The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. But they come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This allows you to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods coffee machine that are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw and the best models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same process to make your coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used only once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. In either case, you'll have to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter, and it opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but most of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press the button, and then brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk 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 a look. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than the majority, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a good choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
A pod coffee capsules machines maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best coffee machines with pods option for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a good 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.