10 No-Fuss Methods For Figuring The Best Coffee Pod Machine You're Looking For
10 No-Fuss Methods For Figuring The Best Coffee Pod Machine You're Looking For
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. But they come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This allows you to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made 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 pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The best models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the perfect 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 of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before being thrown away however, 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 sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter and opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine brews the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop the pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press a button and make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are 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.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will take all the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can pod-making machines even save customised drinks to a specific button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is its limited customizability. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee for the specific kind of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.