17 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.

As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not 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 making coffee. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad drink. It's also among the tiniest and lightest available and does not require a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting 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 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.

If you're after an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same general method to make your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. 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 further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used once before being thrown away, while others can be used several times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.

The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.

The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in the pod. It does take a little force to close but our testers, even those with weak hand and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod, 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 equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.

If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.

The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer best pod coffee machine service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.

While most people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 seconds.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.

Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.

This is a stunning machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.