The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee capsule machine beans, and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is one of 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 even the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a big selling point and the best models are simple to use. Most machines use the same process to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, but both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule coffee machine once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. It has a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are easy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close, but our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply need to load the pod, press an icon and brew. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored away from view when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer rivals which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods 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 sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated 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 type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a display that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.