The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them 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 almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. 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, tampered and compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks 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 biggest brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are designed for multiple uses. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule machine coffee after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop the pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press a button and brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors that could be worth considering. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
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 dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee machine and pods maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee pods machines brand, Lavazza. It's not easy 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 just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. If you're looking for more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.