The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. But they come at a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be 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 is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it simple to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need 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 with a new cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same process to make your coffee: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most well-known roasters. Certain pods can be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used several times. Either way, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. 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 eye-catching addition to your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires a little effort to close, but our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push 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. 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 choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button to allow you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than most models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of 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) will provide exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use via simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which coffee pods machine can be expensive. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.