The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you simply put a sealed capsule with ground or roasted beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured through for a predetermined amount of time to make your beverage.
Some pod coffee makers come with multiple cup sizes, a built-in filter, and milk that froths. The best pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking for a basic Keurig coffee maker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles that come with higher-end models, this is a good option. It's easy to use and has a great appearance. When not in use it can be tucked into a corner in the kitchen.
The machine can be noisy but that's not a major problem. It's also quite small and will fit on small counters. If you'd prefer a Keurig with a greater variety of sizes or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you might want to consider other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker is a blend of sleek design and more useful features to help you make your perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cup pods, or brew your own ground coffee with My-K-Cup's universal coffee filter that can be reused (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee making it a great option for coffee lovers who enjoy a strong cup.
The brewer has simple controls using buttons. Simply insert the K-Cup and then select the desired size of brew, and press to brew. In less than a minute, you'll be enjoying a cup of fresh coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces allows you to brew five cups prior to refilling, simplifying your morning routine.
The machine is simple to clean, and comes with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily washed. However, you should always descale your Keurig prior to cleaning it, and follow the directions in the user guide to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. This warranty covers all accessories and the brewer, excluding for normal wear misuse, abuse as well as external causes such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a coffee lover and are in search of a pod maker that can produce more than just your regular cup of coffee This is the best choice. It's designed to create a wide variety of drinks including hot chocolate and tea, and comes with a huge 1.3 litre water tank that can make multiple cups at the same time. The machine is warm in just three seconds, and can create a latte or cappuccino using the built-in milk jug. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD that allows you to set the temperature, intensity and quantity of your preferred beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs that contain everything you need for your preferred drink. There are more than 70 flavors to select from, from brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also offers a selection of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.
We found the coffee it produced to be of excellent quality, though slightly less than other pod machines featured in this round-up. It also gave a smooth mouthfeel, and steam-cooked milk to make caffe lattes fast. It is important to note that the milk's frothy texture has sugar in it that, while not a major problem however, might not be for everyone's taste.
Tassimo Myway's removable parts, the drip tray and the water tank are dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as is an ice-cleaning disk. A useful indicator light will let you know when it's time to descale and the water reservoir helps keep limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce the power consumption of up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee maker, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most appealing machines on the market. It's built with durable and attractive materials, comes with a neat adjustable steam wand to make lattes and cappuccinos as well as an stainless milk jug made of steel. Place a pod into the machine and select the size of your cup and the machine will whir into action - making espresso, lungo, double espresso, gran lungo, alto drinks and mugs with a thick layer of silky 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 before closing it so that when you pull the lever, the used pod falls into a specially spent pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.
The machine isn't the fastest to brew espresso, it takes 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. However, the results are always spectacular with a rich, smooth taste and a delicious crema. The machine will also notify you when the water tank or pod bin needs refilling.
One of the main selling points for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza-branded pod There are seven in all, including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) Two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's expensive, but with the subscription deal that bundles this pod coffee machine with a pod delivery service, it can work out for a comparable price to a regular bean-to-cup machine. The compact design of this machine makes it possible to fit into the tiniest kitchens. The pods are also recyclable, so you can place them in your local food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are some of the best pod coffee makers for those who want a fast steady, reliable, and consistent drink. They heat quickly and are simple to use. Simply place a capsule in and push a button and you're ready to go. They create a rich, creamy crema that can be added to drinks to give greater flavor and thickness. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll need to purchase them.
The Vertuo line utilizes different technology than OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and still exist). The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode of each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to create a perfect cup. And they have a centrifusion system that spins the capsule to extract the fullest flavors and most thick crema.
That said that, the machines aren't as intuitive as some of our other choices. The lid only opens when the machine is ready, and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to warm up. They don't include a milk frother, like some of the other pod machines listed on this list. Therefore, you'll need spend an extra PS90 to buy an additional Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more frequent maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying old pod containers, and decaling. However, they do come with an app that reminds you of these tasks and offers tools like store locators and capsule recycling. If you connect your device to an IntelliPort you can control it via voice commands. This is ideal for those who make coffee at 4am in the dark or have a limited strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee maker is the product of a cherished Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliance company. It has all of the sleek, retro curves that SMEG is famous for, and the ability to make espresso and lungo drinks effortlessly. It comes with a programable setting for the shot, two-height drip tray, and a pod bins that can be removed.
This coffee maker lets you make a quick cup or two of lungo or espresso in the morning or during breaks at work. Its easy-to-use control panel keeps it looking sleek and doesn't interfere with its purpose. If you're looking to spice up your daily joe even more, it comes with three interchangeable filter baskets that accommodate different types of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although the use of a separate grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a milk pitcher. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that can froth cow and soymilk nicely. It also comes with an oversized portafilter of 51mm, which is smaller than a typical commercial-style filter. It is pressurised which means it won't give off the stale, leftover taste. It also includes a plastic tamper that doubles as a scoop.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. However, it's well worth it if you're looking for something retro or you like making espresso drinks quickly. This is a great choice when you're new to coffee making and don't want to deal with the burden of measuring, grinding and tamping the beans yourself.