The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. But they come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. The machine is one of the slimmest 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.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly 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 that are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same method to make the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on many models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and be thrown away, while others are meant to be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to plan ahead for how you'll deal with the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew 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 to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your pod. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from view when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth taking a look pod and capsule coffee machines at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them using a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service 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. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its limited customizability. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. If you're looking for more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.