Best value budget coffee pod machine

chocsyrup on 10/06/2024 - 20:16

Hoping someone can help me find a coffee machine that fits my wants. I'm not a coffee snob. I can survive with Vittoria instant (used to drink Moccona before they changed something about it) but I do prefer a cafe coffee.

I don't generally have time to pick up a coffee before work and the one closest to work tends to burn the coffee semi-regularly. I'm also lazy and don't really have the energy, inclination or skill to try something that isn't a 'for dummies' machine.

I'm looking for a pod/capsule coffee machine that fits the following criteria:
* budget option (under $200)
* compact/small footprint
* uses a range of capsules (widely available)

I'd also really love if it met these criteria
* includes a milk frother
* uses coffee capsules that aren't bitter
* makes coffee that fills a standard coffee cup (not one of the tiny cafe ones)

Years ago, I trialled a Nespresso coffee machine that took a specific capsule (that were ridiculously priced) that were all incredibly bitter, and filled about a third of one of the tiny cafe coffee cups. Most days I take a 340ml travel mug to drink on the way to work.

I have done a bit of research, but looking for OzB opinions, if possible….or any others that you own/have considered
* De'Longhi Nespresso Inissia with Aeroccino EN80.BAE ($179 through Amazon)
* De'Longhi Nespresso Essenza Mini EN85W.SOLO ($159 or $219 with Aeroccino)

Find Me A Bargain Coffee Machine

Comments

  • Ozbar Gain on 10/06/2024 - 20:28
    +1

    So you want to make a full cup of coffee but also want a milk frother, although that's not your regular, right? Just trying to understand.

    I think a separate milk frother will probably be the best option

    • chocsyrup on 10/06/2024 - 20:35

      Yeah, that's fair. I like coffee but am not really knowledgeable about it in any way. I want easy coffee that tastes good and has frothed milk.

      In an ideal world, I'd love to have it do it for me, but I know that's absolutely not in my price range…but my brain was still there when I was typing it out. The Nespresso that I'd used before had a milk container in it (I'm guessing it was its purpose…it mostly just spat a lot and added flat milk to the coffee), and it didn't fill a cup even with the milk included.

      The two I added down the bottom have separate milk frothers.

      Not sure what 'that's not your regular' means, sorry!

  • 7ekn00 on 10/06/2024 - 20:34
    +2

    Parents have had a $50 L'Or and separate frother for over 3 years without a breakdown (they go on sale in Colesworth for ~ $50):
    https://shop.lorespresso.com.au/products/lor-barista-coffee-…
    https://shop.lorespresso.com.au/collections/lor-barista-coff…

    Example of past sales: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/L%27Or

    They (and friends and family) use it over 20 times per day!

    Parents find the L'Or Profundo capsules the best to their tastes: https://www.amazon.com.au/LOR-Espresso-Coffee-Lungo-Profondo…

    I prefer the Nescafe Brazil ones: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CYT2L8QC/

    With "Lungo" pods (not "Expresso" ones) you can do a "Long" shot that is more volume and tastes OK … you can also buy "double shot" pods for long pours …
    https://shop.lorespresso.com.au/collections/all-capsules/pro…

    But for "value" it's probably better to use 3 "Lungo" shots with "Lungo" capsules (rather than pay 3x the price for the "double shots") ;)

  • sumyungguy on 10/06/2024 - 20:51

    Breville Creatista Plus/Pro, somewhat over budget but worth your attention because they offer adjustable coffee volume, milk froth level and milk temperature.

    • JimmyF on 10/06/2024 - 21:09
      +1

      I would say go the Breville Creatista Uno. Same machine, less the fancy screen. So cheaper.

      They have a milk steamer which is far better than the froth things on the earlier Nespresso coffee machines.

    • deeeno on 10/06/2024 - 23:54

      Have a Creatista Plus we bought 7 years ago, has just carked itself and doesn't heat water up anymore, not happy!

      Might try my chances with Breville service centre, but don't like my chances.

  • djkelly69 on 10/06/2024 - 21:57
    +3

    I have the $79 Aldi one, seems to meet all of your criteria except for a milk frother.

    No complaints from me, but I don't really have much to compare it to besides some Nespressos other family members have. Theirs have built in milk frothers but were well over $200 I believe. I just like a splash of milk in my coffee so it is not really necessary for me and just seems like something else to clean and/or break over time.

    • Ugly on 11/06/2024 - 08:39
      +2

      +1 for the Aldi.
      Aldi have a separate milk frother which I believe is better than having it built into the same unit.

  • nephilim on 10/06/2024 - 23:57
    +1

    FB market place can get a Nespresso for sub 50, normal or vurtuo
    Just add on cost of a desclating pod.

  • payless69 on 11/06/2024 - 09:27

    -I'm not a coffee snob

    cat food dispenser?

  • fredblogs on 11/06/2024 - 19:23

    I use something like https://www.amazon.com.au/Zulay-Titanium-Frother-Without-Sta… for milk frothing as they're so easy to clean and take little space

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join