The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately 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 out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or less. However, they come with some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have 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 zones. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and 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 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point and the top models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines use the same general method to make your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich, hot
coffee machines with pods. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most well-known roasters. Some pods can be used once before they are discarded and others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with 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 we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas that have hard water.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area where you drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of
pod and bean coffee machine 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 selecting the right machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One reason a
pod coffee maker may not be right for you is its limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each
capsule coffee machine uk and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the 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 others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.