The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically 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 due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor beverage. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed 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 minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does, 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 machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from popular roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. In either case, you'll have to think about the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great capsule coffee maker on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that holds your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles website and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the space read more that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but others provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork out of it and ensure 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 single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a great choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be right 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 into your the coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to check here scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can here be pricey. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.