The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it heats up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most can make coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to speed up the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used just once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee to drip.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that houses empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use 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 retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your pod. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents 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 gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The majority of people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button so you can make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an 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 type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or altering 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, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. coffee machines with capsules It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.