The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.

Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. But they do come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines 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 has one of the fastest pod machines on the market, thanks to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor drink. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require a separate milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best machine to minimize the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered ground that are compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in about 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used once and discarded, while others are meant for multiple uses. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that stores your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.

The machine can brew the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert the pod. It requires a little force to close, but our testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when selecting the right machine.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few more recent competitors that are worth looking at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is scanned 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 guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button to allow you to make them by pressing only one button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a good choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.

Some larger models can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it may not be the best option for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but it could be a problem for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee for the particular 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 customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide precisely what they require.

This coffee maker is here low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is an inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable price. If you're looking for some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.