The most popular coffee pod systems are Nespresso, Dolce Gusto (both owned by Nestle) and Tassimo.
In this buying guide, we focus on Tassimo coffee pod machines. They are typically cheaper than both Nespresso and Dolce Gusto.
Tassimo machines work with Tassimo pods, more commonly referred to as T-discs. Each disc comes with a barcode that the machine uses to determine what kind of coffee to make. The company calls it INTELLIBREW™ technology.
The barcode system means you are locked into the Tassimo system. You won’t find cheaper non-brand capsules that are compatible.
Currently, Bosch manufactures all Tassimo machines.
The Full Range of Tassimo Coffee Pod Machines
Currently, there are 5 models of Tassimo coffee machines (6 is you count Vivy and Vivy 2 separately).
They all make a wide variety of hot beverages and not just coffee. They can also prepare hot chocolate, tea and Decaf. It all depends on the pods you buy.
One of the key differences between Tassimo machines and Dolce Gusto or Nespresso is the amount of pressure they use.
While most pod coffee machines apply a pressure of 15-19 bars to extract maximum flavour from the pods, Tassimo machines produce a pressure of just 3.3 bars.
The machines rely more on speed rather than pressure to extract flavour from the capsule.
The quality of coffee also depends a lot on the quality of coffee pods. You may have to try different pods to find the quality you like.
Here’s a quick rundown of all Tassimo coffee pod machines.
- Vivy: Vivy is one of the most popular Tassimo machines. It has a simple compact design with a 0.7L tank that’s good for about two mugs of coffee.
- Vivy 2: This is an update on the original Vivy. It comes with faster heating technology, a more intuitive user interface and a more compact design.
- Suny: The smart start button makes Suny one of the easiest Tassimo machines to use. It’s also one of the most stylish models with multiple colours available.
- Caddy: Tassimo Caddy features a larger tank, making it ideal for families. It comes with an attached coffee pod holder that keeps your T-discs on hand.
- My Way: My Way is the most advanced Tassimo machine. It features a touch interface that lets you adjust the volume and strength of your coffee.
- Happy: Trendier and more stylish than its siblings, Happy comes in a range of bright colours to suit your kitchen décor or personal tastes.
Tassimo Coffee Pods (T-Discs)
A major advantage Tassimo has over other coffee pod systems is the variety of drinks. There’s something for everyone.
They have multiple flavours of black coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino, tea, hot chocolate and decaf pods.
Their pods come from various brands including Cadbury, Costa, Suchard, Jacobs, Kenco and many others.
Experiment with different brands to find the one that makes the perfect brew.
Each T-Disc comes with a barcode that the machine reads to know what kind of coffee it is. It will then automatically set the water temperature, water volume and brew time.
If you want more control over coffee volume and quality, Tassimo machines come with a manual mode that allows you to control how much water is dispensed.
Each T-Disc is for one-time use only.
The used pods are recyclable. Discard them along with your plastic recyclables.
For UK users, Tassimo works with Terracycle to provide a safe way to dispose empty pods. Learn more here.
Note that Tassimo machines are only compatible with T-Discs. You cannot use Nespresso, Dolce Gusto or any other brand of capsules.
Thankfully, the variety of pods is wide and the pods are not that expensive.
Most Tassimo machines come with starter pods included. It’s easy to find new ones online or at most major supermarkets.
You can start with this 5-pack kit that can make 56 servings of Costa cappuccino, Costa Americano, Kenco Americano Grande, L’OR Latte Macchiato and Cadbury Hot Chocolate.
You may also want to get a T-disc holder to keep the pods well organized (not necessary if you buy Caddy).
Two well-reviewed ones are the EVER RICH 56-pod stainless steel T-disc holder and the CAFE CONCETTO 64-pod T-disc drawer with a surface for your Tassimo machine.
Best Tassimo Machine Reviews [UK Market]
1. Best Tassimo Machine Overall: Bosch Tassimo My Way
It’s the most expensive Tassimo machine but it’s also the most innovative. In any case, it’s still cheaper than top models of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso.
My Way is perfect for those who’d love to personalize their own drinks.
Using the intuitive touch interface, there are three settings you can configure: temperature, intensity/strength and volume.
Each setting has three levels.
This gives you much greater control over your coffee compared to other Tassimo machines.
If you prefer a stronger Latte, it’s easy to set. If you want to tone down the sweetness of your hot chocolate, you can reduce intensity or add volume.
You can also make a less hot cuppa if you want to down it quickly before you leave home or set the highest temperature if you want to nurse it over a movie.
Once you find the set your preferred configurations, there’s no need to set them every time you make coffee. Just save them to one of the four profiles and then select it every time you make coffee.
If other family members prefer a different style of coffee, they can also set up their own styles.
The water tank is quite large with a 1.3L capacity. Everyone can quickly brew a cup of coffee before you need to refill.
The machine will automatically rinse itself between cups to remove any residue of the previous drink.
The cup stand is adjustable, which allows you to fit all cup sizes from an espresso glass to a coffee mug.
Overall, My Way is a highly practical innovative coffee pod machine that’s well worth the money.
What I like about it:
- Personalised beverages.
- Large water tank.
- Fast heating technology eliminates delays.
- Adjustable drip tray to accommodate different cup sizes.
2. Best Style: Bosch Tassimo Happy Coffee Machine
Looking for something with a bit more style?
Tassimo Happy coffee machines come in a wide range of bright and trendy colours that will stand out on your kitchen counter.
Colour options include black, cream, purple + white, red + black and red + white.
The design of the machine itself is not that unique or crazy like some Dolce Gusto machines. It looks fairly similar to other Tassimo models in form and shape.
