The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you place a sealed capsule with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a specified amount of time.
Some pod coffee machines offer different sizes of cups and frothing milk capabilities. Choosing the best pod coffee maker is based on your personal preferences and lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is an excellent choice if you are looking for an Keurig coffeemaker that doesn't have all the bells, whistles and features of the more expensive models. It's simple to use and has a stunning appearance. When not in use it can be hidden away in the kitchen.
One downside to this machine is that it could be noisy, but it isn't a big deal. It's also small enough to be able to fit on a counter with a small space. But, if you're looking for a Keurig that offers a wider variety of sizes, or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, consider other alternatives.
Keurig K-Select is a single serve coffee maker that combines a sleek design with more user-friendly features. This lets you make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups and brew coffee with a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter (sold separate). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the strength and intensity of your coffee and makes it the perfect choice for those who enjoy a bold cup.
This brewer is simple to use, using simple buttons. Place a K-Cup and select your preferred brew size and press to brew. In less than a minute, you'll have a cup of fresh coffee. The large 52-ounce reservoir allows you to make up to five cups in between refills, easing your morning routine.
The Keurig is simple to clean, with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily hand washed. But, you must clean your Keurig prior to cleaning it, and follow the instructions in the user manual to ensure that your machine is working at its best. This warranty covers the brewer and all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damages caused by abuse or misuse and external causes of failure such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the best option for coffee lovers looking for a machine that can do more than just making your regular cup. It can make a variety drinks such as tea and hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed simultaneously. The machine warms up in only three seconds and can produce the perfect cappuccino or latte using the built-in milk jug. It also has an LCD that can be touched to let you to adjust the temperature, intensity, and quantity of your drink.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs that are a set of ingredients you can use to make your drink. There are more than 70 varieties to choose from, including brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine has a range of T Discs, including ones for hot and tea chocolate.
We found the coffee it made to be of a high quality, albeit slightly less than some of the other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also steamed the milk for the caffe latte in a short time and produced a rich mouthfeel, but not too thick. It is important to note that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar in it, which, while not a major problem however, might not be for everyone's taste.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, removable parts of the brewing unit and the water tank being dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can also be used. A handy indicator light will tell you when to descale, and a water tank will keep limescale at a minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces the amount of electricity it uses by up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso pod coffee machine created in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is among the most beautiful machines on the market. It is constructed of tough and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, as well as a stainless-steel milk jug. Place a pod into the machine, select your cup size and the machine goes into action brewing espresso, lungo, double espresso gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a thick layer of silky frosting.
As with all pod machines you load the pod through an opening on top and drop it in the right spot. The machine punctures the capsule then closes it. When you pull the lever, the used pod will fall into a specially used Pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.
The machine is not the fastest machine to brew espresso, it takes 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always spectacular with a rich, smooth taste and a delicious crema. The machine will also notify you when the water tank or pod bin requires refilling.
The main selling point of this machine is that you can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod - there are seven in total including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) Two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's not cheap, but if you get the subscription deal that bundles this pod coffee machine with pod delivery it could come at a similar cost to a traditional bean-to-cup machine. The slim design of this machine makes it possible to fit in even the tiniest kitchens. The pods are also recyclable, so you can dispose of them in food waste bins for your council bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are some of the best pod coffee makers for those looking for a fast, reliable, and consistent coffee. They heat up quickly and are super easy to use--just insert a capsule, push a button and you're done. They create a rich, creamy crema that can be added to drinks to give more flavor and a thicker layer. They're not cheap, though you must purchase their official pods.
The Vertuo line is a distinct machine from the OriginalLine machines, which utilize espresso capsules. They scan each capsule's barcode and automatically adjust the brewing parameters for the perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion device which spins the capsules to get the best flavor and the thickest crema.
However they're not as intuitive as some of our other choices. For instance, the lid only opens when the machine is ready, and it takes around 30 seconds to heat up enough to allow it to be put into the capsule. It doesn't include milk frothers, as do some of the other pod machines in this list. So you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 to purchase a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more regular maintenance than other models--refilling the water tank, emptying used pod containers, and descaling. However, they have an app that reminds you of these duties and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. And if you connect your machine to an IntelliPort it is possible to control it with voice commands which is a nice touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have a weak hand.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee machine is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It has the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are famous for, and can make both espresso and lungo drinks. It comes with a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height drip tray, and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker makes it simple to make an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or a lungo in the break at work. Its simple control panel looks sleek and doesn't interfere with its purpose. If you're looking to dress your daily coffee even more, it has three filter baskets that can allow for different capsule types. You can use loose-ground beans (although the use of a separate grinder pods coffee machine is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher, however, it does come with a built-in Pannarello milk frother that can froth soymilk and cow milk quite beautifully. It also has a 51mm portafilter, which is smaller than a conventional commercial-style filter. It's pressurized and this is a plus since it means you won't get that stale, leftover grind taste. It also comes with a tamper which doubles as a scoop.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. However, it's worth it if your style is retro or you enjoy making espresso drinks in a hurry. It's also a great choice if you're new to the world of coffee and don't want to have to go through the hassle of grinding, measuring, and the process of tamping your own beans.