The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't 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. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain 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 compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw and the best models are a breeze to operate. Most machines use the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and be thrown away, while others are designed for multiple uses. Either way, you'll need to plan out how you'll deal with your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines eliminate pod and capsule coffee machines all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button, so that you can create them with a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than the majority, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to use 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 problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a stunning machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons, and it can handle both 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 cannot be set which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.