The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines 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. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. However, they come with some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest on the market. 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 machine to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done it will brew a cup in just 35 seconds.

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

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee: water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save custom settings on a number of models to simplify the process even further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods can be used once before being thrown away, while others can be used several times. In either case, you'll have to plan out how you'll deal with your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested has a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is ideal for hard-water areas.

This machine is easy to use and brews regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to navigate using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires a bit of force to close, but the majority of our testers even those with weak hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod makers take the mess of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit the button, and then make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter coffee machines for pods when not in use.

The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors on the scene that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button to allow you to create them with a single button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of the button.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides exactly what they need.

Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied espressos with crema-topped tops.

This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback 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. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.