The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with many able to make coffee in only 30 seconds or so. But they do come at a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And they're not always recyclable (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any possibility of getting a poor beverage. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It does not require a separate milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into the tiniest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered ground compressed in between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that happens it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.

If you're after an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a big selling point and the top models are a breeze to use. Most machines use the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save custom settings for a variety of models to simplify the process further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are designed to be used for a variety of purposes. Whatever the case, you'll need to think about the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your counter, and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment for empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is ideal for areas with hard water.

The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are a joy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space which allows you to drop your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our testers, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press a button and brew. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on shop the krups nespresso coffee machine online counter when not being used.

Whether a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.

The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.

This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of making a cup and ensures each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a specific button so you can make them with the press of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your DeLonghi Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS Coffee Machine that allows you to select the ideal temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a great choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.

Certain models are larger and can make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The lack of flexibility is one of the main reasons it's not the right choice for you. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. This won't be an issue for many people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the specific kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does the job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives exactly what they need.

The coffee maker is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate it every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.

It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's user-friendly with a simple interface and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is an issue. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.