The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Unlike 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. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most can make coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they do come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also among the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed 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. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee pods machines maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process even further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to think about how you'll deal with the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can brew standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, 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 coffee capsule machine 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.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the right machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer rivals that are worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method removes all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks to a button, so that you can create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular 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 great choice for those looking for something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod and capsule coffee machines coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee capsule machine. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a user-friendly, hands-off machine which does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.
