Choosing well: coffee machines

The purchase price matters less than the cost per cup and ease of upkeep. A poorly maintained machine gives up after two years.

What to check

Beans, ground or pods Beans ground on demand give the best cup and the lowest cost. Pods cost three to five times more per cup.

The noise of the grinder Around 62 dB for a few seconds per cup. Above 70 dB, it becomes a nuisance early in the morning.

Check the cleaning cycle An automatic rinse of the circuit is the difference between a machine that gets maintained and one abandoned after a year.

The tank dictates how often you refill 1.8 litres covers about fifteen espressos. Below one litre, expect a refill every day.

Under €150 Filter or pods. Simple, but the cost per cup climbs fast with pods.

€150 to €350 The first bean-to-cup machines: the best compromise between cup quality and upkeep.

Over €350 Fine settings, automatic milk frother, large tank. For regular drinkers of several cups a day.

Comparing purchase prices without working out the cost per cup over three years.

Choosing a machine whose wear parts cannot be replaced.

Underestimating descaling: in a hard-water area, it’s the leading cause of breakdown.