The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they do come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor beverage. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some 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. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same general method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used once before being thrown away, while others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in, press a button and let it brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
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 make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than get more info most machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo more info can be made in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its lack of customization. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate more info or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem 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 uses a barcode scanner to scan each website capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence more info of a display that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. For those who want more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.