The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. After switching on, it warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for some users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once this occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw and the best models are a breeze to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used a number of times. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end 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 once the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want 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 is an attractive addition to your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.

This machine is easy to use and can make 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 pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into the pod. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the countertop and be kept out of view when not in use.

The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.

Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them using a single button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While the majority of people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It is a pod coffee maker combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due 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 pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of the button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is the limited customization. Unless you purchase an additional 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 then add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem 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 technology utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.

In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent 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 both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a display that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.