Watch This: How Best Coffee Pod Machine Is Taking Over And What To Do
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. But they do come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same method to make the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. 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 on the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and discarded, while others are designed for multiple uses. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. pods coffee machines can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It does take a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer competitors which are worth looking into. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will use pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it might not be the best option for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways 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 shouldn't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.