The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage distinctive quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.

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. Fast

Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 minutes. But they come at a cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is one of the tiniest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a new. This could be expensive for some users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a major draw and the best models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines employ the same method to make the cup of coffee machines for pods you want that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save your own settings to speed up the process.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by popular roasters. Certain pods can be used once before they are discarded and others can be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from ending up in the garbage.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your counter, and it can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.

The machine can brew the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop the pod. It requires a little force to close but our testers, including those with weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press the button, and then brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not in use.

The decision of whether a coffee machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customization options. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.

Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are some newer competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which has its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button so you can create them at the touch of a single button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular 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 the excellent customer support synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.

While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. 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 difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of the button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its limited customization. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer an entirely automated 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 for the specific type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customised drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.

This coffee maker is low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.

This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.