A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine

A capsule coffee machine can allow you to enjoy a quick cup of coffee. They're simple to use and can be paired with a variety of specialty coffee pods.

Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines tend to focus on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos. They also have some milky options for capspuccinos and lattes.

1. Easy to use

With a capsule coffee machine, you can enjoy your coffee at home without the hassle of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. If you're a seasoned coffee maker or just beginning your journey the process, these machines are designed to be easy to use and operate effortlessly. You can choose from a variety of drink sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing tool to make cappuccinos and lattes. These models are a great choice for families with busy schedules who are looking to grab an espresso before heading out the door.

There's a wide selection of capsule coffee machine models that will meet your needs. These models are affordable and feature a basic panel of buttons with a clear display. The more advanced models allow you to customize the brew you make by changing settings like temperature of water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models even come with a compatible app to further personalize your drink and recipe suggestions.

The Smeg model has a sleek style that works with any worktop. It's also quiet when in use making it an ideal option for those with children who are up early. Our testers found it easy to set up and use, with a smooth operation of the lever on the cap of the water tank and a responsive, intelligent touchscreen.

The more expensive models, such as the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer more customisation. You can save your most-loved drinks to a button. You can alter the settings to get the most optimal flavor and aroma of your favorite blends. They also come with a handy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen tidy and free of garbage. Some of the more expensive models include a built-in carafe for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Others include an additional steam wand which 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 yield delicious and consistently good results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines even offer milk frothing, meaning you can make the perfect cappuccino or latte with the push of a button.

One thing to keep in mind when using capsule machines is that you will be limited to the types of coffee pods and drinks that you can drink with it because they are packaged with ingredients like ground coffee, cream, sugar and flavorings. But, you can be sure of high-quality beverages from all brands, including the variety of options offered by Tassimo and Nescafe for instance, allowing you to choose from a variety of black and milky coffees.

Similarly, some capsule machines can also be used with different milky drinks using different types of capsules, such as those made by Nespresso's Vertuo line. They allow choosing a milky drink like a latte or cappuccino, from a range of four options, with the machine automatically dispensing the right amount of milk.

The best pod machines in the UK are also built with user-friendly features, such as simple-to-read digital displays as well as automatic shut-off features that help save energy. You should look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays that can be moved up and down to suit the size of your cup and reduce splashing, and a reusable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Eco-friendly sleep modes and energy-saving settings are a nice addition.

The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that you can operate by hand or through an app. It has precise controls to adjust the coffee's body and flavor. 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 give it more body.

3. Eco-friendly

Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986, coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on how people consume coffee. They're easy to use, quick and easy to enjoy a consistently good cup of coffee every single time. Unfortunately, they are also quite wasteful. They are typically packaged in aluminium and plastic, which is difficult to recycle. Additionally, they usually contain dregs from unused ground coffee that cannot be recycled as well.

Research has shown that using a capsule coffee pods coffee machine machine is more environmentally friendly than filter or drip coffee. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use an exact amount of coffee and water, cutting down on the waste of coffee that can happen when making a large-sized pot. Plus heating the water in a single serve capsule requires less energy than making a large pot.

It's important to remember that this research only considers the entire life cycle of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing transporting, heating, and transporting the water. If you're considering a capsule coffee machine make sure you choose one that is made from biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to go further, buy an reused capsule for coffee. They can be filled with ground coffee, and then used in the capsule machine you have - they're usually designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.

If you're looking to reduce your impact on the environment further, consider purchasing an appliance that is compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're compostable in a way that is industrially, carbon neutral and come in a black color made of more than 50% recycled plastic. They're also the only capsules that can be used to add food waste for council collection.

If you cannot find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, think about using a bean to cup coffee maker. These machines are more expensive, however they are also environmentally friendly. They grind and brew coffee on demand, rather than brewing a big pot in advance and then cooling it down, which uses energy. They're also more efficient than a 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 easy method to make your morning cup of coffee the capsule machine is the ideal solution. The capsules are sealed and include roasted and ground beans. They are then put into the machine and brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are simple to operate and fairly inexpensive, but can be costly in the event you opt for high-end models by big brands. This is particularly in the case of the coffee pods which can be quite pricey.

Buying a capsule coffee machine is still a lot cheaper than getting a filter or bean-to-cup model however. This is due to the upfront cost of a capsule coffee machine will be lower and you'll save money over the long term by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. The initial cost could be an obstacle for many. So, think about how much money you can spend on the machine and then add the cost of the pods that will fit in it.

For a capsule coffee machine that is budget-friendly take a look at the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine utilizes the brand's compostable EcoCaps to give you a premium cup of espresso. The unique brewing system produces a thick and dense crema despite only making black coffee. This is a nice contrast to the thin, watery mousse that often accompanies drinks made with other pod machines.

The machine has a small footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is easy to operate and doesn't take the most counter space. It also offers hot drinks as well as steam wands for milky drinks, which is uncommon for capsule machines. However, the jug it dispensing the coffee into does not hold as much as glass carafes found on cheaper competitors.

The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee machine that comes with a variety of additional options that sets it apart from the competition. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to create an even stronger, more rich cup. It also has adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure 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 make your own drinks that drip or filter. It also allows you to connect to your smartphone to display recipes and monitor energy consumption.