Tassimo Machine Review: A Better Coffee Pod Brewing System?

We all have those mornings so hectic we can’t help but benefit from the convenience of a quick one-touch brew. Even with no time to spare, you need to make time for your morning caffeine kick. 

You’ve likely heard of the big names in single-serve coffee pod machines, notably Keurig and Nespresso. What if there’s a better coffee pod brewing system for you? Read on for our Bosch T20 Tassimo machine review.

Summary: The Bosch Tassimo Coffee Machine

• Pod-based coffee maker brews various coffees and beverages
  
• Self-cleaning and descaling
  
• Automatic sleep mode

I recently purchased this machine, and I super love it! It’s cute and not too big . . . It brews very fast as well. I highly recommend this machine to everyone.

– Customer

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The Bosch Tassimo Coffee Maker Review

Tassimo is a French company founded in 2004, and its popular pod coffee machines are now sold worldwide. The Tassimo brand focuses on the proprietary T DISC coffee pods and contracts more experience manufacturers to produce the coffee machines. Since 2008, Tassimo machines have been manufactured by Bosch.

Tassimo Machine Review

• Coffee Flavor
• Coffee Variety
• Custom Brewing Features
• ‘Make Life Easy’ Features
• Water Reservoir

4.2

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Coffee Flavor – 4/5

Tassimo machines yield quality coffees, americanos, espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites. Every drink pod has a scannable barcode to which the machine adjusts its internal settings to brew. There are T DISCS with real milk to compliment your coffee or espresso pods, so you won’t need a milk frother or steam wand. You don’t even need to refrigerate the milk pods.

A pod coffee brewer can’t match freshly prepared coffee in flavor, but the Tassimo Coffee Maker is better than average. The scannable barcode system means you’re always getting the optimal brewing parameters for your beans.

I tested plain coffee, espresso, and milk-based drinks. The coffee and espresso were excellent, sweet and flavorful with no bitterness. The cappuccino and latte were tasty, but if you’re expecting a cafe-quality drink, you’re going to be disappointed. The texture doesn’t compare to milk frothed properly with a steam wand.

Coffee Variety – 4.5/5

Some notable brands you may recognize that make compatible Tassimo pods include HAG, Kenco, L’OR, and Marcilla. One of the biggest bestsellers is Kenco Americano Grande, with 16 servings of extra-large cups full of aromatic black coffee goodness.

What Pods Can You Use In A Tassimo Machine?

You can only use T DISCS as the official coffee pods in Tassimo machines. T DISCS are made by Tassimo and designed to only be compatible with coffee machines from Tassimo. 

T DISCS are incompatible with other coffee machines, nor should you reuse them. However, you can buy refillable T DISC pods as a more environmentally friendly option.

It is not advised to reuse a T DISC as this process is time-consuming, messy when replacing the tin foil lid, causes damage to the machine, and may harm whoever drinks from it, especially if you use small rubber plugs to fill the used T DISC’s holes (1).

Can You Recycle T DISCS?

Yes, you can recycle T DISCS. Register for Kerbside to then leave your used pods outside in special Podback Kerbside recycling bags or drop the used pods off at your nearest Collect+ store (2).

Custom Brewing Features – 4/5

The T20 Tassimo coffee maker has a water filtration system to prolong its lifespan and improve drink taste by minimizing the buildup of limescale and chlorine. This coffee machine even has a self-cleaning steam purge after each use.

There is only one button to operate this coffee machine. When you see a green light, the heat-up process is complete, and you’re ready to brew. Pause the brew anytime with a button press or hold it to add hot water. Let the machine hiss to finish up its pressurization process before opening up the brew head.

The hot water feature means you can make French Press coffee by filling a cleaning T DISC with your fresh coffee grounds. You can also use hot water for tea and hot chocolate.

