The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 seconds. However, they come with a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return them).
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 making coffee. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also among the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your 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 every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge after this expires and 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, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just 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 is a major selling point and the top models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in 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 speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to think about how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine is quick and can brew regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in the pod. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects who have weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger 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 what you want to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its limited flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an additional milk pod coffee machine frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a low cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.