Still using coffee capsules? You're not alone, but brewing with fresh beans can be just as easy here's how

Date:
Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Description:
Coffee capsules are OK in a pinch, but preparing espresso can be just as
quick and easy if you have the right machine.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Coffee pods are OK in a pinch, but in my experience even the best ones can't compare with the rounded, full flavor you get from freshly-ground beans. I test over a dozen coffee makers a year, of all different types, and none of the capsules I've tried can match the taste of traditionally-made espresso.

A recent survey of TechRadar readers' coffee-brewing habits revealed that although 52% of people agree with me and brew their morning drink with beans, 25% are committed to their pods. I can see why pods are definitely convenient, and there's no grinding or measuring necessary but they also produce waste, you're limited to one particular type of pod, and the pods can be expensive. But there is an alternative.

I recently had the opportunity to test a new espresso machine that makes brewing with whole coffee beans as easy as using pods, is very reasonably priced, and is a piece of cake to keep clean. It's called the Philips Baristina, and if you want to break away from coffee capsules, it's perfect. Today's best Philips Baristina deals 299.99 View Deal 299.99 View Deal 299.99 View Deal Show more We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices At first glance the Baristina looks a bit like a manual espresso machine, with a portafilter (the tool with a handle that holds the coffee grounds), but don't be intimidated - all you need to do is push that into the machine and slide it a few inches to the right, then press a button for
either a single or double shot of espresso. That's it there are no barista skills needed at all.

After you press the button, the Baristina will measure and grind the appropriate quantity of coffee directly into the filter basket. The machine will then tamp it down, and the portafilter will move to the left all by itself and pour hot water through it at high pressure to produce your drink. Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) At the end, just pull out the portafilter, knock the used coffee grounds out into your food waste bin (they will come out in a solid puck, with no mess), wipe the filter
basket and you're done. It's much easier and less hassle than using a super-automatic espresso machine (where all the brewing happens inside the case) for a fraction of the price. It's so good, I didn't hesitate to award
it a full five stars .

The only downside is that, like most capsule coffee makers, the Baristina doesn't have a steam wand for foaming milk but don't worry. The machine is also available bundled with a separate milk frother, which my colleague Max Langridge gave four stars out of five in his review .

If you're one of the 25% of our readers still brewing with pods, the
Baristina will open up a whole world of speciality coffees, letting you brew with any beans you like, experimenting with new beans, roasts, and blends. If you'd like to move away from the limits of pods, I don't think you'll look back. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/coffee-machines/still-using-coffee-capsules-you re-not-alone-but-brewing-with-fresh-beans-can-be-just-as-easy-heres-how


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