The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 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. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. However, they come with a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is one of the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have 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. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with 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 drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic method to make your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded, while others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. It has an in-built water filter system that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
The machine is fast and brews standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the space which allows you to drop your pod. It requires a little force to close, but our testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. You just load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then 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 being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the best machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer rivals that could be worth considering. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are 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. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. check here This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every so often. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
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. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be costly. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable cost. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.