The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage distinctive quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring 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 seconds. But they do come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created 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 big selling point and the top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through your chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before they are discarded however, others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your counter, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. 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 for dropping into the pod. It requires some force 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 remove all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors that are worth a look. One is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button to allow you to make them by pressing best capsule coffee machine only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a good option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it may not be the best option for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set which is an inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a low cost. For those who want more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.