The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.

Pod models 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. Fast

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in around 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are simple to use. Most machines use the same process to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.

The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee to drip.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.

The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its user-friendly controls are easy to use using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however most of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee 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 for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.

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

The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks in a single button so that you can create them with one button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your 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 offers the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

Certain models are larger and can make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 seconds.

4. Customization

The lack of customization is a major reason it's not the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very capsule machine coffee well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.

In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.