The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. After turning on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. But they come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it simple to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain 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 that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 minutes.

If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and a milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process further.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used once before they are discarded and others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.

The SMEG we tested has 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 coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee machine for pods drinkers who 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 it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. It has a water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.

This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee pods machine (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in the pod. It requires some force to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in one of the pods, press an icon and brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not in use.

The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.

Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to make them by pressing only one button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those who want an extra bit of quality from their espresso maker that is based on pods.

Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with 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 easy and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are placed in an internal bin with the click of a button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee machines with capsules. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the particular 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. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're searching for.

The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.

This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set which is an inconvenience. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable cost. If you're looking for 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.