Don't Buy Into These "Trends" About Best Coffee Pod Machine
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. After switching on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with many able to make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. But they do come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad drink. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded, while others can be used a number of times. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has 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 brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My capsule coffee makers Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that holds empty pods. It has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, including those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the best machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer competitors that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods are marked by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button to allow you to create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than others models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is the limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a problem 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, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a gauge that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be costly. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.