The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it easy to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used a number of times. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and brews standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop the pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects who have weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load a pod, hit the button, and then make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not coffee machine for pods in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button to allow you to make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those wanting to get 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 a fantastic example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be right for you is the limited customization. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a low cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.