If you make espresso regularly and want to choose your beans without adjusting every shot, an automatic machine with an integrated grinder could be a good fit, provided you’re happy to maintain it and have enough space. A portafilter machine with a separate grinder is better suited to you if you want more control over the brewing process. Pods are another option if convenience and a compact footprint are your priorities.
You make coffee several times a week and want to choose your own beans rather than stick to one pod format. An automatic machine makes preparation easier, but you’ll also need to set aside time for cleaning. Que Choisir compares these systems in part on ease of use and the demands of day-to-day maintenance.
Different people want different drinks, so check which recipes are available on the model you’re considering and how it prepares milk. A manual steam wand and an automatic milk system involve different steps and cleaning routines.
If the machine needs to fit under a cupboard, measure the space you’ll need to fill the tanks and open the compartments too. Que Choisir notes that an automatic grinder can take up more space and make more noise than a pod system. Check these points for the model and location you have in mind.
If you make espresso regularly at home, first decide how much of the process you want to handle yourself. Then check the maintenance involved and how much space each system needs.
Consider this if: you want to choose your own beans while automating most of the day-to-day preparation.
Be prepared for: the rinsing, cleaning and descaling required for your model, as well as the space it takes up on your worktop.
Consider this if: you prefer to adjust the grind and have a hands-on role in making each espresso.
Be prepared for: more steps and the need for space for the grinder as well as the machine.
Consider this if: you’d like fewer settings and a compact setup.
Be prepared for: your choice of coffee being limited to formats compatible with the machine.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| How often you make coffee and how you buy it | Think about how much coffee you usually make and how you want to buy and store your beans or chosen format. | If I make espresso almost every day, I want to choose my own beans without having to add a grinder to every preparation. Around 33% of consumers would put frequency and supply first. |
| Maintenance | Check the manual for instructions on the trays, brewing unit, descaling and, where applicable, the milk system. | I want to know which parts to empty or rinse after making coffee, especially if I also make milk-based drinks. Ease of maintenance would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Drinks and beans | Check which recipes are actually available, how milk is prepared and whether you can switch between different beans. | Not everyone in my household drinks the same coffee, so I’m looking for suitable recipes and a practical way to switch between beans. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this flexibility. |
| Space and noise | Measure the machine and the clearance underneath cupboards. If noise matters to you, look for comparable noise measurements. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to fill the machine without moving it and take the noise of grinding into account. These constraints would come first for around 17% of consumers. |
Guided programmes don’t remove the need to look after the trays, tanks or milk system, if there is one. Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at how easy these parts are to access and clean.
Before choosing a model, read the manual to find out which parts need removing, what needs doing regularly and which cleaning products are required.
The machine’s dimensions alone won’t tell you whether you can open the bean hopper or remove the tank when it’s under a cupboard. The noise made while grinding may also matter in your kitchen.
Measure the available space and clearance, then compare them with the model’s dimensions. For noise, look for measurements taken in comparable conditions.
A guarantee offered by a brand or retailer doesn’t replace the legal guarantee of conformity that applies in France to goods sold by a professional to a consumer, as the French Ministry of the Economy points out.
Keep your receipt and the product description. If the product isn’t as described, contact the professional seller to exercise your statutory rights.
Compare specific models rather than assuming that every machine from the same brand offers the same drinks or requires the same maintenance.
De’Longhi’s range includes Magnifica machines designed for straightforward preparation, as well as models offering more settings or drinks.
The Series 5400 EP5441/50 is worth considering if you’re looking for preset recipes and clear maintenance instructions.
The Avanza and Barista SE models meet different needs: one is worth considering if space is limited, while the other offers a variety of recipes and the option to switch between beans.
JURA’s automatic coffee machines for home use are worth considering if you’d like guided maintenance programmes.
These models are for anyone looking to switch to an espresso machine with an integrated grinder and make coffee from beans at home. If you’re still deciding between this and a portafilter machine or pods, first compare the day-to-day steps and space each system requires.
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Worth considering if you’d like to make espresso from beans and use the LatteGo system for milk-based drinks.
The product information gives different figures for the number of drinks, so check which recipes are available in the manual. Also check how to clean the milk system and how much clearance the machine needs.
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This machine has an integrated grinder and is suited to anyone who wants to choose their own beans and is happy to froth milk manually.
If you plan to make milk-based drinks regularly, factor in using and cleaning the steam wand after each use. Also check how much space you’ll need to access the tanks.
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Worth considering if your household wants to enjoy a range of drinks made from beans.
The product name advertises six types of coffee. Before choosing this machine for milk-based drinks, check the manual to find out how the milk system works and how to clean it.
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Worth considering if you usually drink espresso made from beans and are happy to prepare milk manually from time to time.
Before choosing this model, check how to maintain the steam wand and how much space you’ll need to install it.
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This machine lets you make espresso from beans without needing a separate grinder.
The product name lists a 20-bar pump and a 2.8 L water tank. These figures alone don’t tell you which drinks the machine offers or how automated it is. Check the manual for these details and for routine maintenance instructions.
Be prepared to empty and clean the trays, maintain the tanks and run the cleaning cycles specified by the machine. Descaling, access to the brewing unit and cleaning any milk system will depend on the model. Check the manual for the steps you need to follow.
Compare the model’s height, width and depth with the space available, then check that you can open the compartments and remove the tanks. The dimensions published by the manufacturer describe the machine itself, not necessarily all the space you’ll need to use it.
Yes. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies in France to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a consumer. If the machine isn’t as described, contact the professional seller. Any commercial guarantee offered doesn’t replace this right.