Do You Think You're Suited For Doing Best Coffee Pod Machine? Check This Quiz
Do You Think You're Suited For Doing Best Coffee Pod Machine? Check This Quiz
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The top models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but most of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a little more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew 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 intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its limited customizability. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those coffee capsules machines who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every time. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is an issue. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.