	Reviewed Item
Manufacturer	Bosch	Keurig	Keurig	Nespresso
Model	Tassimo	K Classic	K-Cafe	Pixie
Product category	Pod machine	Pod machine	Pod machine	Pod machine
Housing material	Plastic	Plastic	Plastic	Plastic
Color options	Black	Multiple Colors Available	Dark Charcoal	Aluminum
Carafe	/	/	/	/
Keep warm function	No	No	No	Yes
Milk frother	No	No	Yes	No
User interface	Buttons	Buttons	Buttons	Buttons
Water tank size	50 fl oz	48 fl oz	60 fl oz	24 fl oz
Number of cups	4	4	6	2
Reusable coffee filter	No	Yes	Yes	No
Brews with	T-Discs	K cup, My K cup reusable	K cups, My K-cup reusable	Nespresso capsules
Brew styles	5	1	3	2
Coffee strength adjustment levels	Yes	Yes	No	No
Programmable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Dimensions	7.83 x 11.73 x 10.94 inches	13.0 x 9.8 x 13.3 inches	14.17 x 17.32 x 14.41 inches	4.4 x 12.8 x 9.3 inches
Customer review	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5
Warranty	n/a	1 year	1 years	2 years
SCA certified home brewer	No	No	No	No
Price	$160.00	$109.00	$161.84	$249.99
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‘Make Life Easy’ Features – 4.5/5

Tassimo offers a very user-friendly brewing experience. Virtually everything about this coffee machine is automated. 

• It automatically goes to sleep mode when it is inactive.
• It has an on-demand heating element for low energy consumption. 
• It has fairly automatic cleaning and descaling processes.
• Its noise reduction provides a meditative atmosphere for your morning brew.

Each coffee is made perfectly based on the scannable barcode on each pod. You don’t have to figure out the specific pressure, timing, temperature, water ratio, or other details. All you have to do is push a button. If only it automated brews at scheduled times.

Got tiny espresso cups or larger tumbler mugs? Adjust or remove the cup stand to fit them. 

How To Clean Tassimo Machine

To clean your Tassimo machines, wipe down all exterior surfaces with a soft cloth once a week after use. Discard any spilled coffee, and don’t neglect cleaning the internal barcode reader. 

You should unplug your machine every month and insert the Service T DISC into it. Put a mug under the spout and fill the tank with water before pressing start. It only takes 2 to 3 minutes and is far easier to clean and descale than any coffee machine involving a vinegar solution (3).

How To Descale Tassimo Machine

You’ll need two Tassimo descaling tablets and a Service T DISC to descale your Tassimo coffee machine. Fill the water tank and dissolve the tablets fully into it. Pop the Service T DISC in, set the mug in place, and hold the power button for 5 seconds. After half an hour, rerun the machine with a tank full of clean water. Press the button briefly for the cleaning cycle. Do this process 3 to 4 times.

How Long Does A Tassimo Machine Last?

Most customers report that their Tassimo machines last anywhere from 2 to 5 years. Tassimo machines tend to last about 3 years if they are used regularly.

Water Reservoir – 4/5

The T20 Bosch Tassimo machine has a plastic water tank with a capacity of 50 ounces, equivalent to 10 cups of coffee. It is removable, making it easy to refill even if a sink isn’t nearby.

Do Not Buy The Tassimo Coffee Machine If…

• You want K-Cups – As wide-ranging as Tassimo DISCS are, Keurig has hundreds of varieties and dozens of partnerships with beloved coffee companies known globally. A Keurig like the Keurig K Classic or a K-Cup-compatible good pod coffee maker like the Chulux may be more to your liking.

• You’re an espresso enthusiast – Nespresso is highly rated for its stellar collection of espresso makers. The Nespresso Original Line has seven different models, including the always-popular Nespresso Pixie coffee machine. Alternatively, consider a super-automatic espresso machine, which is easy to operate as a pod machine and brew with freshly ground coffee.

The Verdict

There’s more to the single-serve coffee pod life than just the go-tos. The Bosch T20 Tassimo coffee maker brews coffees, espressos, teas, and more using recyclable Tassimos DISCS. It takes care of all the essentials, including cleaning, descaling, and the brewing process. Plus, it saves energy with its automatic sleep mode. Your life will be easier with great-tasting Tassimo brews.

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