The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines 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 operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. But they do come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It does not require an additional milk container, and its compact size allows it to be easily incorporated into the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the most efficient device to reduce the environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a new. This could be expensive for some 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, tampered and compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.

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

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a big selling point, and the best models are a breeze to use. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to streamline the process further.

Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll handle your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.

The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to offer various options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.

In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a light tap to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system which is perfect for areas that have hard water.

This machine is easy to use and brews coffee capsule machine standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making. You just load a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it be brewed. You will still need to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of view when not being used.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to get out of it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for your needs.

Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer rivals that are worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This method removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and makes sure that each drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those wanting to get something more from their pod-based espresso maker.

Some models with larger capacities can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin at the push of the button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an additional milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for many people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives precisely what they require.

In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also does a great job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules are available for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.