17 Signs To Know You Work With Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. After turning on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 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. Fast

Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor drink. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.

If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same general process to make your coffee by heating water inside a reservoir, then pressured through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then discarded, while others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.

In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your counter and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine comes with a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space which allows you to drop your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in one of the pods, press the button, and then brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.

The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods are marked by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.

Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 seconds.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it might not be the best option for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this won'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 makes use of barcode readers 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 a simple hands-off device that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.

This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.

This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will website serve well at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.