The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 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. Speedy

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 minutes. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly 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, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 seconds.

If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just simple 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 a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet various needs. You can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process even more.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and be thrown away, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested has a water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop, and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as 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 hole to place into the pod. It requires a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making. You just add a pod the machine, press a button, and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts and can be tucked away on the counter and be kept out of sight when not being used.

The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.

Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent rivals that are worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used coffee pods coffee machine in conjunction with its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

The machine will take all the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a specific button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a single button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

Some larger models can also make lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks 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 brewed in just 30 seconds.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the best choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.

The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every time. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.

This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with 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. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.