What does coffee at home cost per cup?
A worked comparison of capsules and beans, with explicit assumptions and the equipment costs to add.
Two drinks a day become 730 drinks a year. Small differences per cup deserve a calculation, not an assumption.
Separate the appliance from the coffee
A lower machine price can disappear into the coffee bill. Compare the cost of the equipment and the recurring cost of each drink on separate lines, then add them over a period that makes sense for you.
For capsules, divide the amount actually paid for a pack by the number of usable capsules in it. Include delivery if you pay for it. A mixed bundle is only a bargain if you will drink the varieties it contains.
For beans, multiply the price per kilogram by the dose in grams, then divide by 1,000. Use the dose you intend to brew. A single capsule and a double espresso using a larger quantity of coffee are not automatically equivalent drinks.
A worked example, not a price survey
The following figures are invented inputs to explain the calculation. They are not current Amazon prices or typical market prices.
| Assumption | Capsules | Beans |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee bought | 40 capsules for €16 | 1 kg for €20 |
| Coffee per drink | One capsule | 18 g |
| Coffee cost per drink | €0.40 | €0.36 |
| Two drinks a day, 365 days | €292 | €262.80 |
The difference is €29.20 a year on those assumptions. If the bean setup costs €200 more, coffee savings alone would take about 6.8 years to cover that difference, before considering maintenance, repairs or changing prices. This is why “beans are cheaper” is not a complete purchasing argument.
Try a second scenario using the coffee you actually buy. At a hypothetical €12 per kilogram, the same 18 g dose costs €0.216. At €30 per kilogram it costs €0.54. The machine did not change; the conclusion might.
Add the costs that belong to your setup
Allow for a separate grinder if the machine needs one, then include cleaning supplies, water filters where specified, and milk if you are comparing milk drinks. Electricity depends on the appliance and how it is used; we have not measured it for the machines in our comparison, so it is absent from the example.
Waste matters too. Coffee used while adjusting a grinder, unfinished drinks and unwanted capsules from a bundle all change the useful cost per cup. Keep a small allowance rather than assuming every gram becomes a drink.
Use the calculation to set a budget
Write down an equipment budget and a monthly coffee budget. Compare both against your existing routine, including any coffee you will continue to buy outside the home. Buying a machine does not guarantee those purchases disappear.
If a manufacturer offers a discounted machine tied to a coffee subscription, read the minimum purchase and cancellation terms. Lavazza’s subscription terms illustrate why the machine’s upfront price is only one part of the commitment. Use the terms shown at checkout for your own offer.
How this guide was prepared
Editorial research using the sources linked in this guide, checked on 5 November 2026. Product specifications are manufacturer statements; buying advice is our interpretation. We have not conducted hands-on testing. Cost examples are hypothetical and do not represent current prices. Prepared with AI-assisted research and writing tools.
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