The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you simply insert a sealed capsule filled with ground or roasted beans into the machine. The coffee is poured through the machine for a predetermined amount of time.
Some pod coffee machines have various sizes of cups as well as frothing milk capabilities. The ideal pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker without the bells and whistles that come with higher-end models, this one is a good choice. It is easy to use and has a great look. When not in use it can be hidden away in the kitchen.
The machine is noisy but that's not a major issue. It is also small enough to be able to fit on a counter with a small space. However, if you want a Keurig that has a larger variety of sizes or a carafe that is suitable for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other options.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a sleek design with more intuitive features to help you make the perfect cup every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups or brew coffee using a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up your coffee's strength and intensity and makes it the perfect choice for those who appreciate a strong cup.
This brewer is easy to use, using simple buttons. Just put in the K-Cup pod, choose the size of brew you want and press brew. In less than one minute, you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces allows you to make five cups before refilling, simplifying your morning routine.
The Keurig is simple to clean, and comes with an easily accessible reservoir for water and a lid that can be easily hand washed. However, it is recommended to descale your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the guidelines in the user guide to ensure that your machine is working at its best. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, except for normal wear, abuse or misuse as well as external causes such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the best choice for those who love coffee and want a machine that can do more than just make your typical cup. It's designed to make wide range of drinks like tea and hot chocolate and features a large 1.3 litre water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at once. The machine can be heated up within three seconds, and also has a built-in milk container that lets you to make latte and cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD which lets you adjust the temperature, intensity and volume of your chosen drink.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs, which are a set of ingredients that can be used to create your drink. There are more than 70 kinds, including Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also has the option of T Discs for tea and hot chocolate as well.
We discovered the coffee it produced to be of good quality, although just a little less than other pod machines featured in this round-up. It also produced a creamy mouthfeel and steamed milk for caffe lattes fast. It is important to know that the frothy T Disc milk contains sugar which, though not a major issue it might not be for everyone's taste.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to keep clean, with the drip tray, the removable components of the brewing unit as well as the water tank being dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter included and a cleaning disc that can also be used. A helpful indicator light lets you know when it's time to descale and a water reservoir keeps the limescale to a 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, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most beautiful machines available. It is constructed of durable and attractive materials. It has a neat steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos or lattes, as well as a stainless-steel milk jug. Put a pod in and choose the cup size and the machine whirs into action brewing espresso lungo, double espresso gran lungo, alto and mug drinks with a thick layer of silky frosting.
Like most pod machines, you load a pod using a hatch at the top of the machine, and then drop it into place. The machine pierces the capsule, and then closes it so that when you pull the lever, the used pod is deposited into a spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew it takes 30 seconds to make an espresso shot and around 90 seconds for a lungo - however, the results are always impressive, with great crema and a rich, smooth taste. The machine also warns you when the water tank or pod bin is in need of refilling.
The main selling point of this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza brand pod - there are seven in total including ground roasted espresso (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 this pod coffee maker with a pod delivery service that can come at a similar price to a regular bean-to cup machine. The compact design of this machine makes it possible to fit into even the tiniest kitchens. The pods are recyclable, so you can dispose of them in your council food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are the top pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, speedy and consistent brew. They heat quickly and are simple to use. Just insert a capsule and press a button, and you're ready to go. They also create a rich crema that can be added to your drinks for added flavour and thickness. They're not cheap however you must buy their official pods.
The Vertuo line uses a different technology than OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and are still in existence). They read each capsule's barcode, automatically adapting the brewing parameters for the perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion device that spins the capsules to extract the most flavor and the thickest crema.
The machines aren't as intuitive as the other options. For instance the lid is only opened when the machine is ready, and it takes 30 minutes to heat up enough to be able to fit into the capsule. And they don't come with milk frothers like some of the other pod coffee makers listed on this list, so you'll need an additional PS90 or so to buy an extra Aeroccino if you want to make lattes or cappuccinos.
These machines also require more maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying used pod containers and descaling however they come with an app that reminds you to complete these tasks, and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recyclers. And if you pair your machine with an IntelliPort, you can even use voice commands to control it which is a great touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am or have limited hand strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
The sleek and stylish pod machine is the product of the adored Italian brand and a renowned company that makes kitchen appliances. It has all of the retro, sleek curves that SMEG is famous for, and the ability to make espresso and lungo drinks with ease. It also has a programmable shot setting as well as dual-height drip trays 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 during your break at work. Its easy-to-use control panel keeps it looking sleek and doesn't interfere with its function. 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 doesn't have a milk pitcher, however, it has an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother that can froth both cow and soymilk quite well. It also comes with an oversized portafilter of 51mm that is smaller than a standard commercial-style filter. It is pressurised which means you won't get the taste of stale food that is left behind. best pod coffee machine It also comes with a tamper that doubles as a scoop.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. However, it's worth it if you're retro or you enjoy making espresso drinks quickly. It's also a great option for those who are new to the world of coffee making and don't want to deal with the hassle of measuring, grinding and the process of tamping your own beans.