The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. After switching on, it warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or so. However, they come with some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. It's also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point, and the best models are a breeze to use. Most machines use the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are meant for multiple uses. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your read more empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal 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 extremely fast. The controls are simple to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily here pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into the pod. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our testers, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in, press a button and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is more info the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My check here Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those who want a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who like a fully automatic experience in read more the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be costly. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.