The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. After turning on, it preheats and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it simple to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ is not the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll have to replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 minutes.

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pressured through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save your own settings on many models to speed up the process further.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends for the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that holds your empty pods. It has an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the best machine.

Many people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors which are worth looking into. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a single button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than many other models but it offers the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who want something more from their best coffee pod machine pod-based coffee maker.

While most people are using pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin with the click of the button.

4. Customization

One reason pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.

The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.

This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor issue. You also need to buy the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and convenient appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. For those who want a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.