Krups Dolce Gusto KP170140 Single Serve Machine - Review 🏆

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP170140 Infinissima is a single serve coffee machine that uses proprietary coffee pods to brew a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks. It's an entry-level model in the Krups Dolce Gusto line, designed to deliver cafe-style beverages conveniently at home.

This compact machine features an ultra-slim profile that won't take up much space on your kitchen counter. It can make coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, chai tea latte, and more using Nescafe's wide range of Dolce Gusto pods. With a maximum 15 bar pump pressure and intelligent extraction system, the Infinissima aims to draw the optimal flavor from each pod.

The Infinissima has a 0.8 liter removable water tank, adjustable drip tray height, and automatic shut off after 5 minutes of inactivity. It comes in a sleek black housing with red accents. We'll take a deeper look at how this budget-friendly single serve coffee maker performs across a variety of criteria.

Design and Build Quality

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP170140 has an attractive and compact design made primarily of plastic materials. Despite the plastic construction, the machine feels solidly built and the materials appear durable enough for regular use.

The shell is made from black plastic with some silver accents, giving it a nice modern look that would fit well in most kitchens. The water reservoir at the back is also plastic but removable for easy filling and cleaning.

While nearly all plastic, the machine doesn't look or feel overly cheap. The plastics have a smooth matte texture that resists fingerprints. The moving parts like the lid and capsule inserter have a sturdier build and slide smoothly without wobbling.

At just 12 cm wide, the KP170140 has a very small footprint. This slim profile allows it to fit neatly on most countertops or in tight spaces without taking up much room. The short stature also gives it a cute, almost toy-like appearance.

Overall, the Dolce Gusto KP170140 features a well-designed plastic body that balances visual appeal and functionality. While not made from premium metals, the plastics feel solid enough for daily use. The compact size is a major plus for small kitchens.

The PHILIPS LM9012/60 is another popular single serve coffee maker with a compact design. It has a similar plastic construction but with rounded edges for a softer look. The water tank is integrated into the body rather than removable. It comes in black, white or red color options to fit different kitchen aesthetics.

Though also made of plastic, the Philips machine has a slightly more premium appearance thanks to the glossy finishes. Fingerprints do tend to show up more easily however. The construction feels sturdy with no flimsy parts. Overall it gives the impression of being a quality appliance.

With dimensions of 15.2 x 32.5 x 22.8 cm, the Philips LM9012/60 is taller but takes up about the same amount of space as the Dolce Gusto model. It's still compact enough for small countertops without dominating the space. The taller shape does mean it holds more water in the fixed tank however.

The shape is a bit boxy but still modern and stylish enough to suit contemporary kitchen designs. While the Dolce Gusto aims for cute and fun, the Philips has a more refined upscale look. Either single serve coffee maker would enhance a kitchen with their smart designs.

When it comes to build quality, the Philips LM9012/60 single serve coffeemaker is comparable to the Krups Dolce Gusto model. They both utilize plastic construction but finished in a way that looks and feels durable. The Philips does offer more premium styling with its glossy body and rounded shape. But the Dolce Gusto's compact size and fun colors have their own appeal.

Coffee Capsule System

The Krups Dolce Gusto Infinissima uses Nescafe's proprietary coffee capsule system. The capsules, called pods, come in a wide variety of coffee styles and flavors including espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, chai tea latte, hot chocolate, and more.

The pods are easy to insert into the machine's capsule holder. Simply lift the lever, pop the pod in, and close the lever to pierce the pod and start the brewing process. The pods are hermetically sealed for freshness and designed for one-time use only. Once brewed, the spent pod is automatically ejected into the removable drip tray for easy disposal.

The pod system makes it quick and convenient to brew a cup of coffee or specialty drink. With over 30 varieties available, you can enjoy a wide range of beverages from the comfort of home. The pods are widely available in grocery stores and online. The only downside is the pods can generate more waste compared to using ground coffee, so recycling the pods is recommended.

Overall, the Nescafe capsule system is simple to operate and allows you to brew a consistent, high-quality cup of coffee with minimal effort. The extensive pod selection gives you plenty of options to satisfy any taste or craving.

While the Nescafe system offers convenience and variety, some people prefer a different single-serve coffee maker like the Bosch TASSIMO TAS1106GB. This machine brews drinks using Tassimo T-Discs instead of Nescafe pods. The T-Discs provide a wide range of branded beverages from Starbucks, Twinings, and more. An intelligent barcode reading system customizes the brewing time and temperature for each T-Disc.

The Bosch TASSIMO TAS1106GB has a sleek, compact design with a 0.7 liter removable water tank. It can make coffee, tea, hot chocolate, specialty drinks and more at the touch of a button. The flow heater technology only heats water when needed to help save energy. An adjustable stand fits mugs up to 0.4 liters tall.

Users praise the TASSIMO for consistently delivering delicious drinks with crema-style froth. The variety of T-Discs covers all tastes and dietary needs. The machine is fast and quiet with minimal drips or splashes. The automatic cleaning cycle helps keep maintenance simple.

However, some downsides are the T-Discs can be harder to find and cost more compared to Nescafe pods. Only branded beverages are available, limiting customization. And T-Discs generate single-use plastic waste like pods. Despite some drawbacks, the Bosch TASSIMO offers an easy to use single cup brewing experience with plenty of drink choices.

When choosing between Nescafe's Dolce Gusto system and Bosch's TASSIMO, consider your beverage preferences, price, availability, waste, and ease of use. Both capsule coffee makers provide delicious drinks with minimal fuss. The variety of branded pods or T-Discs gives lots of options for enjoying coffee house style beverages at home. The convenience and consistency of single-serve machines makes them a popular choice for coffee and tea drinkers.

