The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage distinctive quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for 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 who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same basic process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your countertop, and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and brews standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. You just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of sight when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to determine the best coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a pod-making machines major reason it's not the best option for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.