The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. After switching on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. However, they come with an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it simple to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does 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 sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are simple to use. Most machines use the same basic process to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings on a number of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, but each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are designed for multiple uses. Either way, you'll need to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours 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 to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. It has a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop the pod. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers 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 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 counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi utilizes a unique 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.
This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button so that you can make them by pressing a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The lack of customization is a major reason it may not be the best option for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every so often. best capsule coffee machine It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. 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 serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an issue. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. If you're looking for more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.