When people in the same household have different tastes, capsules or soft pods can be a good choice if everyone wants a single-serve drink with minimal effort. Just check which drinks and formats the machine supports. A portafilter gives you more scope to prepare coffee by hand, while a grinder lets you use whole beans without capsules, but you’ll need to keep on top of the hoppers and maintenance.
Your choice mainly depends on how many coffees you make, which drinks you want and how much effort everyone is happy to put in.
If several people use the machine one after another, consider how many steps each drink takes and whether the recipes you want are actually available. Also check what rinsing is needed between uses and which consumable format the machine takes.
A grinder could be a good fit if you want to use whole beans while automating some of the preparation. Compare the hopper capacities and maintenance tasks for the specific model before you choose.
A portafilter is for people who want to choose their ground coffee, measure it out and tamp it themselves. Depending on the machine, preparing milk may involve extra steps, and you’ll also need to clean it after use.
Start with the drinks your household actually makes, then weigh this up against the steps involved, capacity and maintenance for the model you’re considering.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday use | Compare the steps needed to make two coffees in a row, change a setting, and empty or rinse the parts you’ve used. Que Choisir includes filling, settings and controls in its assessment of ease of use. | In the morning, I want everyone to be able to make their coffee without having to redo all the previous settings. |
| Coffee choice | Check which format the exact model takes: capsules, soft pods, ground coffee or beans. For single-serve systems, check the stated compatibility before buying refills. | We like to switch between coffees, so I want to know which formats we can actually use with this machine. |
| Drinks available | Check the model’s recipe list, cup-size settings and whether it has a milk system. If it does, find out whether it works automatically or requires manual preparation. | We have different preferences, from espresso and long coffee to milk-based drinks, so the machine needs to cover the ones that matter to us. |
| Capacity and space | Check the dimensions and water tank capacity, as well as the capacity of the bean, grounds or used-capsule container, depending on the system. Make sure these parts will be easy to access where you plan to keep the machine. | If several people use it one after another, I’d rather plan ahead for refilling and emptying it. |
| Maintenance | Read the manual to find out which parts need rinsing, what cleaning is required and how to descale the machine. Check the model reference before buying any parts or cleaning products. | I want a cleaning routine the household can keep up with every day, including after making milk-based drinks. |
“Capsule” and “pod” can refer to several different systems. Nespresso, for example, states that its Original capsules are compatible with Nespresso Original machines. This doesn’t mean they work with all its ranges.
Check the machine’s full model reference and confirm which system it accepts before choosing consumables. For SENSEO parts, Philips recommends checking compatibility using the model number.
Even if you start a drink at the touch of a button, the containers and water tank still need to be accessible for the maintenance tasks listed in the manual. The steps vary depending on the machine and its accessories.
Before buying, check which parts can be removed, how to clean them and which descaling instructions apply to the model.
A portafilter machine with a steam wand won’t necessarily prepare milk automatically. With a grinder, recipes and settings also depend on the model.
Make a list of the drinks people in your household want, then check the functions and steps needed for each one on the model you’re considering.
These ranges are examples of different systems. Always check the features and accessories of the specific model you choose.
The Original range focuses on making espresso and lungo at the touch of a button.
SENSEO is a useful reference point for soft pod machines.
The brand offers manual portafilter machines and automatic machines with grinders.
The Barista Express is designed for people who want to be involved in the preparation, with a portafilter and built-in grinder.
These models show three ways to make coffee day to day: with a grinder, a portafilter or a capsule system. Compare the exact model with your household’s habits before choosing.
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An option with a grinder for households that want to use whole beans. If milk-based drinks are important to you, check the recipes available on this model and what’s involved in using and cleaning LatteGo.
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This automatic machine with a grinder is designed for households that prefer beans to capsules. If several people will use it, compare the container capacities, available drinks and cleaning tasks for this model.
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Worth considering if you want to make coffee with a portafilter and don’t mind the filling and cleaning involved. Check the water tank capacity of the version on sale: the available product information doesn’t match.
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A single-serve option for people who want to keep things simple. Its name indicates a 0.6 L water tank. If coffees are being made one after another in your household, allow for refills and check which capsule range it takes.
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The product name describes several brewing modes, including single-serve options and ground coffee. If you want to switch between formats, confirm which ones the exact version accepts and whether you’ll need any accessories. Don’t assume it’s compatible just because it says “6-in-1”.
No. Nespresso states that they’re compatible with machines in its Original range. Check the full name of the range before choosing capsules; information about Original isn’t enough to confirm compatibility with another range.
Start with the water tank, then check the containers used by the system: beans, coffee grounds or used capsules. Check their capacity and how easy they are to access on the exact model, so you can plan for refilling and emptying between coffees.
No. Automatic preparation doesn’t remove the need to follow the maintenance instructions in the manual, particularly for the containers and parts that come into contact with drinks. Check the steps and products recommended for the model you’re considering, as well as how to maintain the milk system if it has one.