The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-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 most messy components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't 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. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just simple and quick to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same method to make a cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Certain pods can be used once before being thrown away and others can be used a number of times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that houses empty pods. The machine has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and brews regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press a button and make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally however not as often as 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 being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors which are worth looking into. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised 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 coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used here with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. You also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.