A Look At The Future: What Will The Best Capsule Coffee Machine Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
Which is the Best Pod Coffee Machine?
If you're looking for quick easy, convenient brews that are simple and easy to clean up, a pod machine is difficult to beat. These sleek machines are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from minis to large models with frothier for cappuccinos.
This less expensive option from Nespresso's Vertuo line uses different shaped capsules than the standard Espresso pod, and allows you to select between five different sizes of brewing: Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug and Extra Large Alto.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
VertuoPlus capsule coffee machines are among Nespresso's top-of-the-line options. This particular model utilizes Centrifusion technology to brew the most perfect cup of espresso or long coffee with the push of a button. Its barcode scanner is clever and can identify the type of Nespresso pod you've inserted and automatically adjusts extraction settings to achieve the best results in-cup. It does away with the need to manually adjust anything and only uses the precise amount of water, coffee and energy required for each capsule's unique drink size.
The machine uses centrifugal force to spin the capsules at 7,000 revs per minute, blending ground coffee with water, producing a rich creamy, velvety crema. This helps to evenly coat each capsule with water before extraction, which is important for a flavorful coffee. The machine also has a huge, 40-ounce water tank, so you can make many cups of coffee or espresso before having to empty it. After the brewing process is complete, the machine ejects the used capsule and puts it inside a container that can be easily removed and recycling.
This machine does not come with a built-in milk frother into it, but it can be utilized with Nespresso Aeroccino3 for lattes or cappuccinos. It's available in 13 different colors and has an incredibly slim, tall body less than 9 inches wide which makes it easy to place on your kitchen countertop. Its top opens automatically, making it easy to insert capsules even if you have limited dexterity.
This Nespresso coffee maker is available on Amazon for $119. It's a great price for a machine that will create the finest cup of espresso or long coffee. It comes with 10 Melozio (intensity 6) and 10 Stormio (intensity 8). This allows you to experiment with different combinations.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
A sleek capsule coffee machine that's simple to use and won't cost a fortune. It comes in cream or black and can make five milk-based recipes by pressing a button including cappuccino large as well as macchiato latte. It's not ideal for lattes or drinks that are frothy like a standalone milk frother. It also has a relatively tiny water tank and limited choice of compatible capsules. So it might be more suited to espresso or black-coffee drinkers who don't mind refilling and emptying the machine.
Jolie, the smallest and most quiet of Lavazza’s A Modo Mio machines is ideal for those who appreciate high-quality Italian coffee without the hassle of a traditional machine. It is simple to use, with just one backlit stop&go to select the amount of coffee you want or hot cocoa. Its compact size and elegant design make it the perfect addition to any space.
We tested the coffee-only version of the machine. There is also a Jolie and Milk model for PS169 that comes with milk-frother, if you're a fan of lattes and milk-based drinks. It's easy to keep clean by having a clear plastic water tank that has indicators for MIN/MAX and a removable capsule drawer that can be rinsed under running water. It will shut off automatically after 9 minutes and the power cable can be removed from the machine.
As with many capsule machines it's important to clean your Jolie regularly by emptying and cleaning the coffee reservoir and filter as well as the water tank. Periodic descaling will help it keep its performance at its peak for a long time.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express is a top choice for espresso lovers seeking a home-based real espresso machine. It's one of the few we tested that can make rich creamy lattes, and produce the thin layer foam that gives a little more flavor to your drinks. It's also a great deal for home coffee makers especially when you consider that it is less expensive than professional machines.
Unlike some of the other semi-automatic models that we reviewed it's a real espresso maker that has an integrated grinder, PID temperature control, and a steam wand to make milk-based beverages. This means it has a bit more of a learning curve than the Rancilio Silvia, Gaggia Classic or Nespresso VertuoPlus, but it's still attainable for those looking to master the art of pulling a perfect shot and create espresso art at home.
This model's most notable feature is the bean hopper that is large, which has been designed with an airtight seal that will preserve freshness and taste. It's also easy to remove for cleaning and refilling this is a major advantage in our book. see it here is also removable too it can be useful in the event that you want to manually tap your shots or using double-wall filters.
Other notable features include a quick heating thermoblock, adjustable grind settings and dose control, as well as a drip tray that keeps the beans out of your water. It is also easy to clean and use, but it's not as durable as other units. Its biggest disadvantage is that it can be noisy when it's brewing but the sound will fade as you become more familiar with it.
4. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie Mini
The Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie Mini coffee maker is small and quiet, making it ideal for small spaces. It's the smaller of the brands machines, and is Lavazza's cheapest capsule coffee maker (although you might still find some of its predecessors, like the Lavazza Tiny A Modo, on Amazon).
The Jolie Mini is a simple pod machine that isn't equipped with all the bells and whistles. It's quick to heat and simple to use. It's a good option for those who want to experiment with different flavors without having to buy a larger model.
The Jolie Mini is very easy to clean, even considering its size. The drip tray and capsule container can be taken out, and the water tank is equipped with a handy indicator of MIN/MAX. It's also dishwasher safe, so you can keep it as clean as possible. It is recommended to descal every three to four months, and the steps to do this are provided in the manual.
This little machine is loved by users who have given it 4.4 stars out of five. The machine's quiet operation, the variety of options it provides as well as the fact that pods can be recycled or composted are all highly applauded. Some users had issues with the size of the used capsule container, but this was easily fixed.
You'll also find a power cord and plug, an instructional manual, a quick-guide a warranty sheet and a tester that contains nine Lavazza pods. Six of the nine pods are roast and two are lungo and two are decaffeinated. Two of them are organic, meaning you'll have a wide selection to choose from for your next cuppa!
5. Lavazza A Modo Mio Mini
Lavazza A Modo Mio Mini is designed to fit in modern kitchens thanks to its small size and clean lines. It is able to revolutionise the way you make coffee at home and is available at an affordable price.
Our team was awestruck by the speed with that it produced a cup of coffee and the quality of the final product. The streamlined machine is easy to clean, and the capsule bin and waste tray are spacious enough to prevent a accumulation of used capsules. The A Modo Mio Mini also comes with a pack of 16 Dolce Vita hot chocolate capsules which can be used as an instant treat without the need to brew it separately.
This machine is ideal for milk-based coffee lovers and aims to give you an authentic espresso with every sip. Its clever automatic brewing system scans the barcode of each capsule, and then automatically adjusts the settings to ensure that it is at the right level for the drink you're drinking. You will need an additional machine for making lattes or cappuccinos. The A Modo Mio Mini operates quietly, which is great for those who get up early or have a busy household.
It does not offer the same amount of customisable presets that are available as the VertuoPlus however this might not be a problem for coffee purists who like to tweak until they find their perfect recipe. The 1.8-litre tank can be placed either at the rear or on one side of the machine depending on the space available. The drawer for capsules holds 13 large pods. Other features include the option to hold your next drink while the machine heats up as well alerts when you haven't filled the tank with water, or if the machine needs decaling.