A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for quick and easy coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the way to go. They're easy to use and can be used with a range of speciality coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines tend to focus on black drinks, such as espressos and lungos with some milky options for capspuccinos and lattes.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule-based coffee maker you can get your fix at home without the hassle of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. If you're a seasoned brewer or just starting out they're designed to be easy to use and run smoothly. You can pick from a range of drinks sizes, temperature and flavors. Some models include an integrated milk frother to make lattes or cappuccinos. They're a convenient option for busy families who are looking to grab an espresso on the way out the door.
There is a variety of capsule coffee machine uk models to suit different needs. The budget-friendly models tend to be basic with a simple panel of buttons and a clear display, whilst more advanced models allow you to 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 style that works with any work surface. It's also quiet and makes it a great option for families with small children. Our testers found it easy to set up and used with smooth operation of the water tank's capsule lever and a responsive, intelligent touchscreen.
More expensive models from the likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customisation, allowing you to save personalised drinks to a specific button. You can tweak settings to achieve the best flavour and aroma for your favourite blends. The capsule recycler is available to keep your kitchen clean and free of garbage. Some of the more expensive models include a built-in carafe for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with an additional steam wand which you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
While not as versatile as a filter coffee machine or a bean-to cup machine, capsule machines can still provide excellent results providing consistent and delicious results. Basic models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines even offer milk frothing making the perfect cappuccino or latte with the push of the button.
One thing to keep in mind when using a capsule machine is that you'll be limited to the types of drinks and coffee pods you can make with it, since they've been pre-packaged with ingredients such as ground coffee sugar, cream, sugar and flavorings. You can still expect top-quality beverages with the majority of brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of milky and black coffees, for instance.
Certain capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso can be used to make different milky drinks with different capsules. These capsules allow selecting a milky drink such as a latte or cappuccino from a choice of four options, with the machine automatically dispenses the correct amount of milk.
The best pod machines in the UK are also built with easy-to-use features, including clear digital displays that are easy to read and automatic shut-off features that help save energy. Look for features like drip trays that can be adjusted in height, which can be moved up and down to suit the size of your cup, and to reduce splashing and a removable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings are a nice addition.
The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that you can operate either manually or with an application. It has precise controls 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. Temperatures that are lower will cause acidity while higher temperatures impart more body.
3. Eco-friendly
Since Nestle introduced coffee capsules in 1986, they have had a major impact on the way people drink coffee. They're convenient, fast and easy to get a consistently good coffee every time. Unfortunately, they are also quite wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminium and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. Additionally, they contain unusable ground coffee that is not recycled.
Despite this research has proven that compared to filter and drip coffee, a capsule machine is not as harmful to the environment. Single-serve capsules are eco green because they consume the exact amount of water and coffee and reduce waste. Furthermore, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule compared to the brewing process of a large pot.
However, it's important to keep in mind 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 only uses biodegradable or recyclable coffee pods. If you'd like to go even further, you could consider coffee machines with capsules purchasing the reusable capsule. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with ground coffee. They're designed to be compatible with popular systems, such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to cut down the environmental impact of your business Look for a machine that works with Lavazza's A Modo Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are carbon-neutral, industrially compostable and made of more than 50% recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that 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 can be pricey but they're also more eco-friendly than pod machines. They grind and prepare coffee on demand instead of brewing and cooling a large pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They're also more efficient than a drip or espresso machine that is sat on a stove, since they require less power to run.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a fast and convenient way to make your morning cup of coffee, a capsule maker is the best option. Capsules contain sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that are inserted into the machine and are brewed for a fixed amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and simple to use, however they can be costly when you choose high-end models from major brands. This is especially applicable to the coffee pods which can be very expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still cheaper than filter models or a bean-to cup model. This is due to the upfront price of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money over the long term because you won't need to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial expense isn't a deterrent for many people So, think about the amount you're able to spend on a machine and then factor in the cost of coffee pods that you will need to fit it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is an espresso machine that is an excellent option for those who are on a budget. This sleek, compact machine utilizes the brand's compostable EcoCaps to provide a high-quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing technology also allows it to create thick crema, even though it is only producing black coffee. This is a nice alternative to the thin, watery foam that is often served with drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine is easy to use via a panel of four buttons and has a small footprint that won't take up the counter space. It also has a hot drink function and steam wands for milky drinks, which are uncommon on capsule machines. The jug it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold the same amount as glass carafes on the cheaper competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker made independently and is more sophisticated than competitors and comes with a range of extra features that make it stand out. Its flagship Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee to create a richer, stronger cup, and it comes with adjustable settings that allow you to alter the amount of coffee that is extracted as well as temperature, and bar pressure. This lets you get more value from the capsules than espresso, ristretto and lungo options, and can even recreate the drip and filter-style drinks. It can also connect to your smartphone to display recipes and track the consumption of energy.