The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in 30 seconds.

Pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad beverage. This machine is among the tiniest and lightest 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 the environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated, it can brew one cup in about 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can 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 a stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a major selling point, and the best models are simple to use. The majority of machines use the same general method to make your cup by heating water inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. 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 major players on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being discarded, while others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an eye-catching addition to your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your pod. It requires a little force to close but our test subjects, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod makers eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making. All you have to do is add a pod, press a button and let it be brewed. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking 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 capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks to a button, so that you can make them by pressing a single button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than most models, allowing you to select the right 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 synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.

While the majority of people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.

4. Customization

One reason pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its limited customizability. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and range 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 make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from an unnoticed container which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, capsule coffee machine uk crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable price. If you're looking for more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.