Are Tassimo Coffee Makers Still Made?
Yes, Tassimo coffee makers are still in production. The brand, owned by JDE (Jacobs Douwe Egberts), continues to manufacture and sell new machines, primarily in Europe and Canada. However, the situation in the US market is different: Tassimo exited the US retail market in 2019, which means finding a new machine or T-Discs stateside requires importing or using third-party sellers.
If you’re in the US and considering a Tassimo, your decision hinges on one key factor: your willingness to manage a supply chain that isn’t officially supported locally. If you’re in Europe or Canada, the answer is straightforward — machines and discs are widely available. For US owners, the calculus changes based on whether you already own a machine or are looking to buy one new.
The US Market Exit: What It Means for Your Next Move
Tassimo’s parent company, JDE, discontinued US sales of both machines and T-Discs in 2019. The brand wasn’t discontinued globally — it remains a major player in the UK, Germany, France, and Canada. The US withdrawal was a business decision, not a product failure. Tassimo faced stiff competition from Keurig and Nespresso, and JDE chose to focus on its other brands (like Senseo) in North America.
What this means for US consumers:
- New machines: You can still buy them, but only through importers, Amazon third-party sellers, or international retailers that ship to the US. Expect to pay a premium for shipping and potential voltage conversion.
- T-Discs: The same import situation applies. You’ll need to source discs from UK or Canadian retailers, and shipping costs can make each cup noticeably more expensive.
- Warranty and support: US-based customer service is essentially nonexistent. If your machine breaks, you’re on your own or reliant on the seller’s import warranty.
What this means for Canadian and European consumers:
- Tassimo is fully supported. Machines are on shelves at major retailers, T-Discs are widely stocked, and customer service is available in your region.
- The current lineup includes models like the Tassimo Joy, Tassimo My Way, and Tassimo Vivy 2, with prices ranging from roughly $80 to $200 CAD (or €50–€150 in Europe).
The practical implication: If you live in the US, your decision to buy or keep a Tassimo is really a decision about logistics, not coffee quality. Before you commit, verify that you can reliably source T-Discs at a price you’re willing to pay. Order a single box from your intended supplier first — if that transaction is slow, expensive, or the discs arrive damaged, that’s your answer. Don’t buy the machine until the supply chain proves itself.
The Decision Criterion That Changes Everything
Here’s the trade-off that should drive your decision:
Choose Tassimo if you value the specific drink variety (especially branded beverages like Costa, Cadbury, and Starbucks) and you’re comfortable with import logistics. The Tassimo system uses barcode-scanning T-Discs that automatically set brew size and temperature for each drink. No other single-serve system offers the same breadth of licensed beverage brands — you can brew a proper hot chocolate, a latte, or a filter-style coffee from the same machine.
Skip Tassimo if you want hassle-free, locally supported ownership. If you live in the US and don’t want to deal with international shipping, longer delivery times, and no local warranty, a Keurig or Nespresso will serve you better. The convenience of walking into Target for pods outweighs the brand variety Tassimo offers.
If you already own a Tassimo in the US: Your machine still works. The question is whether you want to keep paying import prices for T-Discs. A box of 16 T-Discs from a Canadian retailer typically costs $8–$12 CAD, but shipping to the US adds $10–$20 depending on the seller. If you drink one cup daily, that’s roughly $0.60–$0.80 per cup after shipping — comparable to Keurig pods but with fewer local buying options.
The one mismatch to watch for: Tassimo machines sold in the UK and Europe run on 220–240V. If you buy one of those and plug it into a US 120V outlet without a step-down transformer, the machine won’t heat water properly — and in some cases, the heating element can fail within weeks. Canadian machines are the only safe import for US buyers because they use the same 120V standard and the same plug type. Always check the voltage rating on the machine’s label before purchasing.
How to Keep a Tassimo Running (or Get One Started)
Whether you’re a current owner or considering an import, here’s the practical operator flow:
Before You Buy (or Commit to Importing)
1. Check voltage compatibility. US and Canadian machines use 120V. UK and European machines use 220–240V. If you buy from a UK seller, you’ll need a step-down transformer, which adds cost and counter space. Canadian machines are the safest import for US buyers — same voltage, same plug type.
2. Verify T-Disc availability. Before buying a machine, order a sample box of T-Discs from your intended source and confirm they arrive in good condition. If the shipping experience is bad, don’t buy the machine.
3. Calculate per-cup cost with shipping. Don’t compare Tassimo’s disc price to Keurig’s pod price without adding shipping. A $10 box of discs becomes $25 after international shipping.
