Bosch Tassimo TAS16B2GB Single Serve Machine - Review 🏆

The Bosch Tassimo TAS16B2GB is a single serve coffee machine that utilizes patented bar code technology to brew customizable drinks at the touch of a button. This compact and user-friendly machine offers a wide range of beverage options beyond just coffee, allowing you to enjoy everything from hot chocolate to chai tea lattes.

Some of the key features of the Bosch Tassimo include:

• Bar code brewing - each Tassimo pod has a unique bar code that communicates with the machine to adjust the brew settings. This ensures the perfect drink is produced every time.

• INTELLIBREWTM technology - advanced intelligent brewing system to control brewing time, temperature and flow. Optimizes the brewing process for each individual drink.

• Compact design - slim profile takes up minimal counter space.

• Over 70 different hot drink options - choice of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more from brands like Costa and Twinings.

• Adjustable cup stand - accommodates different mug and cup sizes up to 177mm tall.

• Removable 35oz (1L) water tank - makes refilling easy.

• Auto shut-off - powers down automatically after 5 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy.

The Tassimo TAS16B2GB aims to provide an efficient, no-fuss single cup brewing experience with the touch of a button. Its intelligent technology, wide beverage selection, and simple interface makes it an appealing option for households looking for an easy to use single serve machine.

Design and Construction

The Bosch Tassimo TAS16B2GB has a sleek and compact design, making it a great fit for any kitchen. It has dimensions of 26 x 32 x 22 cm and weighs just 3.3 kg, so it doesn't take up much counter space.

The machine has a stylish glossy black finish with silver accents that give it a modern look. The exterior housing is made from durable plastic that cleans easily and resists scratches. Inside, the brewing unit has a stainless steel construction. The water tank has a 1.4 liter capacity and is removable for easy filling and cleaning. The drip tray can also be removed to accommodate taller travel mugs.

Overall, the Bosch Tassimo is thoughtfully designed with quality materials and a small footprint. The aesthetics allow it to seamlessly blend in with a variety of decors while taking up minimal space on the countertop.

The Tassimo brewing system uses barcode technology to provide the optimal brewing conditions for each drink. Simply insert a T-Disc, and the machine will read the barcode to adjust the water temperature, brew time, and amount of water for that particular beverage. This helps ensure consistent results each time.

In comparison, the Nespresso XN110840 is another popular single serve coffee maker known for its simplicity and speed. It has a compact footprint at only 11.1 x 8.3 x 12.8 inches but with a larger 34 ounce water reservoir. The XN110840 can brew espresso, coffee, and lungo beverages in under 30 seconds with 19 bars of pressure.

The XN110840 has a sleek rounded design with smooth contours. It comes in three colors: black, cherry red, and silver. The housing is made of durable plastic with metal and chrome accents. Used Nespresso capsules are ejected into an internal storage tank that holds up to 14 capsules before needing emptied.

Both the Bosch Tassimo and Nespresso machines offer single cup brewing convenience in a compact package. The Tassimo relies on barcode technology while the Nespresso uses a simple button interface. Each has pros and cons that come down to individual preference. But both deliver quick, fresh brewed drinks without the hassle of brewing a whole pot.

Brewing Technology

The Bosch Tassimo TAS462GB utilizes an innovative brewing technology called INTELLIBREW. This system relies on barcodes printed on the TASSIMO T-DISCs to provide the ideal brewing instructions for each individual beverage.

When a T-DISC is inserted into the machine, a barcode reader scans the barcode to identify the exact drink being brewed. The barcode contains detailed specifications about the required amount of water, optimal water temperature, and precise brew time needed to extract the best flavor from each T-DISC.

The brewing process starts by piercing the T-DISC with the Intellibrew's brewing unit. Hot water is then injected through the T-Disc at the ideal pressure. The interaction of the water with the ground coffee or tea in the T-Disc produces the brewed beverage.

Throughout this automated process, the Intellibrew system monitors the operation and adjusts water temperature, brew time, and water volume accordingly. This high-tech method allows the Tassimo to produce custom-brewed drinks on demand with consistent results every time.

