The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you simply place a sealed capsule with roasted or ground beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured through for a set amount of time to make your drink.
Certain pod coffee makers offer multiple cup sizes and a built-in filter and milk ability to froth. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is a great choice if you are seeking a Keurig coffeemaker that doesn't have all the bells, whistles and features of higher-end models. It is easy to operate and has a beautiful appearance. When not in use it can be placed in a corner of the kitchen.
One drawback to this machine is that it may be a bit noisy, but this isn't a major issue. It's small enough to fit on a small counter. If you prefer a Keurig with a greater variety of sizes or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you might be interested in other alternatives.
Keurig K-Select is a single serve coffee maker that combines a sleek design with more intuitive features. This allows you to make the perfect cup coffee every time. Choose from hundreds 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 which makes it the ideal choice for coffee lovers who enjoy a bold cup.
This brewer is simple to use, with simple button controls. Insert the K-Cup, select your desired size of brew, and press brew. In less than a minute, you can enjoy a cup of fresh coffee. The large 52-ounce reservoir allows you to brew up to five cups in between refills, easing your morning routine.
The machine is simple to clean, and comes with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily hand washed. However, it is recommended to remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the directions in the user manual to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. This warranty covers all accessories and the brewer, except for normal wear, abuse or misuse and other external causes like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the best choice for coffee lovers who want an appliance that can do more than just make your typical cup. It's designed to create a wide range of drinks like hot chocolate and tea, and comes with a huge 1.3 Liter water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at a time. The machine is warm in just three seconds and can produce a latte or cappuccino using its milk jug built-in. It also has an LCD that can be touched to let 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 need to make your favorite 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 also offers a selection of T Discs for tea and hot chocolate as well.
The coffee that was produced by this machine was of high quality, although slightly lower than other machines in our round-up. It also produced a silky mouthfeel and steamed milk for caffe lattes fast. It is important to remember that the milk's frothy texture has sugar in it that, while not a major problem, may not be a favorite for everyone.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, thanks to the drip tray, the removable parts of the brewing unit, and the water tank all being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as is cleaning disk. A handy indicator light lets you know when it's time to descale, and a reservoir of water keeps limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces the power consumption of up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee maker was designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most appealing machines available. The machine is made of sturdy and attractive materials. It comes with a stylish 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 will whir into action, brewing 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 via a hatch at the top of the machine and drop it into the. The machine punctures the capsule, then seals it. When you press the lever, the used pod will fall into a dedicated used Pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.
The machine isn't the fastest to brew espresso. It takes 30 seconds for a single shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always spectacular with a smooth, rich taste and a delicious crema. The machine also alerts you when the water tank or pod bin requires refilling.
One of the main selling points for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza brand 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 with the subscription deal that bundles the pod coffee machine with a pod delivery service that can come for a comparable price to a regular bean-to-cup machine. Its slimline design allows it to be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens, while the pods themselves are compostable, which means you can place them into your council's 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, and consistent drink. They heat quickly and are extremely simple to use--just insert a capsule, press the button, and you're done. They produce a rich, creamy crema that can be added to drinks for more flavor and thickness. They're not cheap however they are expensive, and you need to buy their official pods.
The Vertuo line utilizes a different technology than OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and still exist). The Vertuo line reads the barcode on each capsule and automatically adjusts the brewing parameters to create the perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion system that spins the capsule to extract the best flavors and the most thick crema.
The machines aren't as intuitive as the other options. For instance the lid is only opened when the machine is ready, and it takes around 30 seconds to heat up enough to put in the capsule. They don't include milk frothers like the other pod coffee makers on this list, meaning you'll need an additional PS90 or so to purchase an additional Aeroccino in order to make lattes or cappuccinos.
They also require more regular maintenance than other models - refilling the pod coffee maker water tank, emptying old pod containers, and decaling. However, they have an app that reminds you of these tasks and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you connect your machine to 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 pod coffee machine is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It features the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are famous for, and can brew both lungo and espresso drinks. It has a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height dripping trays, and removable pod bin.
This coffee maker makes it simple to whip up one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo during breaks at work. Its easy-to-use control panel makes it appear sleek and doesn't distract you from the functionality. It comes with three different baskets for different capsule types. 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 can froth both cow and soymilk quite beautifully. It also comes with a portafilter that measures 51mm, which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. It's pressurised, which is nice because it means you won't get the old, unfinished grind taste. It also includes a plastic Tamper which doubles as scoop.
The SMEG is among the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed, but it's definitely worth it if your a fan of the retro design or enjoy being able to make espresso-based drinks. This is a great choice when you're new to coffee making and don't want to tackle the burden of measuring, grinding and tamping beans yourself.