The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. But they come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad drink. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. It is also 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 warm up. Once it does it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic process to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded and others can be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that houses 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 brews standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod, press a button and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be kept out of view when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer rivals that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make 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 touch of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and is a pod coffee machines combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the best option for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This is a stunning machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to buy 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 is able to serve at a low cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.