Whether it's for a first purchase, an upgrade, or a desire to get rid of pods and capsules, this is a question many coffee enthusiasts ask themselves. Since it's difficult to give you a simple answer, we have decided to turn it into a simplified questionnaire to provide you with some initial answers. If you wish to learn more, you can continue reading the rest of the article.
Which coffee machine
is right for you?
8 questions. Machine, grinder, and accessories included.
Do you need a grinder?
As you can see, our recommendation is to always own a coffee grinder at home, whether it's built into your coffee machine, electric, or manual. It is always possible to buy pre-ground coffee, but you risk not fully enjoying the original aromas. Using a wine analogy, it would be like tasting a bottle that has been open for a week: probably fit for consumption but far from what the producer intended.
To delve deeper into this subject, we have dedicated a complete article to choosing a grinder.
How many people and what frequency?
Beyond quality, we want to address actual usage. Two parameters to take into account: the number of people using the coffee machine as well as its weekly usage. Some solutions are undersized for intensive use (Moka pot, Aeropress, V60, etc.), while others may represent too great a spatial and financial investment compared to their actual use (manual espresso machines, electric grinders, etc.).
What are your tastes?
If, like us, you like both light coffees (like filter coffee) and concentrated ones (like espresso), you will unfortunately have to equip yourself with both filter coffee and espresso equipment. To our knowledge, there is no "combined" machine that is truly high-quality for home use. Nevertheless, you can obtain very good quality long coffees on an espresso machine by topping it up with water at the right temperature. There are also filter methods that can prove quite versatile, such as the Aeropress or the French press.And if you have never really given filter coffee a chance, we have some good arguments to present to you.
If your tastes are not limited to coffees of different concentrations, and you also enjoy milk-based drinks, your choice should be directed more toward an espresso machine, either manual or automatic. In this area, there is a great disparity between machines and their steam wands, which will allow you to make latte art or not. In the meantime, our guide dedicated to espresso machines will be able to help you see things more clearly.
What is your budget?
We have tried to give a budget indication for each coffee solution, but within the same type of product, there are of course wide price ranges. In any case, prioritize the quality of the grinder above all else, as the quality of the extraction will be greatly impacted by it. Do not hesitate to ask us for advice directly; we will be delighted to answer you, whether we sell the equipment or not.
New, refurbished, or used: the three options
The world of used coffee equipment is richer than one might think. And sometimes wiser than buying new.
New offers a warranty, original condition, and, in some cases, recent technological advancements. It is the choice for peace of mind, but beware of fleeting trends.
Refurbished primarily concerns automatic espresso machines. The explosion of these models in recent years has allowed this secondary market to develop. Specialized resellers check them, restore them, and offer them at a significantly lower price. This is often a good option for recognized brands like De'Longhi or Jura.
Used is particularly relevant for simple mechanical machines: lever machines, French presses, V60s, Chemex. This equipment has few or no electronic parts, cleans easily, and potentially lasts for a very long time. The risk is measured. For more complex machines, used is possible, but ask for the maintenance history, check that the pump works, and inquire about the availability of spare parts. A few points to be vigilant about before buying used:
- Ask to see the machine in operation if possible
- Find out about how long it has been out of use.
- Check that the brand's after-sales service still exists (some have disappeared)
Understanding the numbers: what technical specifications really mean
15 bars of pressure, 1,450 W, Thermoblock or boiler. These terms appear frequently on product sheets. They are reassuring, sometimes misleading, but here is what they really mean.
Pressure (in bars): the number highlighted is the pump pressure, generally 15 bars on consumer machines. This is not the extraction pressure. An espresso is pulled at around 9 bars. The excess announced is a margin. What matters is the regulation of this pressure, a criterion that is rarely displayed, yet it is decisive.
Power (in watts): this determines how quickly the machine heats the water. A powerful machine is ready faster. It is not an indicator of extraction quality, but it is a real convenience for daily use. Most high-end espresso machines require a minimum warm-up time of 15 minutes, which can make them tedious to use.
Thermoblock or boiler: the thermoblock heats water on demand, quickly, but sometimes with less thermal stability. The boiler maintains a volume of water at a constant temperature, which is more stable but slower to heat up. For intensive use or for latte art, a boiler (or even a double boiler) is often preferable. But for simple domestic use, the thermoblock is often more suitable.
Reservoir capacity: a practical criterion, not a qualitative one. Prefer a reservoir that is accessible and easy to clean over a large volume that is difficult to reach.
In summary: don't be impressed by marketing hype. Ask for advice, read comparative reviews on specialized websites, and focus on the actual use you will make of it.
Lever or pump espresso machine: two philosophies
The lever machine is seeing a resurgence of interest among informed enthusiasts. And it’s no coincidence.
On an electronic pump machine, pressure is generated automatically. You control the grind, the dose, and the extraction time, but the pressure is fixed. It’s reassuring, reproducible, and it’s the setup that suits the vast majority of enthusiasts, as well as professionals with a certain volume of coffee served.
On a lever machine, your arm generates the pressure. You have total control over the pressure curve throughout the extraction, which professionals call pressure profiling. It is demanding, variable, and that is precisely what attracts enthusiasts; every cup is a conscious act.
What the lever brings:
- Artisanal control over extraction
- An often remarkable aesthetic
- Superior durability (less electronics)
- A sensory experience: the sound, the gesture, the deliberate slowness
What it requires:
- Technique and consistency
- Precise grinding (mistakes are paid for dearly in the cup)
- Patience, or the desire to acquire it
For whom? Enthusiasts who want to go further in understanding espresso, who love the manual and ritual dimension, and who aren't already chasing after their children when they prepare their morning coffee. To explore the criteria for choosing an espresso machine in detail, consult our dedicated guide.
