The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup 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 of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad drink. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. This model is also 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 will brew a cup in about 35 minutes.
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 machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of 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 major players in the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used a number of times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in your pod. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is add a pod the machine, press a button, and let it brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.