7 Simple Tips To Totally Intoxicating Your Best Coffee Pod Machine

The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. After switching on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.

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

1. Speedy

Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with many able to make coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This allows you to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It's also among the tiniest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.

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

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point and the top models are easy to use. Most machines utilize the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded however, others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is perfect for hard-water areas.

This machine is easy to use and can make standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press an icon and make coffee. 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. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of view when not being used.

If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but others offer more customization options. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent competitors on the scene that are worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button so you can make them with the press of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While most people will use a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro-fifties style 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, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The lack of customization is a major reason it might coffee machines with pods not be the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.

The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.

It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an issue. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a low cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.