TOP 20 best capsule coffee machines: rating 2021-2022 for the home

Capsule coffee makers are a type of coffee maker that is easy to use and maintain. Capsule machines are produced by several manufacturers, and on the domestic market they are represented by only four brands and a small number of models. Our editors have prepared a rating of capsule coffee makers for the home based on reviews and reviews from trusted experts. The best capsule coffee maker is De'Longhi Nespresso Essenza Mini EN 85 due to its low price and good quality. Second place went to Krups KP1A01/KP1A05/KP1A08/KP1A3B10 Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS due to the low cost and large selection of Dolce Gusto capsules. Third place went to Bosch TAS 1401/1402/1403/1404/1407 Tassimo due to the most inexpensive capsules.

Capsule-type coffee makers are easy to operate. The drink preparation process is started literally with one button. But at the same time, the ability to configure and regulate the operation of the coffee maker is significantly limited, and the choice of coffee is limited to the capsule options offered by the manufacturer. But large companies today produce a wide range of capsules, and restrictions in settings simplify the process of operating a coffee machine. Therefore, more and more coffee lovers are switching to capsule machines. As an alternative, check out the best carob coffee makers.

In general, capsule coffee makers have the following advantages:

• easy to use - pour water into the hopper, insert a capsule, press the brew button, enjoy aromatic coffee;
• speed of preparation of the drink - one serving is prepared in about 40 seconds;
• do not require complex maintenance - just empty the compartment of the used capsule and wash the removable parts once a week;
• compactness - takes up minimal space compared to grain machines and carob coffee makers;
• low cost - from 4,500 to 15,000 rubles with a cappuccino maker.

But when choosing this type of machine, you need to remember that to operate it you need to buy special capsules, and they are not sold everywhere and are more expensive than regular bean coffee. If we take the average weight of coffee in a capsule is 5 grams and the price is 29 rubles, then for a kilogram of such capsules you will pay about 12,000 rubles. And 1 kg of good bean coffee will cost 1400 - 2200 rubles. So, perhaps it makes sense to buy an automatic grain coffee machine with a cappuccino maker

Rating of the best capsule coffee machines 2021-2022

TASSIMO

The capsule coffee brewing system developed by KraftFoods is manufactured overseas – in the USA. It is known that the cars are produced in collaboration with a brand no less well-known to the average person - Bosch. It must be said that the system has significant differences compared to its previously mentioned competitors. They lie in the very approach of the developers.

To pump hot water, a low-power pump is provided (instead of 19 or 15 bar - only 3.3 bar). This is explained by the fact that American Tassimo capsules differ from traditional ones in size and are produced in the form of discs with ground coffee inside.

They contain more coffee than their analogues - 9 g and it is not compressed, unlike the products of the French and Swiss. Therefore, such powerful, serious pressure is not required to “knock out” the aroma and taste from the contents of the discs.

The Tassimo series of cars will also please you with their price. The cost of models starts from 3 thousand rubles. The most expensive one will drain your pocket by 9 thousand. But here it must immediately be said that, in addition to appearance, more expensive models can only boast a built-in filter and a large water tank. By the way, a filter is not needed at all if you use bottled water to prepare a coffee drink. If not, we can recommend such a device.

The fact is that purified water not only has a positive effect on the taste of the drink itself and your health, but also extends the life of the coffee machine itself. This applies not only to capsule systems, but also to traditional systems. But Tassimo devices are quite capricious and in terms of reliability they are certainly inferior to the “leaders”.

What is their capriciousness? For example, you need to wipe your barcode scanner quite often. This is due to the fact that information about the temperature and the volume of water required to prepare the drink is “hardwired” there. That is, American coffee machines read information directly related to the preparation features from each capsule.

Now let's talk about the variety of tastes. There are only 14 varieties of capsules. This is almost half as much as that of the “leaders of the genre.” Among them are several types of coffee, a couple - with milk, cocoa. But tea lovers will be pleased with the device - there are several variations. But at the same time this will make lovers of the traditional drink sad, because if we discard the not very current tea and milk options, then it seems that the flavor palette is represented by only 11 coffee ones. Depending on the type of flavor, the cost of capsule discs varies from 400 to 500 rubles. But if you decide to enjoy a milk drink, then, as in Dolce Gusto, you will have to use several capsule-discs, which will exactly double the cost of a cup of coffee with milk.

