A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine

A capsule coffee machine will allow you to enjoy an instant cup of coffee. They are simple to use and can be used with a variety of coffee pods.

Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines tend to concentrate on black drinks such as lungos and espressos, with a few milky options for lattes and capspuccinos.

1. Easy to use

You can get your coffee fix at home using the capsule machine. It's a great alternative to a bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are easy to use and work effortlessly, whether you're a seasoned brewer or a beginner. You can select from a variety of beverage sizes, temperatures, and flavors to match your tastes. Some models have an integrated milk frother to make lattes or cappuccinos. They're a great option for busy families that are looking to grab an espresso on the way out the door.

There are a wide variety of capsule coffee machine models that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly models tend to be straightforward with a panel of buttons and a clear LCD, while more sophisticated models let you customize your brew via settings such as temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some have an application for further personalisation and recipe suggestions.

The slick design of the Smeg model is a major benefit with a sleek and modern design that blends well on any table. It's also extremely quiet, making it an excellent option for families with small children. Our testers found it easy to set up and used with a smooth and effortless operation of the lever on the cap of the water tank and a responsive, intelligent touchscreen.

The more expensive models from the likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customisation, allowing you to save drinks that you have customised to a dedicated button. You can adjust the settings to get the most optimal flavour and aroma for your preferred blends. The capsule recycler is included to keep your kitchen tidy and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models come with an inbuilt carafe that can be used for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Some models come with an additional steam wand that you can operate manually.

2. Multi-faceted

Although they aren't as versatile as a filter coffee machine or a bean-to-cup coffee machine capsule machines are able to do an excellent job of making delicious and consistent results. Basic models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines are capable of making frothy milk so you can make lattes or cappuccinos at the touch of one button.

There are a few limitations to the types of coffee pods you can use, as they will come pre-packed, with ingredients such as sugar, cream, and ground coffee. Nonetheless, you can still be sure of high-quality beverages from all brands, with the range of options available from Tassimo and Nescafe, for example that let you pick from a wide selection of milky and black coffees.

In the same way, certain capsule machines can be used with different milky drinks by using different kinds of capsules such as those made by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines let you select a milky drink like a cappuccino or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispense the right amount of milk.

The best pod machines available in the UK are also built with user-friendly features, like simple-to-read digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions that conserve energy. Look for features like height-adjustable trays which can be adjusted to suit the size of your cup, and minimize splashing. Also, look for a removable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder. Eco-friendly sleep modes and energy-saving settings are another nice extra.

The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that you can operate manually or via an app. It comes with precise controls to fine-tune the coffee's body and flavor. You can alter the temperature setting, which has a direct impact on the flavour of your coffee. Lower temperatures result in acidity, and best pod coffee machine higher temperatures provide 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're convenient, fast and allow you to get a consistently good cup of joe every time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They are usually packaged in aluminium and plastic, which is difficult to recycle. Additionally, they contain unusable ground coffee that can't be recycled.

However research has proven that compared to filter and drip coffee, using a capsule machine is not as harmful to the environment. This is due to single-serve capsules using the exact amount of water and coffee which reduces the amount of coffee that is wasted when you make a large pot. Furthermore heating the water in a single-serve capsule requires less energy than making a large pot.

It is important to keep in mind that this study only examines the entire cycle of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing, transporting, and heating the water. If you're thinking about a capsule coffee machine make sure you choose one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to take it a step further, consider purchasing a reused capsule for coffee. These can be filled with ground coffee and used in the capsule machine you have - they're usually designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.

If you're looking to lessen your environmental impact further, consider purchasing a machine compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are carbon-neutral recyclable, industrially compostable and constructed of over 50% recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that can be added to food waste and collected by council.

Finally, if you can't find biodegradable or compostable coffee pods for your capsule machine, try using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. They're expensive, but they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and prepare coffee on demand instead of making and cooling a huge pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They are also more energy efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine on stoves, since they consume less power.

4. Cost-effective

A capsule machine is an excellent alternative if you wish to make coffee quickly and efficiently in the morning. The capsules are sealed, and they contain roasted and ground beans. They are then placed into the machine and brewed for a specific 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 big brands. This is especially in the case of the coffee pods themselves which can be quite expensive.

The purchase of a capsule coffee machine is still significantly less expensive than buying an espresso machine or a bean-to-cup filter However. This is because the upfront cost of a capsule machine will be less and you'll save money over the long term by not having to buy filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost could be a hurdle for many people, so consider the amount you're able to invest in the machine, and then factor in the cost of coffee pods that go with it.

For a capsule coffee machine that is budget-friendly take a look at the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine uses the brand's compostable EcoCaps to give you a premium cup of espresso. Its unique brewing technology also lets it produce a thick crema, despite only making black coffee. This is a welcome contrast to the thin, watery slush that often accompanies drinks made with other pod machines.

The machine is easy to operate with the four buttons on the panel and has a compact footprint that doesn't occupy too much counter space. It also comes with hot drinks and steam wands for milky drinks, which are uncommon on capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispensing the coffee into does not hold the same amount as glass carafes found on cheaper competitors.

The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that offers a range of additional options that sets it apart from the competition. Its most popular Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee to create a richer, stronger cup and it has adjustable settings that can alter the extracted coffee quantity as well as the temperature and bar pressure. This allows you to get more out of the capsules than lungo, espresso, and ristretto options, and can even recreate drip and filter-style drinks. It can also be linked to your smartphone for recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.