A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine

If you're looking for a fast and simple coffee, a capsule machine is the best way to go. They're simple to operate and can be paired with a variety of coffee pods.

Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines tend to focus on black drinks - espressos and lungos - with a few milky options for cappuccinos and lattes.

1. Simple to use

You can enjoy your morning cup of coffee at home with the capsule machine. It's an excellent alternative to a bean-to-cup or filter machine. If you're a seasoned coffee maker or are just beginning to learn the process, these machines are designed to be easy to use and run effortlessly. You can choose from a variety of drink sizes, temperature and flavours. Some models also feature an integrated milk frothing tool to create cappuccinos and lattes. They're a convenient option for busy families who are looking to grab a quick cup of coffee before heading out the door.

There are a wide variety of capsule coffee machine uk models that can meet the needs of different people. The budget friendly options tend to be simple with a simple panel of buttons and a clear display while more sophisticated models allow you to tailor the brew by altering settings like temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models even come with a compatible app to further personalize your drink and recipe ideas.

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

More expensive models from likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customisation, allowing you to save your own drinks to a specific button. You can alter the settings to get the most optimal flavor and aroma for your favourite blends. They also come with an efficient capsule recycler that will keep your kitchen neat and free of waste. Some of the more expensive models come with a built-in carafe for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Some models come with an additional steam wand which you can operate manually.

2. Multi-faceted

Although they aren't as versatile as a filter coffee maker or a bean-to-cup machine, capsule machines can still do an excellent job of making delicious and consistent results. They also offer the advantage of being easy to use and cost-effective starting at less than PS50. Many of these machines can also handle milk frothing so you can make cappuccinos or lattes by pressing one button.

One thing to keep in mind with a capsule machine is that you'll be limited to the type of coffee pods and drinks that you can use with it, because they are packaged with ingredients like ground coffee sugar, cream, sugar and flavourings. However, you can get high-quality beverages from all brands, with the range of options offered by Tassimo and Nescafe for instance, allowing you to choose from a range of milky and black coffees.

Some capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to prepare different milky drinks using different capsules. They allow selecting a milky drink such as a latte, or cappuccino from a choice of four, and the machine automatically dispenses the correct amount of milk.

The best pod coffee machines uk are also designed to be as user-friendly as is possible with easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions to conserve energy. Look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays, which can be moved up or down to suit your cup size and to reduce splashing and a capsule holder that can be removed that is easy to empty and clean. 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 features precise controls to adjust the coffee's body as well as flavour. You can also alter the temperature, which has an impact directly on the taste of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity while higher temperatures impart more body.

3. Eco-friendly

Since Nestle introduced coffee capsules in 1986, they have had a major influence on how people consume coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a good cup of coffee every time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They are usually packed in plastic and aluminium which is hard to recycle. Additionally, here they contain unusable ground coffee that cannot be recycled.

Despite this, research has shown that compared to filter and drip coffee, a capsule machine is not as harmful to the environment. Single-serve capsules are eco sustainable because they use the exact amount of water and coffee, reducing the amount of waste. Plus, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule compared to making a pot of coffee.

However, it's important to keep in mind that this research is only based on the total life-cycle of coffee production, which includes growing, harvesting and transporting the beans as well as heating the water. If you're considering a capsule coffee machine, look for one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to go further, consider purchasing a reused coffee capsule. These 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 even further, find a machine compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These are industrially compostable and carbon-neutral. They're available in a black design which is made from 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 any compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, try using a bean-to-cup maker. These machines are more expensive, however they are also environmentally friendly. They grind and make coffee on demand, instead of brewing and cooling a large pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They are also more efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine that is on a stove, as they use less power.

4. Cost-effective

If you're looking for an easy and convenient way to make your morning cup of coffee, a capsule machine is the ideal solution. The capsules are sealed and contain ground and roasted beans. They are then inserted into the machine, and brewed for an exact amount of time. The machines are relatively inexpensive and simple to use, however, they can be costly if you go for high-end models from the top brands. This is particularly in the case of the coffee pods which can be quite expensive.

A capsule coffee machine is still less expensive than filters or a bean-to cup model. This is due to the initial price of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money in the end because you won't need to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial expense can still be a barrier for many people, so consider the amount you're able to invest in the machine, and then take into account the cost of coffee pods that go with it.

If you're looking for a capsule machine that offers a budget-friendly option, look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine utilizes the brand's compostable EcoCaps to provide a high-quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system lets it produce thick crema, even though it is the fact that it only makes black coffee. This is a significant improvement on the thin, watery foam that often comes with espresso drinks made in other pod machines.

The machine is compact in its footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is simple to use, and won't require much counter space. It comes with steam wands and a hot beverage function that are not often found for capsule machines. However, the jug it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold as much as the glass carafes on the cheaper rivals.

Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself, is more sophisticated than its competitors and comes with a range of additional features that help it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee, resulting in an even stronger, more rich cup. It also has adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature, and the amount of coffee extracted. You can get more from the capsules compared to simple lungos, espressos and ristrettos, and you can even make your own drinks with drips and filters. It can also be linked to your smartphone for recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.