The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.

Pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it will brew a cup in about 35 seconds.

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish 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 gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, 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 on a number of models to speed up the process further.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.

The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer will appeal to those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.

In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is beautiful 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 a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.

This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are simple to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our testers who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod, press a button and let it be brewed. It is still necessary 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 bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be kept out of sight when not in use.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.

The majority of people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however 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. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a specific button, allowing 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 machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each drink. It's a little more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who coffee pods coffee machine need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While the majority of people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best option for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are searching for.

This coffee maker is low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.

This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a gauge that lets you know when to descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and practical appliance that can provide them with a great service at a reasonable cost. For those who want more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.