The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. But they do come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee 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 recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is one of the lightest and slimmest available. It does not require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.

The CitiZ is not the best machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge when it runs out and can be expensive for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that 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 with different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major draw and the best models are easy to use. The majority of machines use the same basic method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through your chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own 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 can be used just once before being thrown away and others can be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to think about how you'll handle your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.

In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your pod. It takes a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects who have limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is load a coffee capsule machine pod in the machine, push a button and let it brew. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but some have more options for customization 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.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called 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 take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.

Certain models are larger and can create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does a great job but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it provides precisely what they require.

In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or 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 cannot be set which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. If you're looking for more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.