The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Unlike 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 are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many able to make coffee in 30 seconds or so. However, they come with a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee machine for pods or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same general process to make your coffee: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are intended for multiple uses. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule coffee machine after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your pod. It requires some force to close, but most of our testers who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth a look. One is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button to allow you to create them with one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks 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 issue. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.