The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you place a sealed capsule with ground or roasted beans into the machine. The coffee is poured through the machine for a specified amount of time.
Some pod coffee machines have various sizes of cups as well as frothing milk capabilities. The best pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker without the bells and whistles that come with more expensive models, this is a great choice. It's simple to use and has a stunning design. When not in use it can be placed in a corner of the kitchen.
One downside to this machine is that it may be loud, but it isn't an issue. It is also small enough to fit on a counter with a small space. If you're looking for a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe that can drip-brew your coffee, you may want to consider other options.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a elegant design and intuitive features to help you make your perfect cup every time. Choose from a wide selection of delicious K-Cup pods, or make your own ground coffee using My-K-Cup's universal coffee filter that is reusable (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the intensity and strength of your coffee and makes it the perfect option for those who love a strong cup.
This brewer is simple to use, using simple button controls. Simply put in the K-Cup pod, choose the brew size you'd like to use, and press the brew button. In less than one minute, you'll have a cup of fresh coffee. The large 52-ounce water reservoir allows you to make up to five cups in between refills, simplifying your morning routine.
The Keurig is incredibly easy to clean. The water reservoir and lid can be cleaned and removed by hand. However, you should always clean your Keurig prior to cleaning it, and follow the directions in the user manual to ensure that your machine is operating at its peak. This warranty covers the brewer and all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damages caused by misuse or abuse or any other external cause of failure such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the ideal choice for coffee lovers who want an appliance that can do more than just making your regular cup. It can create a variety of drinks such as tea and hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at the same time. The machine can be heated up in only three seconds and can produce an espresso or latte with its built-in milk jug. It also comes with a touch-sensitive screen that allows you to alter the intensity, temperature and volume of your drink.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which contain everything you require for your desired drink. There are over 70 different kinds, including Kenco, Costa, Milka, and Cadbury's. The machine comes with a selection of T discs, including those for tea and hot chocolate.
We found the coffee it produced to be of good quality, although just a little less than other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also steamed the milk for an espresso fairly quickly and produced a rich mouthfeel without being overly thick. However, it must be not forgotten that the frothy milk made from T Discs contains sugar which isn't a huge problem in itself however, may not be to everyone's liking.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, removable parts of the brewing unit as well as the water tank all being dishwasher-safe. There's an Brita filter that is included as well as a coffee machines capsules cleaning disc that can be used. A helpful indicator light lets you know when it's time to descale, and the water reservoir helps keep limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce the amount of electricity it uses by up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso-compatible pod coffee machine from Lavazza, made in collaboration with Sage is among the most attractive machines available. The machine is constructed of sturdy and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, as well as a stainless-steel milk jug. Place a pod into the machine, select your cup size and the machine will whir into action - making espresso, lungo, double espresso gran lungo, alto and mug drinks with a thick layer of silky frosting.
As with most pod machines you load a pod using an opening on the top of the machine and drop it into place. The machine punctures the capsule then closes it. When you press the lever, the pod will fall into a dedicated used Pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew espresso, it takes 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. However, the results are always spectacular with a smooth, rich flavor and great crema. The machine will also alert you when it's time to refill the tank of water or the pod bin.
This machine is a huge seller because you can use any Lavazza pod. There are seven pods in total that include ground espresso (Qualita Rossa) and decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso), and two organic coffees. Bio). The pod coffee machine isn't expensive, but if you pair it with pod delivery the cost could be similar to a regular bean-to cup machine. Its slimline design means it can be tucked away in the smallest kitchens, while the pods themselves are industrially compostable, so you can put them in your council food waste bins or your own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are among the top pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, speedy and consistently brewed cup. They heat quickly and are simple to use. Simply place a capsule in and press a button, and you're ready to go. They also produce a rich crema that can be added to your drinks for added flavour and thickness. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll have to buy them.
The Vertuo line is a different machine than the OriginalLine machines, which still use espresso capsules. The Vertuo line reads the barcode of each capsule, and then automatically adjusts the brewing parameters in order to make a perfect cup. And they feature a centrifusion mechanism that spins the capsule to get the best flavors and the most thick crema.
However they're not as intuitive as our other picks. For instance the lid opens only when the machine is ready and it takes 30 seconds to heat up enough to be able to fit into a capsule. They don't include a milk frother, like some of the other pod machines listed on this list. Therefore, you'll need to shell out an additional PS90 to buy a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more maintenance than other models - filling the water tank, emptying used pod containers and descaling - however, they come with an app that reminds you to do these tasks and also provides tools such as store locators and capsule recyclers. And if you pair your machine with an IntelliPort, you can even control it with voice commands, which is a nice touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have a weak hand.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod machine is the result of a lovechild between an adored Italian brand, and a renowned company that makes kitchen appliances. It sports the sleek, retro curves that SMEG are renowned for, and can brew the espresso and lungo drinks. It also comes with a programmable shot setting, dual-height drip trays, and a pod bin that can be removed.
This coffee maker makes it simple to whip up one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo during your break at work. Its simple control panel is sleek and doesn't distract from its function. It comes with three baskets that can be swapped for different capsule types. You can even make use of loose ground beans (although you'll need an additional grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher but it does have an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother that froths both soymilk and cowmilk nicely. It also has a portafilter of 51mm which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. It's pressurised, which is nice because it eliminates the old, unfinished grind taste. It also comes with a plastic tamper which can also be used as a scoop.
The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines on our list however it's certainly worth it if you're a lover of the retro look or if you like being able to whip up espresso-based drinks. It's also a great choice if you're new to the world of coffee making and don't want to deal with the hassles of measuring, grinding, and tamping your own beans.