10 No-Fuss Methods For Figuring Out Your Best Coffee Pod Machine
10 No-Fuss Methods For Figuring Out Your Best Coffee Pod Machine
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. When it is turned on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or less. However, they come with some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to make consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The best models are simple to use. Most machines use the same basic method to make a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll handle your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking 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 stunning on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get out of it. All pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the right machine.
Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors which are worth looking into. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans 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 can save your customised drinks in a single button to allow you to make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than others models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While the majority of people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of a button.
4. Customization
The lack of customization is a major reason it might not be the best option for you. If you don't buy an additional milk best capsule coffee machine frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.
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 ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a low cost. If you're looking for some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.