The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a big selling point and the top models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines utilize the same method to make your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and discarded, while others are intended to be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in the pod. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of view when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods, get more info which can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by read more the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button to allow you to make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a great option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will use pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made get more info in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the right choice for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. 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 technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides exactly more info what they need.
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 once in a while. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use via simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a gauge that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a low cost. This model can be used with a click here variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.