The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. After switching on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it easy to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make 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 then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same basic process to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make 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 on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy 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 comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer capsule coffee machines is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. It has an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however most of our testers who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. You just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. 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 larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
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 at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them with only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than the majority, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and 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.
Some larger models can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the discarded pods are placed in an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does an excellent 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 ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable cost. For those who want more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.