A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine

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

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

1. Easy to use

You can get your morning cup of coffee at home using capsule machines. It's an excellent alternative to a bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to operate and run well, regardless of whether you're a seasoned coffee maker or just a newbie. You can pick from a variety of drink sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models have an integrated milk maker to make lattes or cappuccinos. These models are great for busy families that are looking to grab a cup of coffee before leaving for work.

There are a variety of capsule coffee machines models that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly options tend to be simple with a panel of buttons and a clear LCD, whilst more advanced models let you customize your coffee by altering settings like temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Certain models come with an app that lets you have more customization and recipe suggestions.

Smeg’s model has a sleek design that is a perfect match with any work surface. It's also very quiet in use which makes it a great choice for parents with young children who wake up early. Our testers found it easy to set up and use, with a smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a smart, responsive touchscreen.

More expensive models from the likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customization, allowing users to save personalised drinks to a dedicated button. You can alter the settings to achieve the best taste and aroma of your favorite blends. The capsule recycler is included to keep your kitchen tidy and free of garbage. The more expensive models usually come with a built-in milk cup that can make delicious cappuccinos as well as lattes, while other models include steam wands that you can operate manually when you need to.

2. Versatile

While not as versatile as a filter machine or a bean-to-cup coffee machine capsule machines are able to do an excellent job of producing delicious and consistent results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines are capable of frothering milk, allowing you to make lattes or cappuccinos with the click of the button.

One thing to keep in mind when using a capsule machine is that you will be limited in the kind of drinks and coffee pods you can drink with it because they are pre-packaged with ingredients such as ground coffee sugar, cream, sugar and flavorings. But, you can be sure of high-quality brews from most brands, including the variety of choices 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 also be used with different milky drinks by utilizing different types of capsules, like those produced by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines allow you to select a milky drink like a cappuccino or latte from a selection of four. The machine will automatically dispense the right amount of milk.

The best pod machines available in the UK are also equipped with user-friendly features, like clear digital displays that are easy to read and automatic shut-off features that help save energy. You should look for features such as drip trays that can be adjusted in height that can be moved up and down to fit the size of your cup and reduce splashing, and a reusable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Sleep modes that save energy and coffee machine for pods eco-friendly settings are a nice bonus.

Moving things to the next level is the Morning Machine, a sleek bench top machine that can be operated by hand or by app with precise controls that allow you to fine-tune a coffee's flavour and body. You can also alter the temperature, which has an immediate impact on the taste of your coffee. Temperatures that are lower will cause acidity while higher temperatures provide it with more body.

3. Environmentally friendly

Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 coffee pods (or capsules) have made a huge impact on how people drink coffee. They're convenient, fast and allow you to get a consistently good cup of coffee every single time. Unfortunately, they can also be quite wasteful. They are typically packaged in plastic and aluminum which are difficult to recycle. Additionally, they contain unusable ground coffee that is not recycled.

Research has shown that the use of a capsule coffee maker is more sustainable than filter or drip coffee. Single-serve capsules are environmentally sustainable because they use the exact amount of water and coffee which means less waste. Furthermore, heating the water in a single-serve mug uses less energy than making a large pot.

It's important to remember that this study only examines the entire cycle of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing transportation, heating and transporting the water. If you're considering capsule coffee machines, look for one that uses only biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to take it a step further, you can purchase an reusable capsule of coffee. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule with ground coffee. They're designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.

If you're looking to cut down your environmental impact further consider a device that can be used with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're compostable in a way that is industrially and carbon-neutral. They're available in a black style which is made from more than 50% recycled plastic. Additionally, they are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.

If you are unable to find any compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, consider using a bean-to-cup maker. They're costly however they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and make coffee on demand, rather than brewing and cooling a large pot of coffee in advance, which consumes energy. They are also more efficient than drip machines or espresso machine that is on a stove, as they use less power.

4. Cost-effective

If you're looking for a quick and convenient way to make your morning coffee the capsule machine is the ideal solution. The capsules are sealed and contain ground and roasted beans. They are then placed into the machine and brewed for a precise amount of time. The machines are easy to use and are relatively inexpensive however, they can be costly in the event you opt for high-end models by big brands. This is particularly applicable to the coffee pods which can be very expensive.

A capsule coffee maker is still a lot cheaper than getting a filter or bean-to-cup model, though. The capsule machine is less expensive initially, and you'll save money over time by not buying filters or ground coffee. The initial cost could be a barrier to many people. So, think about the amount you'll be able to spend on the machine and then add the pods that go with the machine.

Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's a great option for those on a tight budget. This sleek, compact machine makes use of the brand's compostable EcoCaps to give you a premium cup of espresso. The unique brewing method produces a thick and dense crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a huge improvement over the thin foam that typically accompanies espresso drinks made in other pod machines.

The machine is easy to operate with the four buttons on the front panel and has a compact footprint that doesn't take up too much counter space. It comes with a steam wand and hot beverage functions which are both rare features for capsule machines. However, the jug it dispensing the coffee into does not hold as much as the glass carafes found on cheaper rivals.

Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker created by itself, is more sophisticated than competitors and comes with a range of additional features that help it stand out. Its flagship Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee for a stronger, richer cup and it has adjustable settings that can alter the amount of coffee that is extracted as well as temperature and bar pressure. You'll get more flavor from the capsules as compared to basic ristrettos, espressos and lungos and you can make your own drinks with drips and filters. It can also be linked to your smartphone for recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.