The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and is easy to use. When it is turned on, it warms up and brews a fragrant espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.

As opposed to 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 generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This allows you to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It's also among the tiniest and lightest available and does not require a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.

If you're after an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same general method to make your cup: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to produce rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan to dispose of your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.

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

In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is an attractive addition to your counter and opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for hard-water areas.

This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its intuitive controls are easy to use, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the area where you drop in your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our testers who have limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod makers take the mess of making coffee out of read more your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.

The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are marked by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.

This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customized drinks to a specific button so you can 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 and allows you to select the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those who want a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.

Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a excellent example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 minutes.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it's not the best option for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to the coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives precisely what they require.

Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an issue. It is also necessary to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.