Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Tough As You Think
Best Coffee Pod Machine Isn't As Tough As You Think
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of operation. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 minutes. However, they come with some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. It is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it will 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 gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's 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 the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major brands on the market, but both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are intended for multiple uses. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making. You just add a pod the machine, press a button, and let it brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with 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 option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is made 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, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than most, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages There are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and 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 easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses pod coffee machine barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's a user-friendly 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 but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of an indicator that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.