How to Choose the Best Coffee Pod Machine
A pod machine is a fantastic option for those who want to have a quick, mess-free morning cup of coffee. What are the best ways to choose the right one?
This machine is retro in design and features the SMEG Lavazza logo on its front. It requires a dominant space on your countertop and is pricier than others. However, it's an excellent pod coffee maker that has an incredibly solid feel.
1. Nespresso Compatible
If you're an avid Nespresso fan, you'll want to select a coffee maker that is compatible with the capsules made by this brand. It's also possible to look for models that work with different types of capsules too, like organic and Fairtrade choices or flavored pods with a special flavor. These models are priced similarly to the standard ones. Some even come with built-in frothers that allow you to make a cappuccino, lattes, or other flavoured pods.
Bruvi's entry into the pod machine market in 2022 was met with awe. The brightly-colored device promised three things: a more flavorful cup of coffee than other pod machines, a broad range of beverage options and pods that you could throw in the bin without worrying about environmental consequences.
It's a winner on every single point. The pod coffee machine is compact and affordable, yet it produces an incredibly rich and robust cup of espresso each time. It's one of the quietest machines available on the market. You can make coffee Joe even before the alarm goes off.
The Bruvi comes with two sizes of cups that can be adjusted to suit the type of drink you're making. It has three settings for temperature and the texture of the milk while making the cappuccino or lattes. It can also make hot chocolate, which is perfect for adults and kids who just want to warm up and relax.
A sleep feature that is programmable is another feature that's a plus. It goes into standby mode after a period of time without using. It's also easy to clean and requires a minimal amount of water. Consider a machine with a removable capsule holder to make emptying the capsule easier.
Additional Info can also add a milk maker to your coffee pod machine (unless one is already included in the model you purchase). It is also possible to consider a coffee filter that is reusable and can be used with capsules that are reusable. A thermometer or water kettle for precise temperature control is a great alternative.
2. Easy to Clean
A coffee pod machine is a great way to begin your morning with a hot cup coffee. In a few minutes you'll be enjoying freshly brewed coffee. Just put a pod in and switch it on. These machines are also very easy to clean, and most do not require any daily maintenance, just filling up the tank with water and decaling every six months or so.
Keurig's K-Cups provide the largest selection available. They include national brands like Folgers and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters as in addition to the grocery store staples Dunkin' Donuts and Dunkin' Donuts. Even non-coffee beverages like tea and hot chocolate are available in K Cup form from different brands. However, you don't have to use Keurig's K-Cups to make a great cup of coffee. In fact, you can also use filters that are reusable made of paper or plastic that hold ground coffee or pre-loaded drip pods and even loose coffee grounds.
But many of these pod-based machines aren't known for delivering an intense, rich cup that is able to satisfy the discerning palate. We discovered certain pod coffee makers to make watery or bitter cups of coffee. Some were difficult to use, taking up valuable counter space and generating a loud noise.
Fortunately, there are now a few high-end pod coffee makers that give the ease of operation and consistency of a single-serve machine without the unpleasant taste and wasteful packaging. Some models come with an inbuilt frother to foam and pour your cappuccino or latte, while others come with a separate frother that you can connect to the machine to create an amazing frothy topping to your beverage.
The newer pod machines don't only provide a delicious cup of coffee but also tackle the increasing concern about the environmental impact of single-serve pods that are made of plastic. Both Keurig and Nespresso have made their aluminum pods more recyclable by replacing them with polypropylene, and the latter now offers free capsule-recycling bags that can be picked up at any of its stores or UPS locations. A competitor that was recently launched, Bruvi, uses its own pods, which can only be used in its own brewer. They are designed to break down in landfills quickly and without leaving microplastics behind.
3. Fast Brewing
A pod coffee machine is a lifesaver for those who don't wish to grind beans or boil kettles. These reliable machines can make espresso, tea, or coffee in minutes without any cleaning up. And while these machines do produce more environmental waste than their drip counterparts however, they're significantly less time-consuming than brewing whole beans in a French press or pour-over.
In the late 2022's, a startup based in Los Angeles named Bruvi introduced its BV-01 coffee pod machine. It promised to make better-tasting single-serve joe, offer more drink options than other pod-based machines and deliver capsules that can be reused and thrown away without breaking down into microplastics. And while the Bruvi brewer is more expensive than Keurig and Nespresso models however, it's a fantastic all-round device that smacks of the dawn of a new era in pod coffee.
One of the biggest things to think about when purchasing a coffee maker is serving size. Certain models can serve single-serve cups in a wide range of sizes, from huge travel mugs to 2-ounce espresso shots. Other machines can make entire pots of coffee, and some have a milk frother to allow you to add a smooth cappuccino or lattes to your morning joe.
Another important factor to take into consideration is the design of a pod-based coffee machine. The color and the finish of the machine along with the location and size of the reservoir for water and pod compartment will determine the appearance of your machine on your kitchen counter. Certain brands provide different colored pods, so you can change your drink according to season or mood.
Pod coffee makers are typically small and take up less space than drip or single-serve brewers. While a compact footprint is nice but it's equally essential to ensure that the machine has enough capacity to brew several cups in between refills. For the average home water tank, one that is at least 40 ounces will be adequate for most pod coffee makers.
4. Variety of Drinks
Pod machines can be surprisingly versatile, and depending on the brand, they are able to make a variety of drinks. Some brands, such as the popular Keurig system and Sage's Nespresso collaboration, can brew four different sizes of drinks, while others only offer two or three. Certain machines also can make hot cocoa, tea and cold drinks.
Certain pod coffee machines have built-in milk frothers that can create cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks with frothy froth. Others, however, need a separate or conjoined milk jug to accomplish this. The top pod coffee makers that milk froth provide an efficient control system and user-friendliness as well as sleek designs that fit into any kitchen.
The Grind One is a great example. It's minimalist design is a far cry from the curves that are that are found on other pod coffee machines. It's smaller than many Keurigs, making it perfect for small kitchens and dorms. The reservoir can hold up to 40 ounces and is easy to access. The used capsules are placed in a container. Other than maintaining the reservoir's capacity and descaling it every six months or this means that the machine needs minimal maintenance.
This machine is more expensive than some of the other models we've reviewed, but it offers a premium experience. The brushed stainless steel look is modern and sleek and the drip tray can be adjusted to fit tall or short espresso cups as well as travel cups. It can brew five different drinks, due to a custom barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod and then automatically adjusts its settings to create the perfect cup.
This is the best-looking machine we've tested. It also makes a great tasting brew - especially for an automatic. We didn't give it the top spot because it has limited milk-frothing abilities. The only choice is to use dried skimmed milk capsules, which don't taste as good as freshly squeezed milk. If it included a built-in milk froth then we'd be inclined to give this machine the top spot.