The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. coffee machine capsule -portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created 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 user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic method to make your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are able to be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends for various options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that houses empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove 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. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button, so that you can create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than others models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those who want something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some larger models can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it may not be the best option for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.