The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just 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 big selling point, and the best models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic process to make your coffee: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then discarded, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for the variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was read more the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into the pod. It does take a little force to close, but our test subjects, even those with limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. You just add a pod, press a button and let it make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but 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 counter and be stored out of view when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button, so that you can create them with one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a great choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and 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 easy and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it may not be the right choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be an issue for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every so often. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a display that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.