10 Easy Ways To Figure The Best Coffee Pod Machine You're Looking For
The Best Coffee Pod MachineThe most sleek pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize your 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 reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a new. 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. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made 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 ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used once and discarded, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. In either case, you'll have to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can brew regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to use using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space where you drop in your pod. It requires a bit of force to close, but most of our testers even those with weak hand strength website and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press the button, and then brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the countertop and be kept out of sight when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth looking at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those who want something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of an indicator that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. For those who want more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.