(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/2779/de-longhi-nescafe-dolce-gusto-mini-me-single-serve-capsule-coffee-machine-starter-kit-including-6-boxes-of-coffee-pods-edg155-bg-230-milliliters-black-grey-2779.jpg)This sleek, brushed-steel machine offers the Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they do come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. It's also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge once this 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 used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a 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 just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, an 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. Most machines utilize the same basic process to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet various needs. You can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used once and be thrown away, while others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that stores your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can brew regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area where you drop in the pod. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod coffee machine machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth a look. One is Bruvi which has its own pod making machines system, called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than others, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a good choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Certain models are larger and can make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule coffee machines, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're searching for.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is an inconvenience. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/2841/dolce-gusto-delonghi-nescafe-infinissima-pod-capsule-coffee-machine-espresso-cappuccino-and-more-1-2-liters-edg260-r-red-black-2841.jpg)
