The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or less. But they come at a 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 certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This could be expensive 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. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major selling point, and the best models are simple to operate. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods can be used just once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer will appeal to those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and can brew standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into the pod. It does take a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away 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 to time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a good option for those who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the right choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot coffee machine with capsules tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.