Do You Think You're Suited For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Check This Quiz
Do You Think You're Suited For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Check This Quiz
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making 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. 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 machine to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. The majority of machines use the same basic process to make your coffee by heating water inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used once and discarded, while others are designed for multiple uses. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll deal with the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your countertop, and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our testers, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press the button, and then brew. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the countertop and be stored away from view when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth looking at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to coffee pod machines adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated 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 the majority models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a sticking point 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 give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. For those who want more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.