The The sleekest pod machine we’ve seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. But they come at a cost: 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 them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad beverage. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market and does not require an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn’t come with an automatic descaling feature, and you’ll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge is out, you’ll need to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same method to make your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee pods machines. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig’s K-Cups and Nestle’s Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, however each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. You’ll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee pods coffee machine (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area where you drop in your coffee maker. It does take a little force to close but our testers, even those with weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands – you simply load in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. You’ll still have to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod capsule coffee machine variety sizes, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, like Sage’s My Way, offer more granular control over your cup of coffee than others models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each cup. It’s more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some larger models can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It’s a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you’ve gotten used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker’s customization is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. If you don’t have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. For most people, this won’t be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch’s Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It’s a user-friendly hands-off device that does a great job but isn’t able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This machine is part Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It’s easy to use via a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when it’s time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand’s own capsules, which can be pricey. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.