20 Up-And-Comers To Watch In The Best Coffee Pod Machine Industry
20 Up-And-Comers To Watch In The Best Coffee Pod Machine Industry
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 seconds. But they come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad drink. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic process to make your coffee the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to streamline the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and brews regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto pod coffee machines and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects who have limited hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press an icon and 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. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth looking at. One is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button, so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its limited customization. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are 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 many people, but could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee for the specific kind 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. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.
The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate it every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This is a stunning machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. 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 can be used at a low cost. For those who want some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.