17 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Ignoring Best Coffee Pod Machine
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it heats up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with many able to make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. However, they come with a cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines 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 to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it simple to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same method to make your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save custom settings on a number of models to simplify the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, however each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests in our best pod coffee machine tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that holds empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area where you drop in your pod. It requires some force to close, but most of our testers who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button, so that you can create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of customization is a major reason it might not be the right choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are seeking.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is an issue. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.