The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
The pod models are a great 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. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds squeezed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it 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 selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. 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 come with a variety of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in one of the pods, press an icon and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the countertop and be kept out of view when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth looking at. One is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button to allow you to make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than most, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a great option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate 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 a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are capsule coffee makers seeking.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate it every so often. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.