The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with many able to make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. But they come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market 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 virtually no chance of getting a bad drink. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point, and the best models are a breeze to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same general mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. 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 have a wide selection of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, including those who have weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best 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 make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth looking at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The 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 is able to save your customized drinks in a single button to allow you to create them with only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses 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 simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and pod making machines range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can serve them well for an affordable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.