How to Choose the Best Coffee Pod Machine
If you love the idea of a quick, mess-free coffee fix early in the morning, a pod-based machine is worth considering. What are the best ways to choose the best one?
In a nod towards retro design, this machine boasts the SMEG and Lavazza branding across its front. It is more expensive and requires a large space on your counter. It's nevertheless the best pod coffee maker with the solid feel.
1. Nespresso Compatible
If you're an avid Nespresso lover, you'll want to select a coffee pod maker that is compatible with capsules made by this brand. You might also want to consider models that work with other capsules, such as organic and Fairtrade varieties or specialty flavoured pods. These are often available for an equivalent price to the original ones and some include a built-in milk frother to make the perfect cappuccino or latte.
The debut of Bruvi into the pod machine market in 2022 was met with excitement. This brightly-coloured device promised a range of beverages and a more satisfying cup of coffee than other pod machine, and pods that you could throw away without worrying about the environmental impact.
It is a success on every single point. This pod coffee machine is compact and affordable and yet produces an incredibly rich and robust cup of espresso each time. It's also among the most silent models available and you can whip up your cup of Joe before your alarm rings.
The Bruvi is available in two sizes and can be adjusted according to the type of drink you are making. If you're making cappuccino or latte it comes with three different textures and temperature settings for milk so you can get your froth on. It can even brew hot chocolate, which is perfect for adults or kids who just want to warm themselves and relax.
Another feature that's a big plus is the programable sleep mode, which switches to standby after a period of one hour of inactivity. It's also easy to clean, and uses very little water. Consider a machine with an open capsule holder that can be removed to make emptying easier.
You can also include a milk frother in your coffee pod (unless one is already included in the model you buy). Other things you might want to consider are an reusable filter that can be used with capsules that are reusable as well as a water kettle or thermometer for precise temperature control and the travel cup.
2. Easy to Clean
The convenience of a coffee machine makes it easy to get your day started with a quick, hot cup of coffee. In just a few seconds you'll have a freshly-brewed drink. Just add a pod and then switch it on. They are also easy to clean and most do not require any daily maintenance - simply refilling the tank with water and descaling every six months or more.
Keurig's K-Cups come with the broadest selection of choices on the market including national brands as well as grocery store favorites like Folgers, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Dunkin' Donuts. Even non-coffee drinks like hot chocolate and tea are available in K Cup forms from various brands. It's not necessary to use Keurig K-Cups to get a fantastic cup. You can also make it with reusable filter capsules that are made of plastic or paper and hold ground coffee, drippods that are pre-loaded, or loose grounds of coffee.
A lot of the pod-based machines don't make a deep, strong brew that can stand up to the most discerning palate. In our tests, we discovered certain pod coffee makers to produce bitter or watery cups of coffee. Some were difficult to use and took up a lot of counter space, and also running very loudly.
There are high-end coffee makers that have the convenience and consistency of single-serve machines but without the flimsy packaging and sour taste. Some models come with a built-in frother to froth and pour your latte or cappuccino, while others come with an additional frother that can connect to the machine to create an amazing frothy topping to your beverage.
The newer pod machines don't just make a great cup of coffee however, they also address the growing concern about environmental impact associated with single-serve pods made from plastic. Keurig and Nespresso have made their aluminum pods recyclable, by replacing them with polypropylene. The latter also offers free capsule recycling bags that are dropped off at any store or UPS facility. Bruvi is a brand new competitor, makes use of pods that are only compatible with its own brewers. They are designed to break down quickly in landfills, leaving no microplastics.
3. Fast Brewing
A pod coffee maker can be a lifesaver for people who don't wish to grind beans or boil the kettle. These machines are foolproof and allow you to brew espresso, tea, or coffee in just a few minutes, without having to clean up. While these machines produce more environmental waste than their drip counterparts, they're still significantly less time-consuming than brewing a batch of whole beans in a French press or pour-over.
A company based out of LA called Bruvi launched its BV-01 pod machine towards the end of 2022. It promised to create a more flavorful single-serve joes, offer more drink options than the vast majority of pod-based machines, and provide recyclable capsules that can be recycled without breaking into microplastics. While the Bruvi brewer costs more than Keurig or Nespresso, it is a fantastic device in all aspects that feels like a dawning of a new age in pod coffee.
One of the most important things to take into consideration when buying a coffee maker is serving size. Certain models can serve single-serve cups in a wide range of sizes, from giant travel mugs down to 2-ounce espresso shots. Other machines can brew entire pots of coffee, and some have a milk frother which allows you to add a creamy cappuccino or lattes to your morning joe.
The design of a coffee pod maker is a different aspect to consider. The color, finish and location of the machine as along with the size and location of the reservoir will affect how it looks on your counter. Some brands also provide different colored pods, which allows you to change up your beverage to suit the season or your mood.
Pod coffee makers tend to be compact and take up less space than single-serve or drip brewers. While a smaller footprint is great but it's equally essential to ensure that your machine has enough capacity to make several cups between refills. For the average household water tank, one that is at least 40 ounces ought to be adequate for most pod coffee makers.
4. Variety of drinks
The pod machines are extremely versatile and, based on the brand you select they can make a variety of drinks. Certain brands, such as the popular Keurig systems and Sage's Nespresso collab, can make up to four different sizes of drink while others only offer one or two options. Some machines can also make tea, hot chocolate, and cold drinks.
Certain pod coffee machines also make frothy cappuccinos and lattes thanks to built-in milk frothers. Others, however, require a separate or conjoined jug for this task. The top milk-frothing pod coffee machines provide the most precise control and user-friendliness and also an elegant design that can fit into any kitchen.
The Grind One makes a great example. It's minimalist design is a far cry form the curves that are found on other pod coffee machines. It's smaller than many Keurigs, making it perfect for dorms and kitchens with small spaces. The water tank can hold up to 40 pounds and is accessible. The machine automatically deposits used capsules in a container which is attached to the machine. Apart from maintaining best pod coffee machine and descaling it every six months, no maintenance is required.
The machine is more expensive than some of the other models we've reviewed, but it delivers a premium experience. The brushed stainless steel look is modern and sleek and the drip tray can be adjusted to fit shorter espresso cups or tall travel cups. It can make up to five different drinks with the help of a barcode system which scans every compatible pod to automatically adjust its settings.
This is the best-looking coffee pod machine we've tested and has a great tasting beverage, particularly for an automatic. We didn't give it the top spot due to the fact that it's not able to milk froth. The only option is to use dried, skimmed milk capsules, which don't taste as good as freshly squeezed milk. If it had a built-in milk maker then we'd be inclined to consider this pod machine to be the top spot.