How to Choose the Best Coffee Pod Machine
If you love the idea of a quick, mess-free coffee fix in the morning, a pod-based machine is worth considering. How do you choose the right one?
With a nod to retro design, this machine sports the SMEG and Lavazza branding across its front. It needs a prominent spot on your countertop and is more expensive than other models. It's a high-performance pod coffee maker that is solid.
1. Nespresso Compatible
If you are an avid Nespresso fan, you'll want to select a coffee pod maker that is compatible with capsules from this brand. You may also want to consider models that work with different types of capsules too, like organic and Fairtrade options or special flavoured pods. These are often available for a similar price to the original ones and some come with an inbuilt milk frother, so you can make the perfect cappuccino or latte.
Bruvi's entry into the pod machine industry in 2022 was greeted with excitement. The brightly-colored device promised three things: a better tasting cup of coffee than other pod machines, a vast range of beverage options and pods that you could put in the trash without worry about the environmental impact.
It is a winner on three counts. The pod coffee maker is compact and affordable and yet produces a rich and robust cup of espresso each time. It's one of the quietest machines on market. You can make coffee Joe even before your alarm goes off.
The Bruvi comes with two sizes of cups that can be adjusted to fit the type of beverage you're making. If you're making a latte or cappuccino it comes with three different textures and temperature settings for the milk so you can get your froth on. It can also make hot chocolate, which is great for kids or adults who just need to warm up and wind down.
Another big plus is the programmable sleep mode, which switches to standby after an hour of inactivity. It's also simple to clean, and uses very little water. If you want to keep your electricity costs low, consider using one that comes with an able capsule holder that can be removed for easier emptying.
You can also add a milk frother to your coffee pod machine (unless one is already included in the model you buy). You may also want to consider an reusable coffee filter that can be used with reusable capsules. A thermometer or water kettle for precise temperature control is another alternative.
2. Easy to Clean
A coffee pod machine is a convenient way to start your morning with a hot cup of coffee. In just a few seconds you'll have freshly brewed coffee. Simply insert a pod and switch it on. They are also easy to clean and most of them don't require daily maintenance, just filling up the tank with water and decaling every six months or so.
Keurig's K-Cups offer the largest selection of options available including national brands and grocery store favorites like Folgers, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Dunkin' Donuts. There are also some non-coffee options, such as tea and hot cocoa, available in K-Cup forms from a variety of brands. It's not necessary to make use of Keurig K-Cups to enjoy a great cup. You can also make it with disposable filter capsules that are made of paper or plastic and can hold ground coffee, drippods that are pre-loaded, or loose coffee grounds.
A lot of the pod-based machines do not produce a rich strong brew that will be able to stand up to the most discerning taste. During our tests, we discovered that a few pod coffee makers produced watery or excessively bitter cups of coffee. Some were difficult to use and took up a lot of counter space and running loudly.
There are best automatic coffee machine -quality pod coffee makers that offer the convenience and consistency of a single-serve machine without the sour taste and flimsy packaging. Some have a built-in milk frother to froth and pour your cappuccino or latte, while others have a separate frother you can plug into the machine to provide a deliciously foamy top to your drinks.
The newer pod machines don't only make a great cup of coffee but also tackle the increasing concern about environmental impact associated with single-serve pods made from plastic. Keurig and Nespresso made their aluminum pods recyclable, by replacing them with polypropylene. The latter provides free capsule recycling bags that are dropped off at any store or UPS facility. A new competitor, Bruvi, uses its own pods that can be used in its own brewer and are designed to break down in landfills quickly and leave no microplastics behind.
3. Fast Brewing
A pod coffee maker is a godsend for those who don't want to grind beans or boil the kettle. These idiot-proof appliances let you brew a cup of coffee, espresso or tea in a matter of minutes, with no cleanup. They produce more waste than drip-style counterparts, however they are still much more simple to use than making whole beans in a French Press or Pour-Over.
A startup based in LA called Bruvi has launched its BV-01 pod machine towards the end of 2022. It promised to produce superior single serve coffee that tastes better and offer a wider variety of drinks than the vast number of other pod-based machines, and also provide capsules that can be reused and removed without breaking down into tiny microplastics. While the Bruvi brewer will cost more than Keurig or Nespresso but it is a fantastic device all around that feels like a dawning of a new age in pod coffee.
When purchasing a coffee pod maker, the size of the serving is a key factor to take into account. Some models can sling single-serve cups in a wide range of sizes, ranging from huge 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 latte.
Another factor to be considered is the design of a pod-based coffee machine. The color, finish, and location of the machine, as well as the size and position of the reservoir will affect how it looks on your counter. Some brands even offer different colored pods, allowing you to change your beverage to suit the season or your mood.
Pod coffee makers tend to be compact and take up less space than drip or single-serve brewers. While a compact footprint is nice, it's also essential to ensure that your machine has enough capacity to make several cups between refills. Most pod coffee makers should be equipped with a water tank of at 40 ounces or more for the typical household.
4. Variety of Drinks
Pod machines are surprisingly flexible and, based on the brand you choose they can create all kinds of drinks. Some brands, such as Keurig, which is a well-known system and Sage's Nespresso collaboration, can brew four different sizes of drinks, while others offer only two or one. Some machines can also make hot chocolate, and cold drinks.
Certain pod coffee machines have built-in milk frothers that can make lattes, cappuccinos and other frothy drinks. Some require an additional milk jug or a conjoined one for this function. The best milk-frothing machines are simple to operate and provide precise control. They also feature sleek designs which fits into any kitchen.
The Grind One is a great example. It's a sleek design that's a step away from the curves you find on other pod coffee makers. It is smaller than the majority of Keurig models which makes it perfect for those who have small kitchens or dorm rooms. The reservoir can hold up to 40 inches of water and is accessible. The machine will automatically place capsules that are used in a container which is attached to the machine. In addition to maintaining the reservoir and descaling it every six months, minimal maintenance is required.
The machine is more expensive than the other models we have reviewed, but offers a premium experience. The brushed stainless steel look is sleek and modern The drip tray can be adjusted to accommodate short espresso cups or tall travel cups. It can be used to make up to five different drinks with the help of the barcode system that scans every compatible pod to automatically adjust its settings.
It's the most beautiful coffee pod machine we've tested and offers a superb-tasting coffee, especially for an automatic. We didn't award this machine the top spot due to the fact that it's limited in its ability to milk froth. Its only option is to use dried skimmed milk capsules, which do not taste as good as freshly squeezed milk. If it included a built-in milk froth then we'd give this machine the top spot.