The Best Pod Coffee Machines

Pod coffee machines let you put a capsule that contains ground or roasted coffee beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a set amount of time.

Some pod coffee makers have multiple cup sizes and a built-in filter and milk frothing capabilities. The best pod coffee machine for you depends on your personal preferences and your lifestyle.

1. Keurig K-Select

This machine is a great choice if you are looking for an Keurig coffee maker that doesn't come with all the bells, whistles and features of the more expensive models. It's simple to use, has a great design and can be stored into the corner of your kitchen when it's not being used.

The machine can be noisy but that's not a major problem. It is also small enough to be able to fit on a counter that is small. If you're looking for a Keurig that has a larger variety of sizes, or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other alternatives.

The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a elegant design and efficient features to help make the perfect cup every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups, or brew your coffee using the universal filter for coffee My-K-Cup (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up your coffee's strength and intensity which makes it the ideal option for those who appreciate a strong cup.

This brewer is simple to use and has simple buttons. Simply insert the K-Cup pod, choose the size of brew you want, and then press the brew button. In less than one minute, you'll have a cup of fresh coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you brew up to five cups between refills, making it easier to manage your morning routine.

The Keurig is easy to clean. The water reservoir and lid can be removed and washed by hand. However, it is recommended to remove the scale from your Keurig prior to cleaning it, and follow the instructions in the user's manual to ensure that the machine is performing optimally. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, with the exception of for normal wear, abuse or misuse, and external causes like power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

This is the best choice for coffee lovers who want a machine that does more than just making your regular cup. It's designed to make wide range of drinks like hot chocolate and tea, and features a large 1.3 millilitre water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at a time. The machine is warm in only three seconds and can make an espresso or latte with its milk jug built-in. It also has a touch-sensitive display that lets you set the temperature, intensity, and quantity of your preferred drink.

Tassimo My Way uses T Discs, which are an assortment of ingredients can be used to make your drink. There are more than 70 kinds, including Kenco, Costa, Milka, and Cadbury's. The machine also provides T discs for tea and hot chocolate as well.

The coffee that was produced by this machine was of excellent quality, but slightly less than the other machines in our round-up. It also produced a silky mouthfeel and steaming milk to make caffe lattes quickly. However, it must be not forgotten that the frothy milk made from T Discs has sugar, which is, although not a major problem in itself, isn't to everyone's taste.

Tassimo My Way's removable components, the drip tray and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as an ice-cleaning disk. A useful indicator light will let you know when it's time to descale, and the water reservoir helps keep the limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces the power consumption of up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

The Nespresso-compatible pod espresso machine from Lavazza created in collaboration with Sage is among the best-looking machines available. It is constructed of durable and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos or lattes, and a stainless-steel milk jug. It can make espresso lungos, double espressos, gran lungos, mugs and altos using a thick layer frosting.

As with most pod machines you load the pod through a hatch on the top of the machine and then drop it in the appropriate spot. The machine pierces the capsule, and then closes it so that when you press the lever, the pod is deposited into a spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.

The machine is not the fastest way to make espresso. It takes 30 seconds for a single shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always impressive with a rich, smooth flavor and great crema. The machine also alerts you when the water tank or pod bin requires refilling.

This machine is a top seller because you can use any Lavazza pod. There are seven total, including ground espresso (Qualita Rossa) and decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees. Bio). It's not cheap, but if you get the subscription deal that bundles the pod coffee machine with the delivery of pods it could come at a similar cost to a regular bean-to-cup machine. Its slimline design means it can be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens. Furthermore, the pods are compostable so you can pop them into your council's food waste bins or own garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines make some of the top pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, speedy and steady brew. They are quick to heat up and are easy to use. Simply insert a capsule and push a button and you're ready to go. They also produce a rich crema that you can add to your drinks for added thickness and flavor. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll have to purchase them.

The Vertuo line is a distinct machine from the OriginalLine machines, which make use of espresso capsules. The Vertuo line scans the barcode on each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to create the perfect cup. And they include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule in order to extract the most flavorful and thickest crema.

That said they're not as intuitive as some of our other choices. The lid opens only when the machine is ready and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to heat up. They don't include the milk frother like some of the other pod machines listed on this list. Therefore, you'll need to shell out an additional coffee pod machine PS90 to buy a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.

They also require more regular maintenance than other models--refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and descaling. However, they have an app that reminds you of these tasks and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you pair your machine with an IntelliPort you can control it via voice commands. This is a great feature for those who make coffee at 4am in the dark or have limited strength.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek machine is the lovechild between the adored Italian brand, and a renowned company that makes kitchen appliances. It has the modern, sleek curves SMEG are renowned for, and can make both lungo and espresso drinks. It comes with a programable setting for the shot, dual-height drip trays, and pod bins that can be removed.

This coffee maker makes it simple to whip up an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or a lungo in the break at work. Its easy-to-use control panel is elegant and doesn't hinder its purpose. It comes with three baskets that can be swapped for different types of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although an additional grinder is required).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a pitcher for milk. However, it has a Pannarello built-in milk frother that can froth cow and soymilk efficiently. It also has an oversized portafilter of 51mm that is smaller than a standard commercial-style filter. It's pressurized, which is nice because it means you won't get the stale, lingering grind taste. It comes with a plastic tamper which can also be used as a spoon.

The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. However, it's well worth it if your style is retro or you love making espresso drinks fast. This is a great option if you are new to coffee making and do not want to deal with the hassle of grinding, measuring and tamping beans by yourself.