The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you put a sealed capsule with roasted or ground beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured through for a predetermined amount of time to make your drink.
Some pod coffee machines have various sizes of cups as well as frothing milk capabilities. 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 seeking an Keurig coffeemaker that isn't adorned with all the bells, whistles and features of more expensive models. It's simple to use, has a great design and is able to be hidden away in an area of the kitchen when not in use.
The machine can be loud but it's not a huge problem. It's also small and will fit on small counters. If you're looking for a Keurig with a greater variety of sizes, or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you may think about other alternatives.
Keurig K-Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek style with more intuitive 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). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it a great choice for coffee enthusiasts who prefer a strong cup.
This brewer is easy to use, using simple buttons. Simply insert a K-Cup, select your desired brew size and press to brew. In less than a minute you'll have a fresh cup of coffee waiting to enjoy. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces allows you to brew five cups before refilling, making it easier to manage your morning routine.
The Keurig is easy to clean. The reservoir for water and lid can be cleaned and removed by hand. But, you must remove the scale from your Keurig prior to cleaning it, and follow the instructions in the user manual to ensure that the machine is operating at its peak. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, with the exception of for normal wear or abuse and other external causes like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the ideal choice for those who love coffee and want a machine that can do more than just making your regular cup. It can make a variety drinks including hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at once. The machine is warm in just three seconds and can produce the perfect cappuccino or latte using the built-in milk jug. It also comes with a touch-sensitive screen that allows you to alter the temperature, intensity, and the volume of your beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which include everything you require for your desired drink. There are more than 70 different varieties to choose from, ranging from brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine comes with a selection of T discs, including those for hot tea and chocolate.
We found the coffee it made to be of excellent quality, though just a little less than the other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also produced a silky mouthfeel and steamed milk for caffe lattes in a short time. However, it is to be taken into consideration that the milk with a frothy texture made from T Discs is a source of sugar that, while not a huge issue but isn't for everyone's taste.
Tassimo My Way's removable parts including the drip tray, and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as cleaning disk. A helpful indicator light will let you know when to descale, and the water tank keeps limescale to the minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces its electricity consumption up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
The Nespresso-compatible pod espresso machine from Lavazza which was developed in collaboration with Sage, is one of the most attractive machines on the market. The machine is made of sturdy and attractive materials. It has a neat steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos or lattes, and a stainless-steel milk jug. Put a pod in and choose the cup size and the machine whirs into action - brewing espresso, lungo, double espresso, gran lungo, alto drinks and mugs with a thick layer of silky foam.
As with most pod machines you load the pod using a hatch on the top of the machine and then drop it in the appropriate spot. The machine penetrates the capsule and then closes it so that when you lift the lever, the pod falls into a dedicated spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to make coffee, taking 30 seconds for an espresso shot and about 90 seconds for a lungo however, the results are always impressive, with great crema and a rich, smooth taste. The machine will also inform you when it is time to refill the water tank or pod bin.
A big selling point for this machine is that you can 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 maker isn't cheap but if you combine it with pod delivery services the cost could be similar to the cost of the regular bean-to-cup machine. This machine's slimline design allows it to be tucked away in the smallest kitchens, while the pods themselves are compostable, so you can put them in your council 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 want a fast reliable, consistent, and reliable drink. They are quick to heat up and are easy to use. Simply place a capsule in and push a button and you're ready to go. They produce 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 buy their official pods.
The Vertuo line is based on an entirely different method of technology from OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and still exist). The Vertuo line reads the barcode of each capsule, and then automatically adjusts the brewing parameters to create a perfect cup. They also include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule to extract the best flavors and the most dense crema.
That said, the machines aren't as intuitive as our other choices. The lid is only opened when the machine is ready and it takes about 30 seconds for the capsule to get hot. They don't include a milk frother, like some of the other pod machines in this list. You'll have 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--refilling the water tank, emptying old pod containers, and descaling. However, they do come with an application that reminds you of these chores and provides tools such as store locators pod-making machines and capsule recycling. If you connect your machine to an IntelliPort, you can even use voice commands to control it which is a nice feature for those who make coffee in the dark at 4am, or have limited hand strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee machine is the product of a cherished Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliances company. It has the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are renowned for, and it can brew both lungo and espresso drinks. It comes with a programmable setting for the shot, two-height drip trays, and pod bins that are removable.
This coffee maker makes it simple to make one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or for a lungo during breaks at work. Its simple control panel makes it look sleek and doesn't distract you from its function. If you're looking to dress up your daily joe even more, it comes with three filter baskets that can accommodate different kinds of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although the use of a separate grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher however, it does come with an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother that froths soymilk and cow milk quite nicely. It also has the portafilter 51mm which is smaller than a standard commercial-style filter. It is pressurised so it won't give off the taste of stale food that is left behind. It comes with a plastic tamper that also doubles as a spoon.
The SMEG is among the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed however it's certainly worth it if you're a fan of the retro design or like the ability to whip up espresso-based drinks. This is a great choice for those who are new to the art of making coffee and don't want to tackle the difficulty of measuring, grinding and tamping beans yourself.