The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they do come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with 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 a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same method to make a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. In either case, you'll have to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas that have hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close but our test subjects, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button so that you can create them with one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than most, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are seeking.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that will best coffee machines with pods serve well at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.