The Best Pod Coffee Machines

With pod coffee machines, you place a sealed capsule with roasted or ground beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a specified amount of time.

Some pod coffee makers have different sizes of cups and a built-in filter and milk frothing capabilities. The ideal pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.

1. Keurig K-Select

If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, this is a good option. It is easy to operate and has a beautiful look. When not in use it can be placed in a corner of the kitchen.

The machine can be noisy however it's not a major issue. It's also quite compact and can be tucked away in small counters. But, if you're looking for a Keurig that offers a wider range of sizes or a carafe for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other options.

The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker is a blend of sleek design and more useful features to help you make the perfect cup every time. Choose from a wide selection of delicious K-Cup pods, or make your own ground coffee using My-K-Cup's universal coffee filter that is reusable (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and the strength of your coffee, making it a perfect choice for coffee enthusiasts who prefer strong coffee.

The brewer has simple controls with buttons. Simply put in the K-Cup pod, select the size of brew you want and then press the brew button. In less than a minute, you'll be enjoying freshly brewed coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to make five cups before refilling, simplifying your morning routine.

The Keurig is easy to clean. The water reservoir and lid can be removed and washed by hand. But, you must descale your Keurig prior to cleaning it, and follow the instructions in the user's manual to ensure that your machine is operating at its peak. The warranty covers the brewer as well as all original accessories, except for normal wear and tear, damage caused by misuse or abuse or any other external cause of failure such as power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

If you're a coffee enthusiast and are in search of a pod machine that can produce more than just your daily cup of joe it's the ideal option. It can make a variety drinks such as tea and hot cocoa. The large 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at the same time. The machine is warm in just three seconds and can produce an espresso or latte with the built-in milk jug. It also comes with an LCD that can be touched to let you to adjust the temperature, intensity, and volume of your drink.

The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which include everything you need for your favorite drink. There are more than 70 flavors to select from, from brands such as Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine comes with a selection of T discs, including ones for hot and tea chocolate.

The coffee that was produced by this machine was of excellent quality, but slightly less than other machines in our round-up. It also steamed the milk to make a caffe latte fairly quickly and gave a smooth taste without being too thick. It is important to remember that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar in it which, though not a major problem however, might not be to everyone's liking.

Tassimo My Way's removable components such as the drip tray and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter included and a cleaning disc that can be used. A helpful indicator light will tell you when to descale, and a water tank will keep limescale at an absolute minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

The Nespresso-compatible pod espresso machine from Lavazza, made in collaboration with Sage is among the most attractive machines on the market. It's constructed with durable and attractive materials, has an adjustable steam wand to make lattes and cappuccinos as well as a stainless milk jug in steel. Pop in a pod and select the size of your cup and the machine goes 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 via an opening on top of the machine and then drop it in place. The machine punctures the capsule and then closes it. When you press the lever, the used pod will fall into a designated used Pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.

It's not the fastest machine to brew, taking 30 seconds for a shot of espresso and around 90 seconds for a lungo - but the results are consistently impressive, with excellent crema and a smooth, rich taste. The machine will also inform you when it's time to refill the tank of water or the pod bin.

One of the main selling points for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza brand pod Seven pods are available in all, including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee maker isn't cheap but if you combine it with a pod delivery subscription it can cost similar to the cost of a regular bean-to cup machine. This machine's slimline design means it can be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens. Additionally, the pods themselves are industrially compostable, which means you can place them into your council's food waste bins, or even your own garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines are among the top pod coffee makers for those who want quick steady, reliable, and consistent coffee. They heat up fast and are easy to use. Simply insert a capsule and press a button, and you're done. They also create a rich crema that can be added to your drinks to add flavour and thickness. The official pods are not inexpensive and you'll have purchase them.

The Vertuo line is a different model from the OriginalLine machines, which make use of espresso capsules. They read the barcode of each capsule, automatically adapting the brewing parameters to make the perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion machine which spins the capsules to extract the most flavor and the most thick crema.

The machines aren't quite as intuitive as our other choices. The lid only opens when the machine is ready, and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to warm up. The machine doesn't come with the milk frother like some of the other pod machines listed on this list. You'll have to shell out an additional PS90 to purchase a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.

These machines also require more maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank and emptying used pod containers and descaling - but they come with an app that reminds you to do these tasks and also provides tools such as capsule recyclers and store locators. If you connect your machine to an IntelliPort, you can even operate it using voice commands, which is a nice feature if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have weak hands.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod coffee machine is the love child of a well-known Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It features all the sleek, retro curves that SMEG is famous for, along with the ability to brew lungo and espresso drinks with ease. It comes with a programmable setting for the shot, two-height drip tray, and a pod bins that are removable.

This coffee maker makes it easy to make one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or for a lungo during breaks at work. Its simple control panel is sleek and doesn't coffee machine capsule interfere with its function. If you're looking to dress up your daily joe even more, it has three different filter baskets that accommodate different kinds of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although an additional grinder is required).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not include a milk pitcher. However, it has a Pannarello built-in milk frother which froths cow and soymilk very efficiently. It also has an oversized portafilter of 51mm that is smaller than a standard commercial-style filter. It's also pressurized and this is a plus since it means you won't get the stale, lingering grind taste. It also comes with a plastic tamper which can also be used as a scoop.

The SMEG is among the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed, but it's definitely worth it if you're a fan of the retro look or enjoy being able to whip up espresso-based drinks. This is a great choice if you are new to making coffee and do not need to go through the hassle of measuring, grinding and tamping beans by yourself.