The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. After turning on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most can make coffee in 30 seconds or less. However, they come with an expense in that 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 certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest available and does not require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. 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 milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used once before being thrown away and others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the space where you drop in your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but most of our testers, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup click here cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This method removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button, allowing you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great choice for those looking for a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages There are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best option for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but it could be a problem for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks 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.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have 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. You also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.