The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. After switching on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. 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 now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put 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 ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same method to make a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on many models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most well-known roasters. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends for the variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as 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.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine capsule coffee maker to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button so that you can make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others models, allowing you to select the exact 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 which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an additional milk frother then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to your coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.