The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with many can make coffee in only 30 seconds or so. However, they come with an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any 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 compact size makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have 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 with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed 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 employees. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point and the best models are a breeze to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who read more are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter and can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden more info compartment to store your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however most of our testers, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth taking a look at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as 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.
This method takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button so that you can create them using only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than most, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those wanting to get something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can make longer website shots, referred to as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it's not the best option for you. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this won'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 uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks more info that are customized or click here varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.