Five People You Need To Know In The Best Coffee Pod Machine Industry
The Best Coffee Pod MachineThe sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.
Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. However, they come with a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor drink. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model 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 is heated it, it can make one cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just 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 major draw and the best models are simple to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same method to make your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on many models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players on 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 being thrown away and others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load one of the pods, press a button and brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth looking at. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a great option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be right for you is the limited customizability. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every so often. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable cost. If you're looking for some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available capsule coffee machines for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.