TechRadar Review: Lavazza Tabli Coffee Tablet System Delivers Capsule-Free Espresso with Superior Taste

The main appeal of the Tabli system is its minimal packaging. Each compressed coffee tab provides exactly the right amount of coffee for a single serving, eliminating the need for weighing or cleaning up loose grounds. The used tabs are collected in a bin inside the machine, and there is no metal or plastic pod to recycle or send to landfill. TechRadar's reviewer praised the taste, stating that the Tabli produces a better-tasting brew than any coffee capsule tried, and described the system as extremely simple to use.

In the UK, a box of 12 tabs costs £5.89, or about 49p per drink. A multipack of eight boxes is priced at £40, bringing the cost down to 42p per drink. In the US, a four-pack of boxes costs $48, or $1 per drink. By comparison, Nespresso Vertuo capsules cost between $1.40 and $1.60 each. The reviewer gave the Tabli a value score of 4.5 out of 5, noting that while the machine is not the cheapest single-serve coffee maker, it saves money on coffee in the long term.

The Tabli machine has a sleek, modern design and is available in graphite black, sand white, and walnut brown. The top panel features four buttons—power, single shot, double shot, and lungo—and slides back to reveal a chamber where the coffee tab is placed. Warning lights alert users if the used tab bin needs emptying, the water tank needs filling, or the machine needs descaling. The water reservoir holds 1.2 liters, and the machine operates at 15 bar pressure. It connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, allowing customization and remote brewing. However, the reviewer found that Google Home connectivity did not work during tests, so users should not count on starting a brew through a smart speaker.

The review noted that Keurig recently announced it would phase out its K-Cup in favor of compressed coffee tablets, but Lavazza had debuted its Tabli system months earlier. The reviewer described the Tabli as an excellent product and said the combination of ease of use and flavor are what really count. The Tabli system is not yet available in Australia.