The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This allows you to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize the 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. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized 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 lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point, and the best models are easy to use. Most machines utilize the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from famous roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your countertop, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening capsule coffee machine to drop into the pod. It requires a bit of effort to close, but most of our testers who have limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. You just put a pod in the machine, push a button and let it brew. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored away from view when not being used.
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. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities are all important to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.
The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer competitors which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a great option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee 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 compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.