The 10 Most Terrifying 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 trademark Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always 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 on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. It's also among the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ is not the best pod coffee machine machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at 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 a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same process to brew the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce 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 the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. In either case, you'll have to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features 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 make espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your coffee pod machine maker. It requires a little 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 machine coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally however 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 ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button to allow you to make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. 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 option for those who want an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it's not the right choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated 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 a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence 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 purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.