Think You're Perfect For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Check This Quiz
Think You're Perfect For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Check This Quiz
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. However, they come with an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce their 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 replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are easy to use. Most machines rely on the same mechanism to brew your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to simplify the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy more info to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It requires a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our testers, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be stored away from view when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the best machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button, so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it's not the best option for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to use 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 nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader 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, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.