The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 minutes. But they do 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 some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it simple to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. It is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles then 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 a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines use the same general process to make your coffee by heating water inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks 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 come with a variety of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are intended for multiple uses. In either case, you'll have to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable 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 to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit an icon and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger, so they can fit on the counter and be stored away from sight when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is perfect every pods coffee machine time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button so you can create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using 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, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is the limited customizability. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor issue. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.