The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and user-friendly. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. But they come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad beverage. It is also among the tiniest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have 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. It is also necessary to put with a new cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for some users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods coffee machine that are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only downside is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 seconds.

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

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich, hot java. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to make the process more efficient.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are intended for multiple uses. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle the pods that are no longer being used so they aren't thrown away in the trash.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee to drip.

In our tests of 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 can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for areas with hard water.

The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the space where you drop in your coffee maker. It does take a little effort to close, but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best capsule coffee machine coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands - you simply need to load the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally however not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.

The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.

Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer rivals that are worth a look. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to create them at the push of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee capsule machine than most models, allowing you to select a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those who want a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.

While the majority of people are using a pod coffee makers-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of the button.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it's not the right choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're searching for.

This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every time. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use via simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.