How to Choose the Best Coffee Pod Machine
A pod machine is an excellent option for those who want to have a quick and clean morning cup of coffee. But how do you pick the best one?
With a nod to the retro design, this appliance sports the SMEG and Lavazza branding across its front. It requires a dominant space on your counter, and is more expensive than other. It's a high-performance pod coffee maker that feels solid.
1. Nespresso Compatible
If you're a Nespresso fan, you'll be looking for the right coffee maker that is compatible with capsules from this brand. It's also possible to choose a model that can use other capsules as well, like organic and Fairtrade varieties or special flavoured pods. These models are priced similarly to the originals. Some models even come with a built-in frother that allows you to make a cappuccino, Latte, or other flavored pods.
Bruvi's entry into the pod machine market in 2022 was met with excitement. This brightly-coloured device promised a variety of drinks, a better coffee experience than any other pod machine, and pods can be thrown away without worrying about the environment.
It delivers on three counts. The pod coffee machine is small and inexpensive and yet produces an intense and rich cup of espresso each time. It's one of the quietest machines on market. You can make coffee Joe even before the alarm goes off.
The Bruvi comes in two sizes and can be adjusted to the type of beverage that you're making. If you're brewing a latte or cappuccino it comes with three textures and temperature settings for milk so you can enjoy your froth. It can even brew hot chocolate, which is perfect for adults or kids who want to warm themselves and relax.
Another big benefit is the programmable sleep mode, which goes to standby after a period of one hour of non-use. It's also easy to clean and requires very little water. Think about a machine with a removable capsule holder to make emptying the capsule easier.
You can also add a milk frother to your coffee pod machine (unless one is already included in the model you purchase). Other things to consider include the possibility of a reusable filter to use with capsules that can be reused, a water kettle or thermometer for precise temperature control, and a travel mug.
2. Easy to Clean
The convenience of a coffee machine allows you to get your day started with a quick and hot cup of coffee. In a few minutes you'll be enjoying freshly brewed coffee. Simply put a pod in and switch it on. These machines are also easy to clean and most do not require any daily maintenance - just refilling the tank with water and descaling every six months or so.
Keurig's K-Cups come with the broadest selection of choices available including national brands and supermarket favorites like Folgers, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Dunkin' Donuts. Even non-coffee beverages like tea and hot chocolate are available in K Cup form from a variety of brands. However, you don't have to use Keurig's K-Cups to make a delicious cup of coffee, and you can also use filters that are reusable made of plastic or paper that hold ground coffee or pre-loaded drip pods, and even loose coffee grounds.
But many of these machines don't have the reputation of producing an intense, rich and robust brew that can stand up to the taste of discerning consumers. Our tests discovered that a few pod coffee makers made watery or overly bitter cups of coffee. Some were so difficult to operate that they took up valuable space on your counter and were prone to run loudly.
There are several high-quality pod coffee makers that give the ease of use and consistency of a single-serve machine, without the unpleasant taste and wasteful packaging. Some come with a built-in milk frother that allows you to foam and pour your cappuccino or latte and some sell separate frothers that which you can connect to the machine to provide an amazing foamy top to your drinks.
In addition to producing an excellent cup of coffee and brewing great coffee, these modern pod coffee machines have also taken steps to address the increasing environmental concerns caused by single-serve pods made of plastic. Keurig and Nespresso have made their aluminum pods recyclable, by replacing them with polypropylene. The latter provides free capsule recycling bags that can drop off at any boutique or UPS location. Bruvi, a newly launched competitor, makes use of pods that can only be used with its own brewers. coffeee.uk are designed to disintegrate quickly in landfills, leaving no microplastics.
3. Fast Brewing
If you do not want to deal with the effort of grinding beans or boiling a kettle, a pod coffee maker can be a real lifesaver. These machines are foolproof and can make espresso, tea or coffee in a matter of minutes with no cleaning up. These machines create more waste than their drip-style counterparts but are still much more simple to use than brewing whole beans in a French Press or Pour-Over.
In the latter half of 2022, an LA-based startup named Bruvi launched its BV-01 coffee pod machine. It promised to produce more flavorful single serve coffee, offer more drinks options than the vast number of other pod-based machine and deliver capsules that can be reused and thrown out without breaking down into tiny microplastics. And while the Bruvi brewer is more expensive than Keurig and Nespresso models but it's a great all-around device that feels like the dawn of a new age for pod coffee.
One of the most important aspects to think about when purchasing the coffee pod maker is the size of the serving. Some models can produce single-serve cups with different sizes, from large travel mugs to 2-ounce espresso shots. Certain machines can brew entire pots of coffee. Some even have a milk frother to add a creamy cappuccino, latte or the latte.
Another important factor to take into consideration is the design of a pod coffee maker. The color and the finish of the machine, as well as the location and size of the water reservoir and pod compartment will impact the appearance of your machine on your kitchen counter. Some brands also offer different colored pods that allow you to change your drink to suit the season or your mood.
Pod coffee makers are usually designed to be compact and require less space than traditional single-serve or drip brewers. Although a small footprint may be desirable, it is essential that your machine has the capacity to make multiple cups between refills. Most pod coffee makers should work with a water tank of at 40 ounces or more for the typical household.
4. Variety of Drinks
Pod machines are surprisingly flexible and, depending on the brand you select they can make a variety of drinks. Some brands, such as the popular Keurig system and Sage's Nespresso collaboration, can make four different sizes of drinks, whereas others offer just two or one. Certain machines can also prepare hot cocoa, tea and cold drinks.
Some pod coffee machines can make frothy cappuccinos as well as lattes, thanks to built-in milk frothers. Some require a separate milk jug or a conjoined one for this task. The top milk-frothing pod coffee machines have precise control and user-friendliness, and also a sleek design that fits into any kitchen.
The Grind One is a great example. It's minimalist design is a far cry from the curves that are found on other pod coffee machines. It's also smaller than most Keurigs, making it perfect for small kitchens and dorms. The water tank is easy to access and can hold up to 40 grams. Used capsules are automatically deposited in an attached container. Apart from maintaining the reservoir's capacity and descaling it every six months or this means that the machine needs little maintenance.
This machine is more expensive than many of the other models we've reviewed but it offers a premium experience. The drip tray can be adjusted so that it fits either tall travel mugs, or shorter espresso cups. It can be used to make up to five different drinks due to the barcode system that scans every compatible pod to automatically adjust its settings.
This is the most attractive machine we've ever tested. It also makes a great tasting brew - especially for an automatic. We didn't award this machine the top spot due to the fact that it has limited milk-frothing abilities. The only choice is to use dried, skimmed milk capsules which aren't as delicious as freshly squeezed milk. If it included a built-in milk froth then we'd probably award this pod machine the top spot.