The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. It is also among the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are easy to use. Most machines use the same basic method to make a cup of coffee the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away and others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It requires a little force to close but our test subjects, even those with limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod and capsule coffee machines machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored out of view when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth looking at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It can be a little 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 only 30 seconds, and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but it could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed 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 are seeking.
This coffee machines for pods maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods coffee machines are ejected in a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. For those who want more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.