The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage trademark quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to 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 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 an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad drink. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that happens it can brew the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a big selling point and the best models are a breeze to use. Most machines rely on the same basic process to make your coffee the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space where you drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, including those here with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all pod coffee machine be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others, letting you choose the right size and temperature for read more each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is the limited customization. If you don't have an additional milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden coffee machine capsule container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and 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 downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set, which is click here a minor issue. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.