15 Gifts For The Best Coffee Pod Machine Lover In Your Life

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. After turning on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they do come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning 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 consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting 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 zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.

The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.

In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for hard-water areas.

This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod makers take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load a pod, hit an icon and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not in use.

The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.

The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate coffee machines with capsules the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're seeking.

Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.

This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a display that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.