Best Coffee Pod Machine: What's No One Has Discussed

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

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. Fast

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will 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 need replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a major selling point and the best models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same general process to make your coffee: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used a number of times. In either case, you'll have to think about how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.

In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your pod. It requires a little force to close but our testers, including those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Different pod types, read more brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.

Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent rivals that are worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.

While most people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.

4. Customization

The lack of customization is a major reason it's not the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives precisely what they require.

In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.

This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a gauge that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.