The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. When it is turned on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great 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 can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a majority of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are a breeze to use. Most machines use the same method to make the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant for multiple uses. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you variety. 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 makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can brew standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It takes a bit of force to close but our testers, including those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be kept out of sight when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be right for you is the limited customization. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the coffee machines capsules kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. 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 simple buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.