This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them aren’t recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod’s code before brewing. This makes it simple to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn’t the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. It doesn’t have an automated descaling function, and you’ll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You’ll also need to swap the filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and 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. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee capsule machine maker’s user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are a breeze to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic process to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. In either case, you’ll have to plan out the way you’ll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don’t end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your pod. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands – you simply load in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You’ll still have 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 larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored out of sight 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 coffee machine machines are simple 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 you.
The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button, allowing you to make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage’s My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each drink. It’s a bit more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It’s a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
The lack of customization is a major reason it’s not the best choice for you. If you don’t buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn’t be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch’s Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule coffee maker and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It’s a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It’s user-friendly with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it’s time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can’t be set, which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to purchase the brand’s capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It’s compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.