Early Checkpoints for New Owners
- First brew: Run a water-only cycle before your first drink. This flushes the system and confirms the pump is working.
- Barcode reader check: Place a T-Disc in the holder and close the lid. The machine should beep and start automatically. If it doesn’t, the barcode reader may be dirty — wipe the lens area with a dry cloth.
- Water hardness: Tassimo machines have a water filter cartridge. If you have hard water, install it before your first brew. The machine will prompt you to change it every 1–2 months depending on usage.
How to Confirm Your Machine Is Working Correctly
After the first few brews, run this verification: insert a fresh T-Disc, close the lid, and watch the barcode reader window. The machine should beep once when it reads the disc, then again when brewing starts. If the second beep doesn’t come within 10 seconds, the reader isn’t picking up the barcode. Try rotating the disc 180 degrees and reinserting it — if that doesn’t help, clean the reader lens with a dry microfiber cloth. A machine that consistently fails to read discs will brew with the wrong water volume and temperature, producing weak or burnt-tasting coffee.
Likely Causes of Common Issues
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Machine won’t brew | Descaling needed | Run the descaling cycle with Tassimo descaling solution |
| Brew is too weak | Barcode reader dirty or disc expired | Clean the reader; check disc date |
| Water leaks from base | Water tank not seated properly | Remove and reseat the tank |
| Machine beeps but no water flows | Air in the pump | Run a water-only cycle twice |
| Disc holder won’t close | Disc inserted upside down | Flip the disc and reinsert |
When to Stop and Escalate
If your machine leaks from the internal housing, makes grinding noises, or fails to heat water after descaling, stop troubleshooting. These are signs of pump or heating element failure. For US owners, repair costs will likely exceed the machine’s value — a replacement import is the more practical option. For Canadian or European owners, contact JDE customer support; they can arrange service or replacement under warranty.
Tassimo vs. The Alternatives: An Honest Comparison
If you’re weighing Tassimo against Keurig or Nespresso, here’s the practical breakdown:
Tassimo’s strengths:
- Branded drink variety: Costa lattes, Cadbury hot chocolate, and Starbucks coffees — all brewed with the correct settings automatically. Keurig can’t match this; you’re limited to K-Cup brands and manual strength settings.
- Barcode system: No guesswork. The machine reads the disc and sets brew time, temperature, and water volume. This is genuinely foolproof.
- Milk-based drinks: Tassimo’s latte and cappuccino discs include milk powder, so you get a decent approximation of a milk-based drink without a separate milk frother.
Tassimo’s weaknesses:
- US support gap: This is the dealbreaker for American buyers. No local discs, no local warranty, no local customer service.
- Limited coffee strength control: You can’t adjust brew strength on most models. The barcode dictates everything. If you like your coffee stronger than the disc specifies, you’re out of luck.
- Proprietary discs: Tassimo doesn’t allow third-party pods. You’re locked into T-Discs, which are more expensive than generic K-Cups.
A trade-off most reviews skip: Tassimo’s barcode system is great for consistency, but it’s also a constraint. With a Keurig, you can choose the 6-ounce or 10-ounce setting regardless of the pod. With Tassimo, the disc decides for you. If you prefer a stronger or weaker cup than the manufacturer’s setting, you’ll need to add hot water or brew a second disc — there’s no manual override on most models. This is the single biggest adjustment for people switching from Keurig.
If you value drink variety and don’t mind import logistics, Tassimo is a legitimate choice. If you value convenience, local support, and lower per-cup costs, Keurig is the safer bet. If you value espresso-style drinks and don’t mind a steeper learning curve, Nespresso’s OriginalLine is the better match.
What Current and Prospective Owners Should Do Now
For US owners: Your machine is still functional, but you’re managing a legacy product. Keep it if you enjoy the drink quality and don’t mind the import cost. If you’re buying new, understand that you’re committing to a supply chain that requires planning ahead — you can’t run to the grocery store for T-Discs.
For Canadian and European owners: Tassimo is a fully supported, mainstream option. The machines are reliable, the discs are easy to find, and the brand variety is genuinely unique. If you’re choosing between Tassimo and a competitor, let the drink selection guide you: Tassimo wins for branded beverages, Keurig wins for coffee strength control, and Nespresso wins for espresso.
The one question that settles it: Do you want a machine that brews a specific branded drink (like a Costa latte) with zero effort, or do you want a machine with local support and flexible coffee strength? There’s no wrong answer — but there is a right answer for your situation.
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