15 Gifts For The Best Coffee Pod Machine Lover In Your Life
The Best Coffee Pod MachineThis sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage distinctive quality and user-friendly. After switching on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of 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 just 30 minutes. But they come at a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This makes it easy to ensure consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated, it can brew one cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles then 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 quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw and the best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic method to make your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used once before they are discarded, while others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that houses empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can brew regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your coffee maker. It does take a little force to close, but our testers, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit the button, and then brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks to a button so that you can create them with only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than most models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each cup. 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 good option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its limited customizability. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but it could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It pods coffee machine is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules, which can be pricey. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and convenient appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.