2021 General consensus on good value pod machine?

Jimothy Wongingtons on 05/02/2021 - 09:07

Hi guys

What’s the general consensus on pod machines these days? I had the first gen Aldi expressi when it first came out - it was alright but now I see a new model has replaced it.

Similarly the Nespresso machines I see have the new line now that there is no generics for and it’s been ages since I saw a deal for Nespresso machine (old style or new style).

I currently have been making do with stocking up on Robert Timms coffee bags when they go on sale, or grab 711 $1 coffee if I’m on the road for work.

Food & Grocery Coffee Machine

Comments

  • knk on 05/02/2021 - 09:50

    We have a delonghi nespresso that's been kicking for about 5 years now. It does it's job, but I find the coffee isn't strong enough / flavorful. I tend to want to double shot it all the time, which isn't really cost effective. Favorite pods so far are the starbucks ones. My wife still uses it and is happy with it, so maybe I just prefer it stronger?

    I purchased the Kmart anko espresso machine a few months ago, $90 from memory and use killer coffee darkerside blend.. $36 per month for 1kg and I love it. I find with this combination I can make coffee like the useless human being that I am and it comes out perfect every time.

    That said I don't use the milk frother, apparently its not great.

    edit: I see you mentioned the robert timms bags. I was using these when I was at uni and taking a travel mug, and I find these very, very weak in regards to flavor if that gives you a reference point.

  • Jonseey on 05/02/2021 - 10:01
    +1

    I have always liked the caffitaly pod system, usually there are several pod brands to choose from at Woolies. My preference is grinders pods.
    With regards to the pod machine, most of the caffitaly pod system machines are about the same. I got one with a milk steamer wand, but they are hard to come by these days.

    • bp2000 on 06/02/2021 - 11:00

      I'm afraid that caffitaly seems to be doing it tough lately. Woolworths seems to have stopped their brand of pods, which limits the options. It seems coles has more brands these days. For example, it is now hard to find a decaf capsule. The only thing I haven't investigated is that I've seen mention of some compatibility between aldi and caffitaly pods.

    • NigelPearson on 06/02/2021 - 12:53

      We prefer a smoother blend. Woolworths used to do a "Strong", closest we found is one from Coles!

      I have had a few S22s (first one from Woolies $99). A few weeks ago, the milk frother started dying, so went Googling. "Grinders" in Melbourne (owned by Coca-Cola?) sells a Caffitaly S23 – it was $99 delivered from Melbourne!

      Sadly, now back to full price: https://www.grinderscoffee.com.au/grinders-for-home/swanston…

  • AzzaClazza on 05/02/2021 - 10:09
    +14

    Pod machines create mountains of waste.
    Please don't create mountains of waste.

    • jjjaar on 05/02/2021 - 10:29
      +1

      Agree. And if you MUST buy a pod machine, invest in a couple of reusable pods so you’re not creating so much waste.

    • Nugs on 05/02/2021 - 10:38
      +4

      shame can only vote this once
      .

  • Hithere on 05/02/2021 - 10:29
    +2

    I have a Nespresso Creatista pod machine, nothing flash but it makes a consistent standard cappuccino every time.

    When it goes to God I'll most likely get the newer version Creatista Plus, currently a little under $800.

    • he11bent on 05/02/2021 - 14:08
      +1

      I adore my Creatista Plus that I bought 3 weeks ago. Yes, I use two pods for my coffee every morning, but honestly, the coffee it makes is great. I do a latte or Flash white, and it's so good.

  • stratbargain on 05/02/2021 - 10:37
    +3

    Get an Aeropress

    • jjjaar on 05/02/2021 - 12:03
      +1

      This. Or a stovetop coffee maker.

      So many cheap and portable options that provide you with the flexibility and variety of loads of coffees.

  • knaff on 05/02/2021 - 10:47
    -1

    I've got one of these at work, does the job for around $100.

    Nespresso pods are far far ahead of any other system IMO.

    https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/nespresso-essenza-mini-solo-c…

    • NigelPearson on 06/02/2021 - 13:00

      They were the first, and produce consistent resilts, but there is too little coffee in them – they don't taste like a good barrista coffee to me.

      I prefer Caffitaly, but Nescafe Dolce Gusto also seem good?

  • Quantumcat on 05/02/2021 - 11:59
    +7

    Cheaper long term to get a little manual machine and a grinder. Wouldn't be more than 1.5X or 2X the cost of a decent pod machine. Pods are expensive for the tiny amount of coffee they have in them.

  • JimB on 05/02/2021 - 12:05
    +1

    I've had Nespresso for the past 8 years.

    I sometimes buy Starbucks Nespresso pods from the supermarket. $4.80 for 10 which is IMO very good value.

    They are made by Nespresso and branded Starbucks so the quality is the same as the Nespresso ones (around $7 for 10).

    Nespresso paid Starbucks around AUD$10b to licence the Starbucks brand, so Nespresso aren't going to provide a second rate coffee pod.

    • jjjaar on 05/02/2021 - 12:29

      $4.80 for ~60 grams of coffee?! And you think that’s value? I pay that much for 250g of ground fair trade coffee from Aldi.

      Wow pods really are a rip off.

      • JimB on 05/02/2021 - 12:49

        Find me cheaper quality coffee pods.

        I think it's good value for the convenience of making 1 cup of coffee per day.

        Of course it's cheaper to buy the beans/ground but it's a lot of effort to make just one coffee.

