If you make coffee at home regularly, start by deciding which steps you’re happy to do every day: capsules or pods for a pre-portioned brew, a portafilter for hands-on use of ground coffee, or a grinder to automate the grinding. Then check the consumable format, available space, drinks you want to make and the maintenance required for that particular model.
If you want to make one serving with minimal effort and keep your worktop clear, consider a capsule machine. Que Choisir highlights their ease of use and compact size, but do check which capsule format the machine accepts.
A portafilter machine is a good fit if you want to take charge of filling, dosing and tamping the coffee. De’Longhi describes this hands-on approach for its manual machines; accessories and features vary by model.
An automatic grinder lets you make coffee from whole beans without grinding each serving separately. For regular use, also consider the space it takes up and the need to rinse the trays and brewing unit, as noted by Que Choisir.
Que Choisir distinguishes between capsule machines, soft pod machines, portafilter machines and bean-to-cup machines. For your daily coffee at home, start with your main priority, then check the requirements of the model you’re considering.
| Feature | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Simple preparation and available space | Measure the space you have in mind and check which capsule or pod format the machine accepts. | If you want each coffee ready with minimal effort and have limited worktop space, ease of use comes before adjustable settings. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Choice of coffee and consumables | Compare the coffees you can use with the portion formats accepted by the machine you’re considering. | If you want to switch between beans or ground coffee without being tied to a portion format, your choice of coffee becomes a key consideration. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Preparation steps | Check which filters are accepted and, if you want to make milk-based drinks, whether the machine has a steam wand. | If filling and tamping the coffee is part of the enjoyment of making a cup, a portafilter machine is worth considering. Around 19% of consumers prioritise this level of manual control. |
| Automation and maintenance | Check which drinks the machine makes and what cleaning is required for the trays, brewing unit and, where applicable, milk system. | For some, regularly making coffee from beans with fewer steps matters more than ease of cleaning. This level of automation is the main need for around 25% of consumers. |
Que Choisir notes that most brands accept just one type of capsule. So don’t assume capsules from another system will be compatible.
Make a note of the machine’s exact system and check which capsules you’ll be able to buy regularly.
A capsule or pod machine requires a specific portion format, while a portafilter machine uses ground coffee and a grinder uses whole beans. This choice determines what you’ll need to keep stocked.
Before choosing, check which coffees and consumables suit how often you make coffee.
Que Choisir reminds readers that the coffee grounds and drip trays need regular rinsing, as does the brewing unit, though less often. Parts that come into contact with milk also need to be maintained as instructed by the manufacturer.
Check the manual for your model to see which parts you’ll need to rinse, clean and descale.
The capsule material and local guidance matter when you’re sorting waste after each coffee.
Check the material of the portions you choose and consult your local guidance. In France, ADEME says aluminium and plastic capsules can go in the packaging recycling stream.
The Original range is worth considering if you want to make espresso or lungo using capsules from this system.
The Senseo range is designed for people who prefer soft pods to grinding or tamping their own coffee.
In France, the brand offers manual portafilter machines and automatic machines with grinders. The right choice depends on how hands-on you want to be.
This Joybuy selection includes capsule machines, soft pod machines, portafilter machines and models with grinders for making coffee at home. Start by choosing the approach that suits your everyday routine.
Image unavailable
For regular coffee made from whole beans, this model combines a grinder with the LatteGo system. If you’d also like to make milk-based drinks, check the cleaning steps required for this system and the maintenance needed for the grinder.
Image unavailable
For quick, portioned coffees with minimal effort, this Essenza Mini uses the Nespresso Original system. Its reservoir is listed as 0.6 L; check that the capsules you want to use are compatible with this system.
Image unavailable
This portafilter machine is for people who want to dose and tamp their own ground coffee. Before choosing where to put it, check which filters and accessories suit the drinks you want to make, as well as the reservoir capacity listed for this model.
Image unavailable
For making coffee from whole beans regularly without grinding them separately, this automatic model has a built-in grinder. Allow time to clean the parts you use, and measure your available space before setting it up.
Image unavailable
This Senseo is designed for everyday coffee made with soft pods rather than beans that need grinding. Check which pod format it accepts and follow the model’s descaling instructions.
No. Que Choisir says that most brands accept just one type of capsule. Check the machine’s exact system before choosing your coffee.
Yes, descaling is part of the maintenance you’ll need to plan for. Que Choisir recommends taking water hardness and how often you use the machine into account; Philips also advises descaling Senseo machines. Follow the instructions for your model.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check what your capsules are made of and consult your local guidance if needed.
In France, the ministry responsible for the ecological transition says that electrical appliances can be taken to a collection point or recycling centre, or returned to a retailer. Don’t put one in your ordinary household waste.
No. A water filter doesn’t replace rinsing the trays and other parts listed in the manual. Que Choisir specifically reminds readers to rinse the coffee grounds and drip trays regularly.