The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. But they do come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad drink. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The best models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from popular roasters. Certain pods can be used once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can brew standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button to allow read more you to make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a low cost. If you're looking for more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.