The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage trademark quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they do come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it easy to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also among the tiniest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.

The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in around 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same basic process to make your coffee pods machines: water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save custom settings on many models to simplify the process even more.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer various 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 to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for hard-water areas.

This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines (sneak a peek at this web-site.) take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time, but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of view when not being used.

The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.

Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press 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 a specific temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.

Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.

4. Customization

One reason pod coffee pods machines makers might not be right for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.

In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod making machines machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a low cost. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.