Think You're Cut Out For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Do This Test
Think You're Cut Out For Best Coffee Pod Machine? Do This Test
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little 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, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it easy to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly 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 ground 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. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use is a major selling point and the top models are a breeze to operate. The majority of machines use the same basic method to make your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, however each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before they are discarded, while others can be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to plan out how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine comes with a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine brews the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your coffee maker. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press the button, and then prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup 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 view when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others provide more options for customization. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than the majority, letting you choose best pod coffee machine the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it's not the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. This won't be an issue for many people, but could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or altering the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every time. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a gauge that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. If you're looking for some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.