The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. However, they come with a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it simple to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in 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 an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make a cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however 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 to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their counterparts that are larger, so they can fit on the counter and be stored away from view when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. Bruvi uses a bespoke 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 brewing settings.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button, so that you can create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a pod and bean coffee machine great option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is the limited customizability. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for many people, but could be a problem for those who like an entirely 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 required for that type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor issue. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a low cost. For those who want a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.