Best Coffee Pod Machine Explained In Less Than 140 Characters
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. After switching on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest parts of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market and does not require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles then look no further than 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 a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded and others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them ending 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 dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that holds your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take the mess 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 occasionally however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the best machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer competitors which are worth looking into. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods that 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 ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button so you can create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
In coffee machines for pods to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a low cost. If you're looking for more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.