A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for a quick and easy coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the 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 concentrate on black drinks like espressos and lungos with a few milky choices for lattes and capspuccinos.
1. Easy to use
You can get your cup of coffee 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, whether you're a seasoned coffee maker or are just beginning your journey. You can choose from a variety of beverage sizes, temperatures and flavours to suit your preferences. Some models also feature an integrated milk frothing tool to create cappuccinos and lattes. They're a convenient option for busy families who need a quick cup of coffee before heading out the door.
There's a wide selection of capsule coffee machine models that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly models tend to be straightforward with a panel of buttons and a clear display, while more sophisticated models let you customize your brew via settings such as the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Certain models come with an app that permits more personalisation and recipe suggestions.
Smeg’s model has a sleek style that works with any work surface. It's also very quiet in use which makes it a great option for those with children who get up early. Our testers found it simple to set up and use with smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a smart, responsive touchscreen.
The more expensive models, like those from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer a greater level of personalization. You can save your favorite drinks at the touch of a button. You can adjust the settings to get the best flavor and aroma of your favorite blends. The capsule recycler is included to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of waste. Some of the most expensive models have an inbuilt carafe that can be used for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Some models come with an additional steam wand that you can manually operate.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines are not as flexible as a bean to cup machine or filter machine, they can produce delicious and consistently good results. They also have the advantage of being simple to use and relatively cheap the most basic models cost just PS50. Many of these machines can even froth milk which means you can make an espresso or cappuccino at the push of the button.
You'll be limited in the kinds of coffee pods that you can choose from, as they will come packaged with ingredients such as sugar cream, sugar, and ground coffee. Nonetheless, you can still expect good quality beverages from all brands, and there is a wide range of options available from Tassimo and Nescafe for instance, allowing you to choose from a range of black and milky coffees.
Certain capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to create various milky drinks by using different capsules. These machines let you select a milky drink like a cappuccino or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispensate the correct amount of milk.
The best pod coffee machines available are also designed to be as user-friendly as is possible with clear digital displays and automatic shut-off functions to conserve energy. Look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays, which can be moved up or down to accommodate the size of your cup, and to reduce splashing and a capsule holder that can be removed that's easy to empty and clean. Energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings are a nice bonus.
The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that you can operate either manually or with an app. It has precise controls to adjust the coffee's body and flavor. In addition, you can adjust the temperature setting that has an immediate influence on the taste of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity, website and higher temperatures provide more body and bitterness.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since Nestle introduced capsules of coffee in 1986, they have had a major impact on the way people drink coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a great cup of coffee each time. Unfortunately, they are also quite wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminum and plastic which can be difficult to recycle. Plus, they often contain dregs of unutilised ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
Research has revealed that using a capsule machine for coffee is more eco-friendly than filter or drip coffee. Single-serve capsules are more environmentally green because they consume the exact amount of water and coffee and reduce the amount of waste. Furthermore, heating the water in a single serve capsule is less energy-intensive than brewing a large pot.
However, it's important to note that this study is based on the total life cycle of coffee production, which includes the cultivation, harvesting and transportation of the beans as well as heating the water. If you're considering a capsule coffee machine, look for one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, buy a reusable capsule of coffee. These can be filled with ground coffee, and then used in your capsule machine. They're usually designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you're looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact further, you should consider a machine compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny eco capsules. These are industrially compostable, carbon neutral and come in a black design that's made from over 50% recycled plastic. Additionally, they are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.
If you can't find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, think about using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. They can be pricey, 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 uses up energy. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine that sits on a hob, as they require less power to run.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and easy method to make your morning cup of coffee, a capsule machine is the perfect solution. Capsules contain sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that slot into the machine and are brewed for a fixed amount of time. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to use however they can be costly when you choose high-end models from the top brands. This can be especially true of the cost of the coffee pods themselves that are typically pricey.
A capsule coffee maker is still significantly less expensive than getting an espresso machine or a bean-to-cup filter however. This is because the upfront cost of a capsule coffee machine will be less 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 and you should consider how much you're able to spend on a machine and then take into account the cost of the coffee pods that will fit 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 and compact machine makes a high-quality espresso with the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing system lets it produce an extremely thick crema, despite the fact that it only makes black coffee. This is a refreshing alternative to the thin, watery mousse that often accompanies drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine is easy to use via the four buttons on the front panel and has a slim footprint that doesn't occupy any counter space. It has steam wands and hot beverage functions that are not often found for capsule machines. However, the jug it serves coffee in doesn't hold the same amount as glass carafes that are found on less expensive rivals.
The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that offers a range of additional options that set it apart from its rivals. Its flagship Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee to create an even stronger, more rich cup, and it comes with adjustable settings that can alter the amount of coffee extracted as well as temperature and bar pressure. This allows you to get more value from the capsules than simple lungo, espresso, and ristretto options, and can even recreate filters and drip-style drinks. It can also be linked to your smartphone to create recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.