The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. However, they come with some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will 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 fresh one. This could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed 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 an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point, and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same general mechanism to brew your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped 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's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used just once before they are discarded however, others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way capsule coffee maker 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. You just add a pod the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the counter and be kept out of sight when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to 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 that allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each cup. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a solid option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It is able to serve 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 helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of an indicator that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.