If you make several coffees a day, start by considering the drinks you want, how many cups you’ll make in a row and how much maintenance your household is prepared to do. Capsule machines offer simple preparation and take up little space; a portafilter gives you more control over the brewing process, while a bean grinder automates the use of whole beans but takes up more room and requires more cleaning, as well as making more noise. Soft coffee pods are another option, but check which format the machine accepts.
If you make several drinks one after another, consider how easy the machine is to refill, the tank capacity and whether it can prepare consecutive cups. These are among the criteria covered in Que Choisir’s guides and tests.
A machine with a grinder lets you brew from whole beans, but it takes up space and needs regular cleaning. Grinding noise is also worth considering if you make coffee early or have an open-plan kitchen, as Que Choisir points out.
A compact capsule machine could be a good choice if your priority is to save space and keep handling to a minimum. However, check which capsule format it accepts before committing to this system.
Que Choisir identifies four types of espresso machine: capsule, soft pod, portafilter and bean-to-cup. If your household mainly wants larger cups of coffee rather than espresso, it’s also worth considering a filter coffee maker, though it’s a different type of machine from these four.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Making several drinks in a row | Compare the tank, how it is refilled and whether the specific model can prepare several cups one after another. | If several people want coffee within minutes of each other, refilling and interruptions quickly become the main concern; around 31% of consumers put this at the top of their list. |
| Coffee choice and consumables | Check which formats the machine accepts: capsules, soft pods, ground coffee or beans. Also look at the consumables needed for everyday use. | If I want to switch between coffees or avoid relying on one particular format, I want to know what the machine can do before choosing it; around 23% of consumers prioritise this choice and the consumables involved. |
| Space and ease of use | Measure the available space and the clearance needed to open or remove tanks and trays. | In a kitchen with limited worktop space, a routine with fewer steps may matter more than extra settings; around 23% of consumers put space and simplicity first. |
| Maintenance and noise | Check the manual for cleaning and descaling instructions, find out how noisy the machine is and check which parts are available for the model you’re considering. | If the machine is used early in the morning or no one wants to spend much time maintaining it, I need to be comfortable with the day-to-day demands; around 23% of consumers make this their priority. |
The coffee you use, compatible formats and cleaning products all affect your routine when you make several drinks a day. A machine that works well for one cup may not suit the habits of everyone in your household.
Decide which coffees you want to use, then check the compatible format and the cleaning products required in the manual.
The trays, accessible parts and internal circuits need regular cleaning. Que Choisir notes that descaling should also be adjusted to the way you use the machine and the hardness of your water.
Check the manual before buying to find out what needs cleaning, which parts can be removed and what to do after making a milk-based drink.
Many capsule machines only accept a specific format, Que Choisir reminds us. The material the capsules are made from also affects how they should be sorted for recycling.
Check the exact format accepted by the model you’re considering and find out what material its capsules are made from.
The DGCCRF explains that the requirement to make spare parts available only applies to certain categories of goods. So you’ll need to check whether a machine can be repaired by looking up its specific model.
Ask the seller or manufacturer which parts are listed as available, for how long and how to order them.
These models give you three ways to make coffee at home: a machine with a grinder, a capsule system and a portafilter machine. Compare how each one works with your usual routine before choosing a model.
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Worth considering if your household wants to make coffee from whole beans using an automatic machine. Check how much space it needs and what maintenance it requires in the manual for this model.
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This bean-to-cup machine is for households that prefer this way of making coffee. Before buying, consider whether its size and maintenance requirements fit your daily routine.
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Another model to consider if your household wants to use whole beans. Measure the available space and check the manual to see whether its maintenance requirements suit your routine.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a single-serve machine that uses consumables rather than a grinder. Check with the seller which adapters are included and which formats this specific version actually accepts.
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This portafilter model is suited to households happy to be more hands-on with preparation and cleaning. Check the tank capacity with the seller before deciding whether it will suit your household for making several coffees in a row.
Start by working out the most drinks your household makes in a row, then compare the capacity and ease of refilling of the models you’re considering. Que Choisir includes the tank, speed and ease of use among the criteria to look at.
Follow your machine’s instructions and alerts, taking into account how hard your water is and how often you use it. Que Choisir recommends descaling every two to three months on average, but this won’t be the right schedule for every machine.
In France, ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic coffee capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check what material your capsules are made from before following this guidance.
Don’t assume the same availability requirement applies to every machine: the DGCCRF explains that it only covers certain categories of goods. For the model you’re interested in, ask for a list of the parts said to be available, how long they’ll be available for and how to order them.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. If the machine is faulty or doesn’t match its description, keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller to discuss the options available to you.