The most elegant pod machine we’ve seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. But they come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods coffee machine 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 them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it easy to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn’t require an additional milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn’t come with an automatic descaling function, and you’ll have to do it yourself 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 when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker’s user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic method to make your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig’s K-Cups and Nestle’s Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, but both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used multiple times. Either way, you’ll need to plan ahead for how you’ll handle the pods you’ve used up so that they aren’t thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was 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 stores empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee machines with pods coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in one of the pods, press a button and prepare to brew. You’ll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you’re hoping to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the right machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer rivals which are worth looking into. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will take all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage’s My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It’s a bit more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that’s associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is 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, but once you’ve gotten used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its limited customization. If you don’t have an auxiliary milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For many people this won’t be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch’s Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule coffee machine uk and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that type of pod. It’s a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It’s easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn’t have an indicator that lets you know when it’s time to descale and the maximum water level can’t be set which is a minor issue. You will also have to buy the brand’s capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. For those who want a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model. It’s also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.