The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally 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 top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it will brew a cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created 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 of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. Most machines use the same basic mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from popular roasters. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used a number of times. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. 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 those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for hard-water areas.
This machine is quick and can brew standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but most of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess coffee pod machine from coffee making. You just load a pod in, press a button and let it make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be kept out of view when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth looking 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. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each 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, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the ideal temperature and size 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 synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every time. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.
This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a low cost. For those who want more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.