The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you simply put a sealed capsule with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. The coffee is then poured through for a set time period to create your beverage.
Some pod coffee machines have multiple cup sizes and the ability to froth milk. Choosing the best pod coffee maker is dependent on your individual preferences and your lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker without all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, this is a great choice. It's simple to use, has a beautiful design and is able to be hidden away in an area of the kitchen when it's not in use.
The machine can be noisy but that's not a major problem. It is also fairly small and will fit on small counters. But, if you're looking for a Keurig that offers a wider variety of sizes or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, you should consider other options.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker combines sleek design with more intuitive features to help you brew your perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups, or brew your coffee using 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 appreciate a strong cup.
The brewer is simple to operate using buttons. Simply insert a K-Cup, select your desired brew size and press the brew button. In less than one 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, making it easier to manage your morning routine.
The Keurig is incredibly easy to clean. The water reservoir and lid can be removed and cleaned by hand. To ensure your Keurig is operating at its best, you must always clean it by descaler. Follow the steps in the user's manual. This warranty covers all accessories and the brewer, excluding for normal wear or abuse, and external causes such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the best option for coffee lovers looking for a machine that does more than just make your daily cup. It's designed to make a diverse range of drinks, including hot chocolate and tea, and has a large 1.3 litre water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at once. The machine can be heated up in only three seconds and can produce a latte or cappuccino using its milk jug built-in. It also comes with a touch-sensitive screen that allows you to alter the intensity, temperature, and the volume of your beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which include everything you need for your preferred drink. There are more than 70 flavors to choose from, ranging from brands such as 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 produced to be of high quality, albeit just a little less than some of the other pod machines featured in this round-up. It also produced a silky mouthfeel and steamed milk to make caffe lattes fast. It is important to know that the milk's frothy texture has sugar that, while not a major issue however, might 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, and the water tank all being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as a cleaning disk. A helpful indicator light will inform you when it's time to descale, and water tanks will help keep limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is classified as Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee machine, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of 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 or lattes, as well as a stainless-steel milk jug. Pop in a pod, select your cup size and the machine goes into action making espresso, lungo, double espresso gran lungo, alto and mug drinks with a thick layer of silky frosting.
Like most pod machines, you load a pod through a hatch at the top of the machine, and then drop it in place. The machine penetrates the capsule and then closes it so that when you lift 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 around 90 seconds for a lungo - however, the results are always impressive, with great crema and a smooth, rich taste. The machine will also notify you when it's time to refill the water tank or pod bin.
This machine is a top seller because you can use any Lavazza pod. There are seven pods total that include ground espresso (Qualita Rossa) and decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso), and two organic coffees. Bio). It's not cheap, but with a subscription plan that combines this pod coffee maker with a pod delivery service, it can work out for a comparable price to a regular bean-to cup machine. This machine's slimline design means it can be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens. Additionally, the pods themselves are industrially compostable, which means you can place them into your local food waste bins, or even your own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are some of the top pod coffee makers for those who are looking for a fast steady, reliable, and consistent drink. They heat quickly and are extremely simple to use--just put a capsule in, push a button, and you're done. They also create a rich crema that can be added to your drinks for extra thickness and flavor. The official pods are not inexpensive and you'll need to buy them.
The Vertuo line is a different machine than the OriginalLine machines, which still utilize espresso capsules. They scan each capsule's barcode and automatically adjust the brewing parameters for a perfect cup. They also include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule in order to extract the best flavors and the most dense crema.
That said, the machines aren't as user-friendly as our other picks. For instance the lid is only opened when the machine is ready, and it takes 30 seconds to get hot enough to allow it to be put into the capsule. It doesn't include milk frothers, as do some of the other pod machines on this list. Therefore, you'll need to shell out an additional PS90 to purchase a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more maintenance than other models, such as refilling the water tank, emptying pod containers that are used and descaling - but they come with an app which reminds you to do these tasks and also provides tools like capsule recyclers and store locators. And if you pair your machine with an IntelliPort you can control it with 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 coffee machine capsule pod coffee maker is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It features the modern, sleek curves SMEG are renowned for, and can make both lungo and espresso drinks. It also comes with a programmable shot setting and dual-height drip tray, and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker lets you make an instant cup of espresso or lungo in the morning or during breaks at work. Its easy-to-use control panel is elegant and doesn't hinder its purpose. It has three interchangeable baskets for different capsule types. You can use loose-ground beans (although an additional grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a pitcher for milk. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother which froths cow and soymilk very nicely. It also has the portafilter 51mm, which is smaller than a conventional commercial-style filter. It's pressurized and this is a plus since it eliminates the stale, lingering grind taste. It comes with a plastic tamper which also doubles as spoon.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. However, it's well worth it if your style is retro or you love making espresso drinks quickly. It's also a great option if you're new to the world of making coffee and don't want to have to go through the hassle of measuring, grinding, and making your own coffee.