The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we’ve ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. However, they come with an expense: 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 now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn’t the best coffee machines with pods machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn’t have an automatic descaling function and you’ll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You’ll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it’s done, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.

If you’re after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process even further.

Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used several times. Whatever the case, you’ll need to think about how you’ll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is easy to use and can brew regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your coffee maker. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. 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 equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by 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. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.

Many people think of pod-based pod-making machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods coffee machines called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button, allowing you to make them with the press of a single button.

Other machines, like Sage’s My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each drink. It’s more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of Sage’s My Way. This is a good option for those who want something more from their pod-based espresso maker.

While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It’s not easy initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you’ve become accustomed to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 seconds.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be right for you is the limited customization. If you don’t have an alternative milk frother, the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. This won’t be an issue for many people, but could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch’s Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It’s an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but isn’t able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they’re seeking.

This coffee maker is low maintenance. It’s all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It’s easy to use via a simple panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a gauge that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.