Skip to main content
MM logo white 1
MM logo red
Image description is not available
Image description is not available

Which coffee machine with pads and capsules should you choose?

Luuk30 OCTOBER 2025
Coffee maker with capsules, cup, and beans on a counter. An office with people is visible in the background.

With a pad or capsule system, you can make one of the many available coffee variations at the touch of a button. What should you pay attention to if you want to buy a system with pads, cups or capsules?

Different types of pad and capsule systems

With a pad or capsule system, you can make your favourite coffee variation at the touch of a button. This brewing system lets you enjoy a tasty cup of coffee in no time. Whether you like extra-strong or decaffeinated coffee, there’s a variant for every taste. Despite their different designs, pad and capsule systems work on the same principle. In addition, each manufacturer develops its own pads, capsules or cups. The best-known pad and capsule systems are from Nespresso, Senseo and Dolce Gusto.

View all capsule machines

Milk specialities

With a pad or capsule system, you can not only make coffee and espresso, but also milk varieties such as cappuccino and latte macchiato. With all pad and capsule systems, you can prepare milk-based coffee specialities using milk-powder-based pads or capsules. There are capsules, cups and pads developed specifically for making cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot chocolate and more. If you prefer a cappuccino or macchiato made with fresh milk, there are options for that too. You can choose a machine with an integrated milk system, a separate milk frother or a separate steam wand. Machines with an integrated milk system make your favourite milk drink at the touch of a button. Separate milk frothers heat and automatically froth the milk. After heating and frothing, you pour the milk into your coffee yourself. You can also opt to purchase a separate steam wand. When buying this system, check whether a milk container is included. If it isn’t, you froth the milk yourself in a jug, carton or glass.

What should you consider when choosing a coffee machine with capsules and pads?

With most pod or capsule systems, you make one cup of coffee at a time, but with coffee pod machines, you can also make two cups at once. If you regularly want to make several cups in succession, pay attention to the capacity of the water reservoir. With a large water tank, you won’t have to refill it as often. Some capsule and pod machines also allow you to adjust the strength and/or quantity of the coffee at the touch of a button.

Advice about coffee machines

Cleaning and descaling

Coffee beans surround a small plant in a tin, alongside colorful coffee pods of brown, pink, and red.

It’s important to keep your pad or capsule system clean and to descale the appliance regularly. Descaling is essential, because limescale build-up can damage the machine. If you wait too long, a limescale layer can form that is so thick it’s difficult to remove. As a result, your coffee machine can be permanently damaged and break down quickly.

There are special products available for cleaning and descaling your coffee machine. Cleaning tablets remove coffee oils and fats better than is possible by hand. Descaling tablets are a simple way to remove limescale from your appliance. The tablets work better and faster than vinegar and are also odourless. A water filter removes limescale from the water. This means you need to descale your appliance less often. A water filter also helps your coffee develop a better flavour, because it also retains taste-disrupting substances such as chlorine. There are also complete maintenance sets with which you purchase all these products (except the water filter) at once.

Coffee accessories

Overhead view of nine cups, some with latte art, on a white wooden surface. Some cups are full, some are empty.

Your favourite cup of coffee is only complete when you give it a little extra care. There are various coffee accessories available that give your coffee that extra touch it deserves. You can also find coffee tableware and different types of coffee beans and ground coffee at MediaMarkt.

View all coffee accessories

Frequently asked questions

These articles might be interesting for you