The most elegant pod machine we’ve seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them aren’t recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn’t require an additional milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn’t the ideal machine for those looking to reduce 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. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you’ll need to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew the cup in about 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage, is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are easy to use. Most machines utilize the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used a number of times. You’ll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for hard-water areas.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are simple to operate, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close but our test subjects, even those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod coffee makers machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands – you simply put in the pod, press an icon and brew. You’ll still need to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod pod-making machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, like Sage’s My Way, offer greater control over your coffee machines for pods than the majority machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It’s more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It’s not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles however once you’ve become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
A pod and capsule coffee machines coffee maker’s limited 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 are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn’t be a problem for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch’s Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It’s a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or 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 and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every so often. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This machine is part Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It’s easy to use via a simple panel of buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. It’s only downside is the lack of a display that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand’s own capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.