Capsule coffee makers

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Another of the most popular types of machines today are capsule coffee machines. These types of machines have many advantages over other coffee machines, such as the variety of capsules ready to be inserted and to obtain a complete preparation quickly and easily for the user. Without having to worry about dosage or ingredients.

You simply have to worry that the water tank has enough liquid to prepare the coffee and that you have the coffee capsule (or other drinks) that you want at that moment. The machine itself will take care of everything else, getting a great result with minimal effort.

The best capsule coffee machine

There is a considerable amount of brands and models of capsule coffee machines. It is important to choose the most suitable according to its technical characteristics to achieve good results and to be compatible with your favorite capsules. These are some recommendations.

In the list you have some of our favorite capsule coffee machines. More in depth, here are some recommendations depending on the type of capsules that you need or that you like more:

Nespresso capsule coffee machines

Krups Inissia XN1001

It is a Krups coffee machine for Nespresso capsules. With single-dose capsule, automatic shutdown system so you don't have to be aware of it, rapid heating system in 25 seconds, 0.7 liter tank, and buttons to choose whether you want a short or long coffee and adapt it to the size of the cup.

This machine reaches a 19 bar professional pressure. Its energy saving system turns it off if it is not used for 9 minutes, even if you have left it on by mistake.

De'Longhi Inissia EN80.B

The Krups alternative is the manufacturer's machine De'Longhi. This capsule coffee maker is very similar in performance to the previous one, as is often the case with all official manufacturers, which are usually on par to offer even results.

It has a thermoblock system to heat the water quickly in seconds, automatic flow stop system to stop and program the amount of coffee you want, without having to do it manually. It also reaches 19 bars of pressure, and turns off in 9 minutes if not used. Its deposit is 0.8 liters.

Philips L'OR LM8012/60

Finally, the Philips brand has also created capsule machines to be compatible with the famous L'Or, one of the capsule brands that have arrived later, but are getting their share of the market. You should know that they are also compatible with Nespresso capsules. Keep in mind that, although I have separated them in another section as they are other capsules, they are identical in size and shape to the Nespresso ones so that you can use them as alternatives.

The machine gets a 19 bar professional pressure, with a 1 liter capacity tank, and the possibility of preparing up to 2 coffees simultaneously. In its simple menu you can choose and customize your coffee to taste.

Dolce-Gusto capsule coffee machines

Krups Mini Me KP123B

It has an exclusive and attractive design if you like something different. The manufacturer Krups has created a capsule coffee machine for Dolce-Gusto. With a capacity of 0.8 liters in its water tank, 1500w of power to heat the water quickly, and 15 bars of Pressure.

lets prepare all kinds of drinks, both hot and cold. Everything very quickly. You just have to wait a few seconds for it to reach the right temperature and after that you can start preparing your favorite drink with a delicious flavor.

Krups Oblo KP1108

Another Krups alternative to the previous one, with an attractive design, but with the same capacity (0.8l) despite being larger. This capsule coffee machine for Dolce Gusto allows you to work with a pressure of 15 bars. It heats water quickly thanks to its Thermoblock technology, and also works to create cold drinks.

De'Longhi Genius Plus

De'Longhi is another of the options available for Dolce-Gusto capsules. The prestigious Italian manufacturer is also another of those officially authorized by the creator of these capsules to offer original machines. Its design is innovative, in the shape of an egg.

With a power of 1500w, 0.8 liters, and 15 bars of pressure. There are machines of various colors, as in the previous cases. In addition, the manufacturer has been in charge of offering a Thermoblock system to heat the water in a few seconds and integrate a security system so that water does not fall if the capsule holder is not on.

Tassimo capsule coffee machines

Bosch TAS1402

this coffee machine Bosch is compatible with Tassimo pods. It is one of the best capsule coffee machines that you can find compatible with this type of capsule. The German manufacturer has provided it with a power of 1300w for rapid heating.

Its design is compact, comfortable and easy to use. Thanks to its capsules, it allows you to prepare up to 40 hot drinks different. You just need to press a button and she will do it all. With its Intellibrew technology, it avoids mixing flavors from one drink to another if you are going to prepare several in a row.

Senseo capsule coffee machines

Philips CSA210/91

European manufacturer Philips has created a good coffee machine for Senseo capsules. If these are the capsules you are looking for, this is one of the best value for money machines out there. Capable of making one or two cups at a time in less than a minute.

Your water tank has 0.7 liter capacity, and although it is not too much, it is enough for many users. In addition, it has Booster technology to extract the maximum aroma from its single-dose capsules. It even allows you to select the type of coffee intensity and creates an improved crema.

Multi-capsule coffee machines

IKOHS multicapsules 3 in 1

It is an increasingly well-known brand in the world of coffee. Has 3 adapters so you can use Nespresso capsules, Dolce-Gusto and ground coffee. You just need to use the adapter for the type of capsule you want to use at that moment, put the capsule inside and insert the adapter into the machine.

Then you press the operation button and the machine will take care of extracting the content of the chosen capsule and offering you a hot or cold cup of your favorite drink ready to taste. In addition, the water tank is 0.7 liters capacity, which serves you for several coffees without having to fill it every time.

It has a powerful steam system, energy saving mode, it is easy to use, has protection against overheating and overpressure, is easy to clean, and is compact. For a price similar to the previous ones, you have a affordable pod coffee machine for home and with a variety of colors to choose the design that you like the most or match your decoration.

Which capsule coffee machine to buy: a step-by-step guide

Choosing between one model and another is not easy, so with this guide you will have it a little easier, highlighting all the features to watch out for when you go to buy your future coffee maker.

