The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. The model is 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 a little longer to heat up, but once this occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at 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 stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings for a variety of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used once before being thrown away, while others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends for the variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your countertop and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. get more info The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those who have weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press a button and brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are read more easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all click here be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. check here It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages 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 is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's check here an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.