The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.

Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Rapid

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

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor drink. It's also among the tiniest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking 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 every 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing 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 can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a big selling point, and the best models are simple to operate. Most machines use the same basic method to make the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings on a number of models to simplify the process further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players on the market, but both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant for multiple uses. In either case, you'll have to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end up in the garbage.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer variety. This brewer is ideal 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 looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for hard-water areas.

The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your coffee maker. It requires a little effort to close, but our testers, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the right machine.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This method eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It is able to save your coffee machine and pods customized drinks in a single button so that you can make them by pressing one button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a great choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

While the majority of people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of a button.

4. Customization

One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem 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 and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.

This coffee maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.

This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of an indicator that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.