For consistently good coffee at home, start by deciding which daily routine suits you: buying capsules or pods compatible with your machine, preparing the coffee yourself in a portafilter, or maintaining an automatic grinder. Portion-based systems minimise hands-on preparation, while a portafilter involves more steps. With a grinder, pay particular attention to the space available, how noisy the model is and its cleaning routine.
If you want to keep the steps involved in making each cup to a minimum, consider portion-based systems and automatic machines. For capsules or pods, also check that compatible portions are easy to buy from your usual retailers.
If you drink coffee regularly, choosing the right capsules, pods or beans is particularly important. Compare the consumables you’ll actually use and the maintenance involved, rather than choosing a machine based on its looks alone.
A portafilter machine is a good fit if measuring, tamping and cleaning are all part of the routine you’re looking for. A grinder automates some of the process using whole beans, but it still needs cleaning and descaling.
Que Choisir identifies four types of domestic espresso machine: capsule, soft pod, portafilter and bean-to-cup. Start by thinking about how you like to prepare coffee, then check the specific requirements of the model you’re considering.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Steps and speed | Compare the steps involved in making your usual drinks and, for a portion-based system, check that the portions are compatible with the model. | When coffee needs to fit into a busy morning, I want to avoid measuring and tamping every cup. Around 33% of consumers put this simple preparation first. |
| Consumables | Find out which capsules, pods or beans you plan to use, and whether they’re available from your usual retailers. | If I make several coffees regularly, I want to be able to restock my consumables without changing my shopping habits. This is the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Hands-on preparation | For a portafilter machine, check which coffee it accepts, which accessories are included and what the instructions say about preparing your coffee. | I prefer to measure and tamp the coffee myself rather than leave the whole process to the machine. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this hands-on approach. |
| Maintenance and space | Check the dimensions, how easy it is to access the parts that need cleaning, the descaling procedure and the model-specific information on noise. | In a kitchen where every bit of space matters, I want a machine that fits into my routine when it comes to cleaning and finding a place for it. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
A capsule or pod machine requires you to choose portions that are compatible with its system. Philips SENSEO support, for example, refers to the pod holder type specific to each model.
Make a note of the exact machine reference, then check which portions are compatible and where to buy them before you order.
An automatic grinder needs rinsing, cleaning and descaling. De’Longhi explains that how often you need to descale depends, among other things, on your water hardness.
Read the instructions for the model you’re considering and make sure you can easily access the water tank and the parts that need cleaning.
Also allow for the time the machine will be occupied with its maintenance cycles.
With a manual machine, you need to put the coffee in the portafilter, tamp it and lock the portafilter into place. These steps are part of making every cup.
Choose this type if you’re happy to get hands-on; otherwise, compare the steps involved with a portion-based system or an automatic grinder.
In France, any commercial warranty offered by a brand is separate from the statutory legal guarantee of conformity that the retailer must provide, as explained by the French Ministry of the Economy.
Keep your proof of purchase, identify the retailer and read the terms of any commercial warranty, without confusing it with your statutory rights.
The brand offers a range of capsule machines and capsules on its French website.
This range lets you make coffee using soft pods.
The brand offers both manual portafilter machines and automatic bean-to-cup machines.
These models let you compare two ways of making espresso regularly at home: an automatic machine with a grinder or a manual portafilter machine. Before choosing, compare the steps involved in preparing and maintaining them with those for capsule or pod systems.
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Worth considering if you regularly make coffee from beans and want to select your drinks on the machine. The LatteGo system may also appeal to households that make milk-based drinks; check what cleaning it requires. The compatible AquaClean filter is not included.
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This model is for anyone looking to make coffee from beans and perhaps prepare milk-based drinks too. If the choice of drinks is a key factor in your purchase, check the recipes available on this particular version before ordering. Remember to factor cleaning and descaling cycles into your routine.
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Consider this model if you’re looking for an automatic machine with a grinder but would also like the option of using ground coffee. Making milk-based drinks involves using the steam wand manually. Measure the space you have available and check the dimensions of this version before buying.
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This automatic grinder may suit you if you like to switch between different types of coffee. For milk-based drinks, you’ll need to use and clean the steam wand. Also check the voltage and plug type of this version for the space where you plan to use it.
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This portafilter machine is for people who want to get hands-on with preparation and have limited worktop space. Check which filters are included if you want to switch between ground coffee and ESE pods. Before buying, also confirm the water tank capacity, voltage and plug type for this version.
No. A grinder means you don’t have to measure coffee into a portafilter for every cup, but you’ll need to make room for it and keep up with rinsing, cleaning and descaling. If these considerations matter more to you than automation, compare other types of machine too.
It depends on the model, the hardness of your water and how many coffees you make. De’Longhi highlights these factors in its advice for grinders and traditional machines; follow the alerts and instructions for your exact model.
No. Check which system the machine accepts before buying portions for it. For SENSEO machines, Philips recommends checking the pod holder type and the accessories that match the model.
You can claim under the statutory legal guarantee of conformity from the professional retailer if the product is faulty or does not conform to the contract. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the guarantee lasts for two years for both new and second-hand goods. Any commercial warranty is separate and does not replace it.
No. Noise depends on the model you’re considering and where you plan to use it. Que Choisir flags noise as something to consider with some grinders. If it matters to your household, check the information and test results for the exact model.