The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. But they come at a 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 in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. It's also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it will brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are easy to use. The majority of machines utilize the same general process to make your coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. It has a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit the button, and then brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to 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 in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi which has its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods have capsule coffee maker a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button to allow you to create them using one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a great choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people will use pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're seeking.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use via simple buttons and can accommodate 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. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.