The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel appliance provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of operation. After switching on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they do come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available on the market due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. It's also among the slimmest and lightest available and does not require a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This could be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.

If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. 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 an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to streamline 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 from popular roasters. Certain pods can be used once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.

In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has a water filter system that is perfect for areas that have hard water.

This machine is easy to use and brews regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our testers, including those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in, press a button and let it be brewed. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the countertop and be stored away from sight when not being used.

The right coffee pod machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but others provide more options for customization. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.

The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods coffee capsule machine are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to create them at the push of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

Some larger models can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.

4. Customization

One big reason why the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is the limited customizability. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, however others will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.

Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a display that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.