The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine

The best coffee pod machine (Going Here)

The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it heats up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Fast

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

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once this happens it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.

If you're after an elegant, stylish 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 easy to use but also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.

Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players 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 being thrown away, while others can be used several times. In either case, you'll have to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they don't end up in landfill.

The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule coffee machines after the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.

In our testing we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter and can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop the pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored away from view 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, but others offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth looking at. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods coffee machine are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan 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 dedicated button so you can create them at the push of a single button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal temperature and size for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

While most people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin at the push of the button.

4. Customization

One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be the best choice for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your coffee manually. For many people this won't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule machine coffee. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the specific type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're seeking.

In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee machine and pods maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.

This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of a display that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.