The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. However, they come with some cost in that 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 are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same general mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are meant for multiple uses. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It brews espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. It has an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are simple to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and more info a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but most of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored 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 easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth a look. One is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button to allow you to make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a good option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a hidden container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. If you're looking for some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.