The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. But they come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. It is also among the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with 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. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly 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 and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point and the best models are a breeze to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for 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 looks great on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close but our test subjects, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time however not as often as 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 sight 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 simple to use, but others offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities 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 some newer competitors that may be worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right temperature and size for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due 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 deposited into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular capsule coffee makers type of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but 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.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or 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 cannot be set, which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.