The innovative T-Disc and Intellibrew technology are what sets the Bosch Tassimo apart, allowing it to deliver café-style beverages with ease. By reading the barcode on each T-Disc, the machine can intelligently adjust its brewing parameters to make coffees, teas, cocoas and more to perfection.

While the Bosch Tassimo offers excellent single-serve brewing technology, there are other great options on the market as well. One top competitor is the De'Longhi Genio S Plus. This single-serve coffee maker also uses an advanced bar code reading system to optimize the brew for each pod.

The De'Longhi Genio S Plus has a compact design with a height-adjustable drip tray to accommodate larger travel mugs. It can brew coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, tea, and hot chocolate. The machine automatically ejects used capsules into an internal storage container that holds up to 14 pods before needing emptied.

When it comes to temperature, the Genio S Plus heats water between 190-194°F for optimal coffee extraction. The 19 bar pressure pump allows it to produce barista-quality drinks. Users can adjust the strength and volume for a customized beverage.

The De'Longhi Genio S Plus comes with a welcome set that includes a variety pack of 10 coffee capsules to sample. While pod options are more limited compared to the Tassimo, De'Longhi does partner with reputable coffee brands like Starbucks, Peets, and Illy to offer premium options.

Overall, the De'Longhi Genio S Plus is an excellent alternative to the Bosch Tassimo for someone wanting single-cup convenience and delicious drinks. It's compact, easy to use, and can produce everything from flavorful coffees to rich cappuccinos. The adjustable settings allow you to fine-tune the brew to suit your tastes.

Beverage Options

The Tassimo TAS16B2GB offers a wide variety of beverage options to suit any taste, thanks to Tassimo's partnerships with leading brands. You can brew coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and more with Tassimo T-DISCs designed for this machine.

Choose from espresso and regular coffee from brands like Kenco, Costa Coffee, and Jacobs. Tea drinkers can select from Twinings tea varieties including English Breakfast, Earl Grey, and green tea. For a cozy hot chocolate, options include Cadbury and Milkybar.

Tassimo also offers specialty beverages like Cadbury hot chocolate with marshmallows, Carte Noire latte macchiato, and Suchard hot chocolate. The machine is continually releasing new T-Discs so you can keep trying different drinks.

With its single-serve pod-style system, the Tassimo allows you to brew a wide range of drinks from leading brands, catering to each person's preference in your household.

Ease of Use

The Bosch Tassimo TAS16B2GB Tassimo Finesse machine is designed for straightforward operation and ease of use. The controls are simple and intuitive, with a central dial to select your drink and start the brewing process.

The display is clear and easy to read, allowing you to see what drink you have selected and monitor the brewing progress. Helpful indicators also let you know when you need to refill the water tank or empty the used pod container.

Day-to-day maintenance is hassle-free. The drip tray, water tank, and pod container are all removable for easy cleaning. The brewing unit can also be easily accessed to clean any interior parts. Descaling is recommended every 3-4 months to maintain optimal performance, which involves placing a descaling tablet in the water tank - the machine then guides you through an automated descaling process.

Overall, the Tassimo system is designed to provide a fuss-free coffee experience for the user. The streamlined controls, display, and maintenance make it simple to brew an authentic tasting coffee, tea or other beverage with minimal effort.

Performance

The Tassimo TAS16B2GB brews coffee, tea, and other beverages quickly and at the ideal temperature thanks to its advanced IntelliBrewTM technology. The barcode-reading feature allows the machine to automatically adjust brew settings for each Tassimo disc, ensuring the beverage is prepared perfectly every time.

Brew speed is fast, with a cup of coffee ready in under a minute. The flow of water is smooth and consistent, not weak and spluttering like some single-serve machines. The water is heated to the optimal temperature for that specific drink, so coffee comes out piping hot but specialty teas won't be scalded.

The IntelliBrew system also monitors the amount of water dispensed, the temperature, and the brew time. This high level of control results in impressive quality and consistency. Each cup tastes just as good as the last, with no unwanted variation in flavor. The water evenly saturates the T-Disc to extract the full depth and richness of the coffee, tea, or chocolate powder.

