For your everyday coffee, start by choosing between the convenience of capsules or pods, the hands-on approach of a portafilter machine, and automatic brewing from whole beans. The right choice also depends on the type of coffee you want to use, the space you have available and how much regular maintenance you’re prepared to do.
If you use your machine often, compare the supplies needed for each cup and the maintenance involved. A bean grinder is worth considering if you want to choose your coffee and are happy to look after its containers; a portafilter machine requires more hands-on effort with every brew.
Capsules and soft pods save you from measuring out coffee for every cup. Check which format the machine takes, how easy it is to get hold of the portions you need and how much room it will take up in your kitchen.
A portafilter machine lets you use ground coffee and take a hands-on role in each extraction; a grinder uses whole beans and automates part of the process. Both options involve some cleaning.
For everyday use, think about the steps you’re happy to repeat, then check the coffee format, maintenance requirements and where you’ll put the machine.
Worth considering: if you want to make a serving with minimal effort.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to keep buying capsules that are compatible with that specific machine system.
Worth considering: if you want pre-measured portions without committing to a capsule system tied to a particular range.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to replace the pods, and you should check exactly which ones are compatible.
Worth considering: if you want to use ground coffee and have a hands-on role in making it.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill the portafilter and empty it by hand after use.
Worth considering: if you regularly make coffee from whole beans and prefer an automated brewing process.
Bear in mind: automatic brewing doesn’t mean you can skip rinsing the containers and maintaining the machine.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Regular purchases | Find out which coffee or portions you’ll need to buy, along with the cleaning products recommended in the manual. Consider these purchases in relation to how many cups you usually make. | I make several coffees a day and want to plan for the supplies each system will require. |
| Everyday steps | Compare inserting a portion, filling and emptying a portafilter, or filling the containers on a grinder. Automatic controls don’t eliminate the need for cleaning. | In the morning, I’d rather keep handling to a minimum; or, on the other hand, I want to be involved in making my coffee. |
| Maintenance | Check the descaling instructions and the product recommended for the model. For a grinder, also look at how easy it is to access the containers and brewing unit. | I can make time for regular maintenance, taking my usage and water hardness into account. |
| Choice of coffee | Identify the exact format the machine accepts: capsules from a particular range, soft pods, ground coffee or whole beans. If you’re using portions, check they’re compatible before buying. | I want to choose my beans or ground coffee, or I’d rather have the convenience of a pre-measured portion. |
| Available space | Check the machine’s dimensions and the space you’ll need to fill its containers and remove parts for cleaning. | I need to be able to use and maintain my machine where I plan to put it. |
| Packaging | Compare individual portions with whole-bean or ground coffee. In France, ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin for paper and packaging. | I want to reduce individual packaging, or find out how to recycle the capsules I use. |
With a single-serve machine, you’ll need a new capsule or pod for every coffee. Other systems also require suitable coffee and cleaning products.
Estimate how many cups you usually make, then list the consumables and maintenance tasks involved with each option.
Don’t assume a capsule designed for one range will work with another. Your choice of coffee may depend on the system you choose.
Check the exact format the machine accepts and make sure the coffees you want to use are available in that format.
The grounds and drip trays, as well as the brewing unit on some models, need regular cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir recommends factoring in these tasks when choosing an automatic machine.
Before you choose, check how to remove these parts and follow the cleaning and descaling instructions in the manual.
A recycled capsule is still individual packaging. Your choice between portions, whole beans and ground coffee also depends on how much packaging waste you’re willing to accept.
If you use aluminium or plastic capsules in France, follow ADEME’s recycling guidance for paper and packaging.
These brands can help you compare the different systems and their maintenance guidance. Be sure to check each model individually.
A brand to consider if you’re thinking about a capsule machine and want to find out what services and guidance it offers in France.
A brand to consider when comparing machines that use soft pods and their maintenance instructions.
The brand offers both manual portafilter machines and automatic machines with a grinder.
These models cover two of the options outlined above: automatic machines with a bean grinder and capsule machines. Compare their coffee formats with your everyday habits before choosing.
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This grinder model is designed for people who want to make coffee regularly from whole beans. The name includes the LatteGo system; check the manual for the cleaning steps required when making milk-based drinks.
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This automatic machine with a grinder is a good option if you want to use whole beans without filling a portafilter for every cup. Allow time to clean the parts you use, and check the dimensions to make sure it will fit in your chosen spot.
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The grinder lets you start with whole beans for an automated brew. If you plan to use it every day, check the manual to find out what manual cleaning is needed in addition to the machine’s maintenance programmes.
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This capsule machine is a good fit if you prefer single servings to measuring out coffee by hand. Check which capsule format this variant accepts, and remember to empty the used capsules and descale the machine as instructed in the manual.
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This machine uses the Vertuo capsule system, so check that this format suits the coffee you want to make every day. Also check how much room you’ll need to install and use the machine.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Some brands also offer collection points for their capsules.
Always follow the machine’s alert and manual first: how often you need to descale depends in part on usage and water hardness. As a general guide, UFC-Que Choisir recommends an average interval of two to three months; Nespresso France and Philips Assistance France each provide guidance for their own machines.
Use the product and method specified in your machine’s manual rather than assuming the same descaler will suit every machine. Philips Assistance France, for example, provides specific recommendations for SENSEO machines.
No. It’s worth considering if you want to choose your beans and are happy to clean the containers and other parts listed in the manual regularly. If your priority is to keep preparation and the machine’s footprint to a minimum, compare capsule or pod machines too, and check which portion formats they accept.