The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage distinctive quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in just 30 seconds or less. However, they come with some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge once this 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 the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The top models are simple to use. Most machines use the same mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want 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 looks great on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
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 a button and brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button so you can make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a good option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot coffee pods machines tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor issue. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.