Important: until 2022, all Tassimo milk capsules contained sterilized concentrated milk. Now they, like Dolce Gusto, have switched to powdered milk. Needless to say, this “innovation” has significantly deteriorated the very quality of dairy drinks and their taste characteristics.

Advantages of the Tassimo capsule system:

1. The smart device operates in automatic mode, independently selecting the optimal parameters for preparing the drink (it reads all the information from the capsule disk itself);
2. Thanks to the 9 g filler, the owner of such a device receives a drink with a guaranteed rich taste;
3. The cost of capsules is quite low - in the range of 400-500 rubles;
4. The devices themselves are also low in price – the cost for simple models starts from 3 thousand rubles;
5. Even on the cheapest model, it is possible to prepare not only classic espresso, but also several varieties of tea drink, cocoa, and milk options.

We counted a lot of advantages. What about the shortcomings of Tassimo brand capsule systems?

• Coffee lovers will not be satisfied, because the taste palette is represented by only 7 types of coffee;
• The machines are not particularly reliable. Plus, you will have to regularly wipe the barcode scanner.
• To prepare dairy drinks on these devices, you need to use several capsules in the form of discs: one with a classic drink, and the second with a milk component. By the way, about the latter: the manufacturer has now replaced sterilized milk in capsules with powdered milk. This will upset those who like to indulge in a natural coffee and milk drink.
• One more disadvantage should be noted: the capsule for making JacobsCaféauLait milk coffee contains not ground, but soluble raw materials.

Which system should you choose?

The article turned out to be quite long, so we invite you to once again briefly discuss all the popular capsule preparation systems and decide which one is better.

If we approach the issue from a mathematical point of view, formally adding up all the advantages and disadvantages, then the leader will be the Tassimo system. Cheap capsule devices and the capsules themselves are all about her.

But we must not forget about the poverty of the taste palette. In addition, in 2017, the developers switched to powdered milk, which definitely reduces its popularity among connoisseurs of coffee with milk.

Note: we can recommend this system if you have already tried drinks prepared with it, and you are completely satisfied with the taste. Then we advise you to think about buying the budget model BoschTassimoVivy T12xx.

Dolce Gusto raises, in our opinion, too many questions. Of course, it is inexpensive and has no problems with the taste palette (unlike the one mentioned above). However, given its quality, it is a real sin to recommend such a device that can break down quickly enough with a great love for “coffee drinking.” And using powdered milk does not add any advantages to it.

Note: nevertheless, you can try it if you want to understand “do I need such a device.” If you are satisfied with the quality of the prepared drinks, then you can safely move on to the so-called “leaders” of the class of capsule systems. For options to familiarize yourself, take a closer look at DolceGustoPiccolo.

We still consider the Nespresso and Cremesso systems to be leaders. If you are at a loss as to which one to choose, we suggest making a choice based on the availability of capsules. For example, if you can provide yourself with a constant replenishment of Delica capsules, then there is nothing to think about - choose Cremesso. Its taste is more seasoned and noble. And the appearance did not disappoint. We recommend CremessoCompactAutomatic.

If difficulties arise with the extraction of Delica capsules), and this is most likely the case), then choose Nespresso, which comes with SmartCoffeeClub or EthicalCoffeeCompany. The traditional “default” option is DelonghiNespressoEssenza EN97.

A little more discussion on the topic

If you plan to drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day, then it is better to pay extra and get a functional, but not too expensive, classic bean machine. At first glance, such devices seem much more expensive, but in terms of raw materials you will make up the difference in plus or minus 1000 cups of coffee. That is, it will take about a year and a half. And if the device is purchased for office employees, then it will take even less time. At the same time, you can choose a traditional coffee machine with the function of making milk coffee and not spoil your health with drinks made from dry product.

Comparison of capsule coffee machines: Nespresso, Cremesso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo

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How to choose a capsule coffee machine in terms of price/quality ratio?

To choose the right device, you should be guided by the following parameters:

• Power . The faster the coffee will be prepared depends on it.
• Cappuccino maker . This is a must for coffee with milk lovers.
• Water tank volume . If you need a coffee machine for several people, then you should choose a larger volume.
• Pressure . For the capsule coffee machine to work correctly, this indicator should start at 15 bar.
• Size . The more functions a coffee machine has, the larger it is.
• Noise . Capsule coffee makers are the least noisy.
• Touch screen and other additional features . Other features of capsule-type coffee machines include: the ability to adjust the height of the tray, the presence of lighting when the water tank is completely filled.

