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The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most can make coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they do come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it simple to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest 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 isn't the most efficient device to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that happens it can brew a cup in around 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are simple to use. The majority of machines use the same process to make your coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process even further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.

In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for hard-water areas.

The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to use, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area where you drop in your pod. It does take a little force to close but our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod makers take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press an icon and brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button so you can create them at the push of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.

While most people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best option for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are seeking.

Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.

This is a stunning machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. This is pod coffee maker a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a low cost. If you're looking for some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.