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 elegant pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. But they do come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. It's also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major draw and the best models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same mechanism to brew your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used only once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. In either case, you'll have to think about the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that stores your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop your coffee maker. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods are marked by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get something more here from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is its limited customizability. Unless you purchase an auxiliary 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 however it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or varying 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 and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee and ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable cost. For those who want a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.