The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the messiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most can make coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need 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 to replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in around 35 seconds.

If you're after an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. Either way, you'll need to think about the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.

The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically dispensates an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.

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

This machine is quick and can brew regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your coffee maker. It does take a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take away capsule coffee machine all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.

Most people will think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer rivals that are worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the touch of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each beverage. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who want a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.

Certain models are larger and can create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this and combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin with the click of a button.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the best choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

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

Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of serving full-bodied, crema-topped espressos.

This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.