A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for fast and simple coffee, a capsule machine is the best way to go. They're easy to use and can be paired with a variety of 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 lattes and capspuccinos.
1. Simple to use
You can get your coffee fix at home with capsule machines. It's a great 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 coffee maker or are just beginning your journey. You can select from a range of drinks sizes, temperature and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk maker to make lattes or cappuccinos. These models are great for families who are busy and would like to have a cup of coffee before leaving for work.
There are a variety of capsule coffee machines models that can be found to meet your requirements. The budget-friendly models tend to be basic with a panel of buttons and a clear LCD, whilst more advanced models let you customize your coffee by altering settings such as water temperature, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models even come with a compatible app for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
Smeg’s model has a sleek design that blends in well with any worktop. It is also very quiet and makes it a great option for families with small children. Our test subjects found it easy to set up and use with smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
The more expensive models, such as the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, provide more customisation. You can save your most-loved drinks at the touch of a button. You can alter the settings to achieve the best taste and aroma for your favourite blends. The capsule recycler comes with it to keep your kitchen tidy and free of garbage. The higher-end models typically have a built-in milk carafe that can make delicious cappuccinos as well as lattes, while some come with an additional steam wand which you can manually operate as needed.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines are not as flexible as a bean-to- cup machine or a filter machine, they are able to produce delicious and consistently good results. They also have the benefit of being simple to use and relatively cheap the most basic models cost less than PS50. Many of these machines even froth milk which means you can make a cappuccino or latte at the push of an button.
There are a few limitations to the kinds of coffee pods that you can choose from because they come pre-packed, with ingredients such as sugar cream, sugar and ground coffee. You can still expect top-quality brews with most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a range of black and milky coffees, for example.
Similarly, some capsule machines can also be used with various milky drinks using different capsules, like those produced by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines let you select a milky beverage like a cappuccino or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispense the correct amount of milk.
The top pod coffee machines available are also designed to be as user-friendly as they can with easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that help conserve energy. You should look for features such as drip trays that can be adjusted in height that can be moved up and down to suit the size of your cup, and reduce splashing, and a removable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Other attractive features include sleep modes that save energy, and eco-friendly settings.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that can be operated manually or via an app. It comes with precise controls that allow you to fine tune the coffee's body as well as flavour. You can also alter the temperature, which has an impact directly on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity, while higher temperatures provide it with more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on how people consume coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a great cup of coffee every time. Unfortunately, they are also extremely wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminum and plastic which are difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
Despite this studies have shown that, compared to filter and drip coffee, a capsule machine is less detrimental to the environment. Single-serve capsules are environmentally friendly because they use the exact amount of coffee and water and reduce waste. Furthermore heating the water in a single serve capsule uses less energy than brewing a large pot.
It is important to note that this research is based on the complete life cycle of coffee production, including the cultivation, harvesting and transportation of the beans as well as heating the water. If you're thinking about capsule coffee machines, look for one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you'd like to go a step further, consider buying a reuseable capsule. They 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 to reduce your environmental impact further, you should consider an appliance that works with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're industrially compostable and carbon-neutral. They're available in a black style made of more than 50% recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.
If you can't find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, you might consider using a bean to cup coffee maker. These machines are more expensive however they are also eco-friendly. This is due to the fact that they grind and brew coffee on demand, instead of making a large pot of coffee in advance and then cooling it down, which uses energy. They are also more energy efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine on a stove, as they consume less power.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is a great alternative if you wish to make coffee quickly and conveniently in the morning. The capsules are sealed and include roasted and ground beans. They are then placed into the machine, and brewed for an exact amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and easy to use however, they can be costly especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from major brands. This is especially in the case of the coffee pods, which are usually quite pricey.
A capsule coffee maker is still a lot cheaper than purchasing a filter or bean-to-cup model 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 buy filters or ground coffee. The initial cost could be an obstacle for many. So, think about the amount you'll be able to spend on the machine and then add the cost of the pods that fit the machine.
If you're looking for a capsule coffee maker that is affordable look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine produces a top-quality espresso using the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick and dense crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a refreshing alternative to the thin, watery foam that is typically served with drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine has a small footprint and a simple four-button control panel. It is easy to use, and won't require much counter space. It has a steam wand and hot beverage functions, which are rare features for capsule machines. The jug that it uses to serve coffee is smaller than glass carafes on cheaper competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself, is more sophisticated than its competitors and offers a variety of additional features that help 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 that is extracted. You can get more from the capsules as compared to basic lungos, espressos and ristrettos, and you can even make your own drinks that drip or filter. It can also be linked to your smartphone for recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.