The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

Models for pods are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority able to make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they do come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning them).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the tiniest kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. Most machines use the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee the water is heated inside reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being discarded, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine comes with a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is easy to use and can brew standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area where you drop in your coffee maker. It does take a little force to close but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. The variety of pods, brew size options and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.

Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors on the scene that are worth a look. One is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its pod-making machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each drink. It's a bit more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee machine with capsules maker.

Some models with larger capacities can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 seconds.

4. Customization

One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be the right choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to your coffee capsule machine. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.

Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.

This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a display that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable price. For those who want more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.