The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance offers the Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. However, they come with a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor drink. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need to replace it with a new. 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 ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it will brew a 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 sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a big selling point, and the best models are easy to use. Most machines rely on the same mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, however each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in the pod. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in the pod, press the button, and then make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences coffee machine and pods and what you're looking to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which has its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them using only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This won't be an issue for many people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are looking for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in 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 of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of an indicator that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.