The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in 30 minutes.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. However, they come with an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods 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 pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod making machines prior to brewing it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee capsules machines, every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.

The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for certain 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 and tampered with grounds squeezed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 minutes.

If you're after an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a major draw, and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same basic method to make your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even more.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are able to be used once before being thrown away and others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends for variety. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee to drip.

In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that holds empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.

The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close but our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press a button and make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the best machine.

The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod capsule coffee machine system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

The machine will take all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button so that you can create them using one button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.

Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 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 customization is a major reason it may 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 use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For many people this won't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule coffee maker and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.

Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.

This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.