The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad drink. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. It is also necessary to put the filter cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point and the top models are simple to operate. The majority of machines use the same mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by well-known roasters. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used several times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends for variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to move away from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires a bit of effort to close, but most of our testers, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in the pod, press an icon and brew. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from view when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some 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 think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer rivals coffee pods coffee machine that are worth a look. One is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than others models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some larger models can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy 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 most people, but could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.