20 Rising Stars To Watch In The Best Coffee Pod Machine Industry
20 Rising Stars To Watch In The Best Coffee Pod Machine Industry
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with many can make coffee in just 30 seconds or so. But they come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it simple to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. It is also among the slimmest and lightest on the market and does not require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to minimize their 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 zones. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different drink sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The top models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same general process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded and others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
This machine is quick and can brew standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. You just add a pod, press a button and let it make coffee. 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 also smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored out of view when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth a look. One is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the push of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its lack of customization. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's an easy-to-use, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes best coffee machines with pods (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are seeking.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or 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 cannot be set, which is a minor issue. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.