The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you insert a sealed capsule filled with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. The coffee is poured through the machine for a set 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 lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker without the bells and whistles of more expensive models, this machine is a good option. It's easy to use, has a great design, and can be easily hidden into the corner of your kitchen when it's not in use.
The machine is noisy but it's not a huge issue. It's also compact and can be tucked away in tiny counter spaces. However, if you want a Keurig that has a larger variety of sizes, or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, consider other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker is a blend of sleek design with more intuitive features to help you make your perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups and brew coffee with a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee making it a great option for those who enjoy strong cups.
The brewer is simple to operate with buttons. Just put in a K-Cup pod, choose the brew size you'd like to use, and then press to brew. In less than a minute, you'll have a fresh cup of coffee ready to drink. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to brew five cups prior to refilling, making it easier to manage your morning routine.
The Keurig is incredibly easy to clean. The water reservoir and lid can be removed and washed by hand. To ensure your Keurig is running at its peak, you must always remove the scale prior to cleaning. Follow the steps in the user guide. The warranty covers the brewer as well as all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damage caused by abuse or misuse, and any external causes of failure, such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a lover of coffee and are looking for a pod machine capable of making more than just your regular cup of joe it's the ideal choice. It can make a variety drinks, including 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 make a latte or cappuccino using its milk jug built-in. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD which lets you adjust the temperature, intensity and quantity of your preferred beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs that contain everything you need to make your preferred drink. There are more than 70 kinds which include Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also has a selection of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.
We discovered the coffee it produced to be of high quality, albeit just a little less than the other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also produced a creamy mouthfeel and steamed milk to make caffe lattes fast. It is important to know that the milk's frothy texture has sugar, which, while not a major problem it might not be to everyone's liking.
Tassimo My Way's removable parts such as the drip tray and the water tank are dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as is cleaning disk. A helpful indicator light will let you know when it's time to descale, and a water tank will keep the limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is certified 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 appealing machines available. It's made with tough and attractive materials, it comes with an elegantly adjustable steam wand that can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos as well as an stainless steel milk jug. The machine can brew espresso, double espressos, lungos, gran lungos, mugs and altos with an incredibly thick layer of froth.
As with most pod machines you load a pod through an opening on the top of the machine and drop it into place. The machine penetrates the capsule before closing it so that when you pull the lever, the pod falls into a specially empty pod tray underneath the drip tray.
It's 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 spectacular with a smooth, rich flavor and a great coffee machines with pods crema. The machine also alerts you when the water tank or pod bin needs refilling.
A big selling point for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza-branded pod There are seven in all, including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee machine isn't inexpensive, but if you combine it with pod delivery the cost could be similar to the regular bean-to-cup machine. Its slimline design allows it to be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens. Furthermore, the pods are compostable so you can pop them into your council's food waste bins, or even your own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines make some of the best pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, speedy and consistently brewed cup. They are quick to heat up and are super easy to use--just insert a capsule, push the button, and you're done. They produce an extremely creamy, rich crema that can be added to drinks to give greater flavor and thickness. They're not cheap however they are expensive, and you need to purchase their official pods.
The Vertuo line is based on different technology than OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and are still in existence). The Vertuo line scans 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 to get the best flavors and the most thick crema.
However, the machines aren't as intuitive as our other picks. The lid only opens when the machine is ready, and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to get hot. It doesn't include a milk frother, like some of the other pod machines listed on this list. Therefore, you'll need spend an extra PS90 to buy an additional Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more frequent maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and descaling--but they do come with an app that reminds you of these chores and offers tools like store locators and capsule recycling. If you connect your machine to an IntelliPort you can operate it using voice commands, which is a nice feature if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have limited hand strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek machine is the product of an adored Italian brand, and a well-known company that manufactures kitchen appliances. It has the modern, sleek curves SMEG are famous for, and can brew both espresso and lungo drinks. It also has a programmable shot setting and dual-height drip tray, and a pod bin that can be removed.
This coffee maker lets you make an instant cup of espresso or lungo in the morning or during your break at work. Its simple control panel keeps it looking sleek and doesn't interfere with its functionality. It comes with three different baskets for different types of capsules. You can even use ground beans that are loose (although you'll need a separate grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not include a milk pitcher. However, it does have a Pannarello built-in milk frother which can froth cow and soymilk well. It also has a portafilter of 51mm which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. It's pressurised and this is a plus since it eliminates the old, unfinished grind taste. It comes with a tamper made of plastic that also doubles as spoon.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. However, it's worth it if your style is retro or you like making espresso drinks fast. It's also a great choice when you're just beginning to learn about the world of coffee making and don't want to endure the hassle of measuring, grinding, and the process of tamping your own beans.