The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed 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. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major draw and the best models are easy to use. The majority of machines use the same mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot coffee. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Certain pods can be used just once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that houses empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine is quick and brews regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space where you drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. You just put a pod in the machine, push a button and let it 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.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent rivals that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi which has its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control coffee capsule machine over your cup of coffee than the majority, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a great choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor issue. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.