The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with most can make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This 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 and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing 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 can brew one cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same method to make your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot java. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to plan out how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for hard-water areas.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of coffee machines with pods sight when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This method removes all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right temperature and size for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best option for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.