The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most able to make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a big selling point and the top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same method to make the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are intended for multiple uses. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its user-friendly controls are easy get more info to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This method eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size read more and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a great choice for those looking for a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is the limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only option more info to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the website coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for check here those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every time. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the 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.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of an indicator that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.