The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in 30 seconds.

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

1. Speedy

Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.

However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting 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. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed 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 workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated, it can brew one cup in about 35 seconds.

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are simple to operate. Most machines rely on the same process to make your coffee the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process even further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are designed to be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they don't end 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 a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee machines with pods.

In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter and it opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine brews the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of 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 making coffee machine and pods out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger, so they can fit 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're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to determine the best coffee pod machine.

The most popular pod-based coffee capsule machine machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth taking a look at. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button, so that you can create them with only one button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good choice for those looking for a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.

While the majority of people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin with the click of a button.

4. Customization

The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the best option for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides exactly what they need.

This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.

It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.