The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel appliance offers the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. After switching on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. However, they come with some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally 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 is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce your 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 areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew the cup in about 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same process to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process even more.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.

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 be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for various options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want 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 makes it an eye-catching addition to your counter and can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for areas with hard water.

The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in your pod. It requires a little force to close, but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. You just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with 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.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer capsule coffee maker more customisation options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, read more milk and options for frothing when selecting the right machine.

Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. Bruvi uses a bespoke here system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing coffee capsule machine settings automatically.

The machine will take all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. read more It can save your custom drinks on a button, so that you can create them with only one button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of the button.

4. Customization

One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its limited customizability. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. This won't be an issue for many people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.

The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use via simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. For those who want some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.