If you make several coffees a day at home, capsules or coffee pads are a good choice when you want pre-measured portions, while a portafilter gives you more control over the preparation and settings. An automatic bean-to-cup machine is worth considering if you want to use coffee beans without preparing each cup by hand, as long as you’re happy with the space it takes up and the maintenance involved. Whichever type you choose, check which consumables are compatible, along with the water tank capacity and the cleaning steps required for the model you’re considering.
For a household that makes several espressos a day, your choice mainly depends on how much hands-on preparation you’re happy to do between cups and what sort of coffee everyone prefers.
An automatic bean-to-cup machine is worth considering if you want to use whole beans and make coffees one after another without handling a portafilter for every cup. However, make room for the machine and allow time to clean its containers and brew group, as Que Choisir recommends in its care advice.
A capsule or soft coffee pod machine lets you enjoy pre-measured portions. Before choosing a compact machine, check its dimensions, water tank capacity and the type of consumable it takes.
A portafilter machine is a good choice if you want to use ground coffee and have more control over each extraction. An automatic grinder machine offers a different option: choose your beans and let the machine handle the grinding and preparation. Check the settings available on each model.
When comparing capsules, soft coffee pods, portafilter machines and grinders, start with the type of coffee you want and how you’ll prepare it. Then check what maintenance will involve in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Check how many cups you can make at a time, what you need to do between coffees and the water tank capacity of the model you’re considering. | Several people drink coffee one after another: I’d rather not have to refill the water or set up an accessory between every cup. |
| Choice of coffee | Find out which formats the machine takes: capsules, soft coffee pods, ground coffee or beans. For a portafilter or grinder machine, look at the settings you’ll actually use. | I’d like to switch between different coffees to suit everyone at home, rather than rely on a single pre-measured format. |
| Consumables | Check the exact compatibility of the coffee, filters and cleaning products, and make sure they’re available for the model you choose. | If we make coffee every day, I want to be able to find the consumables we need easily. |
| Maintenance | Check the manual for any water hardness settings, descaling instructions and guidance on cleaning the containers or brew group. Check separately what you need to do to maintain the milk system. | I don’t mind rinsing it regularly, but I want to know what I’ll need to do after making a cappuccino. |
| Available space | Measure the width and depth, and allow room to access the water tank, container and coffee. If you choose a separate grinder, you’ll need space for that too. | My worktop is small, so the machine’s dimensions alone aren’t enough to make a decision. |
| Recycling and repairs | For capsules, check your local recycling and collection guidelines. For the machine, ask about parts for the exact model you’re considering. | I want to follow the recycling guidelines that apply where I live and know what repair options are available before I choose. |
A steam wand or milk circuit adds extra cleaning after you make a drink. If you serve several milk-based drinks throughout the day, these steps will be part of the machine’s everyday use.
Check the manual to see which parts can be removed, how to rinse them and what needs to be done after each drink.
Remember to allow time to rinse and dry the parts you’ve used.
Whether you can recycle a capsule depends on your local collection scheme. Nespresso advises checking your local council’s guidelines for its aluminium capsules and also offers other collection options.
Check the guidance that applies where you live before choosing a capsule format for this reason.
In France, the DGCCRF explains that the requirement to make spare parts available doesn’t apply to every product category. You’ll need to check what applies to the machine you’re considering.
Ask the retailer for the availability information provided for the exact model, and check the manual to identify compatible maintenance accessories.
These points relate to the ranges and services mentioned, not to the availability or features of every machine sold under these brands.
A capsule system to consider if you want pre-measured portions and plan to use its associated collection services.
A brand to consider if you’re choosing between a portafilter and an automatic grinder machine, and want to check the manual for the model you have in mind.
Automatic machine ranges to consider if water filtration and maintenance are important to your decision.
A brand of domestic coffee machines to compare model by model, particularly for access to manuals and compatible accessories.
These Joybuy models cover three ways to make several coffees at home: an automatic grinder machine, soft coffee pods and a portafilter. Compare how each one works and what maintenance it involves before choosing a model.
Image unavailable
This automatic grinder machine is designed for households that want to use whole beans and have a system for making milk-based drinks. Check how to clean LatteGo and which filters are compatible before making it part of your routine.
Image unavailable
The H16 combines a grinder with a milk system and offers six types of coffee. If these drinks are a regular choice at home, check the manual for details of how to clean the milk circuit and machine.
Image unavailable
This automatic grinder machine is a good choice if you want to make coffee from beans without handling a portafilter for every cup. Its manual steam wand involves extra steps for milk-based drinks and needs cleaning after use.
Image unavailable
This soft coffee pod machine is a good choice if you prefer pre-measured portions. It’s designed for SENSEO pods, so check that this format and the compatible coffees suit your household’s habits.
Image unavailable
This portafilter machine is designed for those who want to make coffee by hand using ground coffee or compatible ESE pods. The steam wand and portafilter need cleaning after use; also check the water tank capacity if you’ll be making several coffees one after another.
No. It’s a good choice if you want to use whole beans and make cups without handling a portafilter by hand, but you’ll need to allow space for the machine and time for maintenance. If pre-measured portions matter more to you, compare capsule and pod machines too.
Yes, if the machine’s manual includes a setting for it. De'Longhi recommends finding out your water hardness for maintenance, so check the method given for your model and follow its descaling instructions.
No. Philips says that, for compatible AquaClean systems, the time between descaling depends on factors including the drinks made and the rinse or cleaning cycles. Check the maintenance and filter replacement instructions for the machine you’re considering.
Don’t assume so: collection guidelines vary by local council. For its capsules, Nespresso recommends checking local guidance and offers other collection options if the yellow bin isn’t suitable.
No. In France, the DGCCRF explains that the requirement to make spare parts available doesn’t apply to every product category. Before buying, ask the retailer what applies to the model you’re considering.