The Best Multi Capsule Coffee Machines

For many people across the world, the coffee machine is one of the most important kitchen appliances.

Even when you have just gotten out of bed, a good coffee machine will deliver you a steaming hot cup of Joe at the press of a button.

Of course, which coffee machine you buy will depend on how much work you want to put into making the perfect brew.

Some professional machines will come with automatic components, but will still require you to grind your own beans.

This can offer much more flavor and aroma from each cup, but it means you will need to find the time for grinding beans during your morning routine. Since many coffee lovers don’t have this time, they will gravitate towards machines that use coffee pods instead of grounds.

Coffee pods are small plastic capsules containing a pre-measured amount of grounds to make brewing your morning coffee much simpler.

There are lots of different coffee pods available on the market, and until recently, each brand could only be used inside a specific machine. Thankfully, there are now lots of multi capsule coffee machines which can work with any brand of pod.

In this article, we will be taking a look at a few of the best multi capsule machines and what makes them so great.

HiBREW 4-In-1 Multi-Function Espresso Machine

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This coffee machine made by HiBREW comes with four different adapters, so it can be used with Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, and Kcup pods as well as regular coffee grounds. With the variety offered by these different adapters, there are very few pods that won’t work in this machine.

The HiBREW offer 19 bars of extraction pressure for getting the best flavor and aroma from your shot of coffee. It offers two different cups sizes for either a regular or lungo espresso.

While there isn’t a lot of variety when it comes to cup sizes, this makes the machines very easy to operate. All you need to do is press two buttons and wait 40 seconds for your brew to be prepared.

This model has a removable 20oz water reservoir, which makes it very easy to refill. It also has a compact footprint, that will fit on most countertops without taking up too much space.

The drip tray is removable for easy cleaning, but sadly even with it removed, this machines is more suitable for espresso cups than large mugs.

To help you save on power, this coffee machines will automatically turn itself off after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Pros

Automatically turns off after 15 minutes to save on power.
Compatible with three different types of coffee pod as well as regular grounds.
40 second brew time.

Cons

Not enough space under the brew head for large mugs.

Also available at: HiBREW

Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus 3-In-1, Espresso Maker

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If you are looking for something that will give you a bit more control over your brew, then this is the machine for you. The Instant Pot is compatible with both Nespresso and K-cup pods, although it won’t work with those made by Dolce Gusto.

However, it makes up for this shortcoming by coming with a reusable coffee pod for putting your own grounds into. This means you can enjoy the flavor or your own beans and can be more sustainable with your coffee drinking habits.

As well as allowing you to use any beans that you like, this machine comes with buttons for altering the size and strength of your brew.

The drip tray is removable, and you should have no problem fitting a full-sized mug under the brew head for making a large Americano.

This machine has six different brew sizes ranging from 2oz all the way up to 12oz. With the bold button, you can make even stronger brews for when you really need that morning pick me up.

The Instant Pot is larger than the last machine we looked at, but still won’t take up too much space on your kitchen counter.

Thanks to the large 68oz removable reservoir, you won’t ever have to wait long for your morning cup of coffee.

Pros

6 different cup sizes plus adjustable brew strength.
Compatible with both Nepresso and K-cup pods.

Comes with reusable pod that you can pack with your own grounds.

Cons

This machine occasionally destroys Nespresso pods if they are loaded in incorrectly.

Also available at: Target

Lakeland 3-in-1 Espresso Maker

This machine is compatible with both NX and ESE pods, as well as freshly ground beans. It comes with four different filters for making single or double espressos, as well as a separate filter for using pods.

Sadly, it isn’t compatible with capsules made by Dolce Gusto, but it still offers a lot of versatility for such a compact machine.

With 20 bars of pressure, this machine provides the perfect conditions for extraction, so you can enjoy the full flavor and aroma of your coffee.

Sadly, there isn’t enough space under the brew head for a mug, as this is more of a dedicated espresso machine designed to fill smaller cups. As such, it only offers two cups sizes, and won’t be suitable for those that like large Americanos for their morning pick me up.

What this machine lacks in cup size, it more than makes up for with flavor. This machine is programmed to brew at 85°C (185°F) to prevent burning your grounds. This provides a mellow, yet rich coffee that is bursting with flavor and aroma.

The Lakeland 3 in 1 also comes with its own steam wand, so you can make fancy drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.

