The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. However, they come with an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also among the tiniest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that happens it can brew the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, 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
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw and the top models are simple to operate. Most machines use the same basic mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save custom settings on many models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used several times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those with weak hand and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load the pod, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not like 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 being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button, so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once pod capsule coffee machine you get used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for many people, but could be a problem for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected into a concealed container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a gauge that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can serve them well for an affordable price. If you're looking for some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.