The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it will brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just 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 ease of use is a big selling point and the top models are simple to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being discarded, while others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in, press a button and let it make coffee. It is still necessary pod coffee maker to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the countertop and be kept out of view when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.
Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them with only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a solid option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't purchase an additional 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 cup manually. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with a simple 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 an inconvenience. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.