The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. When it is turned on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are 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 most efficient pod machines that is available due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it simple to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point, and the best models are simple to operate. Most machines use the same method to make the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used once and be thrown away, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out how you'll deal with your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
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 been cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to 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 is an attractive addition to your counter and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in one of the pods, press a button and brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. For most 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 technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned the pods pod and capsule coffee machines that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a low cost. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.