The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a majority are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This allows you to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. It is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market and does not require an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. 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 quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just 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 simple to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings for a variety of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your counter and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in one of the pods, press an icon and make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the countertop and be stored out of view when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than most, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a great option for those who want something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can 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 brand, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is its limited flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader 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 hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated 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're looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen pod coffee machine clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of an indicator that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.