If you regularly make espresso at home, start by thinking about the steps and consumables you’re happy to deal with every day: capsules or pods for a pre-portioned brew, a portafilter if you want to handle the ground coffee yourself, or a grinder if you’d like to use beans with simpler controls. Then check how much space you have, which consumables are compatible and what maintenance the instructions recommend. None of these machine types eliminates the need for descaling.
If you prefer pre-portioned coffee, consider machines that use capsules or soft pods. How convenient they are also depends on whether you can easily find portions that are compatible with your chosen system.
If you want to choose your ground coffee, measure it out and tamp it, a portafilter machine is a better fit for the way you like to make espresso. It involves more hands-on steps and needs cleaning after use.
An espresso machine with a grinder could suit you if you’re happy to make room for it and maintain the parts that come into contact with coffee. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that these machines are noisier and bulkier than capsule systems.
To compare the four categories described by UFC-Que Choisir, start with the everyday routine you prefer, then check what it means for consumables, space and maintenance.
| Factor | What to check before you buy | What matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday convenience | Compare the steps involved before and after each coffee, then check the drink options and which portion formats the machine accepts. | If I mainly make one coffee at a time, I want to keep handling to a minimum without relying on portions that are hard to find for my machine. Around 27% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Manual control | Check the portafilter, the accessories included and how easy the machine is to clean after brewing. | Choosing my own ground coffee and taking part in measuring it out matter more to me than making a drink at the touch of a button. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this control. |
| Beans and automation | Measure the available space and check that you can reach the containers, as well as the maintenance steps listed in the instructions. | For my regular coffees, I want to use beans and have most of the preparation automated, even if the machine takes up more room. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Consumables and waste | Check the exact reference for any portions you’ll need and what collection options are available locally. | I’d rather know what I’ll need to replace and how to dispose of used portions before choosing a system. This would be the main concern for around 26% of consumers. |
Nespresso says its Original capsules are suitable for Original machines. This compatibility does not automatically extend to the Vertuo range.
Check the exact name of your machine’s system and make sure it matches the capsules you plan to use.
Portion-based systems also need descaling. Some De’Longhi espresso machines with grinders also require you to remove and rinse the brewing unit.
Check your model’s instructions for the maintenance steps and how often to carry them out. Then make sure you can easily access the parts that need cleaning where you plan to keep the machine.
Remember to allow time for descaling and to use products that are suitable according to the instructions.
UFC-Que Choisir says that automatic machines with grinders take up more space and make more noise than capsule systems. Being able to open and remove the containers also matters in everyday use.
Measure the available width, depth and height, and remember to leave room to fill the water tank and remove the coffee grounds container.
According to ADEME, capsules thrown away with household rubbish are incinerated or sent to landfill. Nespresso says it has collection points in France, but they’re only useful if you can access one.
Check the disposal guidance for your capsules and find a convenient collection option before relying on this scheme.
The Original range is for capsule machines designed for its coffee formats, including ristretto, espresso and lungo.
Senseo offers machines that use soft pods for pre-portioned coffee. The available formats and number of cups you can make depend on the model.
De’Longhi offers portafilter machines and espresso machines with grinders, including the automatic Magnifica range.
These models show three ways to make espresso at home: capsules, a portafilter, or beans with a grinder. When comparing them, pay as much attention to the coffee system and maintenance steps as you do to the machine’s size.
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Worth considering if you’d like to make your everyday coffee with a machine that has a grinder and want the LatteGo version.
Before setting aside space for it, check its dimensions and the maintenance steps recommended for the EP2230/10 model.
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If you’re looking for a capsule machine, check that the Essenza Mini’s system is compatible with the capsules you want to buy.
The product name lists a 0.6 L water tank and a power rating of 1 200 W. You’ll also need to descale it as instructed.
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This bundle is for anyone looking for an automatic bean-to-cup machine who’d also like the two packs of Lavazza coffee listed in the product name.
Measure the space you have available and check the ECAM250.23.SB instructions for cleaning and descaling.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer to take a hands-on approach to making espresso with a manual machine.
Allow for the filling and cleaning involved with a portafilter, then check the EC685.M instructions for the descaling process.
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This version may suit you if you’re looking for a pre-portioned system and want to use Vertuo capsules.
The product name lists a 0.6 L water tank. Check that the Vertuo capsules you’re interested in are available, and follow the instructions for descaling.
Don’t assume they will: Nespresso says Original capsules are compatible with Original machines. Always check the exact range listed for both the machine and the capsules.
Follow the instructions for your model, taking into account the water you use and how often you make coffee. Nespresso recommends descaling its machines every three months or after around 300 capsules; this is a guide, not a replacement for the instructions for your specific machine.
Check the cleaning and descaling steps recommended for your chosen model. For some machines in its Magnifica range, De’Longhi describes removing and rinsing the brewing unit, as well as running a descaling programme.
In France, according to ADEME, they are incinerated or sent to landfill. If you plan to dispose of them separately, check the relevant guidance and make sure there’s a collection point you can access.
Take it to an electrical equipment collection point rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The French ministry responsible for the environment describes take-back schemes in shops, including the option to return an old appliance when buying a product of the same type, subject to the applicable conditions.