The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. After switching on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most able to make coffee in only 30 seconds or so. However, they come with some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally 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 fastest pod machines that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad drink. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. coffee machines for pods designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic method to make your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in one of the pods, press a button and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than most models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great choice for those looking for a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its lack of customization. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular kind 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 for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.