The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it easy to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed 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 using a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
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. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. In either case, you'll have 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 sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and brews standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in the pod. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors 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. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, such as 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 cup. It's more expensive than other models, but 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 option for those who want an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the specific kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can pod coffee machine dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. For those who want some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.