The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
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. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they do come at a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This allows you to make consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it will brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot java. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas that have hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it brew. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, check here so they can fit on the countertop and be kept out of sight when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button so that you can create them using capsule coffee machine one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some larger models can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are placed in an internal bin read more at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the best option for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse check here and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with 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 read more water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be costly. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. If you're looking for some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.