Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Difficult As You Think
Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Difficult As You Think
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they do come at a cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed 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 workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same general mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pressured 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 make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, but both offer a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used only once before being thrown away, while others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your pod. It takes a bit of force to close but our testers, including capsule coffee machine uk those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in, press a button and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the counter and be kept 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 want to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors on the scene that are worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are placed in an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's a user-friendly, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a low cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.