An infusion device for making beverages using cartridges, such as capsules or pods, containing at least one food substance, comprising: an infusion unit comprising at least two parts, at least one of which is able to move between a home position in which it is distanced from the other part, and an operating position in which it is coupled to the other part and with it forms a housing for the cartridge, a first standby zone for a cartridge being formed when the mobile part is in the home position; first retaining means for holding a cartridge in the first standby zone; a motor which is operatively connected at least to the mobile part for moving it between the operating position and the home position; means for preparing the beverage which are operatively associated with the housing, for injecting water into a cartridge contained in it and for collecting the beverage prepared; at least one insertion section for inserting the cartridge in the device, from which the cartridge can then be fed to the first standby zone; at least one check and control unit for device operation which is operatively connected to the motor for controlling the movement of the mobile part between the home position and the operating position, and to the preparation means for activating and deactivating water injection; second retaining means positioned between the insertion section and the first standby zone, the second retaining means in turn being able to move between a first position in which they can retain a cartridge at a second standby zone and a second position in which they allow the cartridge to advance towards the first standby zone, and means for movement of the second retaining means between said first and second positions; characterised in that the second retaining means can move as one with the mobile part of the unit at least during normal operation, and are in the first position when the mobile part is in the operating position, and in the second position when the mobile part is in the home position; and in that the second retaining means comprise at least one mobile element removably coupled to the mobile part of the unit, and means for uncoupling the mobile element from the mobile part when, during movement of the mobile part, the mobile element opposes said movement with a force which is greater than a predetermined maximum force. an infusion unit comprising at least two parts, at least one of which is able to move between a home position in which it is distanced from the other part, and an operating position in which it is coupled to the other part and with it forms a housing for the cartridge, a first standby zone for a cartridge being formed when the mobile part is in the home position; first retaining means for holding a cartridge in the first standby zone; a motor which is operatively connected at least to the mobile part for moving it between the operating position and the home position; means for preparing the beverage which are operatively associated with the housing, for injecting water into a cartridge contained in it and for collecting the beverage prepared; at least one insertion section for inserting the cartridge in the device, from which the cartridge can then be fed to the first standby zone; at least one check and control unit for device operation which is operatively connected to the motor for controlling the movement of the mobile part between the home position and the operating position, and to the preparation means for activating and deactivating water injection; second retaining means positioned between the insertion section and the first standby zone, the second retaining means in turn being able to move between a first position in which they can retain a cartridge at a second standby zone and a second position in which they allow the cartridge to advance towards the first standby zone, and means for movement of the second retaining means between said first and second positions;