The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.

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

1. Fast

Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they do come at an expense: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it simple to get consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for some users.

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

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major selling point. The best models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even further.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before they are discarded, while others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine comes with an integrated water filter that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is easy to use and can make standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to navigate with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our testers who have limited hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.

If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. All pod machines are easy to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features must be taken into consideration to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.

The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This method takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the push of a single button.

Other machines, click here such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each drink. It's a little more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and top-quality customer service that's 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.

Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin at the push of the button.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.

This coffee maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.

It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's simple to use with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee as well as ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.