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The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

Models for pods are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in about 35 seconds.

If you're after 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 gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. Most machines use the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings for a variety of models to speed up the process even more.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then discarded, while others are meant for multiple uses. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.

The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.

This machine is quick and brews regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the counter and be kept out of view when not in use.

The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others provide more options for customization. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.

The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button to allow you to create them using one button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that's associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While the majority of people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as pods coffee machines well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin with the click of the button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be right for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. For many people this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers 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 simple hands-off device that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are looking for.

This coffee maker is low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with a crema-topped top.

This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.