The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad drink. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. 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 ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are able to be used only once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need 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 a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for the variety. This brewer get more info is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and brews standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load a pod, hit a button and brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger, so they can fit on the counter and be stored away from view when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button, so that you can make them by pressing a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a great option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners 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 does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This is a stunning machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.