The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it heats up and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. However, they come with some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It's also among the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will 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 could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The best models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich 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, but each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before being thrown away however, others can be used a number of times. Either way, you'll need to plan out how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer will appeal to those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space which allows you to drop the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but most of our testers, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. You just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the countertop and be stored away from view when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent rivals that could be worth considering. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it's not the best option for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue 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, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and range 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 fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. pod-making machines -friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is an inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a low cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.