The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage trademark quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a majority are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This allows you to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap in a new 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 either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major selling point and the best models are easy to use. Most machines utilize the same method to make the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from famous roasters. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of 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 counter and it opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in the pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects who have weak hand strength 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, press a button and let it brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors that could be worth considering. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an additional milk frother then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to coffee pods coffee machine use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of an indicator that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.