The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. However, they come with a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering 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 allows you to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some 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. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it will brew a cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple 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 easy to use. Most machines use the same method to make the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings for a variety of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine is easy to use and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in, press a button and let it 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 stacked on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to determine the best coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth looking at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button, so that you can create them with only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who need 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. It combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly coffee pods machine satisfying to operate the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is its limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.