Our Picks for The Best Coffee Capsule Machine Reviewed – Great Coffee on a Budget!

The interest in capsule machines is still unbroken, certainly thanks to the advertising of George Clooney and his dedication to the product. And for a good reason. Never before has it been so easy and fast to prepare such a wide variety of coffees, such as espresso, latte macchiato, cappuccino or regular coffee. Fortunately, there are plenty of options when it comes to the best coffee capsule machine products.

As you can see very well from our selection, there are no such big differences in terms of price between the individual capsule machines. But before you decide on a machine, you should first take a closer look at the underlying capsule systems. There are many different suppliers, but three capsule systems dominate the market: Nespresso, Tassimo and Nescafé Dolce Gusto.

 

Top 10 Best Selling Coffee Capsule Machines in 2024

Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

 

Navigate our Coffee Capsule Machines Guide

• Best Selling Coffee Capsule Machines
• Capsule Coffee Machine Guide

 

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Related:

• You need the best coffee grinders for your beans.
• If you like coffee you need the best bean to cup coffee machine.
• Coffee Pod Machines for your coffee on the go.
• Filter Coffee Machines for your tastebuds.

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The Best Coffee Capsule Machine Products in 2024

 

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1. Tassimo Bosch Happy TAS1002GB Coffee Machine

Last update on 2024-10-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Our first pick for the best coffee capsule machine is the Tassimo Bosch Happy product. With a classic design and easy-to-use machine, there’s no reason not to add it to your shopping list.

Key Features

• It’s available in 5 colours (black, cream, purple and white, red and black, and red and white)
• It features a one-touch mechanism

You’ll have great tasting coffee after pushing only one button with this product! It heats up in seconds, so you’ll never have to wait to get your morning started again. It will work with more than 70 different drinks from 11 brands, too!

What we love:

• It’s budget-friendly.
• It’s easy to use.

What we don’t love:

• It can be tricky to clean.

 

SEE PRICE ON AMAZON

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2. De’longhi Nescafe Dolce Gusto, Genio S

Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Choose from the Genio S, Genios S Plus, or the Genio S Touch and start making great coffee today.

Key Features

• It’s made into a compact design
• It has adjustable drink size options

Use this high-pressure machine to create the best tasting, advanced coffee drinks. There are more than 50 coffee creations that you can make with this machine, so you’ll be able to drink a new style each day for months!

What we love:

• It’s easy to clean.
• It’s compatible with various sizes and styles of drinks.

What we don’t love:

• It’s not budget-friendly.

 

SEE PRICE ON AMAZON

 

 

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3. DeLonghi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Jovia Pod Capsule Coffee Machine

Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Another DeLonghi product on our best coffee capsule machine list, this design will look a little more stylish in your kitchen, but will still prepare you the perfect cup of coffee every morning.

Key Features

• It comes in 3 colours (black, white, or red)
• It has an auto-shutoff function.

Use this coffee machine with a maximum 15 bar pump pressure and receive various drink choices, from a regular cup to a milky espresso. There are 40 varieties of cold and hot drinks that you can make!

What we love:

• It’s budget-friendly.
• It’s easy to use.
• It’s easy to buy pods for it.

What we don’t love:

• Stopping the coffee from brewing can be challenging.

 

SEE PRICE ON AMAZON

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4. Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee Machine

Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nespresso coffee machines are some of the sleekest and best-looking coffee makers to put in your home. Impress all of your friends and family with the style and great tasting coffee that this machine brings to your home.

Key Features

• It comes in 3 colours (black, grey, white)
• It uses an ultra-compact design

There are 2 unique programmable options on this product, including the espresso or lungo with an automatic flow-stop feature. It also has up to 19-bar high-performance pump functionality and can heat up in under 25 seconds!

What we love:

• It has an auto-shutoff function for safety and convenience.
• It will make the perfect temperature coffee every time.

What we don’t love:

• It’s not budget-friendly.

 

SEE PRICE ON AMAZON

 

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5. Tassimo Bosch Vivy 2 TAS1402GB Coffee Machine

Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Our final pick for the best coffee capsule machine selection is the Tassimo machine. It’s simple, but it knows the complexities of your taste buds!

