The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most able to make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated 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. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, 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 milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines employ the same method to make a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, however each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your coffee maker. It requires some effort to close, but most of our testers who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The 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 best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to determine the best coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button so that you can create them with only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. 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 Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those who want a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro style of best capsule coffee machine the fifties 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, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the tank with water, 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 the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.