The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they do come at a cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a big selling point and the best models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters. Some pods can be used only once before they are discarded and others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that holds your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas that have 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 easy to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in the pod. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of sight when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you coffee pod machines depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer competitors which are worth looking into. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and 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 quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is the limited customization. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.