A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you want quick and easy coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the best way to go. They're easy to use and work with a variety of coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines typically concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos. They also have a few milky options for capspuccinos 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. These machines are easy to use and operate well, regardless of whether you're a seasoned coffee maker or are just beginning your journey. You can choose 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. These models are great for families who are busy and would like to have a cup of coffee before heading out the door.
There are a wide variety of capsule coffee machine models that can meet the needs of different people. The budget friendly options tend to be straightforward with a few buttons and a clear display while more sophisticated models allow you to customize your brew via settings like temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models have an app that lets you have more personalisation and recipes suggestions.
The slick design of the Smeg model is a big benefit with a sleek and modern design that can be easily incorporated on any worktop. It's also quiet and makes it a great choice for families with children. Our test subjects found it easy to set up and used, with a smooth operation of the lever on the cap of the water tank and a smart, responsive touchscreen.
More expensive models from likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customization, allowing users to save your own drinks to a specific button. You can also alter the settings for your preferred blends to ensure the best taste and scent. The capsule recycler is included to keep your kitchen tidy and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models include a built-in carafe for creamy cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with an additional steam wand that you can manually operate.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines are not as versatile as a bean-to cup machine or a filter machine, they can provide delicious and consistent results. They also have the benefit of being easy to use and cost-effective starting at under PS50. Many of these machines are capable of frothering milk, allowing you to make lattes or cappuccinos with the click of the button.
One thing to bear in mind with capsule machines is that you will be limited in the kind of drinks and coffee pods you can use with it, as these will have been packaged with ingredients like ground coffee sugar, cream, sugar and flavourings. You can still expect premium coffees from most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer various black and milky coffees, for example.
Similar to the capsule machines, some can also be used with different milky drinks by utilizing different kinds of capsules like those produced by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines let you select a milky drink such as a cappuccino or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispensate the correct amount of milk.
The top pod machines in the UK are also built with easy-to-use features, including clear digital displays that are easy to read and automatic shut-off features that help save energy. You should look for features such as drip trays that can be adjusted in height, which can be moved up or down to fit the size of your cup, and to reduce splashing and a removable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Other great features include energy-saving sleep modes, and eco-friendly settings.
Taking things to the next level is the Morning Machine, a sleek bench top machine that can be operated by hand or via an application, with precise controls that allow you to adjust the coffee's flavor and body. You can also adjust the temperature, which will have a direct effect on the taste of your coffee. Temperatures that are lower will cause acidity, while higher temperatures provide it with more body.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have had a major impact on how people drink coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a good cup of coffee every single time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They're usually packed in aluminum and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. Additionally, they usually contain dregs of unutilised ground coffee that aren't recycled as well.
Research has revealed that using a capsule machine for coffee is more eco-friendly than filter or drip coffee. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use the exact amount of water and coffee, cutting down on coffee waste that can occur when making a large pot. Furthermore, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule compared to the brewing process of a large pot.
It is important to keep in mind that this study only covers the entire process of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing, transporting, and heating the water. If you're thinking about capsule coffee machines choose one that uses only biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to go further, buy a reused capsule of 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 lessen your environmental impact even further, find an appliance that is compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are carbon neutral, industrially compostable and made of more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that can be added to food waste and then collected by council.
In the end, if you cannot find any compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, consider making coffee using a bean-to cup maker. They're costly however they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. This is because they grind and brew the coffee at the moment, rather than making a large pot of coffee in advance and cooling it down, which consumes electricity. 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
A capsule machine is an excellent option for those who want to make coffee quickly and conveniently in the morning. The capsules are sealed and include ground and roasted beans. They are then inserted into the machine and brewed for an exact amount of time. The machines are relatively inexpensive and simple to use, but they can be expensive especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from major brands. This is particularly relevant to the cost of the coffee pods, which can be quite expensive.
The purchase of a capsule coffee machine is still considerably cheaper than purchasing the bean-to-cup or filter model however. The capsule model is cheaper in the beginning, and you'll save money over time by not buying filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost could be a hurdle for many and you should consider the amount you're able to invest in the machine and then consider the cost of coffee pods that you will need to fit it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that is an excellent option for those who are on a budget. This sleek, compact machine utilizes the brand's compostable EcoCaps to give you a premium cup of espresso. The unique brewing process lets it produce a thick crema, despite the fact that coffee machine and pods it only makes black coffee. This is a refreshing change from the thin, watery slush that is often served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine has a small footprint and a simple four-button panel. It's easy to use and doesn't take the most counter space. It has steam wands and a hot beverage function, which are rare features for capsule machines. The jug that it uses to serve coffee is smaller than the glass carafes on cheaper competitors.
The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that comes with a variety of additional options that sets 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 amount of coffee that is extracted as well as temperature, and bar pressure. You will get more out of the capsules compared to simple ristrettos, espressos and lungos, and you can even make drip and filter drinks. It can also be connected to your smartphone to make recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.