The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Models for pods coffee machines are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod pod-making machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it simple to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, 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
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw and the best models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same general process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by popular roasters. Certain pods coffee machine can be used only once before they are discarded and others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses 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 the variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. It has a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can brew standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place into the pod. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply need to load a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it's not the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however 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, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are seeking.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of an indicator that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.