The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The best capsule coffee machine Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 minutes. But they come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce the 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 areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model is also 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 can brew one cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings on many models to simplify the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter and it opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to navigate using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It requires some force to close, but most of our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee machines with pods coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. You'll still have 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 and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those who want something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and is a combination of the retro 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, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its limited flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container 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 range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can take ground coffee pods machines or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of an indicator that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a low cost. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.