Overall, the TAS16B2GB delivers quick, customized brews at the right temp for outstanding beverage quality every time. The IntelliBrew technology allows it to rival the performance of much more expensive single-serve machines.

Additional Features

The Tassimo TAS162GB has several convenient additional features that enhance the user experience:

• Auto-Off Function: This machine will automatically turn itself off after a certain period of inactivity, helping to conserve energy. The auto-off timer can be adjusted to 5, 10, 20, or 30 minutes based on user preference.

• Standby Mode: When not in use, the Tassimo machine will go into a standby sleep mode to further save energy. It takes just seconds to heat back up and be ready for brewing again when standby mode is activated.

• 0.7L Water Tank: The water tank on this model holds 0.7 liters, so it does not need frequent refilling. This is a decent capacity water tank for a single serve machine. The tank has a handle for easy removal and filling under the faucet.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Brews coffee, tea, and hot chocolate from Tassimo's T-Discs, providing variety

• Single-serve design is fast and convenient

• Auto shut-off for safety

• Adjustable cup stand accommodates different cup sizes

• Ideal flow heater ensures ideal brewing temperatures

• Barcode reader customizes brewing for each T-Disc

• Compact footprint saves counter space

• Easy to operate with one-button interface

Cons

• Only works with Tassimo's proprietary T-Disc pods, limiting beverage options

• T-Discs can be more expensive than ground coffee or tea bags

• Small water tank may require frequent refilling

• Accumulates used T-Discs quickly due to single-serving model

• Frother has mixed reviews on milk steaming performance

• No configuration options to customize beverage strength or size

Comparable Models

When shopping for a single serve coffee maker, the Bosch Tassimo is just one option to consider. Here are some other popular single serve coffee machines to look at:

Keurig K-Mini - This single serve Keurig coffee maker is compact and budget-friendly. It brews coffee, tea, and hot cocoa in under 5 minutes and features a 6-12 oz brew size. The drip tray is adjustable to accommodate travel mugs. Simple button controls make it easy to use. Downsides are no water reservoir and limited beverage options.

Nespresso Vertuo - Nespresso's unique centrifugal brewing technology delivers barista-quality coffee. The Vertuo machine scans each capsule to customize settings based on the blend. Cup sizes range from 1.35-14 oz. The water tank is large and removable, and used capsules eject automatically. More expensive than other options.

Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker - This all-in-one machine brews single serve packs, full carafes, specialty beverages, and is compatible with K-cups. It has a fold-away frother, thermal carafe, and reusable filter basket. The interface can be confusing with many buttons and options.

DeLonghi Combination Coffee Espresso Maker - For those who want both drip coffee and espresso, this machine can do both. It has a 24 oz water tank, patented coffee/espresso extraction system, long drip coffee spout, and cup warming tray. The frother is manual and espresso shots can be inconsistent.

Conclusion

The Bosch Tassimo TAS16B2GB is a solid single serve coffee machine that offers convenience and variety for the average coffee drinker. Its compact and stylish design makes it an attractive addition to any kitchen counter. The T-Disc brewing technology reliably delivers quality beverages with the simple push of a button.

While the machine lacks advanced programming options, it excels at ease of use with its one-button operation and auto-cleaning cycle. The bar code reading feature takes the guesswork out of brewing a wide selection of coffee, tea and hot chocolate pods. Performance is speedy and consistent.

The pros of the Tassimo include its simplicity, versatility with T-Disc pods, quick brew time, and affordable price point. The cons are the proprietary pods, noise while brewing, and lack of brew temperature/strength control.

Overall, the Bosch Tassimo TAS16B2GB is a great choice for anyone looking for a fuss-free single cup brewer that can satisfy a range of beverage cravings. Its straightforward operation and variety of pod options make it a user-friendly machine for brewing tasty drinks at home. For those seeking more customization or quieter performance, other models may be better suited. But for an easy-to-use and economical single serve coffee maker, the Tassimo TAS16B2GB is a recommended option.