The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make coffee in only 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic method to make your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, however each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used once and be thrown away, while others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for the variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter, and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to navigate with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you pod coffee machine just load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of an indicator that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. For those who want more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.