The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. However, they come with some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings on many models to speed up the process further.
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 popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are meant for multiple uses. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour a fresh read more capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew 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 lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter and can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates 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 specific button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.