The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with many can make coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they come at some 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 certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It's also among the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. It is also necessary to put the filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain 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 grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, 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 an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save custom settings on many models to streamline the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and brews standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your coffee maker. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. You'll still have 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 larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it's not the right choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, best capsule coffee machine or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.