The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most able to make coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad beverage. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed 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 ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and brews standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your pod. It requires a bit of force to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This is a stunning machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of an indicator that will let you know when it's time best coffee pod machine to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.