The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod pod-making machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it easy to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best capsule coffee machine machine to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are simple to use. 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 create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from famous roasters. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule coffee machine after the previous one cools down. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee to drip.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that houses empty pods coffee machine. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are simple to operate, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands - you simply need to load one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button so you can make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is its limited customization. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule coffee machine, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate it every so often. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/template/images/778/14409/coffeee-logo-300x100-png.png)It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. If you're looking for more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.
