The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 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. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. However, they come with an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models 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 the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize your environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have 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 the filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that 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 and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in about 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 it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major draw and the best models are simple to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from famous roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee to drip.
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 countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those who have weak hand and get more info mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in one of the pods, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be stored out of view when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can more info only be used with its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button so that you can make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. 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 are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages 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 fantastic example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little 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 made in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not website be the right choice for you is its lack of customization. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short check here espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. check here It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.