The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with most able to make coffee in 30 seconds or less. However, they come with some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw, and the best models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines employ the same method to make the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means 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 so that you can make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a great option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a problem best coffee machines with pods for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes 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 an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a hidden container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.