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 then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. But they come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it simple to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not 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 is out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some 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 ground that are compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage it 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
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same basic mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, but each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch 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 is an attractive addition to your counter and opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and brews standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area where you drop in the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button so that you can create them using a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose a specific 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 synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the coffee pod machines reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a gauge that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company which can be costly. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.