The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 minutes. However, they come with an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.

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 in a new filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in about 35 seconds.

If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point and the best models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot coffee. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.

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 well-known roasters. Certain pods can be used once before being thrown away and others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.

The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases a new capsule machine coffee after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.

In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for hard-water areas.

The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close but our testers, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load a pod, hit an icon and brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored away from sight when not being used.

The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features are all important to determine the best coffee pod machine.

Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.

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

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee machine and pods than the majority machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.

4. Customization

One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule coffee maker and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.

Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.

This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only issue is that it lacks an indicator that lets 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 brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. For those who want a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.