The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety 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 only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are a breeze to use. Most machines use the same method to make the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are designed to be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your countertop, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use 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 the pod. It requires a little force to close, but our test subjects, even those with limited mobility and hand strength 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 load in one of the pods, press an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time 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 also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to check here adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button so that you can make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it might not be the best option for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but it could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised 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, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is an issue. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.