There is nothing more satisfying than a cup of rich, delicious coffee in the morning. But getting café coffee every day can be expensive, and buying your own espresso machine is also a big investment. This is why a coffee capsule machine is such a perfect choice. You get barista level coffee drinks with the push of a button. They are easy to use and care for, and the coffee stays fresh in vacuum-sealed pods.
In the past few years, new machines have been developed along with several different pod systems. We have made buying easy by finding the best machines for you to choose from. If you need more information, we also have a buying guide where you can quickly learn all you need to know to make an informed decision.
We love our coffee, but we don’t like spending time making it or going out and paying for it. Capsule coffee makers are the perfect appliance for getting consistently delicious espresso or coffee at home without all the grinding, fussing, or mess. A wide variety of capsules to fit anyone’s tastes are available, so check out which capsule machine is best for you.
Advantages of a Pod Coffee Maker
Pod coffee makers continue to gain popularity, but what is it that makes them so desirable?
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Convenience: Great coffee with the push of a button.
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Variety: Each pod maker offers a wide range of various coffees and coffee drinks for use in their machines.
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Speed: Most make coffee in less than 2 minutes.
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Ease of use: Anyone can make great coffee by adding a pod and pushing a button.
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Value: Generally, capsules are much less expensive than going to a coffee shop.
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Consistency: Coffee stays fresh in vacuum-sealed capsules, and the taste is consistent each and every time you make a drink.
What to consider when choosing your Pod Coffee Maker
Before you choose your pod coffee maker, it is important to know the different types that are available, so you find the right one for you. Consider how much space you have, what types of drinks you want to make, and what features you are looking for. You should also think about not only the initial price of the machine, but the price per capsule.
The first thing to know is the different types of pod coffee makers. Many people simply call all capsule coffee makers “Nespresso” machines, but Nespresso is just one type. Today there are many different options to choose from, so it is important to know the differences.
Nespresso
Nespresso by Nestle has been around since the 1980s, and these machines have by far the most options for capsules because the patent ran out, and just about anyone who has anything to do with coffee makes Nespresso compatible pods. This means that these capsules are generally the cheapest, so long-term costs are lower. These machines are reliable and easy to use, but they focus mostly on espresso-based drinks, so the variety of beverages they produce is limited. Since they are no longer patented, you can find many appliance companies making their own versions of Nespresso machines.
Vertuo
Nestle later developed the Vertuo machine to be able to deliver not only espresso-based drinks, but longer coffees as well. The Vertuo is a signature device that spins the capsule at around 7000 RPM as pressurized water is forced through the pods. This creates a tasty, foamy drink. Capsules come in different sizes, and they are marked with barcodes, so the machine automatically knows how much water to use. As of now, only Nestle makes Vertuo pods because they are under a patent, but they do make lots of varieties and are constantly increasing their options.
Dolce Gusto
Dolce Gusto is yet another creation of the Nestle corporation. These little machines are similar to Nespresso, but instead of just espresso-based drinks, they will make just about anything including tea, hot cocoa, and, most important, milk-based drinks like macchiatos and cappuccinos. The variety of pods make these a popular option.
Tassimo
Tassimo machines are made by Bosch and pods come in a wide variety of flavours and styles much like the Dolce Gusto machine. These also have a barcode printed on each pod, which are called T-Discs, that make sure that the settings are all correct for the beverage you are making. These are fast machines taking less than a minute to make a full cup of coffee. Like the Dolce Gusto machine, the Tassimo is designed to make milk-based drinks and feature coffees from many different makers including Jacobs and Costa.
Lately, other coffee makers like Lavazza,Illy, and Starbucks have come out with their own machines, and there are surely more on the way.
What drinks do you want to make?
Now that you know the different kinds of machines, you should consider which drinks you want to make so you know which machine will serve your needs the best.
Espresso
Espresso is the most basic drink that these machines are famous for. It requires steam under pressure to get a perfect cup.
Caffe Americano
A full cup of hot espresso mixed with hot water to give a rich, smooth coffee experience.
Caffe Lungo
A stylish cup of full-bodied coffee with a rich aroma and a velvety crema layer.
Cappuccino
One third steamed milk, one third skim milk and one third espresso - if you mix this you get a warming cappuccino.
Cafe Latte
A simple or even double espresso is mixed with a little steam-heated milk, and served in a tall glass topped with milk foam. It should be 80% milk and 20% coffee. The drink can be garnished with cardamom, cinnamon or vanilla.
Café Mocca
A good mix of hot chocolate, skim milk and espresso coffee.
Caffé Macchiato
A double espresso in a large cup, with a little skim milk and sweetener as desired. The name means "spotted coffee", and means that espresso is spotted with the milk.
Latte Macchiato
Here, the above-mentioned process is reversed, as it is the milk that is "stained down" with the coffee. The milk is poured into the glass first, and it is allowed to steam until a layer of foam is formed. Then a spoon is used to drizzle in the espresso. The three-layer effect is achieved in that there is milk on the bottom, espresso in the middle and milk foam at the top.
Ristretto
The coffee for you when you are in a hurry. It is simply about half an espresso to be drunk in a single moment.
Pods
Pods are the heart of the capsule coffee maker. They come in an uncountable number of varieties, and each type of machine takes a different pod.
The most important thing is to know which type of capsule coffee maker you have, so you buy pods that are compatible. Many people make the mistake of assuming that all capsule makers are the same and end up buying the wrong pods.
You can expect to pay anywhere from 25–200 kr per capsule depending on how many you buy at a time and what kind of coffee you want. If you buy in bulk, you will pay much less per pod. You can also find some companies that offer subscriptions to deliver pods directly to you for a set price, and this can save money in the long run.
If you are interested, you can find after-market products that allow you to make your own pods with your own coffee. There are even adapters to make Nespresso pods fit in other types of machines. We recommend approaching any after-market products with caution.
Size
While capsule coffee makers are smaller than full-sized espresso machines, they may take up more counter space than you expect. Before making a purchase, measure the space you have carefully and then check the specs of the machine you are looking at to make sure it will fit. Consider that most of these machines have lids that open to allow you to insert a pod.
Versatility
The great thing about any of these capsule coffee machines is that you can get a wide variety of coffee-based beverages to choose from. However, if you want milk-based drinks, then you should look at other brands or plan to invest in a milk frother.
Ongoing costs
Once you buy a capsule coffee maker, you will have the continuing ongoing cost of restocking pods as needed. This can add up depending on how much coffee you consume, but it is still less expensive than going to a cafe. You may also need to invest in descaling solutions as recommended by the manufacturer to keep your machine clean.
Recycling
One big issue with coffee capsule machines is that they generate waste in the form of millions of used pods. To combat this issue, Nespresso has a recycling program where you simply collect used pods in a bag, and then ship them back to the company where they are made into new pods. Their recycled pods even became a bike. Other capsule makers are also following this trend to keep their machines eco friendly.
Care and Maintenance
One great thing about capsule coffee makers is that they are relatively carefree to own. When you first use your machine, make sure to follow the instructions as most of them require a break in by running plain water through the machine to clean it out.
This cleaning routine should be followed as needed, and some machines will even tell you when they need to be cleaned.
Every six months or so (depending on use and the hardness of your water), the machine should be descaled. This will remove the hard water deposits that can eventually block the flow of water. This usually requires running a vinegar solution through the machine and then rinsing. Your owner's manual will explain this, and following regular maintenance will extend the life of your machine.