The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage trademark quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with 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 have to put with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some 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, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major selling point and the best models are simple to operate. The majority of machines employ the same process to brew the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save custom settings on many models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are designed to be used once and discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. Either way, 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 comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates 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 will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable 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 stores your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area where you drop in your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod, press a button and let it brew. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to pod coffee machines cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button, so that you can create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best option for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. If you're looking for some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.