Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Tough As You Think
Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Tough As You Think
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. After switching on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. But they do come at a cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also among the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw and the best models are a breeze to use. Most machines use the same basic mechanism to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save custom settings on a number of models to speed up the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used several times. In either case, you'll have to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for hard-water areas.
This machine brews the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in a pod, hit the button, and then make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored away from view when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others, letting you choose the right size and temperature read more for each drink. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy 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 manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.