The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of use. After switching on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. But they come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be 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 for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it simple to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a big selling point, and the best models are a breeze to use. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save custom settings on many 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, yet both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used once before they are discarded, while others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are simple to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in the pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our testers, including those who have weak hand and mobility, 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 make coffee. It is still necessary 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 also smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of view when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is synonymous with 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.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't buy capsule machine coffee an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this shouldn'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 uses barcode scanners 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 simple, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or altering the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're searching for.
The coffee maker is extremely 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 can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.