The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee capsules machines off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. But they come at a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it simple to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. It's also among the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new. 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 to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major selling point, and the best models are easy to use. Most machines rely on the same mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee pods machines and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
This machine is quick and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert your pod. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however most of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply need to load one of the pods, press a button and brew. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time, but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from view when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a specific button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those who want an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be a problem for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use via simple buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.