Beyond aesthetics, the Happy range boats some of the best features the Tassimo line is known for.
These include Intellibrew technology to take the guesswork out of making coffee, an adjustable coffee stand to fit different cup sizes and easy one-button operation.
You don’t get quite the same level control as with the My Way. You’ll mostly have to go with whatever recipe the machine decodes from the barcode on the capsules.
Customers say the espresso is dark and rich and the milk frothy and foamy. Of course, the actual quality of your brew depends on which capsule brands you buy.
Size-wise, the Happy Tassimo machine is fairly compact though this comes at the expense of tank size.
But it’s adequate or individuals and 2-3 person families.
What I like about it:
- Stylish with multiple colour options.
- Easy to use.
- Fast heating technology.
- Compact space-saving design.
3. Best Budget Tassimo Machine: Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2
The Vivy 2 is the most popular Tassimo machine and it’s easy to see why. It’s the cheapest Tassimo but still makes high quality coffee.
It’s a bit lacking in terms of features compared to My Way but it has everything you need to make a good cup of coffee…or chocolate or tea.
It balances nicely between convenient automatic operation and a manual mode that gives you a bit more control.
If you want a quick cup of coffee, just pop the T-disc into the pod holder and the machine will automatically dispense the perfect cuppa.
If you want to adjust how much water the machine dispenses – and this the intensity of the coffee – simply press and hold the main button to go into manual mode.
The machine will keep dispensing coffee until you release the button.
Five LED indicators on the control panel let you know the current status of the machine: automatic mode, manual mode, standby, tank refill and descaling.
In addition to being the most affordable Tassimo machine, Vivy 2 is also one of the smallest. It measures just 17cm wide 31cm deep and 25cm high.
It’s perfect for small spaces.
What I like about it:
- Compact design.
- Affordable.
- Manual and automatic modes.
- Descaling alert prevents build-up of damaging scale.
4. Best for Families: Bosch Tassimo Caddy
Caddy’s generous 1.2L tank makes it a great choice for families. Everyone can get a cup of coffee before you need to refill the tank.
Another convenient features families (and individuals) will love is the attached pod holder.
Instead of rummaging through the drawer looking for a specific capsule or dumping all the capsules on the counter, you can store them neatly in the pod holder. It holds up to 16 T-discs.
This not only makes for a neater countertop, it also makes it much easier to find the capsules you need for your coffee.
This is especially helpful for families. Everyone knows where to find the pods.
If you have a separate pod holder or don’t need the attached holder, you can detach it from the coffee machine.
The pod caddy and the larger tank do add to the price, making Tassimo Caddy just as pricey as My Way.
The machine itself is easy to use with a single button to control everything. Once you put the T-disc in the machine, it does all the rest.
If you’d like more control over the quantity and strength of coffee, you can activate manual mode by pressing and holding the button.
What I like about it:
- Pod holder keeps everything neat and within easy reach.
- Large capacity tank.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Automatic and manual modes.
5. Best Tassimo Machine For Those In a Hurry: Bosch Tassimo Suny
If most mornings find you rushing trying to get out of the house on time, Suny is the most convenient Tassimo coffee machine.
It has what the manufacturer calls a smart start button.
Once you’ve filled the tank and inserted the T-disc the machine is ready to start. To get coffee flowing, press against the start button with your cup as you place it on the drip tray.
There’s really no effort involved. Just a slight bump against the front of the machine and it begins to dispense coffee.
The obvious downside of this convenience is the lack of control.
The Tassimo Suny has a 0.8L tank: not the biggest but large enough for 2-3 cups of coffee before you need to refill it.
It starts up quickly with barely any delays thanks to the fast heating system that heats only the water you need.
For maintenance, Suny comes with a cleaning T-disc. Pop it in and it will instruct the machine to run a cleaning cycle.
Overall, the Tassimo Suny is perfect for those who are looking for a convenient, easy to use and affordable Tassimo coffee machine.
What I like about it:
- Available in multiple colour options – red, black, white and blue.
- Super easy to use and maintain.
- Adjustable drip tray accommodates different cup sizes.
- Fast heating technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tassimo machines any good?
Tassimo machines are very good. They use a combination of water speed and pressure to produce a strong brew of whatever beverage you are making be it coffee, tea or chocolate.
You can find a wide range of Tassimo pods, or T-Discs, for a wide variety of beverages.
How many times can you use a Tassimo pod?
All Tassimo pods are designed for one-time use. If you try to use the pod again, all you’ll get is weak tea or coffee.
You can find some reusable Tassimo pods online with a compatible barcode. These pods require a refill everytime you make fresh tea or coffee. They are not as convenient as the official T-Discs. But they are great if you are concerned about environmental pollution.
How do you descale your Tassimo machine?
When the red calc light appears on your Tassimo machine, it means you need to descale it.
Remove the water tank and fill it with water. Add two descaling tablets to the water and let them disperse. Put the water tank back on the machine.
Open the brew head and place the yellow service disc where you’d normally place a regular pod. Close head and press the start button for five seconds to start the automatic descaling program. The program lasts about 30 minutes.
Where you’d normally place a cup, put a container that has a capacity of at least 500ml.
After the program is done, pour out the descaling solution and put the container back under the outlet. Remove the water tank from the machine and rinse it. Refill it with water and put it back into the machine.
Press the start button to run a quick cleaning cycle. After it’s done, empty the container and put it back under the outlet, rinse the water tank and refill it again for yet another quick cleaning cycle. Do this three more times to ensure the Tassimo machine is completely descaled and clean.
Once you are done, remove the yellow disc and make your beverages as usual.
