The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel appliance offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 seconds.

Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. However, they come with some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee machines with capsules every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. It's also among the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for some users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in around 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a major selling point and the best pod coffee machine models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same basic mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and discarded, while others are designed for multiple uses. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule machine coffee once the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee pods coffee machine (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in your pod. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our testers, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press a button and make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.

The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.

The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the push 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 a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a solid option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.

4. Customization

One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its limited customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule coffee makers, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.

In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of an indicator 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 need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.