The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. When it is turned on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. It is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw and the best models are a breeze to operate. Most machines use the same basic method to make a cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save custom settings on many models to simplify the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before being thrown away and others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It brews espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your counter and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the coffee pod machines messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then, but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but others provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the best machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent rivals that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
While most 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. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of customization is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. This won't be an issue for many people, but could be a problem for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks 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 also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.