Top 10 Best Coffee Capsule Machines

Made famous by George Clooney and his string of adverts on TV, coffee capsules have gone mainstream. You can now find wall hanging or table standing, exclusive tray, holder and dispenser accessories to proudly display your collection of coffee capsules.

Coffee capsule machine represents a sort of chic and cool lifestyle for those that doesn’t care for the fuss and mess in grinding, measuring and preparing a cup of coffee.

By simply popping a prepacked capsule containing the coffee of your choice into a capsule machine, you can get your cup of joe just the way you like it within seconds.

These coffee capsules contains coffee that is grounded, roasted, tamped and sealed into a plastic or aluminium case to preserve its freshness.

When in the machine, steaming water is forced through the pod at high bar pressure, creating a rich drink, full of flavour topped with a thick layer of crema to make that perfect cup of espresso.

You can also find capsules or pods for drinks other than coffee or decaffeinated coffee. There is hot chocolate, tea, milk and specialty beverages depending on your chosen capsule range.

Know Your Coffee Capsules

The world of coffee capsule machines is dominated by a few big names like Bosch, Krups and Delonghi. But what are coffee machines without its capsules, just like what are printers without its ink (that may be a bad analogy). It’s actually not as complicated with coffee capsules. There are only a handful of producers.

So depending on the machine you get (or the capsule label of your choice) you are pretty much tied down to the range of drinks available from the capsule producer. Yes, they are not interchangeable, the machines will only accept the type of capsule it is designed for.

Just note that Tassimo prefers to call their capsules, the Discs Pods, or T-Discs, it is essentially the same idea, just different packaging.

Capsule producers are using their capsules to deliver other hot beverages and even cold drinks (see below). The list of drinks is growing to include hot chocolate, tea and more.

Which Capsule; Nespresso, Dolce Gusto from Nescafe, Tassimo or…

Nespresso

Nespresso focuses on the different specialty coffee capsules depending on the intensity, size of cup and the aroma. You can choose from mild to strong (1-13) coffee or between a very small cup of Ristretto, to Espresso to a cup of Lungo (long coffee). Then there is the aromatic family where you can find fruity, balanced or intense coffee to suit your taste.

Together, there are 23 different capsules available and depending on your preferred recipe, yes you get to be creative with your coffee, you can customise your own cup of cappuccino, latte or more. A quick look on the recipe pages, there are mango coffee, apple iced coffee, chestnut coffee, strawberry coffee and iced caramel cafe.

Dolce Gusto

Nescafe under the Dolce Gusto brand has a wider variety of drinks under the following categories; espresso, cappuccino & latte, cold drinks, chocolate, lungo grande, americano and tea. Under each of those categories, there are different beverages and blends to suit everyone’s taste. At the time of writing there are up to 34 different varieties.

For espresso, there is espresso intenso, standard espresso, espresso decaf, espresso barista, espresso ristretto, espresso caramel, espresso macchiato and espresso macchiato decaf. Under cappuccino & latte, there is cappuccino, skinny cappuccino, latte macchiato, skilly latte macchiato, caramel latte macchiato, vanilla latte macchiato, latte macchiato unsweetened, cafe au lait, espresso macchiato, espresso macchiato decaf and cappuccino ice.

Under the cold drinks category, there is cappuccino ice, Nestea peach and Nestea lemon. Under chocolate, there is chococino, choco caramel and mocha. While in the larger Lungo Grande & Americano category, there is Americano, grande caffe crema, grande intenso, grande mild, lungo, lungo intenso, lungo mild and lungo decaf. Finally, in the tea category, there is the inevitable chai tea latte, tea latte and marrakesh style tea.

Tassimo

In the Tassimo world, things get a little more interesting. Instead of carrying house brands, Tassimo works with other beverage producers such as Carte Noire, Cafe Hag, Kenco, Jacobs, Twinnings, Milka, Suchard, Cadbury and Costa to bring you your favourite brands and drinks in disc pods you can use in the Tassimo machine.

New brands are working with Tassimo to come up with their own drinks, the latest being Oreo with their exclusive Oreo cookie drink. Together, there are 37-40 different variety of drinks in the following categories; coffee, decaf, cappuccinos and lattes, tea, chocolates and specialties.

