The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact size makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that 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, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make a cup of coffee the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used several times. In either case, you'll have to plan out how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It brews espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It requires a bit of effort to close, but most of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press a button and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the best pod and capsule coffee machines machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks to a button to allow you to create them with only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than most models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. For most 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 uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected into a concealed receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a gauge that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.