The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. But they do come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw, and the best models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant for multiple uses. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your countertop and opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It has an in-built water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally, but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button to allow 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 size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a hidden container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue 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 coffee machines capsules inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. For those who want a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.