A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for a quick and easy coffee, a capsule machine is the best way to go. They're easy to use and work with a variety of specialty coffee pods.
Unlike filter coffee machines, capsule machines usually focus on black drinks - lungos and espressos - but with a few milky options for lattes and cappuccinos.
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 they're designed to be simple to use and run effortlessly. You can choose from a range of drinks sizes, temperature and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing wand to make cappuccinos and lattes. They're a convenient choice for busy families who need an espresso before heading out the door.
There are many different capsule coffee machines models available to suit your needs. The budget friendly options tend to be simple with a simple panel of buttons and a clear LCD, whilst more advanced models allow you to customize your brew via settings like the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Some have an application for further personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The Smeg model has a sleek design that is a perfect match with any worktop. It's also very quiet in use making it an ideal alternative for families with young children who wake up early. Our testers found it simple 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, like the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, provide more customization. You can save your most-loved drinks at the touch of a button. You can even tweak settings for your favourite blends to get the most optimal flavor and scent. They also include an easy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen neat and free from waste. Some of the more expensive models include built-in carafes for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Some models come with an additional steam wand which you can manually operate.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines aren't as flexible as a bean to cup machine or a filter machine, they can yield delicious and consistent results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines are capable of milk frothing so you can make lattes or cappuccinos at the touch of one button.
There are a few limitations to the types of coffee pods available, as they will come pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar, cream, and ground coffee. But, you can be sure of high-quality brews from most brands, including the variety of choices available from Tassimo and Nescafe for instance that let you pick from a range of black and milky coffees.
In the same way, certain capsule machines can be used with different milky drinks by utilizing different kinds of capsules such as those made by Nespresso's Vertuo line. They allow choosing a milky drink such as a latte or cappuccino from a selection of four options, with the machine automatically dispensing the right amount of milk.
The top pod coffee machines available are also designed to be as user-friendly as possible with clear digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions to conserve energy. You should look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays that can be moved up or down to accommodate the size of your cup, and to minimise splashing, and a removable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Other great features include sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings.
The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that you can operate by hand or through an app. It has precise controls to fine-tune the coffee's body and flavor. You can also adjust the temperature, which has an immediate impact on the taste of your coffee. Lower temperatures 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 the way people consume coffee. They're convenient, fast and allow you to get a consistently good coffee every time. However, they're also very wasteful. They are typically packaged in aluminium pod and bean coffee machine and plastic which are difficult to recycle. In addition, they are filled with unneeded ground coffee that is not recycled.
Research has proven that using a capsule machine for coffee is more environmentally friendly than drip or filter coffee. This is because single-serve capsules use exactly the same amount of water and coffee and reduce the amount of the amount of coffee that is wasted when making a large pot. Plus, heating the water in a single serve capsule is less energy-intensive than brewing a large pot.
It is important to keep in mind that this study only examines the entire process of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing, transporting, and heating the water. Find a capsule maker that is made of recyclable or biodegradable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, buy an reused coffee capsule. These can be filled with ground coffee, and then 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 is compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny eco capsules. These capsules are carbon-neutral recyclable, industrially compostable and constructed from more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and disposed of by council.
If you cannot find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, you might consider using a bean to cup coffee maker. They're costly however they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and brew coffee on demand instead of making and cooling a huge pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They're also more efficient than a drip or espresso machine that sits on a hob, since they require less power to operate.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a fast and easy method to make your morning cup of coffee the capsule machine is the perfect solution. The capsules are sealed, and they contain ground and roasted beans. They are then inserted into the machine, and brewed for an exact amount of time. The machines are simple to operate and fairly inexpensive, but can be costly in the event you opt for high-end models by big brands. This is especially 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 buying an espresso machine or a bean-to-cup filter 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 people and you should consider the amount you're able to spend on the machine, and then take into account the cost of coffee pods that you will need to 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 makes a high-quality espresso with the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing technology also allows it to produce thick crema, even though it is the fact that it only makes black coffee. This is a welcome improvement over the thin foam that typically comes with espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine is compact in its footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is easy to operate and doesn't require the most counter space. It also has hot drinks and steam wands for milky drinks, which is uncommon on capsule machines. The jug used to dispense the coffee is smaller than the glass carafes that are used on less expensive competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself, is more sophisticated than its competitors and comes with a range of additional features that make it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce a stronger, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure and the amount of coffee that is extracted. You'll get more flavor from the capsules compared to simple lungos, espressos, and ristrettos, and you can even recreate drinks with drips and filters. It can also be connected to your smartphone to make recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.