Think You're The Perfect Candidate For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Do This Test
Think You're The Perfect Candidate For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Do This Test
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest 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 most capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or so. But they do come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always 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 which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. This machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce the 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. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge once this 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, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a big selling point and the top models are easy to use. Most machines use the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, however each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant for multiple uses. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent 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 a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine is quick and can brew standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in one of the pods, press the button, and then brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines pod making machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button to allow you to make them by pressing a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a great option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some larger models can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its limited customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to the coffee. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a gauge that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.