If you regularly make espresso with your choice of beans and don’t want to rely on capsules, an automatic grinder is a good option if you’re happy to maintain it. A portafilter machine suits you if you prefer to prepare each shot yourself. Capsules and pods make things simple, but you’ll need to choose a format that works with your machine. Also compare the cost of consumables, the space you have available and the drinks you want to make.
A machine with a grinder lets you use whole beans without having to prepare each dose by hand. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the benefits of choosing your coffee, its strength and the volume of your drink with this type of machine. Just remember to rinse the trays regularly, too.
Capsules and soft pods are worth considering if you prefer coffee in pre-portioned servings. Check which format the machine accepts and whether you’ll be able to buy the coffee you like on a regular basis.
If you want to be involved in making every shot, consider a portafilter machine. For cappuccinos or lattes, check that it has the milk-frothing feature you want and find out what cleaning it involves.
Start by deciding between espresso and filter coffee, then compare espresso machines by the type of coffee they use and the routine you’re willing to follow.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to me |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee and preparation | Check whether the machine takes whole beans, ground coffee, capsules or soft pods. With a portafilter machine, factor in filling and tamping the coffee for every drink. Filter coffee isn’t a substitute for espresso if that’s what you’re after. | I want to choose my beans without handling every dose myself, so I’ll look at an automatic grinder. If preparing each shot is part of the enjoyment, a portafilter offers a different experience. |
| Running costs | Compare the machine and the coffee it actually takes over the same period, based on the number of cups you usually make. Add in any filters and the cleaning products required for each model. | For my daily coffee, I want to compare like-for-like usage, rather than basing the total cost on the consumables alone. |
| Cleaning and milk | Check how easy it is to reach the trays and, if removable, the brewing unit. Consult the manual for descaling and cleaning the steam wand or milk system. | I sometimes make milk-based drinks, so the time needed to clean the machine afterwards matters just as much as how it froths the milk. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space for the machine and the room needed to fill the water tank or remove the trays. If noise matters to you, look for a measurement or test for the exact model. | The machine will stay on my worktop, so I need to be able to fill and clean it without moving it every time. |
Looking only at the coffee you use leaves out the cost of the machine, its upkeep and how many cups you’ll actually make.
Compare the options over the same period, using your expected consumption and the consumables each model needs.
Making milk-based drinks adds cleaning steps to your routine. JURA’s care recommendations, for example, distinguish cleaning the milk system from other maintenance tasks.
Read the manual for the model you’re considering and choose between a steam wand and an automatic milk system with the required cleaning steps in mind.
Even when they can be recycled, capsules are still individually packaged portions.
If you want to cut down on packaging, compare pre-portioned formats with whole beans or ground coffee. For aluminium or plastic capsules, follow the recycling instructions from ADEME and check the arrangements in your local area.
A machine may fit on your worktop but still be awkward to fill or clean if there isn’t enough room to remove its trays.
Measure the clearance needed to take out accessible parts. If noise is a deciding factor in your home, look for information about the exact model.
De’Longhi France offers both automatic bean-to-cup machines and manual portafilter machines: two different ways to make espresso.
Philips provides usage and care information for several of its coffee systems.
Nespresso is worth considering if you’re happy to choose capsules that are compatible with your machine’s system.
JURA’s guidance can help you understand the maintenance involved with an automatic machine, particularly one with a milk system.
These models are automatic grinder options for making espresso with whole beans. When deciding between this type of machine, capsules, pods and a portafilter, also bear in mind the cleaning and consumable requirements outlined above.
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This automatic grinder machine is designed for anyone who wants to make coffee from whole beans and is considering an option for milk-based drinks. Check the manual for instructions on cleaning the LatteGo system and the space needed to access the machine’s components.
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This automatic bean-to-cup machine combines coffee preparation with a LatteCrema milk system. If milk-based drinks are part of your routine, check the model’s manual to find out how to clean it.
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This automatic grinder machine is designed for making coffee from whole beans and milk-based drinks; its product description lists six types of coffee. Before relying on a particular recipe, check the drinks menu and cleaning cycles in the H16 manual.
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This bean-to-cup model suits anyone who wants to use whole beans without preparing each dose in a portafilter. If you’d also like to froth milk, check the manual for instructions on using and cleaning the steam wand on this version.
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This automatic grinder machine is designed for anyone who wants to make espresso from whole beans. If you plan to use ground coffee or the steam wand, check the manual for the relevant instructions. Also check the machine’s dimensions and the clearance it needs on your worktop.
No. The total cost depends on the machine, your choice of coffee, cleaning supplies and how many cups you make. Compare these factors over the same period and based on your expected consumption, rather than judging by the price of coffee per cup alone.
You’ll need to rinse the coffee grounds and drip trays regularly, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir. Check the machine’s manual for details on accessing the brewing unit and descaling. If you make milk-based drinks, also check how to clean the milk system.
In France, ADEME advises putting them in the sorting bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check the collection arrangements in your local area.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a business to a consumer, whether they are new, second-hand or refurbished, according to information published by economie.gouv.fr in September 2026. Keep your proof of purchase and the machine’s product description so you can clearly explain any problem to the seller.