The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it easy to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming 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 allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The top models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same process to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and be thrown away, while others are meant for multiple uses. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and brews regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop the pod. It requires a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. You just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the counter and be kept out of sight when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others offer more customization options. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be 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 marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button to allow you to create them with only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each coffee machine for pods beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.