Lavazza’s Tablì takes a different approach to pod coffee: instead of plastic or aluminum capsules, it brews using Tabs made entirely of coffee. In a review published by Tom’s Guide, the machine was praised for its easy operation and espresso that the reviewer found more enjoyable than coffee from other pod machines they had tested.
The Tablì is operated with four buttons for power, single shots, double shots and longer drinks. To make coffee, users lift the top, insert a Tab and press a button. Indicator lights show when the water tank needs refilling, the used-grounds drawer needs emptying or the machine needs cleaning. The machine also has an app, but the reviewer found it unnecessary for everyday use.
The reviewer reported that the coffee had a strong, rounded flavor without noticeable bitterness, although its crema was described as unusually airy. Five varieties were available at the time of the review: espresso intenso, qualita rossa, qualita oro, ristretto and decaf. The reviewer’s favorite was qualita oro, but said the range was limited compared with Nespresso’s broader selection.
In the U.S., the machine alone was listed at $129 on Amazon, while a bundle with a milk frother cost $199. The review also listed U.K. prices of £199 for the machine at John Lewis and £278 for the machine and frother. Tabs were estimated to cost about $1 each, broadly in line with the pod prices cited for competing machines.
The Tabs contain no plastic casing or aluminum wrapping and can be put in food waste or home compost, according to the review. The machine’s drawbacks include its compatibility only with Lavazza Tabs and the limited clearance beneath the spout, which means standard-sized mugs will not fit. At 15 inches deep and 13 inches tall, it also takes up more space than the Nespresso CitiZ, cited in the review as measuring 11 by 12 inches.
Tom’s Guide concluded that the Tablì offers an accessible way to make espresso-style coffee at home, particularly for people who want a simple pod machine. Its assessment was based on more than a week of testing; the reviewer also said they would like Lavazza to expand the selection of Tabs over time.
Sources: Tom's Guide.