Capsule coffee makers - pros and cons

The advantages have already been mentioned at the beginning of the article. These are easy to use, compact and inexpensive machines for making good coffee at home or in the office. But they also have their drawbacks. They lie mainly in how capsule coffee machines differ, that is, in the use of capsules instead of pure beans.

Firstly , the cost of capsules is an order of magnitude higher than the cost of bean coffee.

Secondly , when using capsules, we do not see what is in them, which means that there may be low-quality coffee, and with undesirable impurities.

Which company should you choose?

Here are the best capsule coffee makers for home:

• Tassimo (affordable and multifunctional low pressure devices);
• Dolce Gusto (creative models with a unique thermoblock design and a wide selection of capsules);
• Squesito (affordable price for both equipment and consumables);
• DiMaestri (with pre-sealing technology);
• Nespresso (richness of flavors and reliability).
• Cremesso (15 flavors, including Italian espresso and ristretto).

Nespresso

Nespresso capsules are the most popular in the world. Nestle provides a range of 24 types of capsules with different types of coffee and different strengths. Some varieties have flavoring (for example, vanilla or caramel), but the result is still black coffee. To prepare cappuccinos, lattes and other coffee drinks, you need to use the milk frother “cappuccino maker”, which comes with most coffee machines that use Nespresso capsules.

Capsules in general, and Nespresso capsules especially, are not the cheapest way to drink coffee. Therefore, there are cheaper analogues on the market that are suitable for the same coffee machines. Resourceful entrepreneurs even sell empty capsules of the desired shape with a foil lid, into which you can pour regular ground coffee - it’s cheaper this way. Of course, Nespresso is responsible for the quality of coffee - buying original capsules will protect you from risks.

Coffee machines for Nespresso are mainly produced by two manufacturers: Delonghi and Krups. There is practically no difference between them: we compared two similar models with similar prices, and they even have the same dimensions. Apart from the fact that Delonghi consistently has slightly more expensive models in its lineup, we did not find any significant differences. Both manufacturers have good reviews and credible quality control, which results in a fairly high price. This means you can choose between two manufacturers based on design.

Coffee machines using Nespresso capsules are also produced by KitchenAid, so if you are a fan of this brand and are willing to shell out up to 50,000 rubles for this purchase, let this be another advantage of Nespresso capsules.

Krups Dolce Gusto KP 1701/1705/1708/KP173B Infinissima

Practical budget coffee machine. Designed for Dolce Gusto capsules. A wide variety of coffees can be brewed. The volume of coffee should be adjusted manually.

The coffee maker is equipped with a notification system when the descaling period is approaching. When such a need arises, the indicator light will turn yellow instead of green.

The compact model is made in a traditional brand design. The plastic body is easy to clean and does not get dirty. Control type: mechanical. The switches are located at the top of the device.

In terms of functions, the device is no worse than expensive models. Brews six types of coffee. The heating and brewing mode is silent. The coffee machine is designed for branded disposable capsules.

Characteristics:

• Preparation of espresso, cappuccino, lungo, ristretto, latte macchiato;
• The volume of the water vessel is 1.2 liters;
• The body is made of plastic;
• Dimensions - 15 x 37 x 28 cm;
• Pressure - 15 bar;
• Automatic shutdown;
• Collecting drops in a special tray;
• You can make iced coffee;
• Price — 5,740 rub.

pros

• Budget;
• Power 1.5 kW;
• Capacity 1.2 liters;
• Low price despite the functions;
• Quiet in operation.

Minuses

• Sticking manual control lever;
• There is no auto-dosing;
• Features are limited.
• Best price: quality ratio

Additional functions

To simplify the process of preparing your favorite drink, the devices are equipped with some additional functions. Some of them are aimed at ensuring safety during operation of equipment. Others simply make the machine easier to use. The main features to look for are:

• volume setting;
• automatic shutdown;
• indicators indicating the work process;
• boiling water;
• warming the cup;
• descaling.

Krups Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus KP340810

The coffee machine with a power of 1600 W is suitable for home use.

A special feature of the device is the function of pre-wetting the raw materials. This well reveals the taste and aroma properties of coffee.

The controls are quite simple. Settings are changed using the display.

The XL function allows the use of tall mugs and thermoses. Once brewing is complete, the coffee maker switches off after one minute.

• Power - 1600 W;
• Volume – 0.8 l;
• Capsules – Dolce Gusto;

pros

• Assembly reliability;
• Ease of use;
• Compactness;
• Newfangled design.

Minuses

• Expensiveness of capsules;
• Latte preparation is not provided.