The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor beverage. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't 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. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same general method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most well-known roasters. Some pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used a number of times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses 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 that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is add a pod the machine, push a button and let it brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button to allow you to create them using one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode scanners to scan click here each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every so often. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback 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 issue. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want 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 is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.