10 Things We We Hate About Best Coffee Pod Machine
10 Things We We Hate About Best Coffee Pod Machine
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it warms up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. However, they come with an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some 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 decreasing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. 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
The user-friendliness is a major draw and the best models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same process to brew a cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks 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 leading players on the market, but each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can brew standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
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 use, but some have more options for customization than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth looking at. One is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button to allow you to make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each drink. It's a pod and capsule coffee machines little more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a good option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this and blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, 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 easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only way to enhance flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly, hands-off machine which does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.
Aside from filling up the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a display that tells you when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. For those who want a little more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.