The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. After switching on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 seconds. But they come at a cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it easy to make consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is among 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 the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as a stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The most effective models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same process to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to streamline the process even more.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer will appeal to those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas that have hard water.

The machine can brew an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area where you drop in the pod. It requires a little force to close but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best pod coffee machine coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee pods machine maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

The right coffee pod machine (https://bookmarkpressure.com/) for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer competitors which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.

This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to create them at the push 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 ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While the majority of people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the best option for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but it could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide exactly what they need.

Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.

This is a stunning machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods coffee machines. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.