The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. It is also among the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.

However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge when it runs out, which could 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. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.

If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same basic method to make your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various 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 on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used once before being thrown away, while others can be used a number of times. In either case, you'll have to think about how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter, and it opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is quick and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load a pod, hit an icon and prepare to brew. You'll still have here to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their click here larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.

The majority get more info of people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This method removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the push of a single button.

Other machines, such as 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 cup. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

While the majority of people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not capsule coffee maker be right for you is the limited customization. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn'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 technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does a great 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 hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.

In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.

This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator read more that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.