The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most able to make coffee in just 30 seconds or so. But they do come at a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it easy to make consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. It's also among the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can make a variety 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 an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot java. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant to be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press the button, and then prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer rivals which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button so that you can create them with one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent 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 initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The lack of 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 options 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 it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that tells you when you should descale, and the inability best pod coffee machine to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.