Beverage Quality

The Krups Dolce Gusto Infinissima coffee machine produces high quality beverages with excellent taste, aroma, temperature and crema.

The machine is able to extract the full flavor from the coffee capsules, resulting in a rich tasting coffee with intense aroma. The crema produced is thick and creamy with a smooth texture.

The temperature of the coffee is ideal - hot but not scalding. The Infinissima maintains the optimal brewing temperature around 90°C to bring out the best flavor characteristics in the coffee.

For milk based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, the machine also heats the milk to the right temperature and texture. The frothed milk is light, creamy and smooth without any burnt or scalded flavors.

Overall, the beverage quality from the Dolce Gusto Infinissima is comparable to high-end coffee shops. The machine consistently delivers delicious coffee, espresso and specialty drinks with balanced flavors and aromas.

Ease of Use

The Krups Nescafé Dolce Gusto KP170140 Infinissima is very easy to use and operate on a daily basis. The controls consist of an on/off switch and two beverage size buttons for short or long drinks. Making a coffee is as simple as inserting a pod, closing the lever, selecting your size, and pressing the start button. The water tank is easy to access and refill from the back of the machine.

Cleaning and maintenance are also straightforward. The drip tray slides out from the front to empty and rinse after use. The machine alerts you when it needs descaling, and this process is guided by LED indicator lights. Overall, the Infinissima requires minimal effort to brew great coffee day after day. Its simple controls and maintenance make it an accessible single-serve coffee maker for any household.

Special Features

The Krups Dolce Gusto Infinissima has several useful special features that enhance the coffee making experience.

Auto-Off

The auto-off function automatically turns the machine off after 5 minutes of inactivity. This helps save energy and prevents the machine from overheating if left on. The auto-off can be temporarily disabled by holding down the power button for 3 seconds when switching the machine on.

Adjustable Cup Size

You can customize the cup size for each drink by pressing the cup size selector button on top of the machine. Choose from extra small (30ml), small (60ml), medium (90ml), and large (120ml). This allows you to brew the perfect amount of coffee or tea for your cup size.

Rapid Heating

The Infinissima only takes 45 seconds to heat up before it's ready to brew your beverage. This rapid heating reduces waiting time so you can enjoy your coffee faster. The thermoblock heating system helps maintain the optimal temperature throughout the brewing process.

Noise Level

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP170140 Infinissima is reasonably quiet during operation. There is some noise when the water is being pumped through the system and during the brewing process, but it is not overly loud or disruptive.

Some user reviews mention that the Infinissima is quieter than previous Dolce Gusto models. The brewing noise is comparable to other single-serve pod coffee makers on the market. It would not be recommended to use first thing in the morning if you have housemates or family members who are still asleep, as the noise could potentially disturb them. But for most users brewing coffee during daytime hours, the noise level is perfectly acceptable and not an issue.

Overall, the Infinissima noise level during coffee preparation is about average and typical for a single-serve pod coffee machine. While not silent, it should not be overly disruptive to use this machine in a home or office environment. The noise is comparable to other popular pod coffee makers.

Value for Money

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP170140 offers decent value for money as an affordable single-serve coffee machine.

• The machine itself retails for around £50-60, which is very reasonable for a pod coffee maker with these features. Many comparable single-serve coffee makers cost £100 or more.

• It comes with a 1 year warranty, standard for most small kitchen appliances in this price range.

• The proprietary coffee pods needed for the Dolce Gusto do drive up the ongoing costs. The pods cost around 30-40 pence each, which is similar to other single-serve systems like Nespresso. This works out to a higher cost per cup than ground coffee, but is competitive among pod coffee makers.

• Given the convenience of single-serve pods and the specialty coffeehouse-style drinks the Dolce Gusto can produce, the slightly higher per cup cost may be worthwhile for consumers wanting an affordable at-home solution for espresso and coffeehouse beverages.

Overall, while the capsule pods add to the total cost over time, the initial investment for the Krups Dolce Gusto machine itself is very reasonable. The convenience and quality of the system make it a cost-effective single-serve coffee option.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP170140 Infinissima has several notable pros and cons:

Advantages

• Compact, sleek design takes up minimal counter space
• Simple to use with one-touch operation and automatic shut off
• Makes both hot and cold drinks with 15 bar high-pressure pump
• Wide variety of coffee capsules available from Nescafe Dolce Gusto
• Beverages have a smooth, restaurant-quality taste
• Easy to clean with removable, dishwasher-safe parts
• Quiet operation compared to other single-serve machines

Disadvantages

• More expensive than basic single-serve coffee makers
• Only makes one drink size and cannot customize coffee strength
• Coffee capsules are more costly than ground coffee
• Machine may need descaling treatments over time
• Plastic construction feels less sturdy or durable than metal models
• Lack of advanced features like milk frother or scheduling

Conclusion

The Nescafé Dolce Gusto KP170140 Infinissima is a quality single serve coffee machine that produces a wide variety of hot and cold coffee drinks. It has an attractive, sleek design that looks great in any kitchen. The capsule system is very convenient while still delivering excellent beverage quality. It's easy to use with intuitive controls. The machine is relatively quiet and doesn't disturb others.

Overall, the Dolce Gusto Infinissima represents good value for money. It's a bit more expensive than some competitors, but you get what you pay for in terms of build quality, features, and drink quality. The only downsides are the reliance on branded capsules and slightly higher operating costs compared to ground coffee machines. However, for coffee lovers who want delicious drinks with minimal fuss, the Infinissima is highly recommended.

The Infinissima delivers the convenience of single serve pods with the quality of a cafe-style machine. For anyone seeking an affordable super-automatic coffee experience at home, the Infinissima is a great choice worth considering.