The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod capsule coffee machine machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up 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 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot of them are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod coffee machine's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as 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 minutes.

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 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 an stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. Most brands offer different drink sizes 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 players in the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It brews espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee to drip.

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 opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that holds your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas that have hard water.

The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers who have limitations in 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 make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.

The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the touch of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee machines for pods, allowing you to choose the right temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good choice for those looking for a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.

While most people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug 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 the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod coffee machines. It's a simple hands-off device that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide precisely what they require.

Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.

This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a gauge that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee machines capsules maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can serve them well for an affordable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.