A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you want simple and quick coffee, a capsule machine is the best way to go. They're easy to use and work with a range of speciality coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines tend to focus on black drinks such as lungos and espressos, with a few milky choices for capspuccinos and lattes.
1. Simple to use
You can get your coffee fix at home using capsule machines. It's an excellent alternative to a bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to use and work effortlessly, regardless of whether you're an experienced brewer or a beginner. You can pick from a variety of drink sizes, temperature and flavours. Some models also feature an integrated milk frothing tool to make lattes and cappuccinos. They're a convenient option for busy families who want to grab an espresso on their way out the door.
There are a variety of capsule coffee machines models that will meet your needs. Budget friendly models tend to include a few buttons with a clear display. The more advanced models allow you to customize the brew you make by changing settings such as temperature of water, capsule type, and bar pressure. Some models even come with a compatible app for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The Smeg model has a sleek style that works with any worktop. It's also quiet when in use making it an ideal alternative for families with children who are up early. Our testers found it easy to set up and used, with a smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
The more expensive models, like the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer a greater level of customisation. You can save your favorite drinks to a button. You can tweak settings to get the most optimal flavor and aroma of your favorite blends. The capsule recycler comes with it to keep your kitchen tidy and free of garbage. Some of the more expensive models come with an inbuilt carafe that can be used for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Some models come with a separate steam wand you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines are not as flexible as a bean to cup machine or a filter machine, they can provide delicious and reliable results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines can also handle making frothy milk so you can make cappuccinos and lattes with the click of the button.
You'll be limited in the types of coffee pods available since they are pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar, cream and ground coffee. You can still expect high-quality coffees from most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a range of black and milky coffees for instance.
Certain capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso can be used to make different milky drinks using different capsules. 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 give you the right amount of milk.
The best pod machines available in the UK are also built with user-friendly features, such as simple-to-read digital displays as well as automatic shut-off features that help save energy. You should look for features such as drip trays with adjustable heights, which can be moved up or down to suit the size of your cup and reduce splashing, and a removable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Other nice features include sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that can be operated either manually or with an app. It has precise controls that allow you to fine tune the coffee's body as well as flavour. You can also adjust the temperature, which has a direct effect on the taste of your coffee. Temperatures that are lower will cause acidity while higher temperatures impart more body.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have made a huge impact on the way people consume coffee. They're easy to use, quick and make it easy to enjoy a consistently good cup of joe every time. However, they're also quite wasteful. They are typically packed in plastic and aluminium, which is difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that is not recycled.
However, research has shown that when compared to filter or drip coffee, using a capsule machine is not as harmful to the environment. This is because single-serve capsules use exactly the same amount of coffee and water and reduce the amount of the waste of coffee that can happen when making a large pot. Additionally heating the water in a single serve capsule is less energy-intensive than brewing a large pot.
It's important to remember that this study only examines the entire cycle of coffee production. This includes growing, harvesting transportation, heating and transporting the water. If you're thinking of purchasing capsule coffee machines make sure you choose one that uses only biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to go even further, consider buying an recyclable capsule. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with coffee ground. They're designed to be compatible with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you want to reduce your impact on the environment Look for a machine that can be used with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are completely carbon neutral and industrially compostable. They are made of more than 50% recycled plastic. They're also the only capsules that can be added to food waste for council collection.
If you are unable to find biodegradable or compostable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, consider using a bean-to-cup maker. These machines are more expensive, but they are also more eco-friendly. They grind and brew coffee on demand instead of making and cooling a huge pot of coffee in advance, which consumes energy. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine which sits on a hob, as they require less power to run.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and simple method of making your morning coffee, a capsule maker is the best option. Capsules contain sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that are inserted into the machine and are brewed for a predetermined amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and simple to use, but they can be expensive especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from big brands. This is especially true for the price 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 because the upfront price of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money in the end by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost could be a hurdle for many people and you should consider how much you're able to invest in the machine, and then consider the cost of coffee pods that go with it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's an excellent option for those on a budget. This sleek, compact machine uses the brand's compostable EcoCaps to provide a high-quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a welcome contrast to the thin, watery slush that often accompanies drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine has a compact footprint and a simple four-button panel. It is easy to use and doesn't require the most counter space. It also offers hot drinks and steam wands for milky drinks, which capsule coffee machines is uncommon for capsule machines. The jug it serves coffee in doesn't hold as much as the glass carafes on the cheaper rivals.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself is more sophisticated than its competitors and comes with a range of extra features that make it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee, resulting in an extra-strong, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure and the amount of coffee extracted. This allows you to get more value from the capsules than just lungo, espresso, and ristretto options, and even recreates filters and drip-style drinks. It can also be connected to your smartphone for recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.