Best Coffee Pod Machine: What No One Is Discussing
Best Coffee Pod Machine: What No One Is Discussing
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same general method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in your pod. It requires some pressure to close, however most of our testers who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press a button and brew. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the right machine.
Most people will think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer competitors that could be worth considering. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee pods machine coffee that allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only ways 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 many people, but could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. However, 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 an affordable cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.