Busy households with limited space
If you want your coffee ready with minimal effort and have limited worktop space, compare machines that use pre-portioned coffee. Check their dimensions and make sure there’s enough room to access the water tank.
Who are these machines for?
Regular coffee drinkers who want to choose their beans
A bean grinder lets you choose your coffee beans and adjust how your coffee is made, as Que Choisir explains. You’ll also need to allow enough space for the machine and follow a suitable maintenance routine.
Coffee-making enthusiasts and fans of milk-based drinks
A portafilter machine is a good choice if you want to be hands-on with preparation; an automatic bean-to-cup machine offers a different way to make your drinks. If you use milk, also consider what’s involved in cleaning the steam wand or milk system.
What should you look for?
Capsules
Worth considering: if you prefer pre-portioned coffee and a simple, fuss-free preparation.
Bear in mind: the capsules you can use depend on the machine’s specific system.
Soft coffee pods
Worth considering: if you want a simple way to make coffee without grinding or tamping it.
Bear in mind: the pods and accessories must be compatible with the model you choose.
Portafilter
Worth considering: if you want to measure out the coffee and adjust the preparation yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to do more each time you make a coffee; check that the model is compatible with ESE pods before using them.
Bean grinder
Worth considering: if you make coffee often and want to choose your beans and adjust your drinks.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, these machines generally take up more space and make more noise than capsule machines, and require regular maintenance.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Speed and space | The machine’s dimensions and the clearance needed to fill the water tank or insert the consumable. | If your coffee needs to be ready before you leave and you have limited worktop space, keeping things simple and reducing clutter come first; this is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Beans and drinks | The machine’s preparation settings and available drinks, plus any steps involved in using milk, if applicable. | If I make coffee often, I may want to choose my beans and enjoy a variety of drinks; this freedom is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Hands-on control | The filters supplied and whether ESE compatibility is explicitly stated, if you want to use these pods. | I’d rather make each coffee myself than press a single button; around 25% of consumers prioritise this level of control. |
| Maintenance and noise | The cleaning and descaling steps in the instruction manual, and the machine’s noise specifications, if provided. | In a household where noise or cleaning could disrupt your routine, you’ll want to maintain the machine without overlooking its instructions; this ease of use is a priority for around 17% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all capsules will fit
Que Choisir says that most brands accept only one type of capsule. A capsule made for a different system may not work in your machine.
Identify the machine’s exact system and check which formats it accepts before choosing your capsules.
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Thinking a bean grinder only needs descaling
According to Que Choisir, the trays and, depending on the model, the brewing unit also need regular cleaning. A milk system adds its own maintenance steps.
Check the manual for the model you’re considering to find out which parts need rinsing, removing or descaling.
Also allow time to clean the machine after making milk-based drinks.
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Assuming a feature applies to every machine from a brand
Philips offers features such as SilentBrew, LatteGo and AquaClean on specific models; you can’t assume they’re available just because of the brand name.
Check the full model number and the conditions for using the feature you’re interested in.
Brands to know when comparing coffee systems
Nespresso
Worth considering if you’re looking at a capsule machine and want to find out what support is available for the model.
- Nespresso France offers diagnostic services and options for repair or exchange.
- The brand notes that repairs may depend on parts being available, so check the terms that apply to the machine you choose.
Philips / SENSEO
Compare these ranges if you’re choosing between SENSEO soft coffee pods and a Philips bean-to-cup machine.
- Philips France provides cleaning and descaling instructions for its coffee machines.
- To find a compatible SENSEO part, Philips asks you to search by model number. Features advertised for the Series 3300 EP3347/90 are not available across every Philips machine.
De’Longhi
A brand offering both manual portafilter machines and automatic bean-to-cup machines.
- De’Longhi France distinguishes between manual preparation, which requires more hands-on involvement, and automatic preparation.
- Check whether ESE pods are compatible with the portafilter machine you’re considering.
Machines for different needs
These Joybuy models let you compare bean-to-cup, portafilter and capsule machines for making coffee at home. Consider each model based on how you like to prepare your coffee, how much space you have and how much maintenance you’re happy to do day to day.
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Philips Series 2200 EP2230/10 LatteGo, glossy black
Worth considering if you regularly make coffee from beans and want a system for preparing milk-based drinks.
Check the drinks available with this model, as well as the instructions for using the AquaClean filter and descaling.
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De’Longhi Magnifica ECAM250.23.SB with Lavazza coffee, 2 × 450 g
This bundle pairs an automatic bean-to-cup machine with two 450 g packs of Lavazza Tales of Napoli and Roma coffee.
If you make milk-based drinks, bear in mind that you’ll need to use the steam wand manually and clean it after each use.
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De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685.M, silver
A portafilter machine worth considering if you want to be hands-on when making your coffee.
ESE compatibility is specified for this model; check which filters you’ll need. Using the portafilter and steam wand involves extra preparation and cleaning.
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KRUPS Nespresso Essenza Mini, 0.6 L, 1,200 W, white
Worth considering if you want a quick, pre-portioned coffee with minimal effort, particularly if worktop space is limited.
This model uses the Nespresso Original system. Check the format before choosing your capsules, and remember to descale the machine as instructed.
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Nespresso Vertuo Pop ENV90.B, 0.6 L, black
A capsule option for one-touch coffee preparation, worth considering if you’d like to explore different drink sizes.
It uses Vertuo capsules, not the Original system. Check the drink sizes you’re interested in and make sure you have enough depth on your worktop.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use capsules and coffee pods interchangeably in an espresso machine?
No. Choose the consumable designed for the machine’s system and model. Que Choisir says that most brands accept only one type of capsule. For a portafilter machine, check explicitly that it’s compatible with ESE pods if you want to use them.
Is a bean grinder suitable if I’m sensitive to noise?
A bean grinder may still be suitable, but check the noise level of the specific model before you choose. Que Choisir says bean-to-cup machines are generally noisier than capsule systems; a feature advertised by a brand for one model doesn’t necessarily apply across its entire range.
What maintenance does a bean grinder need?
Rinse the trays, clean the brewing unit as directed for your model, and descale the machine when prompted. Que Choisir recommends following these steps. Also check the manual if your machine has a steam wand or milk system.
Does a commercial warranty replace the statutory warranty in France?
No. For a machine sold in France by a business to an individual, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies regardless of any commercial warranty. The DGCCRF states that claims under the statutory guarantee of conformity must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered.