A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee maker will make it simple to make an instant cup of coffee. They're simple to operate and work with a range of speciality coffee pods.
Unlike filter coffee machines, capsule machines typically concentrate on black drinks - lungos and espressos, with a few milky options for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule-based coffee maker, you can enjoy your coffee at home without the hassle of a full-on bean-to-cup or filter machine. No matter if you're an experienced brewer or just starting out, these machines are designed to be user-friendly and run effortlessly. You can pick from a variety of drink sizes, temperature and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk frother that can be used to make lattes or cappuccinos. They're an ideal option for busy families that need an espresso on the way out the door.
There are many different capsule coffee machines models that can be found to meet your requirements. The budget-friendly models tend to be basic with a simple panel of buttons and a clear LCD, whilst more advanced models let you customize your brew via settings such as water temperature, capsule type and bar pressure. Some even have a compatible application for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
Smeg’s model has a sleek style that works with any work surface. It is also very quiet and is a great choice for families with small children. Our test subjects found it easy to set up and used with smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a responsive, intelligent touchscreen.
More expensive models from the likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customisation, allowing you to save drinks that you have customised by pressing a button. You can adjust the settings to achieve the best flavor and aroma for your favourite blends. The capsule recycler is included to keep your kitchen clean and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models come with built-in carafes for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others include an additional steam wand which you can manually operate.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines are not as flexible as a bean-to- cup machine or a filter machine, they can still produce delicious and consistently good results. Basic models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines even froth milk, meaning you can make an espresso or cappuccino at the touch of a button.
One thing to bear in mind with capsule machines is that you'll be limited to the types of coffee pods and drinks you can use with it, because they are packed with ingredients such as ground coffee cream, sugar, and flavourings. You can still expect high-quality coffees from most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of milky and black coffees, for example.
Similarly, some capsule machines can also be used with various milky drinks using different kinds of capsules like those produced by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines allow you to select a milky beverage such as a cappuccino or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispense the right amount of milk.
The best pod machines available in the UK are also built with easy-to-use features, including easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that save energy. You should look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays that can be moved up and down to accommodate the size of your cup, and to minimise splashing, and a reusable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Other attractive features include energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings.
The next level The Morning Machine, an elegant bench top machine that can be operated manually or by apps, with precise controls that let you alter the taste and body. You can alter the temperature setting that has an immediate impact on the flavor of your coffee; lower temperatures cause acidity, and higher temperatures provide more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986, coffee pods (or capsules) have had a major impact on the way people drink coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a perfect cup of coffee each time. However, they're also very wasteful. They are typically packed in plastic and aluminium which are difficult to recycle. In addition, they are filled with unneeded ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
Research has shown that the use of a capsule coffee maker is more eco-friendly than filter or drip coffee. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use an exact amount of water and coffee which reduces the amount of coffee that is wasted when you make a large pot. Additionally, it requires less energy to heat the water in a capsule compared to the brewing process of a large pot.
It is important to remember that this research is only based on the complete life cycle of coffee production, which includes the growing, harvesting, and transportation of the beans, as well as heating the water. Choose a capsule that only uses recyclable or biodegradable coffee pods. If you want to take it a step further, buy a reused coffee capsule. These can be filled with ground coffee and used in your capsule machine - they're usually 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 capsules are completely carbon neutral recyclable, industrially compostable and constructed from more than 50% recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.
If you can't find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, consider using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. They're coffee machines with pods costly, but they're more eco-friendly than pod machines. They grind and brew coffee on demand, rather than brewing a big pot in advance and then cooling it down, which consumes electricity. They are also more energy efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine on stoves, as they consume less power.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a fast and easy method to make your morning cup of coffee, a capsule machine is the perfect solution. The capsules are sealed, and they contain ground and roasted beans. They are then placed into the machine, and brewed for a precise amount of time. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to use, however, they can be costly if you go for high-end models from the top brands. This is especially true for the price of the coffee pods, which can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still less expensive than filter models or a bean-to-cup model. This is because the upfront cost of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money in the end by not having to buy filters or ground coffee. However, the initial expense isn't a deterrent for many people, so consider how much you can afford to invest in the machine, and then take into account the cost of coffee pods that will fit it.
If you're looking for a capsule machine that offers a budget-friendly option, look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine uses the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. The unique brewing method produces a thick crema despite only making black coffee. This is a welcome alternative to the thin, watery foam that is often served with drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine has a small footprint and a simple four-button panel. It is easy to use and doesn't take the most counter space. It also has hot drinks and steam wands for milky drinks, which are uncommon on capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold the same amount as glass carafes that are found on less expensive competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker created by itself, is more sophisticated than competitors and offers a variety of extra features that make it stand out. Its most popular Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee to create an even stronger, more rich cup, and it comes with adjustable settings that can alter the extracted coffee quantity as well as temperature, and bar pressure. This allows you to get more out of the capsules than just ristretto, espresso and lungo options, and even recreates filters and drip-style drinks. It can also be linked to your smartphone for recipes and energy consumption monitoring.