The Best Pod Coffee Machines
Pod coffee makers allow you to insert a capsule containing ground or roast coffee beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a specified amount of time.
Some pod coffee machines have multiple cup sizes and the ability to froth milk. The best pod coffee machine for you is based on your personal preferences and your lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is a great choice if you are seeking an Keurig coffee maker that doesn't come with all the bells and whistles and features of higher-end models. It is easy to use and has a stunning look. When not in use, it can be easily placed in a corner of the kitchen.
The machine can be noisy but that's not a major issue. It's also quite small and will fit in tiny counter spaces. If you're looking for a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you might want to consider other alternatives.
Keurig K'Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek design with more user-friendly features. This allows you to make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups and brew coffee with a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separate). The Strong Brew feature kicks up your coffee's strength and intensity and makes it the perfect choice for coffee lovers who love a strong cup.
The brewer has simple controls using buttons. Just insert the K-Cup pod, select the desired brew size, and press to brew. In less than a minute, you'll have freshly brewed coffee. The large 52-ounce water reservoir allows you to make up to five cups in between refills, making it easier to manage your morning routine.
The machine is simple to clean, thanks to a removable water reservoir and lid which can be easily washed. However, you should always remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the guidelines in the user's guide to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. The warranty covers the brewer and all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damages caused by misuse or abuse or any other external cause of failure such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a lover of coffee and are in search of a pod maker that can make more than just your regular cup of joe, this is the best option. It can make a variety of drinks including hot cocoa. The large 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at once. The machine is warm in just three seconds and can make an espresso or latte with its built-in milk jug. It also has a touch-sensitive display that allows you to set the intensity, temperature and quantity of your desired drink.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs that are a set of ingredients you can use to make your drink. There are over 70 different kinds that include 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 high quality, although slightly lower than the other machines we have reviewed. It also heated the milk for a caffe latte fairly quickly and produced a creamy mouthfeel without being overly thick. However, it should be taken into consideration that the milk with a frothy texture made from T Discs contains sugar which, while not a huge problem in itself however, may not be to everyone's liking.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, the removable components of the brewing unit as well as the water tank being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as is an ice-cleaning disk. A useful indicator light will let you know when it's time to descale, and a reservoir of water keeps limescale to the minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce the amount of electricity it uses by up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee machine created in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most beautiful machines available. It's made with tough and attractive materials, has an elegantly adjustable steam wand to make cappuccinos and lattes and a stainless milk jug in steel. Put a pod in, select your cup size and the machine will whir into action, making espresso double espresso, lungo, gran lungo, alto drinks and mugs with a thick layer of silky frosting.
Like most pod machines, you load the pod via an opening on top and drop it in place. The machine penetrates the capsule, and then closes it in such a way that when you pull the lever, the pod is deposited into a spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
The machine is not the fastest machine to brew espresso. It takes about 30 seconds for a single shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always impressive with a rich, smooth flavor and a great crema. The machine also alerts you when the water tank or pod bin is in need of refilling.
A big selling point for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza brand pod There are seven in all, including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's not cheap, but with a subscription deal that combines this pod coffee machine with pod delivery it could come for a comparable price to a regular bean-to cup machine. Its slimline design allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens, while the pods themselves are industrially compostable, which means you can place them into your council's food waste bins or own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are among the best coffee machines with pods pod coffee makers for those looking for quick steady, reliable, and consistent coffee. They heat up quickly and are incredibly simple to use. Simply insert a capsule, press a button and you're done. They also create a delicious crema that can be added to your drinks for added thickness and flavor. The official pods aren't cheap and you will have purchase them.
The Vertuo line is a different machine than the OriginalLine machines, which still use espresso capsules. The Vertuo line reads the barcode of each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to create an ideal cup. They also feature a centrifusion mechanism that spins the capsule in order to extract the fullest flavors and most dense crema.
The machines aren't as intuitive as our other choices. For instance the lid opens only when the machine is in its final stages, and it takes around 30 seconds to get hot enough to be able to fit into a capsule. It doesn't include a milk frother, like some of the other pod machines on this list. So you'll have spend an extra PS90 to purchase a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more maintenance than other models - filling the water tank and emptying used pod containers and descaling - however, they come with an app which reminds you to complete these tasks and also provides tools like capsule recyclers and store locators. If you pair your machine with an IntelliPort you can control it via voice commands. This is a great feature for those who make coffee at 4am in the dark or are limited in strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
The sleek and stylish pod machine is the product of the adored Italian brand, and a well-known company that manufactures kitchen appliances. It sports the modern, sleek curves SMEG are renowned for, and can brew both lungo and espresso drinks. It has a programmable setting for the shot, two-height drip tray, and a pod bins that are removable.
This coffee maker allows you to make an instant cup of espresso or lungo in the morning or during your work break. The simple control panel makes it look sleek and doesn't distract you from its function. It comes with three baskets that can be swapped for different types of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although the use of a separate grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a milk pitcher. However, it does have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that can froth cow and soymilk efficiently. It also comes with a portafilter that measures 51mm, which is smaller than the standard commercial style filter. It's pressurized which is great because it will not give you the old, unfinished grind taste. It comes with a tamper made of plastic that can also be used as spoon.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. It's a good investment it if you're retro or you like making espresso drinks in a hurry. This is a great option when you're new to the art of making coffee and do not want to deal with the burden of measuring, grinding and tamping the beans yourself.