The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. After switching on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. However, they come with a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on their 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 every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, 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 use of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The best models are simple to use. Most machines use the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside the reservoir, and 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 needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to streamline the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are designed to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to move away from coffee machine capsule drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert the pod. It does take a little force to close but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button, so that you can make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than most, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get an extra bit of quality from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it's not the best option for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn'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 utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use via simple buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.