How to choose a coffee maker

1. The types

• Capsule: quick and clean. Each cup costs more and you depend on its system: one system's capsules don't work in another.
• Bean-to-cup: grinds the beans fresh and makes coffee at the press of a button. More expensive to buy, cheaper per cup; it needs cleaning and descaling.
• Manual espresso: more control over the result, but there's a learning curve. You need espresso-ground coffee or a grinder.
• Drip (filter): handy for several cups of filter coffee at once.
• Moka pot and French press: simple and cheap. If you have an induction hob, check that the moka pot is compatible.

2. How many coffees a day

Besides the price of the machine, work out what each cup costs: if you drink a lot of coffee, that adds up to more than the machine.

3. Milk

A manual steam wand lets you control the foam; automatic systems are more convenient but need a good clean after each use.

4. Pressure

Boxes boast about "bars", but the usual reference for espresso is around 9 bar: a higher number on the box doesn't guarantee better coffee.

5. Maintenance

• A removable water tank.
• Dishwasher-safe parts.
• A descaling reminder and, if your water is hard, a filter.

6. Size

Measure the space on the worktop and the height under your cupboards, and check the tank size: a small one means frequent refills.