A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee maker will make it simple to make a quick cup of coffee. They are easy to use and can be used with different coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines typically focus on black drinks - lungos and espressos, with a few milky options for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Easy to use
You can enjoy your coffee fix at home with a capsule machine. It's an excellent alternative to a bean-to cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to use and operate effortlessly, regardless of whether you're an experienced coffee maker or just a newbie. You can select from a variety of beverage sizes, temperatures and flavors to meet your needs. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing tool to make lattes and cappuccinos. These models are great for busy families that want to grab an espresso before leaving for work.
There are many different capsule coffee machines models that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly options tend to be basic with a panel of buttons and a clear display, whilst more advanced models allow you to customize the brew by altering settings such as the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Certain models come with an app that lets you have more personalisation and recipes suggestions.
Smeg’s model has a sleek style that works with any worktop. It's also extremely quiet during use which makes it a great alternative for families with children who get up early. Our testers found it simple to set up and use, with a smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
The more expensive models, like those from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer more customization. You can save your most-loved drinks at the touch of a button. You can adjust the settings to achieve the best taste and aroma of your favorite blends. They also come with a handy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen tidy and free of waste. The higher-end models typically include a built-in milk carafe to make creamy cappuccinos and lattes, while some come with a separate steam wand that can be operated manually when you need to.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines aren't as flexible as a bean to cup machine or filter machine, they can produce delicious and consistent results. They also have the benefit of being easy to use and affordable starting at less than 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 types of coffee pods you can use since they are pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar cream, sugar, and ground coffee. You can still expect top-quality brews with most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of black and milky coffees for instance.
Some capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to prepare different milky drinks with different capsules. They allow choosing a milky drink such as a latte, or cappuccino, from a range of four, with the machine automatically dispenses the correct amount of milk.
The best pod machines available in the UK are also equipped with user-friendly features, like simple-to-read digital displays as well as automatic shut-off features that help save energy. Look for features such as height-adjustable trays that can be adjusted to fit your cup size, and minimise splashing. Also look for a detachable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Other great features include sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings.
Taking things to the next level is the Morning Machine, a sleek bench top machine that can be operated manually or through an app equipped with precise controls that allow you to fine-tune a coffee's flavour and body. You can also alter the temperature, which has an immediate impact on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures result in acidity while higher temperatures impart more body.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 coffee pods (or capsules) have had a major impact on the way people consume coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy to make a good cup of coffee each time. However, they can be extremely wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminium and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that is not recycled.
However research has proven that when compared to filter or drip coffee, using a capsule machine is less harmful to the environment. Single-serve capsules are environmentally sustainable because they use the exact amount of water and coffee, reducing waste. Additionally heating the water in a single serve capsule uses less energy than making a large pot.
It's important to remember that this study only covers the entire life cycle of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing, transporting, and heating the water. If you're considering capsule coffee machines choose one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, you can purchase an recyclable capsule of coffee. These can be filled with ground coffee and used in your capsule machine. They're usually designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to lessen your impact on the environment Look for a machine that can be used with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These are industrially compostable and carbon-neutral. They're available in a black color that's made from over 50 percent recycled plastic. Plus, they're the only capsules that can be used to add food waste for council collection.
In the end, if you cannot find compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, you can try making coffee using a bean-to cup maker. These machines are more expensive however, they are also more green. They grind and make coffee on demand, instead of the process of cooling and brewing a large pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They are also more efficient than drip machines or espresso machine that is on stoves, since they consume less energy.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is an excellent option if you want to make coffee quickly and efficiently in the morning. Capsules are sealed roasts and ground coffee beans that slot into the machine and are brewed for a predetermined amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and easy to use but they can be expensive especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from major brands. This is especially applicable to the coffee pods, which can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee machine will still be cheaper than filter models or a bean-to cup model. This is because the upfront cost of a capsule coffee machine will be less 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 and you should consider how much you can afford to invest in the machine and then factor in the cost of coffee pods that go with 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 produces a top-quality espresso with the brand's EcoCaps. The unique brewing process allows it to produce thick crema, even though it is only making black coffee. This is a welcome contrast to the thin, watery foam that often accompanies drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine has a compact footprint and a simple four-button panel. It is simple to use and doesn't require any counter space. It comes with a steam wand and a hot beverage function that are not often found for capsule machines. The jug used to serve coffee is smaller than the glass carafes on cheaper competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself and is more sophisticated than competitors and offers a variety of additional 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 bar pressure, temperature and the amount of coffee extracted. This lets you make more from the capsules than just ristretto, espresso and lungo options, and even recreates filters and drip-style drinks. It can also be linked to your smartphone to make recipes and energy pod coffee maker consumption monitoring.