The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it simple to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional 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 the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are easy to use. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can brew regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent competitors which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than others models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those who want an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can capsule machine coffee be brewed in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy 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 cup manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside 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 an issue. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.