What drinks do you want to prepare?

You should know that depending on the type of capsule coffee machine you choose, you will be able to choose one or another capsule, and that means that you can have access to various types of drinks:

• Nespresso: only for short or long coffee. Although with some compatible capsules you can make more variety, but not with the official capsules.
• Nespresso+Aeroccino: coffee with milk of various kinds (milk, cappuccino, spotted...).
• Dolce Gusto: you can prepare different types of coffee, coffee with milk, chocolates, infusions, cold drinks, etc.
• Tassimo: You can create coffee drinks, lattes, herbal teas and chocolates.
• Senseo: coffee and some milk or chocolate drinks.

Keep this in mind and observe the tastes of the different members of your family who live in your home. If you are all coffee growers you can choose whatever it is, but if there are children and very varied tastes, the Dolce-Gusto could be the best option.

Manual vs Automatic

Capsule coffee machines are all electric, but you have to distinguish between two large groups:

• Manual: They are cheaper, and you will need to press the start and stop button to cut off the hot water flow through the capsule. The good thing is that it allows you to regulate the amount you put in each cup or glass, for example, if you want a slightly less intense coffee (more watery).
• Automatic: these capsule coffee makers only need you to put the cup, connect it and they stop by themselves when they pour the right amount that they have pre-configured. They have the option to choose between short or long. The good thing is that if you are not aware of the machine, your glass will not overflow.

Water and capsule tank

The size of the water tank It's very important. It's tedious when you're in a hurry and it's empty and you have to refill it or when you're halfway through a coffee. Therefore, the greater the capacity of the water tank, the fewer times you will have to fill it. There are from a few deciliters to 1.2 liters in some cases. It is never recommended to buy coffee machines with less than 0.6 liters unless you are alone and drink little coffee.

Some coffee machines also integrate capsule container. They are containers in which you can deposit the used capsule so that you can accumulate them and then take them to a suitable clean point for recycling. If you prepare enough capsules a day, it is good that it has a good container. In addition, used capsules often leak some liquid that is still inside them, and these containers usually have a screen to separate the liquid that leaks from the capsules.

Pressure

In order to extract all the aroma, volume, body, foam, flavor and properties of the content of the capsule, the two most important factors are the temperature and pressure. Although there are no great differences in the first factor, in the second you can find great heights from one model to another. The higher the pressure (in bars), the better, and the closer the result will be to industrial coffee machines.

You should not choose coffee machines with pressures below the 10 bars. The ideal is to choose a value somewhat higher than that, in some cases reaching 15 bars in the most expensive and professional models. Although these types of machines are usually for hospitality businesses.

I would like to add that some manufacturers are already creating biodegradable capsules, which can be thrown in the organic waste container and do not represent so much of a problem for nature...

Compatible Capsule Types

Some coffee machines only accept a specific type of capsule, although compatible third-party pods have occasionally been created. As is the case with Nespresso, which only accepts its coffee capsules, although some other manufacturers, such as Candelas, have created compatible capsules of the same size that you can use in any of their machines.

Other machines are capable of accepting various types of capsules, although I do not recommend them. It is preferable that you always choose a specific machine to obtain the best results with a specific type of capsules. The multicapsules They tend to err by offering poorer quality in each of the capsules they accept, so it is better to avoid them. Although it is true that they are very versatile and allow you to mix various types of capsules in case there are different preferences or tastes in your home.

Integrated

It is a secondary feature, since it is a matter of taste. Some coffee machines have an unattractive design, although they achieve good results. Others also take care of design, with innovative shapes that add a touch of color and deco to your kitchen. For example, the Doce-Gusto have many designs to choose from. Others are somewhat more classic like the Nespresso, so there is no such freedom of choice.

Advantages and disadvantages of capsule coffee machines

Like any other coffee maker has its advantages and disadvantages. You must know them and weigh them to know if it is the type of coffee machine you need or if, on the contrary, you need another of the types of coffee machines of which we show you on this website…

• Advantages: the biggest advantage of capsule coffee machines is the convenience they offer, with extreme simplicity to get the flavor you want. The coffee already comes in single-dose capsules, with everything inside to get the perfect cup. Some also include powdered milk, tea, cinnamon, and other ingredients so you don't have to add them yourself.
• Disadvantages: the price for each capsule is usually between 25 cents and 50 cents in some cases. That is cheaper than the coffee you can consume in the hotel industry, but more expensive than buying coffee in bulk for Italian or traditional coffee machines. Apart from the cost, there is the environmental cost, since these single-use disposable aluminum and plastic capsules have an impact, especially if they are not recycled properly (it is not enough to throw them in the domestic recycling container). In the case of Nespresso you must take them to a specific recycling point. Every thousand capsules represents approximately 1 kg or more of aluminum and as many grams of single-use plastic. Keep in mind that billions are sold every year…

About capsule coffee

Some recommendations

Don't forget to make a good maintenance of your machine and follow these recommendations so that it lasts longer and always offers the best results:

• Never use it if the water tank is worn out or the extractor motor could be damaged. Make sure there is enough water before you start.
• Use water with weak mineralization or prepare distilled water with the home machines designed for it (do not use distilled water used for irons or others that are usually scented and are toxic). This will not only ensure a purer coffee or infusion without strange flavors, but it will also keep the machine's pipes free of limescale.
• Clean splashes, spills and others that may have happened after each use. In some cases, the capsule can spill part of its content inside, avoiding residues from various uses...
• From time to time you should clean the needle that pierces the capsule and where the pressurized water jet is introduced to avoid clogging.
• Do not force the use of capsules that are not compatible.
• Always respect the manufacturer's considerations.