A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee maker will make it easy to get a quick cup of coffee. They're simple to operate and can be used with a variety of coffee pods.
Unlike filter coffee machines, capsule machines typically concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos, with milky options as well for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule coffee maker you can enjoy your coffee at home without the fuss of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are easy to operate and run smoothly, whether you're a seasoned coffee maker or are just beginning your journey. You can pick from a range of drinks sizes, temperature and flavors. Some models have an integrated milk maker to make cappuccinos or lattes. They're a great choice for busy families who are looking to grab an espresso before heading out the door.
There are a variety of capsule coffee machines models that can be found to meet your requirements. The budget-friendly models tend to be basic with a panel of buttons and a clear display, whilst more advanced models allow you to tailor your coffee by altering settings like temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models even come with a compatible application for further personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The Smeg model is sleek in design that is a perfect match with any work surface. It is also very quiet and is a great option for families with children. Our test subjects found it easy to set up and used, with a smooth operation of the water tank's capsule lever and a smart, responsive touchscreen.
The 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 tweak settings to get the most optimal flavour and aroma of your favorite blends. The capsule recycler is available to keep your kitchen tidy and free of garbage. Some of the more expensive models include an inbuilt carafe that can be used for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with an additional steam wand that you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
While they're not as flexible as a filter coffee machine or a bean-to-cup coffee machine, capsule machines can still perform admirably in making delicious and consistent results. They also have the benefit of being easy to use and cost-effective the most basic models cost under PS50. Many of these machines are capable of frothering milk, allowing you to make cappuccinos or lattes with the click of the button.
You'll be limited in the kinds of coffee pods that you can choose from because they come pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar cream, sugar, and ground coffee. You can still expect top-quality beverages with the majority of brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a range of black and milky coffees for instance.
Some capsule machines, like the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to create various milky drinks by using different capsules. These machines let you choose a milky beverage such as a cappuccino, or Latte from a choice of four. The machine will automatically dispense the correct amount of milk.
The best pod coffee machines in the UK are also designed to be as user-friendly as they can with easy-to-read digital displays and automatic turn-off functions to save energy. Look for features like height-adjustable trays that can be adjusted to fit your cup size, and reduce splashing. Also, look for a removable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder. Sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings are a nice addition.
The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that can be operated by hand or through an app. It comes with precise controls to fine-tune the coffee's body and flavor. You can also adjust the temperature, which has an impact directly on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity, while higher temperatures impart more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 coffee pods (or capsules) have had a major impact on how people consume coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a great cup of coffee every single time. However, they're also extremely wasteful. They're usually packed in aluminium and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. In addition, they are filled with unneeded ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
However research has proven that compared to filter and drip coffee, capsule machines is less detrimental to the environment. Single-serve capsules are eco green because they consume the exact amount of coffee and water and reduce waste. Furthermore, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule compared to to brew a whole pot.
It is important to keep in mind that this study only covers the entire life cycle of coffee production. This includes growing, harvesting transporting, heating, and transporting the water. If you're thinking about capsule coffee machines, look for one that is made from biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, you can purchase an recyclable capsule for coffee. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with coffee ground. They're designed to work with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to cut down your environmental impact further, look for a machine that works with Lavazza's Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These are industrially compostable and carbon-neutral. They're available in a black design made of more than 50% recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that can be added to food waste and collected by council.
If you are unable to find biodegradable or compostable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, consider using a bean-to-cup maker. They're costly, but they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and prepare coffee on demand rather than the process of cooling and brewing a large pot of coffee in advance, which consumes energy. They are also more energy efficient than drip machines or espresso machine on stoves, since they consume less energy.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for an easy and easy method to make your morning coffee the capsule machine is the best option. 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. The machines are simple to use and relatively cheap however, they can be costly when you select top-of-the-line models from big brands. This is especially true for the price of the coffee pods, which can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee machine is still less expensive than a filter model or a bean-to-cup model. The capsule machine is less expensive initially, and you'll save money in the long run by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial expense can still be a barrier for many people, so consider the amount you're able to invest in the machine and then take into account the cost of the coffee pods that go with it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's a great option for capsule coffee makers those who are on a budget. This sleek, compact machine makes use of the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. The unique brewing process lets it produce an extremely thick crema, despite only making black coffee. This is a huge improvement on the thin foam that usually accompanies espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine is compact in its footprint and a simple four-button control panel. It is easy to operate and doesn't require the most counter space. It also comes with hot drinks and a steam wand for milky drinks, which are uncommon on capsule machines. The jug it uses to dispense the coffee is smaller than the glass carafes found on the cheaper machines.
The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee machine that comes with a variety of extra options that set it apart from other machines. Its flagship Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee to create an even stronger, more rich cup. It also has 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 than simple lungos, espressos and ristrettos and even make your own drinks with drips and filters. It can also connect to your smartphone to display recipes and monitor the energy consumption.