The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. However, they come with some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. It's also among the slimmest and lightest available and does not require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
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 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put in a new 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 that are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same method to make a cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to think about how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
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 brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. pod coffee makers Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine comes with a water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. 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 has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button so that you can create them with only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a good option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it might not be the best option for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the coffee. For many 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 makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator to let 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 capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.