The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't 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 best machine 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 every 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated, it can brew one cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw and the top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same method to make the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule coffee machine once the previous one has cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for 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 one to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your countertop and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area where you drop in the pod. It does take a little force to close, but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee capsule machine pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press the button, and then prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored out of view when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right 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. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button to allow you to make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a great choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this won't be a problem but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee machines capsules that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. You also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.