The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. But they come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This allows you to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market and does not require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same basic method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded and others can be used several times. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and brews standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however most of our testers, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press an icon and brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth a look. One is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button so you can create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is the limited customization. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the pod coffee machines only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of an indicator that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.