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Lavazza recently launched the Tablì, a single-serve coffee maker designed to address two common concerns with pod machines: single-use waste and brewing coffee in plastic or aluminum capsules. Instead of traditional pods, the Tablì brews espresso from compressed coffee tabs.
As a contributing writer and analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, I’ve been testing coffee and espresso machines for more than six years. I’ve tried my fair share of single-serve coffee makers, from Keurigs to Nespresso machines, so I was curious to see how this unique coffee machine compared to others I’ve tested.
What is the Lavazza Tablì and how does it work?
The Tablì is a single-serve coffee maker that can brew three drinks: espresso, lungo, and double espresso. Rather than using a traditional plastic capsule, it brews from a compressed coffee puck (more on that later).
When I tested this machine in the Lab, I found the machine incredibly straightforward to use. Just fill the water tank, insert a coffee tab, and press a button to select your drink.
After brewing, the puck automatically drops into a compartment, so you don’t have to remove it each time. Just empty the compartment when it’s full, similar to how you would with an automatic espresso machine. If you’ve used a Keurig or Nespresso before, there’s virtually no learning curve.
What I thought of the Lavazza Tablì
Out of the hundreds of coffee and espresso machines I’ve tested, this one really stands out for its compressed coffee tabs. Unlike plastic capsules, the tabs have no plastic casing, so the machine brews directly through the coffee, which is a big plus if you’re trying to cut down on single-use plastic. You get the speed and portioned convenience of a capsule machine without brewing from a traditional plastic pod.
You can choose from several espresso tab options, including Espresso (light roast), Super Crema (medium roast), Espresso Lungo, Decaf, Espresso Double, and a variety pack if you want to try an assortment.
Just know that you won’t get as many coffee options as you would with Nespresso or Keurig, and at about $48 for 48 tabs, it costs more per cup than some other single-serve options.
Now, if you’re like me and wondering if there’s anything else in the tab to hold it together, I reached out to Lavazza to find out. According to Lavazza, the tab is made from 100% coffee and nothing else. There’s no plastic capsule, binder, or coating, just compressed coffee.
I tried several of Lavazza’s roasts. I’m usually a medium-roast person, but I found all of these brewed a little darker than their names let on. Even the medium roast tasted more medium-dark to me.
The light roast ended up being my favorite. It had some nice fruity notes, but still tasted closer to the medium-roast espresso I usually reach for. The medium roast, on the other hand, tasted more like a dark roast to me, while the dark roast double espresso was even more intense, with a slightly peppery finish. Overall, the coffee reminded me of Nespresso, with a bold, full flavor and a thin layer of crema on top.
The bottom line: Is the Lavazza Tablì worth it?
The Lavazza Tablì is incredibly easy to operate, and its compressed tabs offer a great alternative to traditional plastic coffee pods. If cutting back on traditional plastic capsules is your top priority and you want espresso at the push of a button, I think the Tablì is worth buying.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Ueda has tested and reviewed dozens of coffee and espresso makers and covers all things coffee for Good Housekeeping. She has completed rigorous Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) courses in coffee brewing, barista skills, and sensory tasting. She also regularly puts her expertise to work as a judge for the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Awards.
Nicole Papantoniou is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she oversees all content and testing relating to kitchen and cooking appliances, including espresso makers. Over the years, she’s tested a wide range of espresso makers and continues to put them to the test in her daily routine.
More for coffee lovers
- Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers
- Best Espresso Machines
- Best Coffee and Espresso Makers
- Best Nespresso Machines
- Best Dual Coffee Makers
- Best Drip Coffee Maker
Nicole (she/her) is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She oversees all content and testing related to kitchen products, food, and recipes. She has worked at GH since 2019, and is a trained cook, published recipe developer, and seasoned product tester with nearly 15 years of experience. She has worked in test kitchens for national magazines and kitchen appliances brands, where she also helped develop products for the home cook. She earned a degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz, graduated with a Grand Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and studied culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute (both now part of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.)