Thanks to this device, you can make almost any kind of beverage you want all from the same machine. As well as four different filters and a 68 oz reservoir, this machine also comes with a free coffee spoon for measuring out and tamping down your grounds

Pros

Compact footprint.

Four different filters for coffee grounds, as well as NX and ESE pods.
Steam wand for frothing milk for lattes or cappuccinos.

Cons

Not tall enough for mugs.

Buyers Guide

Finding the right multi-capsule coffee maker will depend on exactly what you expect from a good cup of coffee.

There are many different factors to take into consideration and in this section we will cover what a few of them are so that you can find the right machine for you.

Capsule Compatibility

As the name suggests, a multi capsule coffee maker needs to accept more than one type of coffee pod. Which ones it accepts will come down to your own personal preferences.

Of the models we have looked at, the HiBREW 4-in-1 is the only one that works with Nepresso, Kcup and Dulce Gusto pods. If you are looking for a machine that will work with almost any pod, then this is the model you want to go for.

However, other machines may come with different benefits at the expense of capsule compatibility. Some units may come with a reusable pod that you can fill with your own grounds.

This means you don’t need to be completely reliant on store bought pods whenever you want to brew a cup of coffee.

Cup Sizes

Most multi capsule machines will be geared towards brewing espressos into small sizes of cup. This has a lot of benefits, such as taking up less space on your kitchen counter and brewing a much stronger cup of coffee.

However, if you like to enjoy a large mug of black coffee in the morning, then you will want to buy a machine that is tall enough for your mug to fit under the brew head.

Some units will even have removable drip trays that allow you to fit large travel mugs under the nozzle as well. Of course, if you do go for a taller machine you will want to make sure it comes with the ability to brew larger cups, so you can fill up your mug of choice.

Water Reservoir

The water reservoir is the tank on the back of your machine that feeds the boiler. Having a machine with a larger reservoir will mean you can make more cups in between refills. However, if you don’t plan on making lots of cups, go for a machine with a smaller reservoir.

If water is left to sit in the tank for prolonged periods of time, then it may become stagnant. This will lead to several problems, including your coffee developing a peculiar taste.

Brew Strength

A good espresso needs to be strong, and some machines will come with the option to brew with hotter water for a stronger cup of coffee. If you like your morning beverage with a hearty kick, then it will be worthwhile buying a machine with controls for adjusting the strength of your brew.

You also want to look out for machines that offer at least 9 bars of pressure. The higher the pressure, the more flavor is extracted from the beans, and the stronger your cup of coffee will be.

It is also important to buy a machine with automatic temperature controls to make sure your water is poured at 195-205 °F. Any lower, and you may not get the full flavor from your beans, and any higher will cause you to burn your coffee.

There are few things worse than a burnt espresso, so it is important to make sure your machine has good temperature controls.

Maintenance

If you want your coffee machine to last a long time, then it is important to look after it. However, some units will require more maintenance than others. Most units will come with removable drip trays to make cleaning up any spillages much easier.

It is also useful to have a machine that automatically removes and stores used coffee pods. This reduces the amount of work you need to do for your morning cup of coffee.

Instead of having to throw a used pod away every time you want to brew a cup, you can simply empty the used capsule bin once a week.

Having a removable reservoir also makes it easier to top up the water in your machines since you can carry it over to the sink.

If you live in an area with very hard water, then you will also need to think about descaling. Hard water leaves calcium deposits that can clog up the pipes of your coffee maker.

Not only will this greatly hinder its performance, but it may also cause your coffee to develop a chalky taste. You can buy bottles of descaling solution for running through the machine’s system, but some models make it even easier.

If you suspect that you will need to frequently descale your coffee maker due to the hardness of your water, then look for one with an automatic cleaning mode. This is a special function that allows the machine to automatically descale itself when the reservoir is filled with descaling solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Multi Capsule Coffee Machine?

A multi capsule machine is any unit that can brew coffee from multiple different brands of coffee pod. These machines will often come with different brewheads that can be swapped out as needed when using different types of pod.

The three main brands of coffee pod include Nepresso, Kcups and Dolce Gusto. Each of these brands and their imitators use a slightly different shape of capsule, which is why machines needs special brew heads to swap between them.

A multi capsule is different from a multi functional machine, as they often can only be sued to make coffee. Multi functional machines can be used to brew coffee as well as other specialty beverages such as tea or hot chocolate.