Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Difficult As You Think
Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Difficult As You Think
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad drink. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive 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 that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same general process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used a number of times. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll deal with your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that holds 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 make regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space where you drop in the pod. It does take a little force to close but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in the pod, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer rivals which are worth looking into. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks to a button so that you can create them with one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction 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 most people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and best capsule coffee machine Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its limited customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.