The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel appliance comes with Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

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

1. Fast

Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with many able to make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they do come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This allows you to make consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 minutes.

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 a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a big selling point, and the best models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same basic method to make a cup of coffee: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with a set of eight different blends that give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for those coffee pods machines who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for hard-water areas.

This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its intuitive controls are easy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your pod. It requires some force to close, but most of our testers who have limited hand strength and mobility, felt 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 an icon and make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be kept out of sight when not in use.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

While the majority of people will be using pod-based machines to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 minutes.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it might not be the best option for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only option 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 the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.

This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every so often. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected into a concealed receptacle that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.