A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee maker will make it easy to get an instant cup of coffee. They are simple to use and can work with various coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines typically focus on black drinks - lungos and espressos, with some milky options available for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule-based coffee maker allows you to enjoy your coffee at home without the fuss of a full-on bean-to-cup or filter machine. If you're a seasoned coffee maker or just beginning your journey they're designed to be simple to use and run effortlessly. You can select from a range of drinks sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk maker to make cappuccinos or lattes. They're a convenient option for busy families that want to grab a quick cup of coffee on their way out the door.
There are many different capsule coffee machines models that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly options tend to be simple with a panel of buttons and a clear display, while more sophisticated models let you customize your coffee by altering settings such as water temperature, capsule type and bar pressure. Some have an application for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The slick design of Smeg's model is a big plus with a sleek and modern design that blends well on any worktop. It's also very quiet in use, making it a good choice for parents with children who are 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 responsive, intelligent touchscreen.
More expensive models from likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customisation, allowing you to save drinks that you have customised by pressing a button. You can even tweak settings for your favorite blends to ensure the best taste and aroma. They also include an easy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen neat and free of garbage. Some of the most expensive models have an inbuilt carafe that can be used for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Some models come with a separate steam wand you can manually operate.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines aren't as versatile as a bean-to cup machine or filter machine, they are able to yield delicious and consistently good results. Basic models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines can also handle frothering milk, allowing you to make cappuccinos and lattes by pressing a button.
You will be limited in the types of coffee pods available because they come pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar cream, sugar and ground coffee. You can still expect high-quality beverages with the majority of brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer various black and milky coffees for instance.
Certain capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso can be used to create various milky drinks by using different capsules. These offer the option of choosing a milky drink such as a latte, or cappuccino, from a range of four options, with the machine automatically dispensing the correct amount of milk.
The best pod machines in the UK are also designed with user-friendly features, such as easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that conserve energy. Look for features such as adjustable height trays that can be adjusted to suit your cup size, and reduce splashing. Also, look for a removable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings are another nice extra.
Taking things to the next level is the Morning Machine, a sleek benchtop machine that can be operated by hand or through an application equipped with precise controls that let you alter the taste and body. Among other things, you can alter the temperature setting, which has a direct influence on the taste of your coffee; lower temperatures can cause acidity while higher temperatures give it more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986, coffee pods (or capsules) have had a major impact on the way people drink coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a perfect cup of coffee every time. However, they're also very wasteful. They're usually packaged in plastic and aluminium which can be difficult to recycle. Additionally, they contain unusable ground coffee that is not recycled.
However, research has shown that, compared to filter and drip coffee, a capsule machine is less detrimental to the environment. Single-serve capsules are more environmentally friendly because they use the exact amount of water and coffee which means less the amount of waste. Plus, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule than to brew a whole pot.
It is important to keep in mind that this study only covers the entire cycle of coffee production. This includes growing, harvesting, transporting, and heating the water. If you're thinking about the use of a capsule coffee maker choose one that uses only biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you'd like to go even further, you could consider purchasing a recyclable capsule. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with coffee ground. They're designed to work with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you want to reduce your environmental impact further consider a device that can be used with Lavazza's A Modo Tiny Eco capsules. They're compostable in a way that is industrially, carbon neutral and come in a black style which is made from more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and then collected by council.
If you are unable to find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, think about using a bean to cup coffee maker. They're expensive, but they're more sustainable than pod machines. They grind and prepare coffee on demand rather than making and cooling a huge pot of coffee in advance, which consumes energy. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine that is sat on a hob, as they require less energy to operate.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and simple method of making your morning cup of coffee, a capsule maker is the ideal solution. Capsules contain sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that slot into the machine and are brewed for a predetermined amount of time. The machines are easy to use and are relatively inexpensive however they can be expensive in the event you opt for high-end models by big brands. This can be especially relevant to the price of the coffee pods which can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee maker will still be cheaper than filters or a bean-to cup model. The capsule machine is cheaper upfront, and you will save money over time by not buying filters or ground coffee. The initial cost could be a barrier to many people. Consider the amount you'll be able to invest in the machine, and then add the cost of the pods that will fit in it.
For a capsule coffee machine that offers a budget-friendly option look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine makes use of the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system allows it to produce thick crema, even though it is the fact that it only pods coffee machines makes black coffee. This is a welcome change from the thin, watery mousse that often accompanies drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine is compact in its footprint and a simple four-button panel. It's easy to use and doesn't require any counter space. It also comes with hot drinks as well as steam wands for milky drinks, which are rare for capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispensing the coffee into does not hold as much as the glass carafes that are found on less expensive rivals.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker created by itself is more sophisticated than competitors and has a number of additional features that make it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to create an extra-strong, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature and the amount of coffee extracted. This allows you to make more from the capsules than just lungo, espresso, and ristretto options, and can even recreate filters and drip-style drinks. It can also connect to your smartphone to display recipes, and monitor the energy consumption.