Hybrid coffee machines that use both pods and ground coffee are the ultimate in versatility – but should you buy one?
Coffee pod machines have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to their convenience and ease of use. But many people still prefer the taste of ground coffee, or want to use their favourite coffee beans.
If you’re looking for a coffee machine that gives you the best of both worlds, you'll want one that takes pods and ground coffee. These options offer the convenience of pod machines with the flexibility to use your own ground coffee.
In a regular espresso machine, you brew by forcing water near boiling point through compressed ground coffee and a filter. With these new hybrid machines, you’re able to change the filter depending on what kind of coffee you want to drink.
If you want to use a pod, the filter pierces the capsules to make a straightforward cup of coffee while for an espresso, you can tamp the grounds into a filter the traditional way.
What is tamping?
Tamping is the act of compressing the ground coffee in the filter of an espresso machine. This is done to create a uniform ‘puck’ of coffee that will extract evenly when hot water is forced through it.
The amount of pressure used to tamp the coffee is important. Too much pressure can create a dense puck that will slow down the extraction, resulting in a sour shot. Too little pressure can create a loose puck that will allow the water to flow too quickly, resulting in a weak shot.
There are several different tools that can be used for tamping, including a wooden, metal or silicone tamper.
As well as the Nespresso pods, many hybrid machines also take ESE pods. ESE – Easy Serve Espresso – pods are a bit like a teabag in that they contain ground coffee within a bag and produce a single-serve espresso.
Some hybrid machines will also come with milk frothers or have the option of multiple brew sizes, giving you even more choice.
Here, we take a look at the benefits of using these versatile coffee machines:
The key feature of pod/ground coffee machines is their hybrid functionality. They usually have different filter holders to allow you to use various types of coffee in the machine, whether that’s in a capsule or ground, tampered coffee, perfect for an espresso.
“A coffee machine that accepts both capsules and ground coffee offers the best of both worlds, and is perfect for coffee lovers seeking convenience as well as versatility,” says Debbie Main-McIvor, marketing manager at Dualit, which has a hybrid coffee maker in its range.
“Capsules provide quick and easy brewing while ground coffee allows for personalised flavours and the freedom to experiment with different types of coffee. They are also ideal for those who like to host, as it caters for all coffee preferences – from lattes to cappuccinos and espressos.”
This design allows you effortlessly to switch between the two options according to preference, mood, or time constraints. Whether you’re seeking a quick cup on a busy weekday or savouring a leisurely brew on a lazy Sunday, the hybrid machine has you covered.
It also saves on kitchen worktop space. Take it from someone who has a pod machine and a traditional filter drip coffee maker – while it’s great to have a choice, neither machine is small and each takes up a lot of valuable workspace.
Personalisation is another perk of the hybrid coffee experience. While coffee pods are great for convenience, they may not always produce the perfect cup.
If you want to brew coffee like a barista, the ground coffee element allows you to customise settings, including the brew strength, so you can tailor the taste to your liking.
While you can’t personalise the hybrid models as much as the more expensive espresso machines that allow you to change water temperature and quantity of water used, you can still enjoy experimenting with different blends.
You can also grind your own beans to use in these machines, adding to the taste difference.
The advent of hybrid coffee machines also addresses some of the environmental concerns associated with single-use coffee pods.
Many models are compatible with eco-friendly coffee pods made from recyclable or biodegradable materials, reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability.
Here we take a look at the cons of these rare, and often expensive, coffee machines:
While there are brands that produce coffee machines that take pods and ground coffee, they are pretty elusive. When you do get your mitts on one, you’ll be forking out anything from £150 upwards for a decent quality brand.
That’s not to say you can’t get one for under that price, but chances are it will be an unknown brand so there’s no knowing if it will perform well or last a decent length of time.
Sadly, there are no machines on the market yet that take pods and grind beans to make coffee, but you can buy a coffee grinder to get creating your own brew. Coffee expert Philip Sowels recommends buying a hand grinder.
“Their slow rotational speed produces a more consistent grind, especially for coarser settings, and they’re small enough to take on holiday (especially as you don’t need a power source),” he says.
Timemore C2 Manual Coffee Grinder Espresso, RRP £69
As with any type of coffee machine that takes pods, you also have the ongoing cost of the pods to consider. A coffee pod subscription may make this more affordable.
Time to get brewing
The Dualit Express-Auto 4-in-1 Coffee Machine has a range of functions for preparing a wide coffee menu. It offers the choice of using ground coffee, coffee capsules or ESE pods.
A 15-bar pump ensures the perfect crema every time, whilst the ultra-fast heater delivers boiling water on demand. It also has a built-in milk frother to make drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes much easier.
Oh, and you can also make a cup of tea.
Dualit Express-Auto 4-in-1 Coffee Machine, RRP £199.99
This multi-brew system allows you to choose between using ground coffee, ESE pods, and NX and Nespresso capsules.
It has a 20-bar pressure pump to extract the best possible flavour from your coffee and also has a steam wand, which gives you perfect frothy milk for a real barista-style brew.
Lakeland 3-in-1 Espresso Maker, RRP £149.99
Most baristas recommend a coffee machine with a nine-bar pressure pump. However, most hybrid home coffee machines have a higher pressure – presumably to make the coffee pods work more effectively.
Fear not, though, if you’re worried that the pressure will give you a bitter brew. At nine bars, it typically takes between 25–30 seconds to pull a shot of espresso. So in short, for less pressure you’ll need more time and for more pressure it’ll take less time.
However, it seems most domestic machines, even if they do advertise a higher pressure, will be nine bars by the time you pull the shot, as the pressure is lower by the time it gets to the brew head.
While Nespresso pods seem to be the choice for most coffee makers, this hybrid coffee machine also takes the larger Dolce Gusto pods and the ESE bags, as well as ground coffee. It guarantees you fresh coffee in 30 seconds and the price isn’t bad either. However, it doesn’t come with a milk frother.
Kotlie 4-in-1 Coffee Machine, RRP £129.99
Proving that practicality can also be a thing of beauty is this dual coffee machine from Illy – the perfect finishing touch for any luxe coffee station.
Designed by renowned architect and industrial designer, Luca Trazzi, this machine not only uses ground coffee but also ESE pods. It has a milk frother wand, 15 bar-pressure pump and automatically descales.
It comes at a cost, though – with prices starting at £616.
Illy X1 Anniversary, RRP £616
