The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. After switching on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. But they come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee capsule machine pods used in these models 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 is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee pods machine every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in about 35 seconds.

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

2. Removable parts

The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic method to make a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer different drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they aren't thrown away in the trash.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is perfect for coffee machines with capsules lovers who want to move away from drip coffee.

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

This machine is quick and can brew standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best pod coffee machine coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply need to load a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.

The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.

Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the push of a single button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than the majority, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the brand. This is a great choice for those looking for a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.

Some larger models can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in just 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.

In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from a hidden container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.

It's a gorgeous machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.