The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest components 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 coffee in only 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 a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among 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 the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed 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. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then 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, stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw, and the best models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same method to make a 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 your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then discarded, while others are designed for multiple uses. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee to coffee machine with capsules drip.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in the pod, press a button and make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth looking at. One is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button to allow you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but it could be an issue for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. For those who want some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.