The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
pod coffee machine machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad drink. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside 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 certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its 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.
If you're after an elegant, 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 and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee machines with pods the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings for a variety of models to simplify the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are designed to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your coffee maker. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our testers, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of view when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. pod and capsule coffee machines variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button, allowing you to 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, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. 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 brand, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the best option for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule coffee machine, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a display that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.