For making espresso at home every day, start by choosing the type of coffee you want to use and how involved you want to be. Capsules or pods offer a guided brewing process; a portafilter lets you measure and tamp ground coffee; a bean-to-cup machine grinds the beans for you. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these four types. Before you decide, check which coffee and accessories each model is compatible with, and what maintenance it requires.
If you regularly make one or more coffees and want a guided brewing process, compare capsule and soft pod machines with automatic grinders. The type of coffee each machine takes and the maintenance it needs are also important differences to consider.
A portafilter machine lets you make coffee from ground beans by measuring and tamping it yourself; an automatic grinder grinds the beans inside the machine. De’Longhi describes these steps to help you decide between a hands-on approach and automation.
If you make espresso every day, factor in the cost of compatible coffee or consumables, any filters and cleaning products. Note how many cups you typically make so you can compare each system’s requirements over the same period.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between four types of espresso machine. The main differences come down to the type of coffee used and the steps involved in making it each day.
Worth considering: if you want a guided brewing process using capsules designed for the machine.
Bear in mind: your choice of coffee depends on the capsule system you choose, which also determines what you’ll need to buy in future.
Worth considering: if you’d rather pop in a pod than measure and tamp ground coffee.
Bear in mind: the pods must be the right format for your machine.
Worth considering: if you want to choose your ground coffee and take an active part in making it.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill, tamp and empty the portafilter. De’Longhi notes that the grind, amount of coffee and tamping can all affect the flow.
Worth considering: if you want to use whole beans without having to grind them yourself for every cup.
Bear in mind: automation doesn’t remove the need to descale. De’Longhi says how often you need to do this depends in part on your water hardness.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Daily routine | Check what type of coffee the machine takes. Find out what you need to insert, measure or tamp for each cup. | I want to know whether making coffee will fit into my routine, or whether I’d rather spend time adjusting the settings. |
| Ongoing purchases | Find out which coffee or consumables are compatible, along with the filters and cleaning products recommended for the model. Compare costs over the same period, based on how many cups you usually make. | If I make coffee every day, I want to plan for the things I’ll need to replace. |
| Maintenance | Check the instructions for rinsing, cleaning and descaling. Make sure you can easily access the parts that need cleaning and check the parts available for the exact model. | I’d rather know what regular maintenance is involved before choosing a machine, even if it makes coffee automatically. |
| Choice of coffee | Check which capsule system or pod format the machine takes. For a portafilter or grinder, check which types of coffee are suitable for the model. | If I want to buy ground coffee or whole beans, I need to choose a machine that takes that format. |
| Space and noise | Compare the machine’s dimensions with the space you have available. For noise levels, look for tests of the exact model rather than assuming they’ll be the same across its machine type. | My machine will sit on the worktop, so its size and the noise it makes while brewing both matter to me. |
If you use it every day, you’ll also need to buy compatible coffee and maintenance products regularly.
Estimate how many cups you make over a set period, then list the consumables, any filters and descaling products you’ll need for the model you’re considering.
A capsule machine depends on its specific system, while a portafilter and a grinder use different types of coffee. Your choice will affect both your purchases and your daily routine.
Decide whether you want to use capsules, soft pods, ground coffee or whole beans, then check the model’s instructions to confirm they’re compatible.
UFC-Que Choisir links poor maintenance with early faults. Philips and De’Longhi also explain that their relevant machines need to be descaled.
Check the instructions to find out about rinsing, descaling and which parts you can clean.
If you choose a capsule machine, you’ll need to plan how to sort or collect the used capsules.
In France, ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the paper and packaging recycling. Check your local authority’s guidance too. A collection scheme offered by the brand may be another option.
Nespresso has two capsule systems: Original and Vertuo. According to the brand, Original is geared towards espresso, while Vertuo offers several cup sizes.
Senseo is worth considering if you want to make coffee with soft pods.
The range includes manual portafilter machines and automatic bean-to-cup machines with grinders.
These models show three ways to make espresso at home: capsules, a portafilter and a bean grinder. Compare the type of coffee they use and the steps involved with your daily routine.
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This machine with a grinder is for anyone who wants to make espresso from whole beans without grinding them separately. Check the instructions to see what cleaning is involved and which accessories you’ll need, especially if you plan to use a water filter.
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This capsule machine offers a straightforward way to make espresso. Before choosing it, check that the capsules you want to buy are compatible with the Nespresso Original system.
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Consider this Vertuo capsule machine if you want to make espresso as well as other cup sizes. Check that Vertuo capsules are right for the coffee you plan to buy; they aren’t interchangeable with capsules for the Original system.
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This automatic machine with a grinder is for anyone who wants to use whole beans without having to grind them by hand. If you’re also considering pre-ground coffee, check the instructions. Measure your available space and remember to descale the machine as recommended by De’Longhi.
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This portafilter machine is for anyone who wants to measure and prepare their own ground coffee. If you plan to use ESE pods, check which filters are suitable. You’ll also need to empty the portafilter and clean the steam wand after use.
Compare capsule and soft pod machines with automatic grinders if you’d rather not measure and tamp the coffee yourself. A portafilter requires these steps; a grinder automates the grinding, but every type of machine still needs maintenance, so check what’s involved.
No. Choose capsules that are compatible with the machine’s exact system. Nespresso, for example, has separate Original and Vertuo systems. Check the machine and capsule packaging before you buy.
Descale your machine as instructed in its manual. Philips recommends regular descaling for Senseo machines; De’Longhi says that for its espresso machines with grinders, how often you need to descale depends on water hardness.
Check the instructions, make sure you can access the parts that need cleaning and find out which parts are available for the exact model. Also look into the repair options and how long spare parts are expected to be available for that machine, rather than relying on a general category rating.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Check your local authority’s guidance if you’re unsure; some brands also offer collection points.