The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make coffee in just 30 seconds or so. But they do come at some cost 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 certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee machines for pods every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to cut down on 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 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same process to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on a number of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded, while others can be used a number of times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule coffee maker once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
This machine is easy to use and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength 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 the pod, press an icon and brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then, but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
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 easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right 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, 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 take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button, so that you can create them with one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a great choice for those looking for something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is its lack of customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule coffee makers and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a gauge that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.