The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. After turning on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo within 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. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with most can make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they do come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally 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 to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This allows you to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee pods machines every time, with next-to-no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The most effective models are simple to use. Most machines use the same process to brew the perfect cup of coffee machine and pods that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on many models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded, while others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your pod. It does take a little force to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press the button, and then make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your personal 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 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. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its pod-making machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than others, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it may not be the best option for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.