The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It is also among the tiniest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking 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 have to put with a new cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at 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, stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are able to be used once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take the mess of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press a button and brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a check here coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork get more info out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them with a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, get more info Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to read more your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees here with a crema-topped top.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a gauge that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.