The Three Greatest Moments In Pod Coffee Machine History
The Best Pod Coffee MachinesPod coffee machines allow you to put a capsule that contains ground or roasted coffee beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a predetermined amount of time.
Certain pod coffee makers offer various sizes of cups as well as a built-in filter and milk ability to froth. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is an excellent option if you're looking for a Keurig coffee maker that doesn't come with all the bells, whistles and features of higher-end models. It's simple to use and has a great appearance. When not in use it can be tucked into a corner in the kitchen.
The machine can be loud but it's not a huge issue. It's also small enough to be able to fit on a counter that is small. If you're looking for a Keurig that offers a wider variety of sizes, or a carafe for traditional drip brewing, think about other options.
Keurig K-Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek style with more user-friendly features. This lets you brew the perfect cup of coffee every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups, or brew your coffee using a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it a great option for coffee lovers who prefer strong cups.
The brewer has simple controls that are operated by buttons. Just put in a K-Cup pod, select the desired brew size and then press brew. In less than a minute you'll have a fresh cup of coffee waiting for you to enjoy. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces allows you to make five cups before refilling, simplifying your morning routine.
The machine is simple to clean, and comes with an easily accessible reservoir for water and a lid that can be easily hand washed. But, you must descale your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the directions in the user manual to ensure that the machine is operating at its peak. This warranty covers the brewer and all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damage caused by misuse or abuse and external causes of failure, such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a coffee lover and are looking for a pod machine that can produce more than just your regular cup of coffee it's the ideal choice. It can create a variety of drinks, including tea and hot cocoa. The large 1.3-litre water tank allows for multiple cups to be brewed simultaneously. The machine can be heated up within three seconds, and also has a built-in milk container that allows you to make latte and cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive display that allows you to set the intensity, temperature and quantity of your preferred drink.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs that are a set of ingredients that can be used to create your drink. There are more than 70 varieties to choose from, ranging from brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine comes with a selection of T Discs, including those for hot tea and chocolate.
The coffee that was produced by this machine was of good quality, although slightly lower than other machines we have reviewed. It also steamed the milk for an espresso fairly quickly and produced a rich taste without being too thick. It is important to remember that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar in it, which, while not a major issue it might not be to everyone's liking.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, thanks to the drip tray, removable parts of the brewing unit as well as the water tank being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as a cleaning disk. A useful indicator light will let you know when it's time to descale, and a water tank will keep limescale at a minimum. The machine is classified as Energy Star, which helps reduce the power consumption of up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
The Nespresso-compatible pod espresso machine from Lavazza which was developed in collaboration with Sage, is one of the best-looking machines on the market. It's constructed with durable and attractive materials, comes with a neat adjustable steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos, and an stainless milk jug in steel. Place a pod into the machine and select the size of your cup and the machine goes into action, making espresso, lungo, double espresso, gran lungo, alto and mug drinks with a thick layer of silky foam.
As with most pod machines you load a pod through an opening on the top of the machine and drop it in place. The machine punctures the capsule, then seals it. When you lift the lever the used pod will fall into a designated spent Pod tray underneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew espresso, it takes 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. However, the results are always amazing with a smooth, rich flavor and a great crema. The machine also warns you when the water tank or pod bin is in need of refilling.
A big selling point for this machine is that you can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod Seven pods are available in total including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's expensive, but with the subscription deal that bundles this pod coffee machine with the delivery of pods, it can work out at a similar price to a traditional bean-to-cup machine. This machine's slimline design means it can be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens. Additionally, the pods are compostable, which means you can place them into your council's food waste bins or your own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are some of the best pod coffee makers for those looking for an efficient, reliable, and consistent drink. They heat quickly and are incredibly simple to use--just put a capsule in, push the button, and you're done. They also create a rich crema that you can add to your drinks to add flavour and thickness. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll have to buy them.
The Vertuo line is based on different technology than OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and remain in operation). The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode of each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters in order to make an ideal cup. And they include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule to get the fullest flavors and most dense crema.
That said, the machines aren't as intuitive as our other choices. For instance the lid opens only when the machine is ready, and it takes 30 seconds to get hot enough to be able to fit into the capsule. The machine doesn't come with milk frothers like the other pod coffee makers listed on this list, meaning you'll need an additional PS90 or so to buy an additional Aeroccino for those who want to make lattes or cappuccinos.
They also require more frequent maintenance than other models, such as refilling the water tank, emptying old pod containers, and descaling. However, they have an application that reminds you of these tasks and offers tools like store locators and capsule recycling. And if you connect your machine to an IntelliPort it is possible to use voice commands to control it which is a great feature if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am or have a weak hand.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee maker is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It sports the modern, sleek curves SMEG are renowned for, and can brew the espresso and lungo drinks. It also comes with a shot setting that is programmable as well as dual-height drip trays and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker makes it easy to make one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo during your break at work. Its easy-to-use control panel makes it look sleek and doesn't distract you from its functionality. It has three interchangeable baskets for different coffee machine for pods capsule types. You can even use ground beans that are loose (although you'll need an additional grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a pitcher for milk. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother which is able to froth soymilk and cow milk very well. It also comes with the portafilter 51mm that is smaller than a typical commercial-style filter. It's pressurised, so you won't have the taste of stale food that is left behind. It also comes with a Tamper which can also be used as scoop.
The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines on our list but it's well worth it if you're a fan of the retro look or if you like being able to whip up espresso-based drinks. This is a great option for those who are new to making coffee and do not want to tackle the difficulty of measuring, grinding, and tamping beans by yourself.