The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage distinctive quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. But they do come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee machines for pods pods 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 for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle 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 just 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 pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same process to brew the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. 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 leading players on the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, 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 compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place into the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, including those with limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod coffee machines machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee pod machines machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Pod variety, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button to allow you to create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each drink. 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 great option for those who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is its lack of customization. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor issue. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. For those who want a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.