If you make espresso at home regularly, choose capsules or soft pods for convenient, pre-portioned coffee with minimal effort; a portafilter if you want to measure and tamp the coffee yourself; or a bean-to-cup machine if you’re happy to make room for it and take on extra maintenance in return for using whole beans. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these four types and notes that bean-to-cup machines are particularly suited to coffee enthusiasts and heavy coffee drinkers. Before choosing, consider how each option fits your available space, cleaning routine and budget for consumables.
Capsules and soft pods are designed for a convenient, single-serving routine. If space is limited, also check that you can easily access the water tank and factor in the cost of consumables compatible with your chosen machine.
UFC-Que Choisir describes bean-to-cup machines as an option for coffee enthusiasts and heavy coffee drinkers. You’ll need to set aside space for one, put up with the grinding noise and clean the parts specified in the instructions.
A portafilter is a good choice if you want to measure out the ground coffee, tamp it and clean the filters yourself. Making coffee this way takes more hands-on effort than using a pre-measured portion.
Start by thinking about how you’d like to make each cup, then check the maintenance involved, the space you’ll need and the costs based on how you usually use the machine.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Running costs | Find out which capsules or pods are compatible, or how much ground or whole-bean coffee you’ll use per cup. Compare the cost of consumables and cleaning products based on how many coffees you usually make. | If I make several espressos a day, I want to estimate my ongoing costs, not just choose the easiest format to use. |
| Maintenance | Check which trays and tanks need emptying or rinsing, then look up the machine’s descaling instructions. For a bean-to-cup machine, also check how easy it is to access the parts that come into contact with coffee; UFC-Que Choisir includes cleaning in its assessment process. | I’d like to know what I’ll need to do after making coffee and when descaling, so I can fit it into my routine. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space, allowing room to fill and remove the tanks. If you’re considering a bean-to-cup machine, check how noisy it is: in September 2025, UFC-Que Choisir noted that these machines take up more space and make more noise than capsule systems. | In a small kitchen, I need a machine I can fill and clean without moving it every time I make a cup. |
| Preparation steps | Compare inserting a pre-portioned coffee, measuring and tamping coffee in a portafilter, or filling an automatic machine with beans. Also check the controls and accessories included with the model you’re considering. | Some days, I want to make a cup quickly. If I choose a portafilter, it’s because I want to be more involved in preparing my coffee. |
If you drink espresso regularly, capsule costs can add up over time. UFC-Que Choisir recommends factoring in this expense, not just the price of the machine.
Check which capsules are compatible with your machine and work out how many you’ll need based on the number of cups your household makes.
Using whole beans doesn’t, on its own, mean an automatic machine will save you money. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the space these machines take up, the noise they make and the maintenance they require.
Compare costs based on how much coffee you actually drink, and make sure you’re happy to carry out the regular cleaning.
Remember to empty the trays and use the cleaning products specified for your chosen model.
A machine may fit on your worktop but leave too little room to open a lid or remove a tank.
Measure the space above and around where you plan to put it, then check the instructions to see how the parts that need cleaning are removed.
The process depends on the model. Nespresso and Philips each publish specific instructions for their machines.
Follow the method and use the product specified in your model’s instructions, and make sure you also follow the descaler’s directions.
A useful brand to look at when comparing how capsule systems work and what maintenance they need.
Philips France offers SENSEO machines that use soft pods, as well as automatic bean-to-cup machines.
The brand offers manual portafilter machines and automatic machines, giving you two different ways to get involved in making your coffee.
These models show three ways to make coffee at home: a bean-to-cup machine, a capsule machine or a portafilter. Compare them based on the steps you’re happy to take every day and the consumables you plan to use.
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A bean-to-cup option for households that make coffee regularly and are happy to maintain an automatic machine. Check you have enough space to fill and clean it, and consider how noisy the grinder will be where you plan to put it.
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If you want a quick, easy capsule-based coffee, check that the capsules you buy are compatible with the Nespresso Original system. Bear in mind the 0.6 L tank and allow enough room to fill it.
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This portafilter machine is for people who want to take an active role in making their coffee and clean the filters after use. Check the tank capacity for this model before choosing: the product information available is inconsistent.
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Worth considering if you’d like to switch between coffee portions and ground coffee. Check exactly which capsules and pods are compatible with this specific model before buying; the 6-in-1 name alone doesn’t tell you which consumables to use.
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Another bean-to-cup option for making coffee regularly without measuring each cup by hand. Remember to empty the trays and check the clearance needed, the noise from the grinder and the maintenance instructions for this model.
Follow the schedule and method specified for your model, as they vary between machines. Nespresso France recommends descaling its machines every three months or after around 300 capsules. Philips also recommends descaling SENSEO machines regularly, using a process specific to the range.
Measure the space needed to use the machine and remove its tanks and trays, then check how noisy the model is. In September 2025, UFC-Que Choisir noted that bean-to-cup machines take up more space and make more noise than capsule systems.
According to ADEME, aluminium or plastic capsules should go in the recycling bin for paper and packaging. Also check your local council’s guidance so you know how to sort them as part of your everyday routine.