The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put the filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and 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 employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, 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 ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make a cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods can be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter, and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close but our testers, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit the button, and then brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the countertop and be stored away from view when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them with one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select the ideal size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be coffee machines with pods using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem but 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 give the correct amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.