        • jjjaar on 05/02/2021 - 14:04

          A reusable pod for $10-$20 and your own coffee, you’d break even when you finish your second packet of pods…

        • Emerald Owl on 05/02/2021 - 14:27

          Is having a pod and machine easier than a teaspoon of instant coffee though.

          • jjjaar on 05/02/2021 - 15:42

            @Emerald Owl: In JimB’s defence, instant coffee is awful

            • JimB on 05/02/2021 - 16:21

              @jjjaar: I'm glad we agree on something! lol…

              I've read about the refillable pods… the consensus is that the coffee isn't as good as the original pods.

              For the amount we spend on pods, we're happy with the cost.

              A 10 pack is the cost of a large coffee at a cafe.

              If we were making heaps of coffee a day, I wouldn't bother with refillable pods, I'd just get a coffee machine.

              We take our pods back to Nepresso for recycling so that hopefully offsets some of the environmental inpact of the pods.

            • Emerald Owl on 05/02/2021 - 21:29

              @jjjaar: Would I get banned from Melbourne if I said I can’t tell the difference?

    • Quantumcat on 05/02/2021 - 12:35
      +1

      I don't know why nespresso would want that brand, Australians don't like Starbucks.

      • JimB on 05/02/2021 - 12:53

        The pods are actually quite decent. No worse than the Nespresso pods. Convenient to purchase from ColesWorth.

        While not popular in Australia, Starbucks is seen as upmarket globally (of course with a few exceptions) particularly in Asia.

        • knaff on 05/02/2021 - 13:12
          +1

          Totally agree, the Starbucks pods are decent, actually on par with genuine Nespresso.

          Also Nescafe pods are good too, makes sense as they are Nestle after all - same company as Nespresso

          https://www.nescafefarmersorigins.com/au

  • Dean29 on 05/02/2021 - 13:18

    May not be the cheapest machine but we have the L'OR barista machine. It takes normal Nespresso pods and L'OR pods which are twice the size for a double shot

  • SaveMeMoney17 on 05/02/2021 - 15:34
    +4

    Do not buy a pod machine. They are extremely wasteful.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/02/2021 - 07:50

    I bought the latest Aldi machine. My only gripe is that the water tank is relatively small and not clear plastic, so I need to remove the lid to check the water level. I don't buy the pods from Aldi because I really enjoy compatible St Remio brand from Coles.

  • Waltervp on 06/02/2021 - 08:39

    I love the simplicity of pods, but in the end i preferred getting the fully automatic (saeco?) coffee machines that you fill with beans and water every 5-10 cups. Much cheaper, can be nicer coffee, and environmentally responsible! There are two downsides. One is finding a good second hand unit for 200-300 , always check the coffee counter (most tell you how many coffees it has made) and calculate usage (1 cup every 2 days average is great: 3yr old machine with say 3000 cups). Upgrade every 2 years to avoid needing servi$e…). Second downside is that you need to follow the cleaning procedures every 100 cups or so (when the machine tells you to).

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/02/2021 - 08:40
    +1

    Thanks everyone.

    Didn’t realise pod machines were so bad for the environment.

    Guess I’ll stick with my Robert Timms bags for the time being ( I actually usually brew a cup using 2-3 bags)

    • Ayanami on 06/02/2021 - 10:46
      +1

      An entry level espresso machine and grinder are way better and cheaper if you are so inclined; of course, not as convenient, but if you get the hang of it you won't look back.

      Are you in Perth? If so I can lend you a set to try out.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/02/2021 - 10:55

        Nah brisbane. Thanks for the offer though!

        I’m eyeing the anko espresso at Kmart now. Under $100. Still seems a little inconvenient though.

        • bp2000 on 06/02/2021 - 11:08

          I bought it and returned it. It is a pain to keep clean imho. But each to their own. Nothing is as convenient as a capsule machine. I don't use one because I like coffee and don't mind spending time on it, but I know some people don't want to spend 10 mins making a coffee so I don't recommend espresso machines to everyone. Especially cheap ones.

      • Waltervp on 07/02/2021 - 11:22

        Do consider the fully automatic ones. I am in remote Tasmania and buy from gumtree and organise a pickup with Sendle.com, usual $25 or so….
        Here is one…
        https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wollert/coffee-machines/saec…

  • bp2000 on 06/02/2021 - 11:22
    +1

    For a cheap capsule machine I'd guess aldi or espressotoria would be what you're looking at the moment. Caffitaly seems harder to find these days. L'or and Nespresso seem more expensive but are options. Never liked dolce gusto. If you're making black coffee with coffee bags then I'd suggest trying a french press (aka. Coffee plunger). I personally use that and a stovetop coffee maker (aka moka pot) for stronger coffee/milk based drinks. Unfortunately both benefit greatly from a proper burr grinder which will at least set you back >$100 on it's own. Preground can work for a while, but it is a mug's game because the value is far worse as the price is similar if not more and the quality worse, i.e. imho if you drink coffee regularly a good grinder pays for itself quickly. If you're happy to spend time making coffee there are plenty of resources online about the best beginner options otherwise I'd stick to my first sentence.

  • DemocracyManifest on 06/02/2021 - 12:55

    The dolce gusto pods are yuck, I don’t know why, even the coles ones as bad quality. I just gave one pod machine to a relative to use as a instant hot water unit. Apparently, you can get an adapter in order to use the aldi pods

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