A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you want fast and simple coffee, a capsule machine is the way to go. They're easy to use and can be paired with a variety of specialty coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines typically concentrate on black drinks such as espressos and lungos with a few milky choices for lattes and capspuccinos.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule coffee machine you can enjoy your coffee at home without the hassle of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. Whether you're an experienced coffee maker or just beginning your journey the process, these machines are designed to be user-friendly and run effortlessly. You can select from a variety of beverage sizes, temperatures and flavours to match your tastes. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing wand to make cappuccinos and lattes. They're an ideal option for busy families who are looking to grab coffee in a hurry on their way out the door.
There are many different capsule coffee machines models that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly options tend to be basic with a panel of buttons and a clear LCD, while more sophisticated models allow you to tailor the brew by altering settings such as temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some have an application for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The Smeg model is sleek in design that blends in well with any worktop. It's also quiet, making it an excellent option for families with small children. Our testers found it easy to set up and used with a smooth and effortless operation of the water tank's capsule lever and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
The more expensive models, such as those from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, provide more customization. You can save your favourite drinks to a button. You can tweak settings to get the best taste and aroma for your preferred blends. The capsule recycler is included to keep your kitchen clean and free of garbage. The more expensive models usually come with a built-in milk cup that can make delicious cappuccinos as well as lattes, while others bundle a separate steam wand that can be operated manually whenever you want.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines aren't as versatile as a bean-to cup machine or a filter machine, they can still yield delicious and reliable results. Basic models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines even offer milk frothing making an espresso or cappuccino at the touch of an button.
One thing to keep in mind with a capsule machine is that you'll be limited in the kind of coffee pods and drinks you can use with it, because they are packaged with ingredients like ground coffee cream, sugar, and flavourings. You can still expect top-quality beverages with the majority of brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of milky and black coffees, for example.
Similar to the capsule machines, some can be used with different milky drinks by using different types of capsules, such as those made by Nespresso's Vertuo line. They allow choosing a milky drink such as a latte, or cappuccino from a choice of four, with the machine automatically dispenses the right amount of milk.
The best pod coffee machines available are also designed to be as user-friendly as possible, with easy to read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions to save energy. Look for features like height-adjustable drip trays that can be moved up and down to suit your cup size and reduce splashing, and a removable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Eco-friendly sleep modes and energy-saving settings are another nice extra.
Moving things to the next level is the Morning Machine It's a beautiful benchtop machine that can be operated by hand or via an apps equipped with precise controls that allow you to fine-tune a coffee's flavour and body. In addition, you can alter the temperature, which has a direct influence on the taste of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity, and higher temperatures provide more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since Nestle introduced coffee capsules in 1986, they have had a major impact on how people drink coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy to make a good cup of coffee every single time. Unfortunately, they can also be quite wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminium and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. Additionally, they contain unusable ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
Research has revealed that using a capsule coffee machine is more environmentally friendly than drip or filter coffee. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use an exact amount of water and coffee and reduce the amount of coffee waste that can occur when making a large-sized pot. Additionally, it requires less energy to heat the water in a capsule than the brewing process of a large pot.
However, it's important to remember that this study is dependent on the entire life cycle of coffee production, which includes the cultivation, harvesting and transportation of the beans, as well as heating the water. If you're thinking about capsule coffee machines make sure you choose one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, consider purchasing a reusable capsule for coffee. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with ground coffee. They're designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to reduce your environmental impact further, consider purchasing an appliance that works with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These are industrially compostable carbon neutral and come in a black style which is made from more than 50% recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and disposed of by the council.
If you can't find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, you might consider using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. These machines are more expensive however they are also eco-friendly. They grind and prepare coffee on demand instead of the process of cooling and brewing a large pot of coffee machines for pods coffee in advance, which wastes energy. They're also more efficient than a drip or espresso machine that is sat on a hob, as they require less power to run.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for an easy and easy method to make your morning cup of coffee the capsule machine is the ideal solution. The capsules are sealed and include ground and roasted beans. They are then inserted into the machine, and brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, however, they can be costly when you choose high-end models from the top brands. This can be especially relevant to the price of the coffee pods, which are usually quite expensive.
Buying a capsule coffee machine is still significantly less expensive than purchasing the bean-to-cup or filter model However. This is due to the initial price of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money in the long run by not having to buy filters or ground coffee. The initial cost can be a barrier to many people. So, think about the amount you'll be able to invest in the machine, and then add the pods that go with the machine.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's a great option for those on a tight budget. This sleek, compact machine utilizes the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a refreshing contrast to the thin, watery mousse that is often served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine has a small footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is easy to use, and won't take the most counter space. It also has hot drinks and a steam wand for milky drinks, which is rare for capsule machines. However, the jug it dispensing the coffee into does not hold the same amount as glass carafes that are found on less expensive rivals.
The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee machine that comes with a variety of extra options that set it apart from its rivals. Its most popular Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee for an even stronger, more rich cup, and it comes with adjustable settings that allow you to alter the extracted coffee quantity, temperature, and bar pressure. You'll get more flavor from the capsules than simple ristrettos, espressos and lungos and even recreate drinks that drip or filter. It can also be connected to your smartphone to make recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.