If you make several espressos a day, start by choosing your preferred coffee format and deciding how much effort you’re happy to put in between cups. Capsules and pods make preparation simpler, but you’ll need to check which refills are compatible. A grinder or portafilter gives you more choice of coffee, but involves adjustments and maintenance. In every case, check the water tank, drip tray and milk-preparation options for the specific model, especially if anyone in your household drinks milk-based coffee.
If several people make coffee one after another, consider how easy it is to prepare each cup, as well as how accessible the water tank and drip tray are. Que Choisir includes capacity, speed and ease of use among its criteria for choosing an espresso machine.
When you make espressos throughout the day, your choice of coffee format is a long-term decision. Compare the availability of beans, ground coffee or compatible pods, then think about the maintenance you’re prepared to do.
If everyone in your household likes a different kind of coffee, check which drinks the model you’re considering can make. A manual steam wand and an automatic milk system involve different steps and cleaning routines.
For frequent use, start with your preferred coffee format and how you want to prepare it, then check the capacity and maintenance requirements of the exact machine.
Worth considering: if you want ready-to-use portions with minimal handling of the coffee.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy capsules that are compatible with your chosen system and empty the used-capsule container as often as your usage requires.
Worth considering: if you prefer individually portioned coffee and want a model suited to making several cups in quick succession.
Bear in mind: the pods and drinks available depend on the machine. Check the water tank capacity for each model.
Worth considering: if you want more control over the coffee you use and how each espresso is prepared.
Bear in mind: dosing, preparation and cleaning all involve steps between cups, and you’ll need space for the accessories.
Worth considering: if you want to use beans for your daily coffees while automating some of the preparation.
Bear in mind: the grinder, containers and water circuit need maintaining. Recipes and milk systems vary between models.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Making several cups without stopping | Water tank and drip tray capacity; how easy they are to access in your kitchen. | If several people want coffee within a short space of time, I want to avoid having to refill the tank or empty the tray between cups. Around 29% of consumers put uninterrupted serving at the top of their list. |
| Choice of coffee | The format the machine accepts and the exact compatibility of the capsules or pods you’re considering. | If I’m making several espressos a day, I want to be able to keep buying the coffee I like without getting the format wrong. Around 29% of consumers say having that choice is their main priority. |
| A variety of drinks | The recipes available on the specific model and its milk-preparation method: a manual steam wand or an automatic system. | At home, some people prefer espresso while others like milk-based drinks, so I’m looking for options that genuinely suit those habits. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this variety. |
| Maintenance and waste | Parts to clean, descaling instructions and, for capsules, suitable recycling options. | I can maintain the machine regularly, but the routine needs to fit into my day-to-day life and suit my chosen coffee format. For around 21% of consumers, this is the deciding factor. |
When you’re making coffee one cup after another, having to refill the tank or empty the tray can interrupt the flow, even if preparing each cup is simple.
Check the capacity and accessibility of the water tank, drip tray and used-capsule container for the exact model, especially if you’re putting the machine under a wall cabinet.
A capsule or pod machine means sticking to a compatible format. A grinder or portafilter involves different preparation and maintenance steps.
Decide which coffee you want to use every day, then confirm that it’s compatible with the machine you’re considering.
A steam wand requires you to froth the milk manually, while the features and parts of an automatic milk system vary by model.
Check which drinks are available, what steps are involved and which parts need rinsing after making a milk-based drink.
Que Choisir considers cleaning part of the maintenance required for espresso machines. Descaling is also necessary, even for automatic models.
Check the tasks listed in the instruction manual. If you use capsules, follow the sorting instructions for their material. In France, ADEME says aluminium or plastic capsules should go in the packaging recycling bin.
The capsule range is aimed at households that prefer ready-to-use portions. Check that the machine accepts the capsule range you want to use.
This range uses soft pods for individually portioned coffee. Capacity varies by model.
The brand offers several bean-to-cup ranges, with different levels of automation and recipes to compare model by model.
Sage portafilter machines appeal to buyers who want more hands-on control over coffee and milk preparation.
These models offer two ways to make several coffees at home: bean-to-cup machines and a SENSEO machine that uses soft pods. Choose according to the coffee you want to use, the drinks you plan to make and the maintenance you’re happy to take on.
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Worth considering if your household uses coffee beans and you’d also like to make milk-based drinks with the LatteGo system.
Before choosing the EP2230/10 version, check which recipes it offers and the maintenance instructions for your intended use.
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Its stated 2,8 l tank capacity is worth considering if several people make coffee one after another. How often you need to refill it will also depend on the size of your drinks.
The name of this version indicates a dual boiler and a 20 bar pump. If you want to make milk-based drinks, check the recipes, steps involved and maintenance instructions in the H7A manual.
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This automatic machine with grinder is designed for households that want to make espresso from beans. If milk-based drinks are part of your routine, factor in the steps involved in using its steam wand.
Check which drinks this version offers and what cleaning is needed after using the wand.
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Worth considering if members of your household want a choice of coffees from an automatic bean-to-cup machine. Frothing milk requires manual input.
If you’ll be making drinks one after another, compare this version’s water capacity with your usual needs and check the manual for milk-system cleaning instructions.
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This soft-pod machine suits households that prefer individually portioned coffee to adjusting a grind. Check that it’s compatible with the pods you plan to use.
If you’ll be serving several people or making milk-based drinks, check this version’s capacity and features before choosing.
Start by deciding whether you prefer compatible pods, beans or ground coffee. For capsules and pods, check which system the machine accepts. For a grinder or portafilter, consider the preparation and maintenance steps involved with that model.
Follow your model’s alerts and instruction manual rather than sticking to a fixed schedule. De’Longhi says that how often its bean-to-cup machines need descaling depends, among other things, on the hardness of the water in your area.
For aluminium or plastic capsules, ADEME recommends using the packaging recycling bin, bag or container. Check what your capsules are made from; some brands also offer collection points.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, as economie.gouv.fr points out. It covers, among other things, defects that existed when the goods were delivered. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller if your machine has such a defect.