The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. But they do come at 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 they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also among the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and 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 downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, 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 simplify the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, however each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop and opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to use using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop the pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however most of our testers who have limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of view when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. The pods are marked by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities 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 retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will appreciate the ease pod coffee machines of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set which is an inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. For those who want more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.