The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee pod coffee machine Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately 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 messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to setup 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 generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. 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 of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created 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
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are simple to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players on the market, yet each has a variety 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. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule coffee machine uk after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can brew standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place into your coffee maker. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however most of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply need to load one of the pods, press the button, and then prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger and can be tucked away on the counter and be stored away from view when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth looking at. One is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that 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 made perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button so you can create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those wanting to get something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of customisation is a major reason it's not the best option for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule coffee machine, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of an indicator that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a low cost. For those who want more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.