Households that make several coffees
If you regularly make several coffees, compare the cost per serving with your actual consumption, and factor in refilling and cleaning.
Who is each type of machine for?
People who want coffee in a hurry
A pre-portioned coffee system could suit you if you want to keep things simple. Check which coffee format it accepts, how much space you have and what maintenance is involved.
People who like to customise their coffee
Ground coffee or whole beans let you choose the coffee you use, but involve handling and cleaning suited to the model, particularly when making frothed milk.
What should you compare before buying?
Start by choosing the coffee format and preparation steps you’re happy to repeat. Then compare the long-term cost, the space it takes up, the drinks you want and the maintenance involved.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term cost | For the same period, compare the machine price, the cost of the compatible coffee you’ll use and any relevant maintenance costs. | If I make a lot of coffee, I want to compare ongoing costs rather than just the purchase price. Around 27% of consumers prioritise the total cost. |
| Speed and space | Measure the available space and check that you can reach the water tank, as well as how many consecutive drinks you want to make. | For a morning coffee without lots of steps, I’m looking for a machine that suits my worktop and routine. Around 27% of consumers prioritise speed and the space available. |
| Coffee choice and preparation | Check whether the machine takes capsules, soft pods, ground coffee or whole beans, then look at the model’s settings. | If I want to choose my beans or handle ground coffee, the preparation method matters more than the number of features listed. Around 20% of consumers prioritise coffee choice and control over preparation. |
| Milk-based drinks | Confirm whether the exact model has a steam wand or milk frother, and check that you’re happy with how it works and how it needs to be cleaned. | If I make milk-based drinks, I want to know how the milk is prepared and what extra cleaning steps are involved. Around 13% of consumers prioritise milk-based drinks. |
| Compatibility and maintenance | Check the exact format of compatible consumables and consult the manual for cleaning and descaling instructions. | I’d rather check that I can buy the right coffee and that the maintenance routine suits me before choosing. Around 13% of consumers prioritise compatibility and maintenance. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all pre-portioned coffee comes in the same format
Nespresso Original and Vertuo are separate systems; SENSEO soft pods are neither capsules nor ESE pods.
Check the format specified for the exact model and make sure compatible coffee is available from your usual retailers.
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Choosing based on the machine price alone
The purchase price isn’t enough to compare systems with different compatible coffees and maintenance requirements, as Que Choisir points out.
Compare each option over the same period and for the same number of cups, making your assumptions about consumption and maintenance clear.
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Assuming “automatic” means “maintenance-free”
A grinder or milk frother doesn’t eliminate the need for maintenance. Philips says the classic milk frother on the 2200 Series EP2225/10 needs cleaning.
Check the model’s manual and make sure the required steps, including those for milk accessories, fit your routine.
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Relying on the model name alone
For the Dedica Style EC685.M EX:4, the Joybuy listing specifies a 1 L water tank and 1,350 W of power, while De’Longhi France’s listing gives 1.1 L and 1,450 W. These differences mean you can’t assume the specifications on the two listings are identical.
Before buying, ask the seller to confirm the variant and any important specifications.
Brands to know
Nespresso
The brand offers the Original and Vertuo systems, which use different capsule formats.
- The Essenza Mini featured by Nespresso makes an espresso or lungo using Original capsules.
- Check the machine’s system before buying capsules: Original and Vertuo use different formats.
SENSEO
The brand’s French range includes coffee in soft pods, including Classique and Espresso varieties.
- The brand offers several varieties and pack sizes of its pods.
- A SENSEO soft pod should not be confused with a capsule or an ESE pod; availability varies by retailer.
Philips
The models featured illustrate two different ways to make coffee: soft pods with the CSA210/50 and whole beans with the 2200 Series EP2225/10.
- Philips says the CSA210/50 makes one or two cups, while the EP2225/10 lets you adjust the strength and volume.
- These features apply to the models mentioned; the EP2225/10’s milk frother needs cleaning.
De’Longhi
The Dedica Style EC685.M EX:4 is an example of a manual portafilter machine, while the Magnifica Start ECAM220.21.B is an automatic bean-to-cup machine.
- De’Longhi lists ESE compatibility and a width of 15 cm for the Dedica featured here.
- The two models involve different preparation and maintenance steps; the specifications apply to the named variants.
Espresso machines available on Joybuy
This selection includes capsule machines, portafilter models and machines with grinders, as well as a machine compatible with capsules or ground coffee.
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Nespresso Vertuo Pop Blue ENV90.A
Make coffee with Vertuo capsules and choose from the four advertised cup sizes.
Barcode recognition and button control. Designed for the Vertuo system, which is separate from Original and soft pod systems.
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Nespresso EN80.CW Inissia, cream white
Make an espresso or lungo with capsules from the Nespresso Original system.
Two programmable cup sizes and a 0.7 L water tank. Listed dimensions: 120 × 321 × 230 mm.
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Ninja Luxe Café Mini 2-in-1 ES301EU
Make espresso and filter coffee from whole beans using the built-in grinder.
The title specifies a manual milk frother; check that you’re happy with the preparation and cleaning involved.
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HiBREW H4D
Choose between capsules and ground coffee, subject to the compatibility specified for this model.
Advertised pressure range of 8 to 15 bar. Check which capsule format it accepts before buying.
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IAGREEA 20Bar espresso machine
Make espresso with the portafilter and use the steam wand for milk-based drinks.
Removable 1.1 L water tank and programmes listed for one or two cups. Using the portafilter and cleaning the steam wand involve manual steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can an Original capsule, a Vertuo capsule and a soft pod all be used in the same machine?
Don’t assume they can: Original and Vertuo are two separate Nespresso systems, while Philips describes the CSA210/50 as a SENSEO pod machine. Check the format accepted by the exact model in its manual before buying coffee.
Does an automatic or capsule machine mean you don’t have to clean it?
No, maintenance is still required. Check the model’s manual for cleaning and descaling instructions: the Essenza Mini listing mentions descaling, and Philips says the EP2225/10’s milk frother needs cleaning.
How can you compare costs without assuming one system is cheaper?
Compare each option over the same period and for the same number of cups. Add together the machine price, the cost of the compatible coffee you’ll use and any relevant maintenance costs, keeping quoted prices separate from your own assumptions about consumption.
What statutory guarantee applies to a machine bought from a trader in France?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. According to the DGCCRF, a claim under the guarantee of conformity must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered; this guarantee is separate from an optional commercial warranty.
Does the seller have to take back an old machine when you buy a new one?
The DGCCRF notes that sellers must offer free “one-for-one” take-back of equivalent used equipment when selling new equipment. Ask the seller how this applies to your order, particularly if you’re buying online.