The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 minutes. But they do come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic method to make your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before they are discarded however, others can be used several times. In either case, you'll have to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter, and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place into your coffee maker. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, even those with weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod coffee machine machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply need to load one of the pods, press the button, and then brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod coffee machine machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine (official source) for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer competitors on the scene that are worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-pods coffee machine, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of customization is a major reason it might not be the best option for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be a problem for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or altering 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 provides exactly what they need.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at a reasonable cost. For those who want some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.