The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. After switching on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same method to make the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
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. Some pods can be used just once before they are discarded, while others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your counter and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It requires a little force to close but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in the pod, press the button, and then prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer competitors which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, best coffee pod machine and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use via simple buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback 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 inconvenience. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.