Best Coffee Pod Machine It's Not As Hard As You Think
Best Coffee Pod Machine It's Not As Hard As You Think
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
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. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with most can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive 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 that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it 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 user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are simple to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods can be used just 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 handle your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your countertop, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are easy to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your pod. It takes a bit of force to close but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to 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 is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. The pods are marked by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button to allow you to create them using a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
The lack of pod coffee machines flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best option for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It is 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 display that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.