The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

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

1. Rapid

Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This allows you to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to reduce 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 every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are a breeze to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process even further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.

The SMEG we tested has a 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 to offer the variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in your coffee maker. It requires a little effort to close, but our testers, even those with weak hand and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press the button, and then prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

Whether a coffee capsules machines pod machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Consider the coffee pod capsule coffee machine variety as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the right machine.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button, so that you can make them by pressing a single button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.

Certain models are larger and can make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best capsule coffee machine choice for you is the limited customization. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your 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 utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide exactly what they need.

Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.

This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an issue. You also need to buy the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. For those who want a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.