For coffee you’ll make regularly at home, start with the drinks you enjoy and the steps you’re happy to do each day. Pod machines keep things simple, while espresso machines with a portafilter give you more control over the preparation. Filter coffee makers are ideal if you prefer a longer coffee. A bean-to-cup machine is a good choice if you’d like to make espresso from whole beans regularly, provided you have room for it and are prepared to maintain it. According to Que Choisir, bean-to-cup machines generally take up more space and are noisier than pod machines or filter coffee makers. Be sure to check the specifications of the model you’re considering.
If you often make short coffees and don’t mind emptying the drip trays, cleaning the parts and descaling the machine, a bean-to-cup machine is worth considering. Also check that you have enough space and that the grinding noise won’t be a nuisance at home.
A coffee pod machine can make preparation easier. However, you’ll need to regularly source pods that are compatible with the machine you choose.
If you prefer longer coffee, consider an electric or manual filter coffee maker. If you’d rather measure and tamp the coffee yourself to make espresso, look at machines with a portafilter.
First, decide which drinks you want to make and how many cups you’ll need. Then compare each type of machine with the space you have and the maintenance you’re genuinely happy to take on.
| Priority | What to check | How I’ll use it |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks and preparation | Know the difference between longer coffee and espresso. For milk-based drinks, check whether the exact model has a steam wand or milk system. With a portafilter machine, you’ll need to measure and tamp the coffee yourself. | I mostly drink longer coffee, or I’d like to make espresso and perhaps milk-based drinks. The time it takes to prepare each cup also matters to me. |
| Maintenance | Check the manual for instructions on rinsing parts, cleaning the milk system, emptying the trays and descaling. An automatic programme doesn’t necessarily mean you can skip these tasks. | Am I happy to do a quick clean after each drink? With a milk system or grinder, I’ll also need to take on the extra maintenance required by that system. |
| Consumables | Find out exactly which pod or capsule system the machine uses. Also check which filters and cleaning products the manual recommends. | I want to be able to find consumables that are compatible with my machine and replace them as often as my usage requires. |
| Space and serving | Measure the machine and allow enough room to fill it or remove its trays. If you’re making several cups in a row, check the reservoir capacities. Que Choisir also assesses how consistently bean-to-cup machines dispense coffee during its tests. | My machine needs to fit on the worktop without making it difficult to refill. If I’m serving several coffees in a row or making one early in the morning, the capacity and noise level of the specific model matter. |
Compatibility with one system doesn’t mean a pod or capsule will work with every machine. Nespresso, for example, says its Original capsules are designed for Nespresso Original machines.
Check the exact name of the system before choosing a machine, and make sure the compatible consumables are available for the drinks you want to make.
Automatic preparation doesn’t mean you can skip emptying the trays, cleaning the parts or running descaling cycles. A milk system also needs cleaning after you make milk-based drinks.
Before you decide, check the model’s manual to see which parts need removing, what needs rinsing and how to descale it.
According to Que Choisir, a bean-to-cup machine is generally larger and noisier than a pod machine or filter coffee maker. You’ll also need to be able to reach its reservoirs and trays.
Measure your worktop and allow enough clearance around the machine. If noise could be an issue, look for a measurement or test of the exact model you’re considering.
The brand offers manual espresso machines with a portafilter, as well as bean-to-cup machines. Each gives you a different level of involvement in making your coffee.
Some Philips bean-to-cup ranges combine selectable recipes with the LatteGo milk system.
Melitta offers both filter coffee makers and automatic bean-to-cup machines.
These models show three ways to make coffee at home: using pods or capsules, with a bean-to-cup machine, or by manually filtering the coffee. Start by choosing the type of drink you enjoy and the preparation steps that suit you.
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This machine makes coffee using Senseo pods, so check that the varieties you’d like are compatible with the system. If you’re serving several cups in a row, also check this model’s capacity and how it needs to be refilled.
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This bean-to-cup machine is designed for those who want to make coffee regularly from whole beans. For milk-based drinks, check the recipes available on the EP2230/10 and how to clean the LatteGo system.
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This bean-to-cup machine lets you make coffee at home from whole beans. Before choosing it for several coffees a day, check the space required, reservoir capacities and maintenance steps for the ECAM22.140.B.
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This manual filter coffee maker is a good choice if you prefer longer coffee and don’t mind pouring the water yourself. It has a stated capacity of 1 L and a permanent filter; it doesn’t make espresso.
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This machine uses Vertuo system capsules, so check that its drink sizes suit your habits. The reservoir is stated as 0.6 L. If several people are having coffee one after another, bear in mind how often you’ll need to refill it.
Check the capacity of the model’s reservoirs and trays. Don’t assume it’s suited to serving several cups simply because it offers a lot of recipes. In its test protocol published in January 2026, Que Choisir measures how consistently bean-to-cup machines dispense coffee across several consecutive cups.
Yes. De’Longhi says that, for its bean-to-cup machines, the recommended descaling frequency depends in part on the hardness of your local water. Set this parameter and run the cycles as instructed in your model’s manual.
Clean the parts that have come into contact with milk according to the machine’s instructions. A carafe and a steam wand may need different cleaning methods, so check which parts can be removed and follow the guidance for the model you choose.
No, compatibility depends on the system. Nespresso, for example, says its Original capsules are compatible with Nespresso Original machines. This doesn’t mean they’ll work with Vertuo or another system.
ADEME advises putting aluminium or plastic capsules in the recycling collection for paper and packaging. Check the local collection guidance for your home to find out which bin, bag or container to use.