If you entertain occasionally and want to keep things simple, start by comparing capsule and soft-pod machines. A portafilter machine is better suited to you if you want to be more involved in preparing your coffee; consider a bean-to-cup machine if you regularly serve freshly ground coffee. In every case, check which drinks the specific model can make, the format of its consumables, how much space it needs and what maintenance it requires.
If you offer coffee after a meal or to several guests, capsules and soft pods keep preparation to a minimum. However, check which format the machine takes, which coffees are available and how easily it can make one cup after another.
If you want to make cappuccinos or latte macchiatos, look for a steam wand or milk system on the model you’re considering. Your choice will depend, among other things, on whether you want to froth the milk yourself and how much cleaning you’re prepared to do.
A machine with a built-in grinder can suit frequent coffee drinkers without tying them to a capsule or pod format. Before choosing this option, consider how much worktop space it needs and what maintenance it requires.
First, decide whether your guests mainly want black coffee or milk-based drinks too. Then compare how many cups you’ll need to serve, the consumables and the maintenance involved. Que Choisir identifies four types of domestic coffee machine: capsule, soft-pod, portafilter and bean-to-cup.
Consider one: if you want to serve pre-portioned espressos occasionally, with minimal effort.
The trade-off: your choice of coffee depends on which capsule system the machine accepts.
Consider one: if you mainly serve black coffee; some models can make two cups at once.
The trade-off: the drinks available depend on the pods and the machine’s features.
Consider one: if you want to be involved in preparing your coffee and use a steam wand, if the machine has one.
The trade-off: measuring the coffee and preparing the milk involve more hands-on steps.
Consider one: if you serve coffee regularly and want to choose your own beans.
The trade-off: allow space for the machine and make sure you can keep up with its maintenance, especially if it has a milk system.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of serving | Steps needed per cup; capsule or pod format accepted. | When guests come over for coffee, I want to make it without adjusting settings or measuring anything. Around 31% of consumers would put simplicity above all else. |
| Black coffee for several people | Whether the specific model can make two cups at once; a choice of long or intense coffee. | If several people want black coffee, I want to keep the wait short while letting them choose their drink. This would be a priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Milk-based drinks | Whether it has a steam wand or milk system; the cleaning involved. | To offer cappuccinos or latte macchiatos too, I’d be happy to take on some extra preparation or cleaning. Around 23% of consumers would put this variety first. |
| Regular use | Cost of consumables at your rate of use; choice of beans and maintenance. | If I serve coffee often, I want to choose my own beans and keep control of the cost of each cup. Running costs would be the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
A capsule or pod won’t necessarily work in a machine just because it looks similar. According to Que Choisir, most capsule machine brands accept only one type of capsule.
Check the exact system, then make sure the coffees and decaffeinated options you want are available where you usually shop.
If your household serves coffee often, the cost of capsules, pods or beans and the maintenance involved also matter. Que Choisir highlights, in particular, the difference in cost per cup between pod espresso and espresso made with a grinder.
Compare the consumables you’d actually buy at your expected rate of use, then check the manual to see which cleaning products you’ll need.
A steam wand needs to be cleaned by hand, while a built-in milk system also adds parts that need looking after. The presence of a milk function alone doesn’t tell you how much work will be involved after serving.
Check the manual for the model to compare how its milk function is prepared and cleaned with what you’re happy to do.
A grinder can be a good choice if you want to choose your own beans and use the machine regularly, but it needs space and maintenance. If you only serve coffee to guests now and then, a simpler machine may suit your needs.
Before choosing a type of machine, think about the drinks people ask for, how many cups you’ll need to serve and how often you’ll really use it.
A range of machines and capsules for making pre-portioned coffee.
Soft-pod machines designed with black coffee in mind.
A range that includes manual espresso machines and automatic models with built-in grinders.
These machines cover three ways to make coffee at home: bean-to-cup, portafilter and capsule. First choose the preparation method that suits your guests and how often you’ll use the machine, then compare the features of each model.
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Worth considering if you want to offer a range of coffee drinks and prepare milk for your guests too.
The model name lists six coffee varieties and a touchscreen. Check the manual for the drinks available and the maintenance required for the milk system.
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This bundle could suit a household looking to start serving bean-to-cup coffee with an automatic machine.
It pairs the ECAM250.23.SB Magnifica Automatic with Lavazza Tales of Napoli & Roma coffee. For milk-based drinks, the steam wand requires you to prepare the milk by hand and clean the wand after use.
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Worth a look if you want to make coffee from beans regularly and serve several people.
You’ll need to prepare milk by hand using the steam wand. Measure the available space and check the manual for maintenance and descaling instructions.
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Worth considering if you’d rather make espressos and milk-based drinks yourself than use an automatic machine.
Frothing milk takes a little hands-on effort, and you’ll need to clean the wand after use. If you plan to use ESE pods, check they’re available before you buy.
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Worth considering if you entertain occasionally and want to make an espresso or lungo with minimal effort.
This capsule machine uses the Nespresso Original system, so check which compatible capsules you plan to buy. Also consult the manual for descaling instructions.
Capsule and soft-pod machines are a good choice if your priority is to keep preparation simple. If you often serve two black coffees at once, look specifically for a two-cup function: for example, Philips lists this feature for the SENSEO Original Plus CSA210/50.
Start by checking the exact format the machine accepts, then make sure you can buy the coffees you want in that format. A capsule from another system won’t necessarily be compatible, even if it looks similar.
Descale your machine according to its manual and, if you make milk-based drinks, clean the relevant parts too. Philips recommends descaling SENSEO machines every three months; De'Longhi says how often its bean-to-cup machines need descaling depends, among other things, on water hardness.
Yes, if the model has a steam wand or a suitable milk system. A steam wand means frothing the milk by hand; before choosing, check which drinks the model can make and what its cleaning instructions involve.