The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many able to make coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. It is also 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 longer to heat up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than 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, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by well-known roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away 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 has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in the pod. It does take a little force to close but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in one of the pods, press an icon and brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time, but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. All pod machines are coffee machines for pods easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a great choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're seeking.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.