The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. However, they come with an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out, which could 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 ground 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. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. 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 an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines use the same basic process to make your coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most well-known roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your pod. It requires a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply need to load one of the pods, press a button and brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally, but not click here like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but 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 think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer competitors that are worth a look. One is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages There are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a problem 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-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. For those who want a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.