Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Tough As You Think
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. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or so. But they come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor beverage. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest 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 just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and brews standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert the pod. It does take a little force to close but our testers, including those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, push 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 smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button, so that you can make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. Coffeee to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside 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 a minor issue. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.