What accessories are necessary?
If you have been bitten by the specialty coffee bug, these accessories are only "accessories" in name, because most precise extraction methods require additional equipment, especially filter methods:
A precision scale to know the amount of ground coffee you are putting into your filter/basket, except for automatic espresso machines. Brands like Acaia, Felicita, or Timemore are good references.
A kettle ideally with temperature control to the exact degree. You would be surprised at the difference between a coffee brewed at 92 degrees versus one at 88. We come back to this in our article on the importance of water. We like the Fellow and Brewista brands.
A timer: often integrated into the scale on specialized models. Extraction time is a key parameter, both in espresso and manual brew methods.
Quality filters: if you opt for a V60, a Chemex, or an electric filter coffee maker, the paper filter influences the clarity of the cup. At Celsius, we use Cafec Abaca filters.
Maintenance: the criterion we always forget
We buy a machine for what it produces. Rarely for what it asks for in return. And then one day, the morning coffee stops flowing, and there you are, facing your cup, which is desperately empty—as empty as your soul on a Monday morning without caffeine.
Descaling is therefore essential for any machine that water passes through. The frequency depends on your local water and your usage. In hard water areas, expect to descale every 4 to 8 weeks for daily use. Some machines signal this automatically: it's a criterion to check when purchasing.
Group head cleaning: on a manual espresso machine, coffee oil residues accumulate in the extraction group. Regular backflushing (with a cleaning tablet) is necessary. On automatic machines, this cycle is often integrated.
Actual lifespan: a well-maintained machine can last 10, 15, or even 20 years. A neglected machine can give up the ghost in 3 years. Maintenance is not an ancillary cost: it is an extension of your investment.
Before buying, ask yourself these questions:
- Is the maintenance kit easily available and at what price?
- Are spare parts accessible?
- Is the brand's after-sales service known to be responsive?
- How much time am I willing to dedicate to it?
Some brands have made durability and repairability a stated selling point. Others have clearly shown failures in this regard. This is a signal that should not be overlooked.
Same equipment, different coffee: why?
We sometimes hear how difficult it is to get that same taste from our coffees once you are at home. Because, in fact, equipment isn't everything. It dictates extraction parameters: pressure, temperature, flow rate. But it cannot compensate for poor-quality coffee, an unsuitable grind, hard water, or an unbalanced ratio.
The variables that actually influence your cup, in order:
- Coffee quality: it’s a cliché, but when in doubt. A specialty coffee roasted with care and consumed at the right time changes absolutely everything.
- Grind: the right size and consistency. This is often where it all comes down to.
- Water: unfiltered tap water is not an option. We'll come back to this right after.
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Dose: a few grams of difference radically changes the extraction.
Water: neglected, yet essential
Water accounts for 95% of your cup of coffee. A figure worth dwelling on. And yet, it is often the last parameter people think about. Water that is too hard alters the aromas, dries out the mouth, dirties your dripper, and clogs the machine. Water with too few minerals lacks the mineral content needed to "carry" the aromatic compounds. The balance is precise: slightly mineralized water, with a neutral pH, between 75 and 250 ppm of TDS (total dissolved solids). In practice:
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A filter pitcher like Aarke® is enough for a good result. It removes most of the limescale that gives the cup its astringency. - If you have no other choice, there is always bottled water. For manual brew methods, Mont Blanc® or Mont Roucous® favor more acidic and fruity profiles. For espresso, Volvic® is a good option, as its sodium bicarbonate content provides a useful "buffering" effect for intense coffees.
And don't forget the temperature. The SCA recommends 92°C as a reference. It's a good starting point, but most importantly, have fun with it depending on the coffees and methods, if your equipment allows. A few degrees too many, and you risk over-extracting, resulting in excessive bitterness. An insufficient temperature can result in a bland, sometimes vegetal coffee. A precise temperature-controlled kettle is not a geeky whim for filter methods: it's a precision tool, just like a scale. Consult our complete article on the importance of water, with detailed recommendations based on your usage profile.
Classic mistakes when buying a coffee machine
To finish, a brief inventory of mistakes we see regularly, and which you can avoid.
Buying something too complex for simple use. A high-end automatic machine for two cups of coffee a week means a surplus of unused features and unnecessary maintenance. The match between actual usage and the equipment chosen is the first criterion to consider.
Neglecting physical dimensions. Height under cabinets, countertop depth, water tank size: measure before buying. Some machines are bulky. For example, if you are considering a lever espresso machine, remember the lever.
Underestimating the noise. Grinders integrated into automatic machines are often noisy. Levers can clack. The V60 whispers. It's a daily life criterion that matters, especially if your kitchen is next to a bedroom and your partner doesn't drink coffee.
Buying a machine without thinking about the grinder. An excellent machine with a mediocre grinder will produce a mediocre result. The reverse is often less true. If you have to balance the budget, the grinder sometimes deserves priority. Our article on the subject will help you choose.
Getting seduced by marketing. We can only advise you to look through geek blogs, ideally unpaid ones (like Reddit). Even if you don't want to "geek out" on the subject, it will at least allow you to know and make a reasonable choice in relation to your interest.
Not thinking about the coffee you're going to put in it. The best machine in the world won't do anything with industrial coffee roasted six months ago. Invest in the coffee too. To use the wine analogy one last time, it's like drinking swill in a hand-blown glass; a bit of a shame.