The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. However, they come with some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it simple to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to 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 also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and a milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a big selling point and the best models are a breeze to use. Most machines utilize the same process to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to simplify the process even further.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from famous roasters. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded and others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee machine capsule (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in the pod. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply need to load the pod, press a button and brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not in use.

If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want 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 should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button, allowing you to 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 and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in only 30 seconds.

4. Customization

One reason pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is the limited customizability. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.

The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.

This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of an indicator that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.