For your daily espressos, pods are a good choice if you prefer pre-portioned coffee and a quick, straightforward routine. A portafilter gives you more scope to prepare your coffee by hand. A bean-to-cup machine lets you choose your beans while automating coffee preparation, but it takes up space and needs regular maintenance. If you also make milk-based drinks, check whether each model uses a steam wand or an automatic milk system.
If you want to keep the steps involved in making each cup to a minimum, compare the convenience of pods with the automation of a bean-to-cup machine. In both cases, consider what you’ll need to fill, empty and clean throughout the day.
A portafilter lets you measure and prepare the coffee yourself. A bean-to-cup machine is also worth considering if you want to choose your beans but leave some of the preparation to the machine. Available settings vary by model.
A steam wand means frothing the milk yourself, while an automatic milk system is designed to prepare drinks at the touch of a button. Check the recipes available and what needs cleaning after use.
Worth considering if: you want pre-portioned coffee without preparing a portafilter for every cup.
The trade-off: your choice of coffee depends on the format accepted by the machine.
Worth considering if: you enjoy measuring the coffee and taking part in the espresso-making process.
The trade-off: you’ll need to empty and clean the portafilter after use.
Worth considering if: you want to choose your beans and automate coffee preparation.
The trade-off: you’ll need to refill the machine and regularly clean its containers and water circuit.
To compare these systems, start with your daily routine, then look at the formats they accept, the milk function and how easy it is to access the parts that need cleaning.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee format | Check whether the model accepts a specific pod format, ground coffee, ESE pods or beans. Confirm any ESE or multi-format compatibility for the exact model. | I want to be able to buy the type of coffee I’ll use regularly, without assuming that another range from the same brand accepts the same format. |
| Daily routine | Compare the steps involved before and after each cup: inserting and removing a pod, measuring coffee and emptying a portafilter, or filling and emptying a bean-to-cup machine’s containers. Check which settings are actually available. | In the morning, I’d rather keep the steps to a minimum; at other times, measuring my own coffee can be part of the experience I’m looking for. |
| Milk-based drinks | Know the difference between a manual steam wand and an automatic milk system. Check the recipes, froth settings and model-specific cleaning steps. | If I often make cappuccinos, I need to know whether the machine handles the milk or whether I’ll need to froth it and clean the wand myself. |
| Space and maintenance | Measure the available space and check you can access the water tank and containers. For a bean-to-cup machine, also check access to the removable brewing unit, if there is one, and the descaling instructions. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of regularly rinsing the containers. | I can leave the machine on the worktop, but I also need to be able to fill it and remove parts for cleaning. |
A steam wand is for frothing milk by hand; it won’t prepare a milk-based drink at the touch of a button.
Check the model’s milk system, the drinks it can make and the cleaning steps required after each use.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the coffee-ground and drip containers need regular rinsing, and neglecting to descale the machine can eventually block the system.
Before choosing, check how to remove the containers, whether the brewing unit is accessible and what cleaning the milk circuit requires.
Allow time for rinsing and descaling, and budget for the products or filters recommended for the model.
A pod machine accepts specific formats. A portafilter only takes ESE pods if compatibility is stated for the particular model.
Check the exact machine model and coffee format before choosing your supplies.
The Nespresso Original system is for people who prefer to make coffee one portion at a time. Check that your chosen pods match the machine’s format.
De’Longhi offers Dedica portafilter machines as well as models with a grinder. Check the features of each model individually.
Philips offers automatic bean-to-cup machines with adjustable settings and, on some models, a LatteGo milk system.
These Joybuy models show three ways to make espresso at home: with a bean-to-cup machine, a portafilter or pods. Start by choosing the routine that suits you, then check the specifications of the model you’re considering.
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This bean-to-cup model is for anyone who wants to make espresso from beans and is also considering milk-based drinks with LatteGo. Check which drinks are available on the EP2230/10 and what’s involved in cleaning the milk system.
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This portafilter machine is a good fit if you want to take part in making every espresso and don’t mind cleaning the parts you’ve used afterwards. Check the listed water tank capacity for this variant before buying.
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This pod machine may appeal if you prefer making single servings. Its name suggests it works with several formats and ground coffee, so check which pods are accepted and which accessories you’ll need for the version on sale.
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This automatic bean-to-cup machine suits a routine centred on coffee beans. If you also want to make milk-based drinks, check how the steam wand works and what cleaning it requires.
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This pod machine suits a routine based on pre-portioned coffee. Check that the pods you plan to use are the right format, and make sure you have enough room to access the water tank.
Regularly rinse the coffee-ground and drip containers, and clean the brewing unit as instructed for your machine. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends descaling when prompted by the appliance. Neglecting this can eventually block the system. If your model has a milk circuit, follow its specific care instructions too.
No. A steam wand means you’ll need to froth the milk yourself. If you want a milk-based drink at the touch of a button, check that the machine has an automatic milk system, which drinks it can make and how to clean it. The number of recipes alone doesn’t tell you how easy the milk function is to use.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic pods in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. You should also follow the recycling guidance in your local area.