The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make coffee in only 30 seconds or less. But they come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models 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 has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is one of the lightest and slimmest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either 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 reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it will brew a cup in just 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 a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are simple to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same general mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded, while others can be used several times. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. It has an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space which allows you to drop your pod. It requires a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is 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 being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button so that you can create them using a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some larger models can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in 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 might not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but pod and bean coffee machine it could be an issue for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're searching for.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can serve them well for an affordable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.