The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most can make coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they do come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod coffee machines 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 hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. It is also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to descale it yourself once 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 when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but 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 benefit. The top models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same general process to make your coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and discarded, while others are designed for multiple uses. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your countertop and opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your coffee maker. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our testers, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in one of the pods, press the button, and then brew. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
Most people will think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be right for you is the limited customization. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a gauge that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.