The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a 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. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. But they do come at some cost in that 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 free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor drink. It is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize your environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to 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 to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same method to make your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It has an in-built coffee pods machine water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area where you drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button to allow you to create them using a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority, letting you choose the exact 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 Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every time. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.