The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 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. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. But they do come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor drink. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest 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. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, you should 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 milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point and the best models are a breeze to use. Most machines rely on the same basic mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and discarded, while others are designed to be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style 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 bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load a pod and capsule coffee machines, hit the button, and then brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod capsule coffee machine-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button, so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its limited customization. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. This won't be an issue for many people, but could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully 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 that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.
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