The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. After turning on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. But they come at a cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad drink. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized 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 the environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic process to brew the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods can be used only once before being thrown away, while others can be used several times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying 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 empty pods. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It requires a little force to close but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press a button and brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then 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 away from view when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the right machine.
Most people will think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors which are worth looking into. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as best pod coffee machine Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people will use pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is the limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your coffee. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely 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 required for that kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. For those who want more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.