Key Features

• It comes in 3 colours (black, white, and red)
• You don’t have to wait for it to heat up
• The company offers a 2-year manufacturer warranty

This product is designed to be compact. While it’s small in size, it’s not small in what it can do! Choose from more than 70 drinks from 11 brands and get to brewing. You won’t even have to wait for the water to heat up before taking advantage of the 1-touch easy-to-use starting system!

What we love:

• It’s budget-friendly.
• It’s easy to use.
• It’s easy to clean.

What we don’t love:

• The water tank is quite small.

 

SEE PRICE ON AMAZON

 

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The Best Coffee Capsule Machine Guide 2024

 

Operation of a capsule machine

Unlike conventional filter machines, the coffee is not filled by the spoonful. The capsule machine belongs to the portion coffee machines, just like the coffee pod machine. In the capsule machine, the coffee is not in small pods, but in prefabricated capsules. First, open the apparatus and then place it on a device. If you press the lever down again, the capsule is pierced and its contents can be scalded. In part, opening the portions also works by pressure, which is caused by heating and allows the capsule to expand until it bursts. Then the coffee is mixed with water and brewed.

Known capsule systems

An important factor that should be clear before buying is the right capsule system. The different manufacturers are not compatible with each other so that only the company’s own bags and partly also those of third-party manufacturers can be used for one machine. However, the portions of a producer then work with all its capsule machines. Which system is ultimately the best, cannot say in general because each has its advantages and disadvantages. Below you will find the three best-known capsule systems in this country.

Nespresso

The Nespresso system was the first on the market and only very few will know that capsules have been around since 1986. Like the Nescafé Dolce Gusto system, Nespresso is distributed by Nestlé. It is available in over 60 countries making it the most widely used and successful capsule system. A clever marketing and TV spots with celebrities such as George Clooney helped Nespresso to success.

Compared to Tassimo or Dolce Gusto, the target group at Nespresso is different: the high-quality capsules, which are made of aluminum, are not available in supermarkets, but exclusively online and in chic Nespresso boutiques. This Nespresso club and the comparatively high prices make you feel like you have something exclusive in your hands.

The focus is less on hot drinks with milk but more on selected coffee and espresso variations. Nevertheless, milk drinks can also be prepared, but here with conventional milk, since many Nespresso machines already have a milk frother. Nespresso machines are priced in the premium segment and are manufactured by Krups and DeLonghi.

Incidentally, Nespresso prepares milk hot drinks such as latte macchiato or cappuccino with espresso capsules and conventional milk.

Tassimo

Tassimo is distributed by the US company Kraft Food (now Mondelēz International). The capsule system has been on the market since 2005 and is now available in more than 20 countries. The capsules, called T DISCs, are made of plastic and available in every supermarket. Coffee, but also tea, cocoa, and other hot drinks can be prepared with the Tassimo T DISCs. For the preparation of latte macchiatos or other milk hot drinks, there are extra T DISCs filled with milk powder. The Tassimo machines themselves are without milk frother and are manufactured by Bosch. An often-mentioned disadvantage is that the Tassimo capsules are patented and therefore there are no alternative providers.

Dolce Gusto

The Nescafé Dolce Gusto system is distributed by the Swiss food company Nestlé. It is also available since 2005 and was developed together with Krups. Just as with the Tassimo system, the Dolce Gusto capsules are made of plastic and available in all supermarkets. The selection of hot drinks is similar to coffee, tea, cocoa and many more. Again, there are extra capsules filled with milk powder for the preparation of hot drinks with milk. It is even possible to make cold drinks like iced tea. The machines are of high quality, look quite futuristic and are made by both Krups and DeLonghi.

Important equipment details

Separate milk frother

Some capsule machines have an integrated milk frother. He beats the milk until it gets a creamy consistency. Such devices can also be purchased separately, but then cost around 60 pounds, if they are of good quality. Milk foam is a matter of taste if you have not yet tasted it, ideally, this will catch up in the café and can then decide whether the foamer is even needed.

