The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee capsules machines beans and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it easy to make consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The best models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same basic mechanism to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to speed up the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most well-known roasters. Some pods can be used only once before they are discarded however, others can be used a number of times. Either way, you'll need to plan out how you'll deal with 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 water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee machine and pods.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for hard-water areas.
This machine brews the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop the pod. It requires some force to close, but most of our testers who have limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press a button and make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the counter and be stored away from sight when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The majority of people think of pod and capsule coffee machines-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button, so that you can create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the 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 and infuses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected into a concealed receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.