The Best Pod Coffee Machines
Pod coffee machines allow you to put a capsule that contains ground or roast coffee beans into the machine. Then the coffee pours through for a predetermined amount of time to make your beverage.
Certain pod coffee machines come with multiple cup sizes and the ability to froth milk. The best pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking to buy a basic Keurig coffee maker without the bells and whistles of higher-end models, this is a good choice. It's simple to use and has a great look. When not in use it can be placed in a corner of the kitchen.
One drawback to this machine is that it may be noisy, but it isn't an issue. It is also small enough to fit on a counter that is small. If you're looking for a Keurig with a greater variety of sizes or a carafe that can drip-brew your coffee, you might want to consider other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a elegant design and useful features to help you make your perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups, or brew your coffee using a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the strength and intensity of your coffee and makes it the perfect choice for those who appreciate a strong cup.
This brewer is easy to use and has simple buttons. Simply insert a K-Cup and select your preferred size of brew, and press the brew button. In less than a minute, you'll be enjoying a cup of fresh coffee. The large 52-ounce water reservoir lets you brew up to five cups between refills, simplifying your morning routine.
The Keurig is simple to clean, and comes with a removable water reservoir and lid that can be easily hand washed. However, you should always descale your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the instructions in the user manual to ensure that the machine is performing optimally. The warranty covers the brewer as well as all original accessories, except for normal wear and tear, damage caused by misuse or abuse, and any external causes of failure, such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a coffee enthusiast and are in search of a pod maker capable of making more than just your daily cup of joe it's the ideal option. It can make a variety drinks, including tea and hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank can allow multiple cups to be brewed simultaneously. The machine can be heated in three seconds, and it includes a milk container that can be used to make latte and cappuccino. It also features touchscreen that lets you to alter the intensity, temperature and volume of your drink.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs which are an assortment of ingredients can be used to create your drink. There are more than 70 varieties, including Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also offers a selection of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.
The coffee made by this machine was of good quality, although slightly lower than other machines in our round-up. It also heated the milk for a caffe latte fairly quickly and produced a rich mouthfeel, but not too thick. However, it must be noted that the frothy milk made from T Discs has sugar, which is, although not a major issue, isn't to everyone's taste.
Tassimo Myway's removable parts including the drip tray, and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. There's an Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can be used as well. A helpful indicator light will let you know when you need to descale. a water tank will keep limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces its electricity consumption up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee maker was designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most appealing machines available. It's built with durable and attractive materials, it comes with an elegantly adjustable steam wand to make lattes and cappuccinos as well as a stainless milk jug in steel. The machine can brew espresso, lungos, double espressos mugs, gran lungos and altos, all with an incredibly thick layer of froth.
As with most pod machines you load the pod via a hatch on the top and drop it in place. The machine punctures the capsule, then seals it. When you pull the lever, the used pod will fall into a dedicated spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
The machine is not the fastest way to make espresso. It takes 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always impressive with a rich, smooth flavor and a great crema. The machine will also notify you when the water tank or pod bin is in need of refilling.
One of the main selling points for this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza brand pod Seven pods are available in all, including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) Two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee maker isn't expensive, but if you pair it with pod delivery, the price can be similar to a regular bean-to cup machine. The compact design of this machine allows it to fit into the tiniest kitchens. The pods are also compostable in a way that you can put them in your council food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are among the best pod coffee makers for those looking for quick reliable, consistent, and reliable brew. They heat up quickly and are super easy to use. Just insert a capsule, press a button and you're done. They also create a rich crema that you can add to your drinks to add thickness and flavor. The official pods are not cheap and you will have to purchase them.
The Vertuo line is a different model from the OriginalLine machines, which still utilize espresso capsules. They scan each capsule's barcode, automatically adapting the brewing parameters to create the perfect cup. And they feature a centrifusion mechanism that spins the capsule in order to extract the fullest flavors and thickest crema.
The machines aren't quite as intuitive as the other options. The lid is only opened when the machine is ready, and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to warm up. The machine doesn't come with a milk frother like the other pod coffee makers on this list, so you'll need an additional PS90 or so to purchase an extra Aeroccino in order to make lattes or cappuccinos.
They also require more regular maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying old pod containers, and decaling. However, they have an application that reminds you of these tasks and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you pair your machine to an IntelliPort you can control it via voice commands. This is ideal when you're making coffee at 4am in the dark or have a limited strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
The sleek and stylish pod machine is the result of a lovechild between the adored Italian brand and a renowned company that makes kitchen appliances. It has all of the retro, sleek curves that SMEG is known for, and the ability to brew coffee and lungo drinks with ease. It also comes with an adjustable shot setting that can be programmed and dual-height drip tray, and a pod bin that can be removed.
This coffee maker allows you to make an instant cup of lungo or espresso in the morning or during your break at work. Its simple control panel is sleek and doesn't interfere with its functionality. If you're looking to dress your morning joe more, it comes with three different filter baskets that accommodate different kinds of capsules. You can also use loose ground beans (although you'll need to own an additional grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher however, it has an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother that can froth both cow and soymilk quite well. It also has an oversized portafilter of 51mm that is smaller than a typical commercial-style filter. It's pressurized, so you won't get the stale, lingering taste. It also comes with a tamper that doubles as scoop.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. However, it's coffee pod machines worth it if your style is retro or you enjoy making espresso drinks in a hurry. It's also a great choice for those who are new to the world of making coffee and don't want to endure the hassles of measuring, grinding, and the process of tamping your own beans.