The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we’ve seen this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands – including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making coffee in just 30 seconds or so. However, they come with some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod’s code prior to making coffee. This allows you to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It’s also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.

However, the CitiZ isn’t the best machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn’t have an automatic descaling feature. You’ll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you’ll need to replace it with a new. This could be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed 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. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it will brew a 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 only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The most effective models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process further.

Keurig’s K-Cups and Nestle’s Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, but each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are designed for multiple uses. Whatever the case, you’ll need to think about the way you’ll dispose of the pods you’ve used up so that they don’t end up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your countertop and can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.

The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee capsules machines (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands – you simply load in a pod, hit an icon and prepare to brew. You’ll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.

The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.

This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink is made perfectly 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, like Sage’s My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than the majority, letting you choose the exact size and temperature for each drink. It’s a little more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.

Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It’s difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it’s quick and incredibly satisfying to operate – a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker’s limited customisation is a major reason it may not be the best option for you. If you don’t buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee machines with capsules. For most people, this won’t be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch’s Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that 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 varying brew strength. This may be a problem for 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 the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly 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’s easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You’ll also need to purchase the brand’s capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.