The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

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

1. Rapid

Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. However, they come with an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning them).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures that you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad beverage. It's also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.

The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.

If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. Most machines use the same mechanism to brew the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process even more.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, however each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are designed to be used multiple times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispenses another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to give you various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.

In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that houses empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is easy to use and brews standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is load a pod in, press a button and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not in use.

The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.

Most people will think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are some newer competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi which has coffee machine for pods an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and makes sure 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 that allows you to select the right temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and top-quality customer service that's which is synonymous with the brand. It is a solid choice for those who need an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

Some larger models can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the pods that are used are placed in an internal bin with the click of a button.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customization is a major reason it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.

Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.

It's a gorgeous machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.