Pump pressure

How much the pump works affects the aroma. More pressure means more taste. However, in machines with high values, the duration of brewing is often shorter, which is why less caffeine gets into the coffee. The pressure is especially important if the espresso is to be produced. After all, he is particularly intense. The pump pressure must be at least 7 bar. Most devices outperform this, however, and even work with almost 20 bar.

Coffee strength setting

For most models, the amount of spout can be varied to match the coffee or espresso strength. For the most part, there are two variants, of which the first is intended for small and the second for large cups.

Height adjustment

Extra-large cups cannot be used on all devices. With only a few, namely the nozzle from which the coffee flows, adjust in height.

Dimensions of the machine

Who has only a little space in the kitchen available should buy a correspondingly small capsule machine. In general, however, these are relatively space-saving in comparison to coffee machines.

Water tank capacity

Especially when the device is to provide the entire family with coffee, pay attention to a large water tank, otherwise, you would have to refill again after each use. A good value is anything over a liter. If you only drink coffee once in a while and are alone in the household, smaller tanks can be even better. This way, the water never stays in the container too long and can not germinate.

Automatic shutdown

Often one forgets to turn off the device after use. For this purpose, an automatic is installed in many capsule machines, which performs just as soon as no button was pressed for a few minutes. In addition, some devices have a sensor that detects when the cup is about to overflow and then stop brewing.

Dishwasher safe parts

Coffee quickly leaves streaks and stains. And if you have to scrub these by hand from the material, this is associated with correspondingly high expenditure. Therefore, the removable parts of most appliances are dishwasher safe.

 

Discounter capsule machines – Aldi, Lidl & Netto

Aldi

Aldi currently has two capsule machines on offer. Their names are EXPRESSI Latessa and EXPRESSI Wave. The former has a 1.2-liter water tank, 19 bar pressure and a self-cleaning program for descaling. It costs just under 180 pounds but is also equipped with a milk frother. The tank of the EXPRESSI Wave is slightly smaller with 1 liter. Both devices can be equipped with a supply of capsules, which are used one after the other and then automatically ejected.

Tchibo

Tchibo offers several capsule machines like the Cafissimo Pure, Classic or Latte, which cost just under 50, 100 and 200 pounds. The devices can all produce tea, espresso or caffé crema. Incidentally, they can also be ordered from third-party providers such as Chicco Dore, but in some cases are even more expensive.

Lidl

Among other things, Lidl offers the BEEM espresso machine Espresso Perfect. It costs just under 100 pounds and has a milk frother. It operates at a pressure of up to 15 bar but is also available in a 20 bar version for an additional charge of 50 pounds. In addition, there is the 1BEEM portafilter coffee machine i-Joy Café Ultimate, which can be used with both pods and powder. The acquisition costs here amount to 200 pounds. In addition, the discounter sells the Espresso machine from Severin, which beats at just under 80 pounds.

The capsules for these devices are manufactured by Bellarom and can also be used in Nespresso machines. They cost currently in the 10-pack £1.75  and are thus much cheaper than that of Tchibo. However, their taste is a little less intense. If you do not want to compromise here, you can switch to alternatives from, among others, Nestle.

Netto

Netto distributes the Cremesso Compact One, which brews the coffee with up to 19 bar pressure and has three settings for the output quantity. It is relatively cheap with almost 70 pounds purchase price. The capsules are distributed by Netto and run under the name “Cafét”. 80 pieces currently cost about 25 pounds. In addition, capsules are still offered by Cremesso, which costs 4 pounds per 16-piece package. Netto’s caps have done particularly well in tests so far. Among other things, the aromatic and full taste was praised. Incidentally, they are also compatible with some other devices.

Well-known manufacturers of capsule machines

DeLonghi

DeLonghi was founded in 1902 in Italy and is currently headquartered in Treviso. The company initially focused on craft products and then expanded into the home appliance market. Today it mainly produces coffee machines such as espresso machines, coffee machines or capsule machines. In terms of price, the product range ranges from cheap to expensive. The former can, therefore, implement the brand because the items are produced in low-wage countries. Currently, Delonghi realizes more than 1.5 billion pounds per year and employs approximately 7300 people.

