15 Gifts For The Best Coffee Pod Machine Lover In Your Life
15 Gifts For The Best Coffee Pod Machine Lover In Your Life
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. But they come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it simple to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It's also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The top models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same general method to make your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Some pods are designed to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are designed for multiple uses. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its user-friendly controls are easy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our testers who have weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The 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 preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing coffee capsules machines the right machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button so that you can create them with a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great choice for those looking for a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the right choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk to your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee to the particular kind of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied espressos with 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 accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.