The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. But they come at an expense: the pre-portioned
coffee machines for pods pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want 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 reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive 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 in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. 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 a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same mechanism to brew your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pressured through your chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to think about how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests 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 countertop 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 ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of
coffee machine and pods (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your pod. 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 remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press the button, and then brew. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the countertop and be kept out of view when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of
coffee machines capsules pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer competitors that could be worth considering. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a
pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best option for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this won't be a problem but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
This
coffee capsules machines maker is very low-maintenance.
