A Brief History Of Best Coffee Pod Machine History Of Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. After turning on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires, which could be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it, it can make one 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 sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines use the same method to make your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the capsules you choose and extracted to produce 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 major players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used several times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine comes with a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and brews regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is add a pod the machine, push a button and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be kept out of sight when not in use.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer rivals which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best option for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode scanners 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 the job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate it every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed container which keeps your kitchen spotless. pod capsule coffee machine www.coffeee.uk is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This is a stunning machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and convenient 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 are available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.