The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with many able to make coffee in 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a majority of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad drink. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put the filter cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods that 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 environment and workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same method to make the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then discarded, while others are meant for multiple uses. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews 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 make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its user-friendly controls are easy to use with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert the pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. You just load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. 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 personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the best machine.
Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button, so that you can make them by pressing a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the right choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a simple, coffee pods machine hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating it 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 a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.