The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
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 warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it easy to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods coffee machine that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same process to make your coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are designed for multiple uses. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee machine capsule.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its intuitive controls are easy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee machine with capsules pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored out of view when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, but certain models offer more customization 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 well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth looking at. One is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button, allowing you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker 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 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its limited customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. For many people this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee machines with capsules maker does not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. 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 take ground coffee machines for pods or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a gauge that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.