The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them aren't 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 brewing. This allows you to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have 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. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and 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.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same general mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by popular roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used a number of times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It brews espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle pod and capsule coffee machines tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area where you drop in the pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. 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 counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored away from sight when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors that are worth a look. One is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a little more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew 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 a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.