The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. But they come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of 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, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines use the same method to make your cup 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 a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on many models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before being thrown away, while others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that holds empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and can make regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top 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. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer rivals that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi, which uses 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 means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over coffee pod machines your coffee than the majority, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it's not the best option for you. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed container that keeps your kitchen clean. 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 easy to use with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.