The Best Pod Coffee Machines
Pod coffee machines allow you to insert a capsule containing ground or roasted coffee beans into the machine. The coffee is poured through the machine for a set amount of time.
Certain pod coffee machines come with multiple cup sizes and frothing milk capabilities. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking to buy a basic Keurig coffee maker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles that come with more expensive models, this is a good choice. It's easy to use, has a stunning design, and can be easily hidden into the corner of your kitchen when not being used.
The machine is noisy but it's not a huge issue. It's also small enough to be able to fit on a small counter. However, if you want a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other options.
Keurig K'Select is a single-serve coffee maker that blends a sleek design with more intuitive features. This allows you to brew the perfect cup of coffee every time. Choose from a wide selection of delicious K-Cup pods, or brew your own ground coffee using My-K-Cup's universal, reusable coffee filter (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it an ideal option for those who prefer strong coffee.
This brewer is easy to use and has simple buttons. Place a K-Cup and select your preferred size of brew and press brew. In less than a minute, you'll have freshly brewed coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to brew five cups before refilling, simplifying your morning routine.
The machine is simple to clean, and comes with a removable water reservoir and lid that can be easily hand washed. However, you should always descale your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the directions in the user's guide to ensure that your machine is working at its best. The warranty covers the brewer and all original accessories, except for normal wear and tear, damages caused by misuse or abuse, and any external causes of failure like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a lover of coffee and are in search of a pod machine capable of making more than just your regular cup of coffee it's the ideal option. It's designed to make wide range of drinks like tea and hot chocolate and features a large 1.3 Liter water tank that can make multiple cups at the same time. The machine is warm in just three seconds and can produce a latte or cappuccino using its milk jug built-in. It also comes with an LCD that can be touched to let you adjust the intensity, temperature, and volume of your drink.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which include everything you require for your preferred drink. There are over 70 different kinds which include Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine has a range of T discs, which include those for tea and hot chocolate.
We found the coffee it made to be of a high quality, albeit just a little less than other pod machines featured in this round-up. It also produced a creamy mouthfeel and steaming milk for a caffe lattes fast. It is important to note that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar in it, which, while not a major issue, may not be for everyone's taste.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, removable parts of the brewing unit and the water tank all being dishwasher-safe. capsule machine coffee A Brita filter is included, as well as an ice-cleaning disk. A handy indicator light will let you know when it's time to descale, and a water tank will keep limescale to the minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces its electricity consumption up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee maker created in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is among the most appealing machines on the market. It's constructed with durable and attractive materials, it comes with a neat adjustable steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos as well as a stainless milk jug made of steel. Pop in a pod and choose the cup size and the machine goes into action - brewing espresso lungo, double espresso gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a thick layer of silky froth.
Like most pod machines, you load the pod via an opening on top and then drop it into the appropriate spot. The machine punctures the capsule and then seals it. When you press the lever the used pod will fall into a specially spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew in 30 seconds for an espresso shot and 90 seconds for a lungo but the results are consistently impressive, with great crema and a smooth, rich taste. The machine will also alert you when it is time to refill the tank of water or the pod bin.
A big selling point for this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza brand pod There are seven in all, including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) Two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's expensive, but with the subscription deal that bundles the pod coffee machine with the delivery of pods that can come at a similar cost to a traditional bean-to-cup machine. The compact design of this machine allows it to fit into the tiniest kitchens. The pods are recyclable, so you can dispose of them in food waste bins for your council bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are some of the best pod coffee makers for those who want an efficient steady, reliable, and consistent coffee. They heat up quickly and are extremely simple to use. Simply insert a capsule, push a button, and you're done. They produce an extremely creamy, rich crema that can be added to drinks to give greater flavor and thickness. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll have purchase them.
The Vertuo line is a different model from the OriginalLine machines, which make use of espresso capsules. The Vertuo line reads the barcode of each capsule, and then automatically adjusts the brewing parameters to produce the perfect cup. And they include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule to get the best flavors and the thickest crema.
That said that, the machines aren't as intuitive as some of our other choices. The lid only opens when the machine is ready and it takes about 30 seconds for the capsule to heat up. It doesn't include the milk frother like some of the other pod machines listed on this list. So you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 to buy an additional Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more maintenance than other models - filling the water tank and emptying used pod containers and descaling - however, they come with an app which reminds you to complete these tasks, and offers tools such as capsule recyclers and store locators. If you connect your machine to an IntelliPort you can control it with voice commands which is a great feature if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am or have weak hands.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee maker is the love child of a well-known Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It comes with all the retro, sleek curves that SMEG is known for, and the ability to make lungo and espresso drinks with ease. It has a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height dripping trays, and removable pod bin.
This coffee maker lets you make a quick cup or two of espresso or lungo in the morning or during breaks at work. Its easy-to-use control panel looks sleek and doesn't distract from its purpose. It has three interchangeable baskets for different types of capsules. You can even make use of loose ground beans (although you'll need to own a separate grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't have a milk pitcher, however, it has an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother that can froth soymilk and cow milk quite nicely. It also comes with a portafilter that measures 51mm, which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. It is pressurised which means that it won't give off the stale, lingering taste. It comes with a plastic tamper which can also double as spoon.
The SMEG is among the most expensive pod machines on our list, but it's definitely worth it if your a fan of the retro look or like the ability to whip up espresso-based drinks. It's also a great option if you're new to the world of coffee and don't want to have to deal with the hassle of measuring, grinding and tamping your own beans.