Coffee pod manufactures are constantly looking for new beverages and flavours including partnering with cafes and confectionary producers to come up with new beverages.

Now that we have got the world of coffee capsules broken down for you, let’s take a look at the different machines available for each of producers.

Lavazza A Modo Mio

The Lavazza A Modo Mio system is popular for its authentic Italian espresso and emphasis on higher-quality brews, making it a top choice for espresso enthusiasts. Lavazza A Modo Mio machines are designed specifically for espresso-style drinks and feature a compact, stylish design that suits a variety of kitchen spaces.

The coffee variety within this system focuses on Italian-style espresso, offering a range of intensities and flavor profiles that cater to those who appreciate a true Italian coffee experience. Lavazza produces these machines in partnership with reputable brands like SMEG and De’Longhi, enhancing both design and functionality.

Illy IperEspresso

The Illy IperEspresso system is highly regarded among premium espresso lovers, particularly those seeking an authentic Italian coffee experience. This system stands out for its unique two-stage extraction process, designed to deliver rich, full-bodied espresso with a velvety crema. Illy IperEspresso machines are purpose-built to bring out the full flavor and aroma of the coffee, making them a top choice for connoisseurs of Italian-style espresso.

Illy offers a curated selection of coffee options, including single-origin, decaf, and classic Italian espresso blends. These machines are produced by Illy in partnership with Francis Francis, combining Italian heritage with advanced espresso technology.

ESE Pods (Easy Serve Espresso)

ESE Pods (Easy Serve Espresso) provide a versatile option for those who appreciate traditional espresso but prefer the convenience of pods. Unlike capsule-only systems, ESE pods are compatible with a wide variety of espresso machines, making them accessible for people who already own a standard espresso machine with ESE compatibility.

ESE pods offer a straightforward way to enjoy real ground coffee without the need for single-use plastic or aluminum capsules, appealing to those who prefer a more eco-friendly approach.

These pods are available in various blends and roasts, including offerings from respected coffee brands and independent roasters, such as Illy and Lavazza, allowing users to explore a broad spectrum of flavor profiles.

The Best Coffee Capsule Machines

Here is our top 10 best coffee capsule machines line up:

1. Nespresso Essenza Mini

System: Nespresso Original Line

Compact, affordable, and easy to use, the Essenza Mini is perfect for espresso lovers who want a rich shot with a small footprint. It’s compatible with a range of Original Line pods and works well with a separate milk frother for lattes and cappuccinos.

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2. Nespresso VertuoPlus

System: Nespresso Vertuo Line

With its Centrifusion brewing technology, the VertuoPlus delivers versatility, allowing you to enjoy espresso shots, double espressos, and larger coffee sizes. Its user-friendly design, rotating water tank, and one-touch brewing make it a top choice for those who like variety in cup sizes. The Nespresso VertuoPlus machines are available from De’Longhi and Breville

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10. Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS

System: Dolce Gusto

The Piccolo XS is compact and budget-friendly, yet powerful enough to make a variety of espresso and milk-based drinks. It’s perfect for smaller spaces and delivers quality espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes quickly with minimal setup.

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Other Coffee Capsule Machines

11. Illy X7.1 Iperespresso

System: Illy Iperespresso

The X7.1 has an elegant, retro-inspired design and an integrated steam wand for frothing milk, making it ideal for those who love both espresso and milk-based drinks. It combines Illy’s Iperespresso capsule system with a stylish, barista-style machine.

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12. Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea

System: Lavazza A Modo Mio

The Desea offers a unique touch interface and comes with an integrated milk frother, which makes it easy to prepare espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. It’s perfect for those who enjoy Italian espresso with milk-based options in a sleek, modern design.

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13. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie EVO

System: Lavazza A Modo Mio

The Jolie EVO is compact, quiet, and simple to operate, making it ideal for a quick, authentic Italian espresso experience at home. With its aroma-sealed capsules, it delivers consistently rich, full-bodied coffee and is perfect for espresso lovers seeking high-quality results in a sleek, space-saving design.

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