Which pod coffee maker to choose for making milk drinks?

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Capsule and pod coffee makers are numerous on the market. They are often a guarantee of simplicity, practicality and compactness, a particularly important criterion for small spaces. Only here it is, difficult to turn into a Barista with these devices which are far from offering the same possibilities as automatic or manual grain machines. Lovers of milk drinks, rest assured, there are models that allow you to vary the pleasures and alternate coffee, milk drinks and sometimes even more. Here is a selection of tested machines offering this possibility brilliantly.

© Delonghi.

American or Australian influence? The new generation is increasingly looking for milk drinks, confided to us this week a product manager for the Delonghi brand (automatic machines with grinders). A trend that mainly concerns young people, women and seniors. To meet demand, manufacturers are diversifying their dedicated models or accessories, and the demand for versatility also exists in the pod machine market.

The choice of drinks: between flavored capsules and milk carafes integrated into coffee makers

Delonghi Nespresso Latissima + Launch Price € 299

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• Delonghi Nespresso Lattissima One Best price: 164 € See the test
• Philips L'OR Barista Sublime Best price: 59.99 € See the test
• Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2 Best price: 25.99 € See the test
• Krups Dolce Gusto Lumio Best price: 87.9 € See the test
• Bosch Tassimo Suny TAS3203 Best price: 54.98 € See the test
• Krups Nespresso Essenza Mini Best price: 86.99 € See the test

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Those who wish to consume an espresso coffee while having the possibility of varying the pleasures with a cappuccino or latte macchiato preparation can opt for the **Latissima+ from Delonghi/Nespresso**. This fairly expensive machine (€279) is available in a so-called “Pro” version with a touch screen (€499). It benefits from the Latte Crema system patented by Delonghi, which is also found on the automatic models of the Italian brand. This machine seems to us today the most promising of those giving the possibility of making a real espresso or milk drinks. At the end of its test, we concluded: "silent, particularly well finished, extremely easy to use and clean, to perfect the Lattissima+ only has to gain in preheating speed, in compactness as well as, for large tables, the possibility of pouring two cups at the same time".

Krups Nespresso U Milk Introductory price €209

Note TechnologiesTips (1) read the test In the absence of offers find out

• Krups Dolce Gusto Lumio Best price: 87.9 € See the test
• Philips L'OR Barista Sublime Best price: 59.99 € See the test
• Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2 Best price: 25.99 € See the test
• Bosch Tassimo Suny TAS3203 Best price: 54.98 € See the test
• Krups Nespresso Essenza Mini Best price: 86.99 € See the test
• Delonghi Nespresso Lattissima One Best price: 164 € See the test

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LaU Milk, launched at €209 (which we find today at €171) is the evolution of the previous Nespresso U model. Its characteristics remain identical to those of the U: a pressure of 19 bars, three customizable coffee sizes, automatic coffee stop and automatic capsule ejection. The U Milk is enriched with an accessory called Aeroccino. This is an emulsifier for producing milk froth, in order to make milk drinks. Note that the Aeroccino is also an accessory sold separately and completely independent, therefore compatible with any coffee machine. "This Nespresso has a few minor flaws that it inherits from the U, in particular its lack of discretion. However, it remains well finished, pretty (according to our tastes), pleasant to use with touch controls, and quick to preheat. of the Aeroccino to prepare milk drinks easily and safely gives the U Milk a good quality versatility, which also increases its rating", to sum up our impressions following the test.

Bosch Tassimo Suny TAS3203 Introductory price €99.99

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How the price table works

Finally, another alternative: opt for the **Bosch Tassimo Suny.** If your preference is for a wide variety of drinks, the Tassimo will be the best suited to provide you with this service, with more than forty drinks in the catalog (chocolate, teas, coffees and other originalities such as Carambar, Oréo, speculos...). Nevertheless, the milk preparations are not frankly comparable to the 2 others. Apart from the fact that this machine does not prepare espresso in the strict sense of the term (pressure of 3,3 bars), the milk is contained in the pods and takes on a less authentic taste and texture. Remember that according to our Vote survey: the taste of the best coffees by type of coffee maker, the drinks of the Tassimo do not win the preference of our readers who give it a rating of 3 stars against 5 stars for Nespresso.

The price of drinks

Before discussing the price of drinks, let's mention that the purchase price of a coffee machine equipped with a milk carafe or a frother will be higher than that of a basic coffee maker (for example, €140 for the Nespresso U when it was launched, compared to €209 for the U Milk version). 

Capsule and pod coffee makers are known to be more expensive in consumables compared to coffee beans. In addition, some pods or capsules cost more than others, which can also influence a purchase choice. 

Among the machines selected, those that use the most expensive pods are the Nespresso, namely the Latissima+ and the U Milk. The brand's capsules are available from 36 cents per cup for the originals. Moreover, the latter can only be purchased in dedicated stores or on the Internet; slightly cheaper compatible capsules are however found in supermarkets.

Tassimo pods cost €0,28 for the cheapest Carte Noire Expresso Intense. A bit like at an ice cream parlour, users only have to choose their flavor if they don't drink a real espresso. Another advantage: they can be found on the Internet or in supermarkets. The Tassimo "T-Discs" therefore cost less than the Nespresso capsules (knowing that the cheapest on the market are the Senseo, from 15 cents, but this time we are no longer talking about espresso).