espresso using beans of your choice.
What to bear in mind: Que Choisir notes that these machines take up more space and make more noise than capsule systems, and also need regular maintenance.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Buying consumables | Compare the portions or beans you’d buy for the number of cups you usually make, along with the cleaning products recommended for the model. | When making several espressos a day, I want to plan ahead for the consumables I’ll need to replace. Around 33% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Convenience and space | Measure the space needed to access the water tank and, for a grinder, the bean hopper; also consider the noise of grinding. | In a small kitchen, I want to make coffee without cluttering the worktop or adding too many daily steps. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Choice of coffee | Check the exact capsule or pod system; for a grinder, look at the settings available on the model. | I’d like to change my beans or adjust my espresso rather than rely on a single portion format. Around 27% of consumers would put this choice first. |
| Waste and maintenance | Find out how used portions should be sorted and how easy it is to access the parts that need cleaning, then check the descaling instructions. | I want to reduce the number of individually wrapped portions I use, but only if I can keep up with the regular cleaning a grinder needs. This would be the main concern for around 13% of consumers. |
A pod machine can still offer pre-portioned coffee, as long as you choose a format the machine accepts. A portafilter with a separate grinder also gives you access to whole beans, but requires more steps and room for both pieces of equipment. Neither option offers quite the same simplicity as capsules or the automation of a bean-to-cup machine.
Choosing between portions and beans affects both your regular shopping and the products needed to maintain the machine. Your actual coffee-making habits matter just as much as the machine’s features.
Estimate how many cups your household makes and list the capsules, pods or beans you’d use. Then check the manual for any maintenance products you’ll need.
Que Choisir says that a bean-to-cup espresso machine takes up more space and makes more noise than a capsule system. Grinding noise may be a particular consideration if you make coffee early in the morning near occupied rooms.
Measure your worktop, allowing room to access the water tank and bean hopper. Check the dimensions of the model you’re considering and, if noise is a deciding factor, look for a demonstration or review that covers it.
A capsule is still a wrapped portion that needs to be dealt with after use. ADEME advises avoiding single-serve portions where possible; collection schemes don’t remove the need to check where you can drop off the capsules you use.
If you keep a capsule machine, check your local authority’s recycling guidance and find out what collection options are available near you.
The brewing process may be automated, but cleaning isn’t always. Trays and, depending on the model, the brewing unit or milk system need regular attention. De'Longhi says that descaling frequency depends in part on water hardness and how often the machine is used.
Before choosing, read the model’s manual to find out which parts are accessible, what cleaning cycles are required and which consumables you’ll need.
The brand offers two distinct capsule systems, Original and Vertuo. Check which system the machine uses before choosing your capsules.
De'Longhi offers several bean-to-cup espresso machine ranges, including Magnifica, Dinamica, Eletta Explore and PrimaDonna, with features that vary by model.
Philips offers bean-to-cup espresso machines, including some models with the LatteGo milk system.
These Joybuy models showcase three ways to make coffee at home: bean-to-cup espresso, Original or Vertuo capsules, and SENSEO pods. Start by choosing the system and considering its maintenance, then check which model suits your habits.
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Worth considering if you’d like to switch from portions to beans and make milk-based drinks too. Check the cleaning routine for the LatteGo system and brewing unit before choosing this model.
The selection mentions an AquaClean filter that’s compatible but not included. Check the filter’s usage instructions and what maintenance is required without it.
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Worth a look if you want to choose your beans while keeping espresso preparation automated. If you plan to use the steam wand, remember to clean it regularly too.
Measure the available space and check the manual for access to the grounds container and details of the descaling process.
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This capsule machine is worth considering if you want to keep making coffee with pre-portioned capsules in a compact design. Check that your capsules are compatible with the Nespresso Original system; capsule formats aren’t interchangeable.
The product name specifies a 0.6 L tank. You’ll also need to empty the used capsule container according to how often you use the machine.
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A pod option if you’d rather stick with pre-portioned coffee than switch to beans. Make sure your usual pods are in the SENSEO format and check the manual for descaling instructions.
This machine doesn’t let you brew from whole beans: your choice of coffee depends on the pod format it accepts.
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Worth considering if you want to keep using capsules and are interested in the Vertuo system. Check this specific format before buying rather than assuming an Original capsule will fit.
The product name specifies a 0.6 L tank. If drink size matters to you, confirm the volumes this model offers.
A bean-to-cup espresso machine generally needs more regular maintenance, particularly around its trays and, depending on the model, the brewing unit. Check the manual to find out which parts need cleaning and when to descale the machine. De'Longhi says descaling frequency depends in part on water hardness and how often the machine is used.
Not necessarily. Check the new machine’s exact system before relying on your usual purchases. For example, Nespresso says its Vertuo Up uses only Nespresso Vertuo capsules, so the brand name alone doesn’t guarantee compatibility across its ranges.
Follow the sorting guidance for the material your capsules are made from and the rules in your local area, or use a collection point that accepts your format. Nespresso says it has collection points in France; check where they are if you plan to use this option for your capsules.
Not if you want to choose whole beans: a pod machine still uses pre-portioned coffee. It may suit you if you want to keep making coffee this way, provided you check which pod format the model accepts.