Your Family Will Be Grateful For Having This Best Coffee Pod Machine
How to Choose the Best Coffee Pod Machine
If you like the idea of a quick and easy coffee fix in the morning, a pod-based machine is worth considering. But how do you select the most effective one?
In a nod towards retro design, this machine sports the SMEG and Lavazza branding across its front. It is more expensive and requires a larger space on your counter. It's a high-performance pod coffee maker that feels solid.
1. Nespresso Compatible
If you're a Nespresso fan, you'll want to select a coffee maker that is compatible with the capsules of this brand. You may also want to choose models that work with different types of capsules, such as organic and Fairtrade choices or specialty flavoured pods. These models are available at a price similar to the originals. Some even have built-in frothers that allow you to make a cappuccino lattes, or other flavoured pods.
Bruvi's entry into pod machine industry in 2022 was greeted by excitement. This vibrantly-coloured device promised three things: a better tasting cup of coffee than other pod machines, a broad selection of drinks and pods that you could toss in the garbage without worrying about the environmental impact.
It is a success on every single point. This compact pod coffee machine is affordable and makes an intense, rich espresso every time. It's one of the quietest machines available on the market. You can make a cup of Joe even before your alarm goes off.
The Bruvi comes with two sizes of cups and can be adjusted to fit the type of beverage you're making. If best home espresso machine brewing cappuccino or latte it comes with three different textures and temperature settings for the milk so you can get your froth on. It can even brew hot chocolate, which is great for adults and kids who just want to warm up and relax.
Another major benefit is the programmable sleep mode, which goes to standby after an hour of non-use. It's also easy to clean and uses a minimal amount of water. You might want to consider a machine that has an open capsule holder that can be removed to make emptying it easier.
You can also include a milk frother in your coffee pod machine (unless one is already included in the model you purchase). You might also want to consider a reusable coffee filter that can be used with capsules that are reusable. A thermometer or water kettle for precise temperature control is also a good alternative.
2. Easy to Clean
A coffee pod machine is a great method to start your day with a hot cup coffee. In just a few minutes you'll have freshly brewed coffee. Simply put a pod in and switch it on. These machines are also very easy to clean, and the majority of them don't require regular maintenance - simply refilling the water tank and descaling every six months or as often.
Keurig's K-Cups provide the largest selection available. They include national brands like Folgers and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters as in addition to the grocery store staples Dunkin' Donuts and Dunkin' Donuts. Even non-coffee beverages like tea and hot chocolate are available in K Cup forms from various brands. But you're not restricted to Keurig's K-Cups to make a great cup of coffee, and you can also make use of reusable filter capsules made from plastic or paper that can hold ground coffee or pre-loaded drip pods and even loose grounds of coffee.
A lot of these machines based on pods don't produce a rich strong, robust brew that can endure the most discerning taste. During our tests, we found that some of the pod coffee makers produced watery or excessively bitter cups of coffee. Some were difficult to use and took up a lot of counter space, and also running very loudly.
Fortunately, there are now several high-quality pod coffee makers that give the convenience and consistency of a single-serve machine without the disappointing taste and wasteful packaging. Some models come with an inbuilt frother to froth and pour your latte or cappuccino, while others have an extra frother that can plug in to the machine to add a deliciously frothy top to your drink.
In addition to producing a great brew and brewing great coffee, these modern pod coffee machines have also taken steps to address the growing concerns about the environmental impact caused by single-serve pods made from plastic. Both Keurig and Nespresso have made their aluminum pods recyclable by replacing them with polypropylene and the latter also offers free bags for recycling capsules that can be dropped off at any of its retail outlets or UPS stores. A competitor that was recently launched, Bruvi, uses its own pods that can be used in its own brewer and have been designed to break down in landfills quickly and without leaving microplastics behind.
3. Fast Brewing
A pod coffee maker is a godsend for those who don't wish grind beans or boil the kettle. These machines are foolproof and allow you to brew espresso, tea or coffee in a matter of minutes with no cleaning up. And while these machines do generate more waste for the environment than drip machines, they're still significantly less fussy than brewing a batch of whole beans in a French press or pour-over.
A company based in LA named Bruvi launched its BV-01 pod-based machine at the end of 2022. It promised to make better-tasting single-serve joe, offer more drink options than the majority of pod-based machines, and provide capsules that can be reused and recycled without breaking into microplastics. While the Bruvi brewer costs more than Keurig or Nespresso, it is a great device that is like the dawning of a new age in pod coffee.
When purchasing a coffee pod machine the size of the serving is a major factor to consider. Some models produce single-serve cups of varying sizes, ranging from huge travel mugs to 2-ounce espresso shots. Other machines can make entire pots of coffee, and some have a milk frother so you can add a smooth cappuccino or latte into your morning cup of joe.
Another factor to be considered is the design of a pod coffee maker. The color, finish, and the location of the machine as along with the size and location of the reservoir will impact how it looks on your counter. Certain brands provide different colored pods so that you can alter your drink according to season or mood.
Pod coffee makers tend to be compact and occupy less space than drip or single-serve brewers. While a compact footprint is nice however, it's important to ensure your machine has enough capacity to make several cups between refills. For the average home, a water tank that can hold at least 40 ounces should be adequate for most pod coffee makers.
4. Variety of drinks
Pod machines can be surprisingly versatile, and based on the brand, they can make a variety. Certain brands, like the popular Keurig system and Sage's Nespresso collaboration, can brew four different sizes of drinks, whereas others offer only two or one. Certain machines also make hot chocolate and cold drinks.
Certain pod coffee machines make frothy cappuccinos as well as lattes thanks to built-in milk frothers. Some require an additional milk jug or a conjoined one to perform this job. The top pod coffee makers that milk froth have an efficient control system and user-friendliness as well as an elegant design that can fit into any kitchen.
The Grind One makes a great example. It has a minimalist design that's a far cry from the curves that you see on other pod coffee makers. It is smaller than many Keurig models which makes it perfect for those who have small kitchens or dorm rooms. The reservoir can hold up to 40 inches of water and is easily accessible. Used capsules are automatically placed in a container and, other than keeping the reservoir filled and decaling every six months or so, the machine requires little maintenance.
The machine is more expensive than many of the other models we've reviewed, but it delivers a premium experience. The drip tray can be adjusted so that it can fit tall travel mugs or shorter espresso cups. It is able to make five different drinks, thanks to a unique barcode system that scans each compatible pod and automatically adjusts its settings to create the perfect cup.
This is the best-looking coffee pod machine we've seen and has a great tasting brew, particularly for an automatic. We didn't give this machine the top spot because it has limited milk-frothing abilities. Its only option is to use dried skimmed milk capsules that aren't as delicious as freshly squeezed milk. We would have given this machine high marks in the event that it had an integrated milk frother.