The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they do come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad drink. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This can be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major selling point and the top models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and be thrown away, while others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo pod coffee machine My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas that have hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your coffee maker. It requires a bit of effort to close, but most of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal temperature and size for each cup. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to the coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor issue. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be costly. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at 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.