This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage brand’s distinctive quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. However, they come with an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn’t the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. It doesn’t have an automatic descaling feature, and you’ll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you’ll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive 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 coffee machines which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed 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 minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in around 35 seconds.
If you’re looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a big selling point and the best models are simple to operate. Most machines use the same process to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant for multiple uses. Whatever the case, you’ll need to plan out how you’ll deal with your spent pods so they aren’t thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates an additional capsule coffee machine uk once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your countertop, and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in the pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary 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. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Pod variety, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod coffee makers machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage’s My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It’s more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage’s My Way. This is a good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling 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, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its limited customization. If you don’t purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn’t be a problem 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 uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule coffee machine, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It’s a simple hands-off device that 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 many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they’re seeking.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It’s user-friendly with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it’s time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand’s own capsules, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It’s compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.