A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine

If you want quick and easy coffee, a capsule machine is the way to go. They are easy to use and work 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 options for lattes and capspuccinos.

1. Easy to use

With a capsule coffee machine, you can enjoy your coffee at home without the fuss of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to use and work effortlessly, regardless of whether you're a professional coffee maker or just a newbie. You can pick from a range of drink sizes, temperatures and flavours to match your tastes. Some models have an integrated milk frother that can be used to make lattes or cappuccinos. They're an ideal option for busy families who need coffee in a hurry before heading out the door.

There are a variety of capsule coffee machines in the UK that can be found to meet your requirements. These models are affordable and feature a basic panel of buttons with a clear display. More advanced models let you alter the brew you make by changing settings like temperature of water, capsule type and bar pressure. Certain models come with an app that allows for more personalisation and recipes suggestions.

The sleek design of the model from Smeg is a big plus, with a sleek body that will blend in well on any table. It's also extremely quiet during use, making it a good option for those with young children who wake up early. It was easy to use and set up, with a responsive touchscreen as well as an easy operation of the lever of the water tank.

The more expensive models, such as the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer a greater level of customization. You can save your favourite drinks with a click. You can adjust the settings to achieve 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 more expensive models include an inbuilt carafe that can be used for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others include an additional steam wand that you can manually operate.

2. Multi-faceted

Although capsule machines aren't as versatile as a bean-to cup machine or a filter machine, they can still provide delicious and consistently good results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines are capable of milk frothing so you can make cappuccinos or lattes by pressing a button.

There are a few limitations to the types of coffee pods available because they come pre-packed, with ingredients such as sugar cream, sugar, and ground coffee. However, you can get high-quality beverages from all brands, and there is a wide range of options available from Tassimo and Nescafe for instance that let you pick from a wide selection of black and milky coffees.

Some capsule machines, like the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to create different milky drinks using different capsules. These machines let you choose a milky beverage like a cappuccino or Latte from a choice of four. The machine will automatically dispense the right amount of milk.

The best pod coffee machines available are also designed to be as user-friendly as is possible with clear digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions that help conserve energy. You should look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays that can be moved up and down to accommodate the size of your cup and to reduce splashing and a removable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings are a nice addition.

The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that you can operate manually or via an application. It has precise controls to adjust the coffee's body and flavor. You can also adjust the temperature, which will have a direct effect on the flavor of your coffee machines capsules. Lower temperatures result in acidity while higher temperatures provide it with more body.

3. Eco-friendly

Since Nestle introduced capsules of coffee in 1986, they have had a major impact on how people drink coffee. They're convenient, fast and easy to get a consistently great cup of joe every time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They are usually packed in plastic and aluminium which are difficult to recycle. Plus, they often contain dregs of unutilised ground coffee that aren't recycled.

Research has shown that using a capsule coffee machine is more environmentally friendly than filter or drip coffee machines with capsules. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use an exact amount of water and coffee, cutting down on the amount of coffee that is wasted when making a large pot. Additionally, it requires less energy to heat the water in a capsule than making a pot of coffee.

However, it's important to note that this research is based on the total life-cycle of coffee production, including the cultivation, harvesting and transportation of the beans, as well as heating the water. Look for a capsule machine that is made of biodegradable or recyclable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, buy an reusable capsule for coffee. They can be filled with ground coffee and placed in the capsule machine you have - they're typically designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.

If you're looking to lessen your impact on the environment Look for a machine that works with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These are industrially compostable carbon neutral and come in a black color which is made from more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Plus, they're the only capsules that can be used to add food waste for council collection.

Finally, if you can't find compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, consider using a bean-to-cup maker. They're expensive however they're more eco-friendly than pod machines. They grind and brew the coffee on demand, instead of brewing a big pot in advance, and then cooling it down, which consumes electricity. They are also more energy efficient than drip machines or espresso machine on stoves, since they use less energy.

4. Cost-effective

A capsule machine is a fantastic alternative if you wish to make coffee quickly and efficiently in the morning. Capsules are sealed roasts and ground coffee beans that go into the machine and are brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and easy to use but they can be expensive if you go for high-end models from big brands. This is especially relevant to the cost of the coffee pods, which can be quite expensive.

A capsule coffee maker is still less expensive than a filter model or a bean-to-cup model. The capsule model is cheaper in the beginning, and you'll save money over time because you won't need to buy filters or ground coffee. The initial cost can be a barrier to many people. So, think about the amount you'll be able to invest in the machine, and then add on the cost of the pods that will fit in the machine.

Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's a great option for those on a budget. This compact, stylish machine delivers a quality espresso with the brand's EcoCaps. The unique brewing system produces a thick crema despite only making black coffee. This is a significant improvement on the thin foam that usually is found in espresso drinks made with other pod machines.

The machine has a compact footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is easy to operate and doesn't require any counter space. It comes with steam wands and a hot beverage function that are not often found for capsule machines. However, the jug it dispensing the coffee into does not hold the same amount as glass carafes that are found on less expensive rivals.

The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee makers coffee maker that offers a range of extra options that set it apart from other machines. Its most popular 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 that is extracted as well as temperature, and bar pressure. This allows you to make more from the capsules than simple espresso, ristretto and lungo options, and even recreates filters and drip-style drinks. It can also connect to your smartphone to display recipes and track the consumption of energy.