The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them 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 prior to brewing it. This allows you to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest on the market and does not require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point and the top models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same process to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, however each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away 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 an eye-catching addition to your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into the pod. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in one of the pods, press the button, and then brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored out of view when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, but others provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button, so that you can create them with one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to 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 design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a great choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. If you read more don't buy an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a gauge that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.