A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for a quick and easy coffee, a capsule machine is the way to go. They're simple to use and can be used with a variety of specialty coffee pods.
Unlike filter coffee machines, capsule machines usually concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos, with milky options as well for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule-based coffee maker you can get your fix at home without the hassle of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. If you're a seasoned coffee maker or are just beginning to learn, these machines are designed to be user-friendly and operate effortlessly. You can select from a range of drink sizes, temperatures and flavours to meet your needs. Some models include an integrated milk frother to make cappuccinos or lattes. These models are ideal for families who are busy and would like to have an espresso before heading out.
There's a wide selection 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 let you customize your coffee by altering settings like temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models have an app that allows for more customization and recipe suggestions.
Smeg’s model has a sleek design that blends in well with any worktop. It's also very quiet in use, making it a good alternative for families with children who are up early. Our testers found it simple to set up and used, with a smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
More expensive models from likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customization, allowing you to save your own drinks to a specific button. You can also alter the settings for your favorite blends to ensure the best taste and scent. The capsule recycler comes with it 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 include an additional steam wand which you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines aren't as flexible as a bean-to- cup machine or a filter machine, they are able to provide delicious and reliable results. Basic models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines even allow milk frothing which means you can make a cappuccino or latte at the push of the button.
You will be limited in the types of coffee pods that you can choose from since they are packaged with ingredients such as sugar cream, sugar, and ground coffee. You can still expect high-quality brews with most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of milky and black coffees, for example.
Certain capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso can be used to create different milky drinks using different capsules. These machines let you select a milky beverage like a cappuccino or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispensate the correct amount of milk.
The top pod machines available in the UK are also built with user-friendly features, like easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off features that help save energy. Look for features like adjustable height trays that can be adjusted to suit your cup size, and reduce splashing. Also look for a movable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder. Eco-friendly sleep modes and energy-saving settings are another nice extra.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that can be operated manually or via an app. It has precise controls to fine-tune the coffee's body and flavour. You can also alter the temperature, which will have a direct effect on the taste of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity while higher temperatures give it more body.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986, coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on the way people consume coffee. They're easy to use, quick and make it easy to get a consistently good coffee every time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They are usually packed in plastic and aluminium, which is difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
However studies have shown that compared to filter and drip coffee, capsule machines is not as damaging to the environment. Single-serve capsules are environmentally green because they consume the exact amount of coffee and water which means less waste. Plus, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule compared to making a pot of coffee.
However, it's important to remember that this study is dependent on the entire life cycle of coffee production, which includes growing, harvesting and transporting the beans, as well as heating the water. If you're considering capsule coffee machines make sure you choose one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to go further, you can purchase an reused capsule of coffee. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with ground coffee. They're designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you're looking to cut down your impact on the environment, look for a machine that can be used with Lavazza's Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're industrially compostable and carbon-neutral. They're available in a black style which is made from more than 50% recycled plastic. Additionally, they are the only capsules that can be added to food waste and collected by council.
If you are unable to find compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, try making coffee using a bean-to cup maker. These machines are more expensive however, they are also more green. They grind and prepare coffee on demand rather than the process of cooling and brewing a large pot of coffee in advance, which wastes energy. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine that sits on a stove, since they require less power to operate.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a fast and convenient way to make your morning coffee, a capsule machine is the ideal solution. The capsules are sealed, and they contain ground and roasted beans. They are then placed into the machine, and brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and simple to use, however, they can be costly if you go for high-end models from the top brands. This is particularly relevant to the cost of the coffee pods that can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee machine is still less expensive than a filter model or a bean-to-cup model. This is due to the initial price of a capsule machine will be less and you'll save money over the long term by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. The initial cost can be an obstacle for many. So, think about how much money you can spend on the machine and then add the pods that go with it.
If you're looking for a capsule coffee maker that offers a budget-friendly option, look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This sleek, compact machine makes use of the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system lets it produce an extremely thick crema, despite only making black coffee. This is a huge improvement over the thin, watery foam that often accompanies espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine has a small footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is simple to use and doesn't take the most counter space. It comes with steam wands and a hot beverage function that are not often found for capsule machines. The jug that it uses to capsule coffee makers serve coffee is smaller than glass carafes found on the cheaper machines.
The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that offers a range of extra options that set it apart from the competition. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce an even stronger, more rich cup. It also offers adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature and the amount of coffee extracted. You will get more out of the capsules than simple lungos, espressos and ristrettos and you can make drinks with drips and filters. It also allows you to connect to your smartphone to display recipes, and monitor energy consumption.