The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Rapid

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

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. It's also among the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and could 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 ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major selling point and the top models are simple to operate. Most machines rely on the same general process to make your coffee by heating water in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet various needs. You can save custom settings on a number of models to simplify the process even more.

Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by popular roasters. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded and others can be used a number of times. Either way, you'll need to plan out how you'll deal with your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.

The SMEG we tested has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas that have hard water.

The machine is fast and brews standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and here lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place in your coffee maker. It requires some pressure to close, however most of our testers who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in, press a button and let it be brewed. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be kept out of view when not in use.

If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors that may be worth looking at. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used with its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink is made perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a single button.

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

Certain models are larger and can make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its limited customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to the coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but could be a problem for those who like a fully automatic experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.

Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

It's a gorgeous machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a gauge that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.