The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. However, they come with a cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market and does not require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which 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 the surroundings and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, 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 simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert the pod. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in, press a button and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The right coffee pod 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 some offer more customisation options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button so that you can create them with a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right temperature and size for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an coffee pods coffee machine internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks 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 issue. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.