The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many can make coffee in just 30 seconds or so. But they come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee machines with capsules pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It is also among the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best capsule coffee machine device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this happens it can brew the cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point and the best coffee pod machine models are simple to operate. The majority of machines use the same mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press a button 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 bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be kept out of view when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button so that you can create them using a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each beverage. 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 an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can also brew longer shots, known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.