The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. After switching on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. But they do come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just 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 ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for hard-water areas.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop your pod. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it 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. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button to allow you to create them using a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This here might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.