Krups

Krups was originally a blacksmith who bought up Robert Krups in 1846 and then started making scales there. The production of coffee grinders began in 1956. However, the devices became a mass-produced product a few years later, and Krups sold over one million copies in just one year.

In 1991, the company was taken over by Moulinex but went bankrupt shortly thereafter. Krups was then acquired by Groupe SEB, a French manufacturer of electronic goods, and is still in its possession today. Krups currently manufactures hand mixers, coffee machines, and scales.

Bosch

Bosch was founded in 1886 and initially produced auto parts and electrical goods. Nearly 15 years later, the first factory was founded, which produced 100,000 magneto ignition systems for gas engines in just 5 years. Over the years, Bosch has continued to expand, developing key technologies such as ESP (Electronic Stability Program) or ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) for vehicles. The wise management and the talented engineers gave the company immense success. Today, Bosch employs around 370,000 people and generates more than € 70 billion a year.

 

Advertising faces at Nespresso

Advertising can cost Nespresso a lot. So since 2006, one of the advertising faces no less a person than the Hollywood beauty George Clooney, who incidentally has cashed nearly 2 million dollars per second film.

A few years ago, its counterpart was probably John Malcovich, less well known, who played God in the spot where Clooney was slain by a falling piano. God was flirting with the bag of Nespresso capsules and promising Clooney he would revive him if he handed him the capsules. He merely denied and preferred to accept death.

George Clooney is currently playing with Jack Black. The alto rocker and lead singer of the band Tenacious D act according to its reputation out of place in the world of fine taste and must first learn from Clooney, how to behave there.

Capsule machines for tea on-trend – sensible or not?

A recent trend is the brewing of tea in capsule machines. Nestlé and Teapot have even developed special tea capsule machines, which are sold under the name Special.T by Nestlé and teapot Tealounge. None of these machines are included in our Top 10 yet.

The environmental problem of capsules

One of the biggest disadvantages of the portion capsules is the high burden on the environment. Since every single portion is elaborately packed here and not just all the coffee, around 2 billion coffee capsules accumulate in Germany, which corresponds to a waste mountain of more than 4,000 tons. The main problem with this is that they can hardly be recycled since most of them contain substances such as plastic or aluminum. Therefore, most of the capsules are simply burned and the exhaust gases pollute the air. In addition, the production of such capsules requires a great deal of energy and resources.

However, products are also made that are recyclable and less harmful to the environment at all. If that is especially important, you should carefully study the package before purchasing and pay attention to a corresponding note.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

Who makes the Aldi capsule machine?

The manufacturer is called K-fee. The company is based in Bergisch Gladbach and manufactures in addition to the models for Aldi and other coffee machines.

Which capsule machine can make cocoa?

Not all machines are suitable for this. The preparation usually requires a further step, in which milk is added in addition to the cocoa powder. It is best to look closely at the packaging or, if necessary, to ask a seller.

Are there capsule machines for baby milk?

Nestle offers the possibility to prepare baby milk with the Babynes system. The capsules are adapted to the needs of the little ones and each optimized for a specific age. Thus, for example, the content of protein varies, since the infant initially requires a great deal and then successively less and less. Also, the capsules are particularly protected against bacteria and the milk can be prepared in different temperatures.

How do you descale the capsule machine correctly?

For this purpose, a decalcifier is filled and then rinsed by the machine. You do not necessarily have to use an expensive branded product. Partly sufficient already vinegar or citric acid. It is only important that the procedure is repeated several times in succession. Also, the machine must then be freed from the decalcifier, for which you rinsed with water.

This is the basic principle that works on pretty much all devices. However, they differ partly in small details. So before cleaning you should read the instructions for use.

Can you also fill coffee capsules yourself?

There are some models of these best coffee capsule machine products have recyclable plastic parts for this purpose. In it, you fill the coffee and then place it in the machine. In addition, empty capsules are sold, which can be used only once. 100 pieces cost just under 10 pounds. Although not less waste, but the capsules are altogether about 50% cheaper because you make the filling itself.

 

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So, as you can see, there are plenty of winners when it comes to picking the best coffee capsule machine products. It’s never too late to start drinking the best coffee around, so what are you waiting for?