The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw and the best models are simple to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic method to make your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on many models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods can be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to use with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert the pod. It requires a little force to close, but our testers, even those with weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be right 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 use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to the coffee. For many people this won't be a problem pod making machines but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor issue. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at a reasonable cost. For those who want a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.