The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it simple to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. It is also necessary to put the filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee capsules machines maker's user-friendliness is a major draw and the best pod coffee machine models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same general method to make your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich, hot coffee capsules machines. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. 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 players on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your coffee maker. It requires a bit of force to close, but most of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best pod coffee machine coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee machine capsule out of your hands. You simply put in the pod, press a button and brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer competitors on the scene that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button, so that you can create them with a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages There are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is its limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to the coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a gauge that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.