The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you simply put a sealed capsule with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. Then the coffee pours through for a predetermined time period to create your drink.
Some pod coffee machines have various sizes of cups as well as the ability to froth milk. The best pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is a great option if you're looking for a Keurig coffee maker that doesn't come with all the bells and whistles and features of more expensive models. It's simple to use, has a stunning design and is able to be hidden away in a corner of the kitchen when it's not being used.
The machine is noisy but it's not a huge problem. It's also quite small and will fit in tiny counter spaces. If you prefer a Keurig with a wider range of sizes or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you might want to consider other options.
Keurig K'Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek style with more intuitive features. This allows you to make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Choose from a wide selection of delicious K-Cup pods, or make your own ground coffee using My-K-Cup's universal coffee filter that can be reused (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the strength and intensity of your coffee and makes it the perfect choice for coffee lovers who love a strong cup.
The brewer has simple controls that are operated by buttons. Simply insert a K-Cup pod, select the brew size you'd like to use, and press the brew button. In less than a minute, you'll be enjoying freshly brewed coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces allows you to brew up to five cups between refills, simplifying your morning routine.
This machine is easy to clean, and comes with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily hand washed. However, you should always clean your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the guidelines in the user's manual to ensure that your machine is working at its best. This warranty covers all accessories and the brewer, with the exception of for normal wear, abuse or misuse and other external causes like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a lover of coffee and are looking for a pod maker capable of making more than just your daily cup of coffee it's the ideal choice. It can make a variety drinks including hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank can allow multiple cups to be brewed simultaneously. The machine can be heated up in only three seconds and can produce the perfect cappuccino or latte using its milk jug built-in. It also has touchscreen that lets you to adjust the intensity, temperature and volume of your drink.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which contain everything you need for your preferred drink. There are more than 70 different varieties to choose from, including brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also offers the option of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.
The coffee made by this machine was of good quality, but slightly less than the other machines we reviewed. It also steamed the milk for the caffe latte in a short time and produced a rich mouthfeel, but not too thick. However, it is to be noted that the frothy milk made from T Discs has sugar, which, while not a huge problem in itself however, may not be to everyone's liking.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to keep clean, with the drip tray, the removable parts of the brewing unit and the water tank all being dishwasher-safe. There's an Brita filter that is included as well as a cleaning disc that can be used. A handy indicator light will tell you when to descale, and the water tank keeps limescale to the minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces the power consumption of up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso pod coffee machine, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most beautiful machines available. It is constructed of tough and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos or lattes, and a stainless-steel milk jug. Put a pod in and select the size of your cup and the machine goes into action making espresso, lungo, double espresso gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a thick layer of silky foam.
As with all pod machines you load the pod using an opening on top and then drop it into the right spot. The machine penetrates the capsule before closing it in such a way that when you press the lever, the pod is deposited into a empty pod tray underneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew it takes 30 seconds to make a shot of espresso and 90 seconds for a lungo - but the results are consistently impressive, with great crema and a smooth, rich taste. The machine will also notify you when it is time to refill the water tank or pod bin.
This machine is a top seller due to the fact that you can use any Lavazza pod. There are seven total which include ground espresso (Qualita Rossa), decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees. Bio). It's expensive, but with a subscription plan that combines this pod coffee maker with a pod delivery service that can come for a comparable price to a regular bean-to-cup machine. The slim design of this machine allows it to fit in even the tiniest kitchens. The pods are also industrially compostable, so you can put them in food waste bins for your council bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines make some of the top pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, speedy and consistent brew. They heat quickly and are incredibly simple to use--just insert a capsule, push a button, and you're done. They produce an intense, creamy crema that can be added to drinks to give greater flavor and thickness. The official pods are not inexpensive and you'll need purchase them.
The Vertuo line uses different technology than OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and are still in existence). The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode on each capsule, and then automatically adjusts the brewing parameters in order to make a perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion machine which spins the capsules to get the best flavor and the thickest crema.
The machines aren't quite as intuitive as the other options. For instance, the lid only opens when the machine is in its final stages, and it takes around 30 seconds to get hot enough to put in a capsule. The machine doesn't come with the milk frother like some of the other pod machines on this list. Therefore, you'll need to shell out an additional PS90 to buy a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more regular maintenance than other models, such as refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and descaling--but they do come with an app that reminds you of these duties and includes tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you pair your machine with an IntelliPort you can control it with voice commands. This is a great feature when you're making coffee at 4am in the dark or have a limited strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee maker is the product of a cherished Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliances company. It sports the modern, sleek curves SMEG are renowned for, and can brew both espresso and lungo drinks. It also has an adjustable shot setting that can be programmed and dual-height drip tray, and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker makes it easy to make one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or for a lungo during your break at work. Its simple control panel makes it look elegant and doesn't take away from its functionality. It comes with three baskets that can be swapped for different types of capsules. You can even use ground beans that are loose (although you'll need to own a separate grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a pitcher for milk. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that can froth cow and soymilk well. It also comes with a portafilter that measures 51mm, which is smaller than the conventional commercial filter. It is pressurised so you won't have the stale, lingering taste. It also comes with a Tamper that can also be used as a scoop.
The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed but it's well worth it if you're a fan of the retro design or like the ability to make espresso-based drinks. It's also a great choice when you're just beginning to learn about the world of coffee making and don't want to deal with the hassle of measuring, pod-making machines grinding and the process of tamping your own beans.