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 warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Models for pods are a great 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 can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad drink. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. 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 a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. 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 offer a large selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods can be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to move away 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 countertop and opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine comes with a water filter system that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just put a pod in, press a button and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button to allow you to create them with one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo 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 customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use pod coffee machines of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You also need to buy the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.