The Best Pod Coffee Machines
Pod coffee makers allow you to add a capsule with ground or roast coffee beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a specified amount of time.
Some pod coffee makers come with various sizes of cups, a built-in filter, and milk frothing capabilities. The ideal pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is a great option if you're looking for an Keurig coffeemaker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles and features of more expensive models. It's easy to use, has a stunning design, and can be easily tucked away in a corner of the kitchen when it's not being used.
One disadvantage of this machine is that it could be noisy, but it isn't an issue. It is small enough to fit on a small counter. If you're looking for a Keurig with a wider range of sizes or a carafe that can drip-brew your coffee, you may think about other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a sleek design and more intuitive features to help you make the perfect cup every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups or brew coffee using a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the intensity and strength of your coffee and makes it the perfect choice for those who appreciate a strong cup.
The brewer has simple controls with buttons. Simply insert a K-Cup pod, choose the size of brew you want, and then press to brew. In less than a minute, you'll have a freshly-brewed cup of coffee waiting for you to enjoy. The large reservoir of 52 ounces allows you to make five cups before refilling, easing your morning routine.
The Keurig is simple to clean, and comes with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid which can be easily washed. To ensure that your Keurig is running at its peak it is essential to clean it by descaler. Follow the instructions in the user's manual. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, with the exception of for normal wear, abuse or misuse and other external causes like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the best choice for coffee lovers who want an appliance that can do more than just making your regular cup. It can make a variety of drinks, including tea and hot cocoa. The large 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at once. The machine is warm in just three seconds, and can create the perfect cappuccino or latte using its built-in milk jug. It also features a touch-sensitive display that allows you to set the temperature, intensity, and volume of your chosen beverage.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs, which are an assortment of ingredients can be used to create your drink. There are more than 70 varieties to choose from, including brands such as Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also offers a selection of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.
The coffee produced by this machine was of excellent quality, though it was a bit lower than some of the other machines in our round-up. It also gave a smooth mouthfeel, and steam-cooked milk for a caffe lattes fast. It is important to note that the milk that is frothy has sugar in it that, while not a major issue it might not be to everyone's liking.
Tassimo My Way's removable components including the drip tray, and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can be used as well. A useful indicator light will inform you when to descale, and a water tank will keep limescale to a minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso pod coffee machine, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most attractive machines on the market. The machine is made of sturdy and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos or lattes, as well as a stainless-steel milk jug. The machine will brew espresso, lungos, double espressos gran lungos, mugs and altos using an incredibly thick layer of froth.
Like most pod machines, you load the pod using a hatch on the top and drop it in place. The machine pierces the capsule before closing it so that when you press the lever, the used pod falls into a dedicated spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
The machine is not the fastest machine to brew espresso. It takes about 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. However, the results are always impressive with a smooth, rich flavor and great crema. The machine will also notify you when it is time to refill the water tank or pod bin.
One of the main selling points for this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod - there are seven in total including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee machine isn't expensive, but if you pair it with pod delivery services the cost could be similar to the cost of an ordinary bean-to-cup machine. The slim design of this machine allows it to fit in even the smallest kitchens. The pods are also recyclable, so you can place them in your local food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are the best pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, quick and consistently brewed cup. They heat quickly and are extremely simple to use. Just put a capsule in, push a button, and you're done. They create a rich, creamy crema that can be added to drinks to give greater flavor and thickness. They're not cheap, though you must buy their official pods.
The Vertuo line is based on an entirely different method of technology from OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and are still in existence). The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode of each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to produce an ideal cup. They also have a centrifusion machine which spins the capsules to make the best flavor and thickest crema.
That said, the machines aren't as user-friendly as our other picks. The lid is only opened when the machine is ready and it takes about 30 seconds for the capsule to warm up. The machine doesn't come with a milk frother as do other pod coffee makers listed on this list, meaning you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 or so to purchase a separate Aeroccino for those who want to make lattes and cappuccinos.
They also require more maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank and emptying used pod containers and descaling - but they have an app that reminds you to perform these tasks, and provides tools like capsule recyclers and store locators. If you pair your machine to an IntelliPort you can control it using pods coffee machines voice commands. This is ideal if you are making coffee at 4am in the dark or have limited strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee machine is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It sports the modern, sleek curves SMEG are known for, and can brew both lungo and espresso drinks. It comes with a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height drip tray, and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker makes it easy to make a quick cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo in the break at work. Its simple control panel makes it appear sleek and doesn't detract from its functionality. It comes with three baskets that can be swapped for different capsule types. You can use loose-ground beans (although a separate grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a milk pitcher. However, it has a Pannarello built-in milk frother that can froth cow and soymilk efficiently. It also has the portafilter 51mm that is smaller than a typical commercial-style filter. It's also pressurized which is great because it will not give you the stale, lingering grind taste. It comes with a tamper made of plastic that also doubles as spoon.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. However, it's well worth it if you're looking for something retro or you like making espresso drinks quickly. 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.