The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It is also among the tiniest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are a breeze to operate. Most machines use the same basic method to make a cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from famous roasters. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.
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 counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to use coffee pods coffee machine using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take the mess of making coffee out of your hands. You simply need to load one of the pods, press a button and brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the countertop and be kept out of view when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan 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 save your customised drinks to a button so that you can create them with one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than most models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due 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 less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of 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, but it could be a problem for those who prefer 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 give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of an indicator that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.