The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in about 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. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most able to make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. However, they come with some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for certain 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 that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed 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 workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are a breeze to operate. Most machines utilize the same mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks 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 biggest players on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used several times. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to 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 eye-catching addition to your counter and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into the pod. It does take a little force to close but our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. You just put a pod in the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Pod variety, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration 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 more recent competitors that are worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button to allow you to make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will use pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few coffee machines capsules larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is its limited customization. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this won't be a problem but 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-wets and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is an inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.