The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. When it is turned on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad drink. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic method to make your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews 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, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in your pod. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth looking at. One is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. coffee pod machines is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button to allow you to make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the 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 who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people will use pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its lack of customization. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every time. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.