The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the trademark 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 just 30 minutes.

Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy aspects of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if 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.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does 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 just easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and a milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew the cup of coffee machine with capsules you want: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top 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 once before they are discarded and others can be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll handle your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule coffee machine uk once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for various options. This brewer will appeal to those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.

In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.

The machine can brew the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place into your pod. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load the pod, press the button, and then make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them with one button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than others, letting you choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.

Certain models are larger and can create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 seconds.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule coffee makers. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or altering the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're searching for.

This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are then ejected from a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.

This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It's easy to use via a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is a good pod coffee machines for pods maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at an affordable price. If you're looking for some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.