@Marie_Ciolfi) Updated 26/12/21 at 14:00 a.m. Share:
Appearing in Spain in the 90s, the easy-to-use capsule or pod machine, which promises perfect coffee with a "dose", has won over many households.
Now essential, the pod or capsule coffee maker is the queen of the kitchen thanks to its disarming ease of use. Technically, these machines work like an inkjet printer: water is heated which, boiling, increases in pressure, passes through a circuit and then a capsule; coffee comes out. With the plurality of models available on the market, it is difficult to make a choice: pod or capsule? Nespresso, Dolce Gusto or Senseo? Don't panic, we're here to help you sort it out.
Before choosing a coffee maker, it is important to learn about the on-board pressure. This pressure necessarily has an impact on the taste of the coffee. Within our comparison, the pressure fluctuates between 1,3 bar (for a Senseo) and 19 bars (for a Nespresso). Knowing that the minimum pressure to make an espresso is 15 bars, you will understand that it is impossible with a Senseo coffee maker to obtain a well-bodied little black; these machines are mainly intended for filter coffee lovers. The quality of the materials and the design are also essential points to watch out for, on the one hand because these devices remain on the worktop and because they are subjected to hundreds (thousands) of manipulations. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the materials are of good quality and that they will be able to stand the test of time.
Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Senseo, Malongo, all these brands offer coffee machines with capsules or pods at variable prices. From entry-level to high-end, prices range between 60 euros and 200 euros. In order to help you make the best choice in your act of purchase, we offer you this comparison which lists many models. You can also take a look at our guide to buying the best devices around.
Appearing in Spain in the 90s, the easy-to-use capsule or pod machine, which promises perfect coffee with a "dose", has won over many households.
Now essential, the pod or capsule coffee maker is the queen of the kitchen thanks to its disarming ease of use. Technically, these machines work like an inkjet printer: water is heated which, boiling, increases in pressure, passes through a circuit and then a capsule; coffee comes out. With the plurality of models available on the market, it is difficult to make a choice: pod or capsule? Nespresso, Dolce Gusto or Senseo? Don't panic, we're here to help you sort it out.
Before choosing a coffee maker, it is important to learn about the on-board pressure. This pressure necessarily has an impact on the taste of the coffee. Within our comparison, the pressure fluctuates between 1,3 bar (for a Senseo) and 19 bars (for a Nespresso). Knowing that the minimum pressure to make an espresso is 15 bars, you will understand that it is impossible with a Senseo coffee maker to obtain a well-bodied little black; these machines are mainly intended for filter coffee lovers. The quality of the materials and the design are also essential points to watch out for, on the one hand because these devices remain on the worktop and because they are subjected to hundreds (thousands) of manipulations. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the materials are of good quality and that they will be able to stand the test of time.
Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Senseo, Malongo, all these brands offer coffee machines with capsules or pods at variable prices. From entry-level to high-end, prices range between 60 euros and 200 euros. In order to help you make the best choice in your act of purchase, we offer you this comparison which lists many models. You can also take a look at our guide to buying the best devices around.
Popular shopping guides
-
Editorial buying guide
What is the best Nespresso machine?
-
What are the best Dolce Gusto coffee makers?
-
What are the best Senseo coffee makers?
Let yourself be guided by our experts
-
Are the capsules standard?
Depending on the coffee maker models, the capsule or pod is neither the same size nor the same shape. But be reassured, in general this is standardized within the same brand. Only the Nespresso Vertuo does not include the same capsules as those compatible with the other coffeemakers of the Swiss giant.
-
Are the capsules or pods recyclable?
The aluminum capsules represent a real ecological abyss. More and more manufacturers are taking the measure of this problem. Some manufacturers are getting into compostable capsules (Lavazza) or are also engaging in recycling projects to make life easier for users, such as Malongo. Even Nespresso is embarking on an ecological capsule recycling campaign. To find out more, see our file on alternative solutions.
-
Is the length of the coffee adjustable?
The coffee lengths are pre-programmed by the machine, but the most sophisticated of them allow the user to define the amount of water in the cup.
-
Which coffee maker for which cup size?
From ristretto to take-out mugs (coffee size valid for the Vertuo by Nespresso), capsule coffee machines are capable of ensuring several coffee sizes. In general, capsule machines provide access to two different sizes of coffee, but the length of water in the cup is customizable by the user.
-
What is the warm-up time?
The fastest coffee makers heat the water in 20 s (this is the case with Nespresso), the slowest preheat in 1 min 40 s (like the Senseo).
-
How long does the extraction take?
The duration of extraction of a coffee varies between 10 to 55 seconds depending on the model. If we add to this the time it takes to preheat the water when you switch on the machine, it takes 20 seconds on average to make the first coffee in the morning.
-
Does a capsule coffee maker make noise?
Some coffee machines can be noisy with a noise level of 68 dB (A). Others, on the other hand, are much more dicrete, such as the Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa which emits only 46 dB (A). On average, the sound level of a capsule or pod machine is around 55 dB (A).
-
Are all removable parts dishwasher safe?
The passage of certain elements in the dishwasher is generally specified in the instructions for use. It is therefore advisable to go through it carefully before putting the elements in the dishwasher. In general, only the water tank is exempt from machine passage.
-
In standby, does the coffee maker consume energy?
Whether for ecological or economic reasons, low power consumption is an important point. It is good to know that the most energy consuming moment during preparation is preheating. In fact, the shorter the preheating time, the less energy the coffee maker uses. But we must also ensure that in standby, it has zero consumption. We verify this point in our test bench and it is with great astonishment that we note that certain models (notably at Nespresso) consume energy on standby.
